Mindfulness is very popular just now partly because our stress levels have spiked during the Covid-19 pandemic. Perhaps also, many of us slowed down long enough to notice just how stressful our pre-covid lives were. But what is mindfulness and how can it help you?

Ironically, mindfulness advocates simplicity but there is a lot of confusion around our understanding of mindfulness. Mindfulness is sold to us on social media as a magic pill that reduces anxiety and other human sufferings. However, mindfulness requires practice. It is not a magic pill - the mindfulness muscle needs regular training. Don't let this discourage you as the benefits may be life enhancing.

Register your interest in my Mobility & Mindfulness - An Introduction to Yin Yoga and Mindfulness Workshop here.

Here are some assumptions about mindfulness:

• mindfulness is a way of being in any moment - aware of thoughts, emotions and body sensations as they emerge

• mindfulness meditation refers to meditation focused on helping practitioners become more mindful

• mindfulness requires practice - it is not a magic pill, the mindfulness muscle needs regular training

• some benefits of a regular mindfulness practice include: compassion and kindness to ourselves and as a consequence to all things. This can only be a good thing - just look at how we have mindlessly trashed our natural world.

How a Mindfulness Body-Scan differs from a Yoga Shavasana

If you have attended one of my yoga classes you may have experienced the deep relaxation at the close of the class in shavasana. An intention of this practice is to relax and let go. To rest properly. To allow space for the body to replenish and re-set. The intention in a mindfulness practice such as a body-scan meditation is not to change anything. To simply pay attention to your experience as it is in the moment. This means that your experience during the practice may not be relaxing. If you are anxious or in pain this may be your experience.

Usually, you leave a yoga class after shavasana without discussion. A group mindfulness practice is followed by inquiry. During a Mindfulness for Living 8 week course the group reflects on their experience of their personal practice. The group inquiry is led by the mindfulness teacher. Rob Brandsma defines inquiry as: "A conversation method aimed at exploring a personal practice experience - and reactions to that experience - by inviting participants to transcend their usual way of looking in order to assume a different perspective, one through which participants can acquire insight into unconscious patterns, enabling them to be less reactive in dealing with life's challenges."

He describes reactivity as: "Reactivity is the tendency to react after an experience in order to control or change it. It usually takes the form of attempts to push something away (aversion) or hold onto something (clinging). Reactions are generally the outcome of profound conditioning aimed at controlling a situation; however, reacting often isn't the most effective strategy for preventing suffering."

Here are some assumptions about mindfulness group inquiry:

• there is no wrong way to practice mindfulness

• you participate verbally in the group inquiry if you want to

• mindfulness group inquiry is not counselling or psychotherapy

Mobility & Mindfulness - An Introduction to Yin Yoga and Mindfulness Workshop

I have recently completed a Yin Yoga teacher training with respected teacher and trainer Bernie Clark. Yin yoga is slower than the more common Yang yoga classes. The longer held poses are a perfect opportunity to practice mindfulness. In this workshop you will be introduced to some of the basic principles of Mindfulness through Yin yoga. Each pose will be taken as a mini-mindfulness meditation. An invitation to slow down and pay attention.

Please note, this workshop is a yoga workshop and as such will not include group inquiry.

Register your interest in my Mobility & Mindfulness - An Introduction to Yin Yoga and Mindfulness Workshop here.

Reference: The Mindfulness Teaching Guide: Essential Skills and Competencies for Teaching Mindfulness-Based Interventions by Rob Brandsma, pages 103-104