Christchurch (Fendalton) – Intro to Mindfulness and Meditation 4 Week course.

The Mindfulness Works exclusive 4-week introductory course provides you with an opportunity to experience the benefits of mindfulness. WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE COURSE? * 4 x classes  * 45-page guidebook * 4 week free gift subscription to the Calm premium mindfulness app * Weekly emails with extra articles and instructions * Downloadable guided mindfulness meditations for you to keep ABOUT MINDFULNESS WORKS Mindfulness Works is New Zealand’s largest mindfulness training organisation. Every month over 500 people complete the Mindfulness Works introductory course. WHAT IS MINDFULNESS? Mindfulness means “paying attention in a particular way; On purpose, in the present moment, and non-judgementally.” — Jon Kabat Zinn (Professor of Medicine Emeritus Stress Reduction Clinic and the Centre for Mindfulness in Medicine). Modern research about mindfulness and meditation [http://mindfulnessworks.co.nz/the-evidence-that-mindfulness-meditation-work/] shows that over time and with regular practice, mindfulness offers significant benefits to people including less stress, less anxiety, greater focus, calm and happiness. _"NZ MENTAL HEALTH FOUNDATION MENTAL HEALTH PROMOTER GRANT RIX SAYS MINDFULNESS HAS BEEN SHOWN TO BENEFIT OUR BRAINS TO SUCH AN EXTENT THAT WE CAN FEEL CALMER, MORE AWARE, HAVE AN INCREASED ABILITY TO FOCUS AND CONCENTRATE, REMEMBER THINGS BETTER AND FEEL HAPPIER." — NZ MENTAL HEALTH FOUNDATION PRESS RELEASE JULY 2012_    THE BENEFITS OF MINDFULNESS AND MEDITATION With regular practice and over time, mindfulness and meditation can offer the following benefits. * Reduced stress and anxiety * Improved sleeping patterns * Increased relaxation * Greater self-awareness and emotional intelligence * Deeper levels of self-acceptance and self-love “Neuroscientists have found that meditators shift their brain activity to different areas of the cortex…This mental shift decreases the negative effects of stress, mild depression and anxiety. …The researchers found that the meditators showed a pronounced shift in activity to the left frontal lobe. In other words, they were calmer and happier than before.” — Psychology Today [https://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/200304/the-benefits-meditation] IMPORTANT NOTE FOR THOSE WITH CLINICAL OR SEVERE DEPRESSION Many studies show that with regular practice and over time (at least 8 weeks), mindfulness can reduce stress and anxiety. However if you have severe or clinical depression, it is important that you receive specialist medical advice. For more information and support on depression, please visit: The NZ Mental Health Foundation: https://www.mentalhealth.org.nz/ [/%20https%3A//www.mentalhealth.org.nz/] Depression Help/Support NZ Website: https://depression.org.nz [https://depression.org.nz/]/ The Low Down — Depression Help/Support for Young People: https://thelowdown.co.nz/ FULL 4-WEEK COURSE – DON’T SETTLE FOR LESS:  Give yourself the full experience of a 4-week course rather than just an introductory workshop or a shorter course. Mindfulness takes time to develop as a habit and a full 4-week course allows you to practise between classes; giving you a greater opportunity to experience the benefits of mindfulness for yourself in a real way. NO RISK MONEY-BACK GUARANTEE:  If you attend all the classes (complete the course) and don’t feel you have received any benefit, you are entitled to a full 100% money-back refund. You still get to keep all the course materials, downloadable guided meditations, workbook and app. EXCLUSIVE 45-PAGE GUIDEBOOK: Our exclusive 45-page professionally-designed Mindfulness Works guidebook is for you to keep. This includes weekly assignments, lots of articles and a reading list. EXCLUSIVE – FREE 4-WEEK GIFT SUBSCRIPTION TO THE CALM MINDFULNESS APP:  All course participants receive a free 4-week gift subscription to the full version of the award-winning Calm Mindfulness and Meditation app. PLUS get 25% off the price of a 12-month subscription to Calm premium. NO RELIGION. NO DOGMA. NO FUNNY POSITIONS:  This course is practical and fun with no religious elements at all. We sit in chairs, the language used is clear and modern. EXPERIENCED AND WELL-SUPPORTED TEACHERS:  Receive guidance from experienced mindfulness teachers with retreat experience, who have received our Mindfulness Works teacher training and who partake in ongoing professional development. COURSE TOPICS: WEEK 1: WHAT IS MINDFULNESS AND WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS? WEEK 2: MINDFULNESS AND THE THINKING MIND WEEK 3: MINDFULNESS AND EMOTIONS WEEK 4: MINDFULNESS AND SELF-COMPASSION WHO IS THIS COURSE SUITABLE FOR? This course is suitable for absolute beginners who have no or very little mindfulness and meditation experience. This course is not suitable for children and is best for people aged 18+. YOUR COURSE FACILITATOR IS LEA GODFREY Lea has been practicing meditation for 18 years. During that time, she spent seven years living in India and Nepal, with the great fortune to meet meditation masters from the Tibetan tradition and to study and undertake retreats under their guidance. She also worked in the translation and publication of Buddhist texts. With a Bachelor of Social Sciences in Psychology from Waikato University; Lea has worked as a Life Line counselor, and also as a Bereavement Counselor at Nurse Maude hospice. Presently qualified as a NZ Apprentice Buddhist Chaplain through the NZ Buddhist Council and Amitabha Hospice, she volunteers on the Spiritual Care Team at Nurse Maude Hospice, supporting the terminally ill and co-facilitating the Grief Support Group. Lea is currently studying Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) in order to further her approach to facilitating mindfulness. Aware that meditation and mindfulness is the key to a healthy body and mind, she is passionate for others to experience the benefits of mindfulness practice.   QUESTIONS OR MORE INFORMATION: If you have questions or require more information:  Email: karen@mindfulnessworks.co.nz Ring 0800 308 007 Contact Form: Mindfulness Works website contact form [http://mindfulnessworks.co.nz/contact/] TESTIMONIALS FOR THE MINDFULNESS WORKS INTRODUCTION TO MINDFULNESS & MEDITATION COURSE: _“Thank goodness I came across Mindfulness Works. I have learnt so much in a year and am the happiest, authentic and most content that I have ever been. By learning acceptance without judgement has been an eye opener for me. I’m continuing my journey of self-compassion and feel excited and hopeful for my future. But am grateful of the now and who I am today…” __– Rebecca Young_ _“The course was very relaxed and friendly, and full of useful practical advice that recognised the limits to time that everyone faces. Also I liked the mix of people attending, with a range of different reasons for being there.” _— Rosie Cree  _“Since doing this course, I have been sleeping much better, I feel much more in control of my emotions, I have enjoyed ‘noticing’ my own state, but also it has transferred to everything around. This means I am re-enjoying many things that I had been taking for granted.”  _— Sandy Good   FAQS   ARE THERE MINIMUM AGE REQUIREMENTS TO ENTER THE EVENT? This course is for people 18 years of age and over.   WHAT SHOULD I BRING TO THE EVENT? Please bring comfortable, warm clothing. If you would like to sit on a cushion or stool, please bring this with you.   WHAT'S THE REFUND AND TRANFER POLICY? We offer full refunds or transfers up to one week before this course starts. If you attend all 4 classes of the course and feel you have not got value, you are entitled to a full refund. We do not offer refunds if you do not attend all 4 classes of the course.   DO I HAVE TO BRING MY PRINTED TICKET TO THE EVENT? No   IS IT OK IF THE NAME ON MY TICKET OR REGISTRATION DOESN'T MATCH THE PERSON WHO ATTENDS? Yes