Online 8-Week Mindfulness for Life Course Details
Dates: 16th, 23rd, 30th January 2023
6th, 20, 27th February (no class 13th February - half term)
6th, 13th March
Time: 7:30pm-9:00pm
Online Platform: The sessions are delivered on Zoom. You do not need a Zoom account to access the sessions. You will receive the link/meeting ID a week before the course with a reminder sent the day of each session.
Cost: £170
Instructor: Debbie Larson, occupational therapist and Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) Teacher
What type of mindfulness course is this?
This is the 8-Week Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy for Life Course, developed by the University of Oxford. It is also known at 8-Week MBCT-Life Course or 8-Week Mindfulness for Life Course.
How many people are in the course?
The online course will have a maximum of 15 participants.
What do we do each session?
Each session consists of 30 minutes of different mindfulness practices and 45 minutes of interactive teaching of a new mindful concept. The practices reinforce the mindfulness concept and each concept builds on what was learned the previous week. There are opportunities to ask questions and share your mindfulness experiences with each other in small groups (breakout rooms). The discussions are around what we are learning and there is no need to share anything personal if you do not wish to. We take a 10-minute break half way through the session.
What do I need for each session?
Try to access the course on a desktop or laptop computer as they usually give better connectivity with a larger screen to see each other. Try to find a space where you are alone and free from distractions. If others are in hearing range of your device, please wear headphones to protect the privacy of the other group members.
The mindfulness practices can be done sitting or lying down. A firm upright chair (eg. kitchen chair) is best for sitting practices and lying practices are best on a flat, firm surface (bed or floor). Cushions, mats and blankets are optional but will support your posture and make you more comfortable. Have warm layers close by as you may cool down during the practices. Week 3 and 4 include mindful movement and walking. You only need a small space where you can stretch out and walk about 5 paces for these practices.
Do I need to have my video camera on?
Please have your cameras on for the interactive teaching parts of the sessions and in the breakouts rooms. The course is much more meaningful when we can see and interact with eachother and being able to see everyone helps us all feel safe and supported. Cameras can be turned off during the mindfulness practices. If a virtual background screen is needed, select a subtle or blurred background as animations can be distracting.
Are there handouts?
Yes, you will be e-mailed a digital handout prior to each session.
Will I receive a certificate?
A certificate of attendance will be e-mailed to you after the course if you’ve attended a minimum of 7 of the 8 sessions.
Are the sessions recorded?
No.
What if I miss a session?
There are brief video summaries of each session that you can access if you aren't able to attend a session. Please note that watching the recording does not replace attendance of a session for the purposes of receiving an attendance certificate. The course itself is not recorded.
Will I get homework?
30 minutes of daily home practice is suggested to do between the sessions. These can be accessed for free through the Simply Mindfulness YouTube channel. This channel remains accessible and free after the course. Building up a regular home practice can be challenging and takes time. The course is designed to help you do this. Come with the intention to commit to a regular home practice and we will take it from there. People who develop a regular home practice find they are able to sustain the benefits of mindfulness beyond the course. People who haven’t been able to develop a home practice may notice a dip the wellbeing benefits gained in the course. However, even without having a regular home practice, there will still be a greater understanding about mindfulness and the confidence of knowing how to practice it when it is needed.
Is it for everyone?
If you are experiencing extreme difficulty or are in the midst of a major illness or a distressing life event, it is not the right time to learn mindfulness. Mindfulness does not replace medical care or one to one therapy. Please contact the instructor or your GP if you have any concerns.