Mindfulness is the capacity for paying
attention to this moment, here and now, in a
non-judgmental, kind and open manner. For that reason, it
can also be considered as the practice of loving kindness
itself. The energy of mindfulness when integrated in the
practice of Yoga and Meditation, as we do here at
Mindfulness
Education, brings
alive the experience of the body, breath, heart and mind.
Mindfulness is one of the practices used in Buddhism, and
extensively studied both in the East and the West. What
research studies show is that mindfulness can be an
effective treatment for managing stress, anxiety,
depression, pain, in a variety of populations including the
chronically ill.
The idea behind its various techniques of movement,
stillness, breathing and meditations is to allow
practitioners to cultivate a way of life that is creative,
dynamic, flexible and accepting of the various movements of
life. The practice of mindfulness gives practitioners the
ability to experience the polarities of life with openness,
gentleness, from a place of non-violence
(ahimsa, in sanskrit). It is fundamental to
mindfulness the practice of non-violence, towards others,
the world and most importantly to our own life (including
our thoughts, feelings and physical sensations).
Yoga plays an
important role in the practice of mindfulness, as it
explores our intimate connection to ourselves and this is
explored in the mindfulness-based yoga and meditations
programmes offered at Mindfulness
Education. Here we
learn how to truly participate in the ‘given’ experience,
and create insight into our own suffering
(dukha). We learn with the practice of
mindfulness to see what keeps us stuck in the body, the
mind and the heart, and address our difficulties with a
great deal of compassion.
"Yoga is living beyond our personalities. It is living in
the wholeness of our being."