About this event
This nurturing and practical 8-week course will give you the tools to integrate mindfulness into your life.
How much are we running on automatic? Relying on old habits and hoping for the best? Mindfulness meditation can help you move from merely surviving to thriving in life. This nurturing and practical 8-week course will give you all the tools you need to integrate this practice into your daily life.
The course will teach you how to use mindfulness to cope with stress or pain, let go of unhelpful thought patterns, and move towards more clarity and joy in life. Though you may have already had a taste of the benefits of meditation, making it a daily habit proves elusive for many. This is why you will be actively supported in developing a sustainable, rewarding meditation practice.
The course consists of eight weekly in-person 90-minute sessions, each focussing on a particular area of mindfulness. Through seminars, guided meditations, group discussions, tailored instruction and weekly assignments, participants learn the fundamentals of mindfulness and how to live with more presence and less anxiety. The small class size contributes to a person-centred learning environment and creates space for peer support and new connections.
The course runs every Sunday from 24th September to 12 November 2023
During the course you will:
Learn a variety of meditation practices including body scan, breath meditation, mindful movement, walking meditation and the practice of presence.
Gain an understanding of how different types of stress affect your health and learn how to use mindfulness to manage your stressors.
Develop the ability to notice unhelpful thought patterns and learn to practice acceptance, kindness and compassion.
Learn techniques for practising mindfulness during everyday activities, including a mindful take on money, work, and home life.
Gain an experiential understanding of how mindfulness can lead to a more fully realised and happier life
The course includes printed weekly summaries, home assignments, guided audio meditations, video recordings and a completion certificate at the end.
Participants are encouraged to commit to 25 minutes of daily home practice to benefit fully.
This offering is suitable for complete beginners and all who wish to develop a regular practice of meditation. I always aim to create a calm, safe and welcoming environment in which to learn and practice. After the course, you can contact me for semi-regular mentoring for your ongoing practice. In the medium term, I endeavour to hold retreat days for alumni.
ABOUT THE TEACHER
Stevan is a community builder, mindfulness teacher and student of Zen. He has practised Buddhist meditation since 2016 and non-violent communication since 2019. He has also initiated and led weekly meditation sessions at the centre and organised a Queer Climate Assembly. Stevan is qualified to lead this course as a trainee teacher and is in IMTA-accredited mindfulness teacher training.
INVESTMENT
Solidarity: £190
Standard: £150
Low income: £110
This is not only an investment in yourself but also in our community. The London LGBTQI+ community centre receives £40 for every standard and solidarity booking.
HOW TO REGISTER
To secure your space, we require you to pay a £50 deposit and fill in a short registration survey (https://forms.gle/e8Nzr2gDYEXuaieS8). The survey will allow Stevan to tailor the course to your needs and ask optional diversity questions. You’ll decide the rate you pay at the first session and no one will be turned away for lack of means. The deposit will become non-refundable 14 days after booking. By booking, you agree for the centre to share your email address with Stevan in case you do not complete the registration survey.
A ccessibility:
The Centre's accessibility statement is here.
Fully accessible but sadly not suitable for those with personality disorders. Adjustments will be made following the registration questionnaire.
Covid and monkeypox safety at the London LGBTQ+ Community Centre:
To keep our community safe, we ask that all visitors do not visit the Centre if they are feeling any Covid-19 and/or monkeypox symptoms including headache, fever, sore throat, consistent cough, chills and unusual spots, scabs or ulcers.
You can wear a mask if you feel more comfortable. We also have masks and hand sanitiser available at the Centre.
For current information on Covid and monkeypox please visit the NHS website.