We have been teaching Mindfulness in Wirral since 2016. See below for details of our upcoming online MBSR (Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction) 8-Week Course.
Face to Face MBSR Course – West Kirby – St Bridget’s Centre
Our next Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Course will run in the new year on Sunday evenings at St Bridget’s Centre, West Kirby, beginning on Sunday 29th January and finishing on Sunday 19th March 2023
All evening sessions run from 6.30pm – 9.00pm (with the exception of the first session which runs from 6.30pm – 9.30pm).
This course also includes a retreat day on Saturday 11th March (10am – 4pm)
What is an MBSR course?
The Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) programme is the gold standard course in mindfulness. The MBSR programme is an evidence-based course that has many scientifically proven benefits including helping people to cope better with day to day stress and anxiety. It can help improve mood and mental, emotional and physical wellbeing, aid sleep, help people cope better with pain and can even aid memory, concentration, awareness and other cognitive skills! It has also been shown to help prevent relapse of depressive symptoms.
What happens on an MBSR course?
Sessions are made up of a combination of mindfulness practices, and teacher and group discussion in a supportive and safe environment. You will be supported in developing your own practice through weekly homework. You will be provided with weekly handouts and guided audios to guide you in your learning and practice.
Who developed the MBSR course?
The MBSR course was developed by Professor Jon Kabat-Zinn at the University of Massachusetts. Jon Kabat-Zinn defines mindfulness as the awareness that arises from paying attention, on purpose, in the present moment and non-judgmentally. MBSR uses a combination of mindfulness meditation, body awareness, yoga and exploration of patterns of behaviour, thinking, feeling and action to give us a personal toolkit to access the many benefits of a mindfulness practice.
About the Mindfulness teachers in Wirral
You will be led through the course by Paul and Stephen Smith of Yogasmiths. We are yoga and mindfulness teachers and have both been teaching mindfulness practices since 2016. We are both passionate about MBSR and the benefits that it can bring.
Having two friendly, inclusive, nurturing teachers will help you to get the best from the MBSR course. You can view our vast range of qualifications here: www.yogasmiths.org/about
What can I get from doing the MBSR course?
- Learn and become confident in using a wide range of ‘formal’ mindfulness meditation practices using the breath, body and senses including body scan, mindfulness movement and seated meditation practices.
- Learn to live more mindfully and with more awareness in your day to day life using ‘informal’ mindfulness practices. As a result this can aid our relationships, connections and communications, and help us become less caught up in negative thoughts, feelings and behaviours
- Develop more helpful and healthy responses to stress
- Recognise patterns of worrying and patterns in your thinking that can generate more stress
- Develop your own practical self-care ‘toolkit’ that is there for you whenever you need it
- Above all become empowered to confidently use mindfulness in your day to day life during and after the course
How much does the MBSR course cost?
The cost of the course is £289. This includes the eight evening sessions plus the additional retreat day, and full access to our online MBSR student area which will includes guided audio mindfulness practices, mindfulness movement videos and all course handouts to support your learning and home practices.
How to apply
To apply for the course just complete the self assessment form which you can download here:
Please complete the above form and email to us at enquiries@yogasmiths.org. Payment is to be made on acceptance to the course (if you prefer to pay by instalments please discuss with us).
Reviews of the MBSR Mindfulness Course – Wirral with Yogasmiths:
“I found the Mindfulness Based Stress Relief Course really helpful. I had already used mindfulness via books and on-line to help with several very stressful periods over the last couple of years, but doing the course helped me build it into my daily life. Steve and Paul are excellent and empathic teachers who made me feel safe to share my thoughts and valued for my contributions, as did the other participants, and the discussions made me realise that although we all have different circumstances and stresses we also have much in common. The weekly course sessions were a good balance of discussion and different mindfulness practices, skilfully led by Paul and Steve. Making the time to do the longer practices during the week felt a little daunting to start with, but I soon moved to feeling positive about allowing myself the time to nurture my own mental well-being. Practising mindfulness doesn’t take away stressful situations, but it has helped me to react to them in a better way. I think I am now dealing with what is, rather than worrying about what might be. Some other benefits for me have been in feeling calmer, noticing the world around me in more detail, starting to be more accepting of things I can’t change, and I have a better sleep pattern than I did when I started the course.”
— Hilary, Hoylake
The Venue – St Bridget’s Centre – Hilbre Room
The course will run at St Bridget’s Centre in West Kirby. We will be in the lovely Hilbre Room which is a peaceful, airy, light room with a lovely view across to the church.
Here is a link to the website for St Bridget’s Centre. https://stbridgetscentre.co.uk/
Location
The Centre is located behind St Bridget’s Church in the old village of West Kirby on St Bridget’s Lane adjacent to St Bridget’s Primary School. Access is available from St Bridget’s Lane or through the Churchyard from Rectory Road and Church Road.
Car parking
You are recommended to park on Church Road or Carpenter’s Lane.
Public Transport
Good rail and bus links are available in West Kirby on Grange Road – a 10 minute walk from the centre.
Any questions
If you have any questions about the course please don’t hesitate to contact us either by email enquiries@yogasmiths.org or by calling us on 07834 268052 (Paul) or 07809 298478 (Steve).
Mindfulness in Wirral – Yoga classes
We also teach weekly Yoga classes both online and in person. Our Yoga teaching is focused on mindful movement. You can check out our classes in our shop here: https://yogasmiths.org/shop/