Being Mindful

Being Mindful:  courses and coaching

If you’re interested in mindfulness training or private coaching but are not quite sure, we are here to help.  We run mindfulness courses and training throughout the year and we’re happy to talk things through before you decide.

Why go with Being Mindful?

We believe you’re in good hands here.  Our teacher, Simon Barnes, has practiced mindfulness for more than twenty years. Plus, he has an MA in teaching mindfulness-based approaches, and co-authored a feasibility study with Reading University for adapted mindfulness practices.  He is a professional mindfulness teacher and is registered with BAMBA (British Association for Mindfulness-Based Approaches).    

Secondly, we believe that a solid mindfulness practice is an essential support for good mental health in current times. The mindfulness we offer strengthens our capacity to attend to what really matters by training the ‘muscle’ of the mind to notice when it has strayed into unhelpful worry and rumination.

In the modern world we face levels of stress and anxiety that over time can break down our ability to adapt and respond in a healthy way. We often end up struggling to maintain balance which can leave us mentally and physically drained.  Being mindful supports us through challenging times.

What kind of mindfulness do you offer?

It’s crucial you engage with a proven method of working with the mind. Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and Finding Peace in a Frantic World are two evidence-based mindfulness programmes renown for efficacy.  We offer both approaches for group courses

In addition to our group courses we also offer 1-2-1 coaching and workplace training.  

1-2-1 Mindfulness Coaching

We recognise it can be more convenient to work in a private setting.  It can also be more productive, especially if there is a particular focus that brings you to mindfulness.  We tailor sessions to suit your needs or follow a standard 8-week curriculum.  Find out more.

Simon has a long history in coaching and has recently contributed to Jonathan Passmore‘s latest book Cognitive Behavioural Coaching.  

Mindfulness in the Workplace

According to the Mindfulness Initiative report to Parliament we spend more of our time working than doing anything else, and researchers have found that these hours are on average the least happy of our lives. Endemic stress  accounts for a large proportion of workplace absence and represents a huge loss of national productivity. Meanwhile, success in most organisations relies on the very things that unhappiness and stress erode – collaboration, creativity, cognitive flexibility and effective decision-making.

Psychologist and researcher Jutta Tobias says “Mindfulness in organisations has been researched for at least 25 years. The evidence shows consistently that when individuals and teams practice mindfulness whilst working together, and when mindfulness is part of the culture and strategy of the organisation, then such an organisation performs more reliably than its competitors.”

Our workplace mindfulness training is not about how much people can do.  The intention is to understand and manage our own thoughts and feelings in a way that supports and sustains our health and well-being.  We believe this is essential to thrive in today’s complex, dynamic and interconnected world.

What do I need to do?

First, register for a free consultation so we can talk about your interest.  It’s a relaxed meeting to explore the options and answer any questions before you make a decision.  It’s free and there’s no obligation.

We’re registered with BAMBA, the British Association of Mindfulness-Based Approaches, and abide by their Good Practice Guidelines. 

Why bother with mindfulness?

If you’re still not sure about the next step you might appreciate this wonderful blog post written by a guy who took a mindfulness coaching course with us recently.

Being Mindful: A+ for mindfulness courses and coaching.