Sasha trained as an MIndfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) teacher at Sussex Mindfulness Centre, which is one of the leading training centres in England.  She is registered with the British Association of Mindfulness-Based Approaches (BAMBA).

FREE Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy Taster 12-1pm Thursday 18th April, The Yoga Garden, Knepp Estate, Swallows Lane, Dial Post, Horsham, West Sussex RH13 8NN

For info and booking see HERE

Course details: MBCT, 12-2pm, 9 Thursdays starting 2nd May 2024, at the Yoga Garden, Knepp Estate, Swallows Lane, Dial Post, Horsham, West Sussex RH13 8NN.   £160

For more info and booking see HERE

MBCT combines meditation and cognitive therapy which can help us develop greater wellbeing and manage stress.

"Mindfulness... is the miracle which can call back in a flash our dispersed mind and restore it to wholeness so that we can live each minute of life."      Thict Naht Hahn

The course is formed of 8 two hour classes that include guided mindfulness meditation, reflection, enquiry and teaching on mindfulness.  There is also a pre-course introductory session. Participants are encouraged to practice 20-45 minutes audio guided mindfulness meditation and engage in home practices alongside classes to enhance the effectiveness and benefits of MBCT.

Jon Kabit-Zinn defines mindfulness as “awareness that arises through paying attention, on purpose, in the present moment, non-judgementally”

Mindfulness helps us:

• develop awareness of thoughts, feelings and experiences

• make conscious healthy responses to relating to stress and life

• nurture kindness towards ourselves

Jon Kabit-Zinn, pioneer of secular mindfulness, distilled ancient Buddhist meditation practices to create Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction (MBSR) programme, which make accessible the benefits of Mindfulness to more people.  MBSR was developed in the States about 40 years ago, to help initially with stress management and was also found to reduce psychological distress for people with chronic pain.  Since then MBSR numerous research studies have found it to be effective in reducing depression and anxiety; improving sleep,  and health conditions.  

MBCT was developed in England by Psychologists Zindel Segal, Mark Williams and John Teasdale from MBSR in the early 2000s

MBCT has been found to be effective in preventing depression relapse and is recommended by NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) for this.  NICE also recognises how beneficial MBCT is for wellbeing at work and recommends it should offer "offer all employees (or help them to access) mindfulness or meditation... on an ongoing basis."

Research:

Keng, Shian-Ling et al. “Effects of mindfulness on psychological health: a review of empirical studies.” Clinical psychology review vol. 31,6 (2011): 1041-56. doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2011.04.006