The Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) course is an in-depth mindfulness course that runs over an 8 week period – one evening per week and includes a day long workshop plus an orientation session. The course is perfectly suitable for beginners as well as those who already have a foundation in mindfulness practices. The MBSR course generally takes place in-person. However, given the uncertainty facing us all at the moment, I will be offering the next MBSR course LIVE ONLINE by Zoom in Autumn 2020. I have recently been certified by East Coast Mindfulness, USA as a MBSR LIVE ONLINE Mindfulness teacher. I have adapted the content of the MBSR course so that you will be able to experience the richness of the programme through an online format yielding the same benefits as those offered by participation in an in-person course. Plus there is the added benefit of taking part in the course from the comfort of your own home!! The learning objectives and outcomes for the MBSR course remain the same whether delivered in-person or online so please feel free to read the course description below for an outline of what the course entails. A detailed ORIENTATION SESSION will take place on Tuesday 29th September from which you can learn more about the course and also directly experience mindfulness in a virtual environment.  The next MBSR ONLINE course will begin in late September 2020.  (PLEASE NOTE, IT IS IMPORTANT TO TAKE PART IN THE ORIENTATION SESSION) DATE OF ORIENTATION SESSION: TUESDAY 6TH OCTOBER TIME OF ORIENTATION SESSION: 6.00 PM – 8.30 PM COURSE DATES: TUESDAY 13TH OCTOBER – TUESDAY 1ST DECEMBER COURSE TIMES: 6.30 PM – 9.00 PM RETREAT DAY: SATURDAY 21ST NOVEMBER 10.30 AM – 4.30 PM VENUE: ONLINE IN THE COMFORT OF YOUR OWN HOME COST: €365 (Concessions available) PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR DEPOSIT OF €100 HERE ____________________________________________________ THE COURSE WILL BE HELD USING Zoom™ VIDEO CONFERENCE PLATFORM. WHAT TECHNOLOGY WILL YOU NEED: High-speed internet connection Laptop or desktop with speaker, microphone, and video capability: Phones and IPads/ tablets are not suitable for this course MBSR ONLINE APPLICATION FORM OCTOBER 2020   It is too early to determine when I can offer the next round of Mindfulness courses in-person. I will keep a close eye on developments in this regard and will schedule courses in Kerry as soon as it becomes safe to do so. In the meantime, please do consider taking part in a Mindfulness course ONLINE. The next ONLINE course will be the MINDFULNESS BASED STRESS REDUCTION (MBSR) COURSE and this will begin in Autumn 2020.  Here are some comments from participants who took part in this course in -person over the past 6 months: “My old habit of ruminating has stopped as I am identifying things and dealing with them and moving on.” “As one part of a variety of things I am trying to do to stabilise my mental health, it has been extremely beneficial.” “I feel it grounded me. I have re-calibrated myself.” “The course has opened the door a little so that a wedge of light and understanding of why I act and react in the ways that I do has entered my consciousness.”

Introductory in-person courses in Kerry are currently on hold. However, I hope to schedule an Introduction to Mindfulness course ONLINE during this term. If you would like to register your interest in the next Introduction to Mindfulness course, please contact Susan HERE to express your interest and you will receive an update as soon as the course in scheduled.

This workshop was fully booked and thanks to all of you who took part. It was such a pleasure to introduce you to mindfulness and I’m delighted that most of you have signed up for the Introduction to Mindfulness course beginning very soon! I look forward to continuing to work with you over the coming weeks.  Have a look at the photos of  Listowel Arms Hotel, the beautiful venue where this Mindfulness Taster Workshop took place…warm and comfortable!

Mindfulness is a practice that can be undertaken by staff teams, teachers and groups of community leaders as part of their Continuing Professional Development. Many groups and staff teams find a mindfulness workshop useful for self-care and for team building. Mindfulness courses on offer to your organisation, staff team or school include: A one-off introductory Mindfulness workshop for staff, which includes a presentation on the theory and principles of Mindfulness as well as experiential practices. The timing of this session can be designed to suit the needs of your group, organisation or staff team and options and resources for follow up are included. An “Introduction to Mindfulness” course which includes 4, 5 or 6 practice sessions, once weekly, designed to introduce your team to the main principles and practices of Mindfulness as well as supporting them to look at ways of incorporating Mindfulness into the workplace. Times for this course can be scheduled according to the needs of your group but the course works particularly well when run in the late afternoon or early evening, at the conclusion of the working day. Participation as a staff team in the Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction programme. Mindfulness sessions can also be tailored to suit the needs of your organisation’s team or staff grouping so please feel free to contact Susan to discuss your particular requirements. Over the past number of years, courses, introductory sessions and presentations were held with: Credit Union staff Adult Ed Teachers Tinnitis Support group Stroke Support group Baile Mhuire Stroke Service, Tralee Ard Curam Stroke Service, Listowel Young Adults with Down Syndrome Nursing Staff working with children with life limiting conditions Early School Leaver students Youth groups Community Mental Health Service Staff teams of Secondary and Primary schools Active Retired groups Staff of Kerry Council Council Rehabcare Fexco UCC Dental School Mental Health Student Nurses, Institute of Technology, Tralee Kerry Travellers Development Project Kerry County Libraries HSE Physiotherapy Department HSE Social Work Department HSE Mental Health Team Recovery Haven Bereavement Group Tearmann Mental Health Day Care Service, Dingle Foster carers Some feedback from these sessions: “The teaching and administration staff of Killarney VTOS Adult Education engaged with an Introduction to Mindfulness Course. The feedback from all members of staff has been very positive. The experience was very worthwhile and effective for team building. A practice which many staff have now integrated into their daily personal and professional lives.” Members of a Stroke Support group reported the following: “People who have suffered a stroke have a lot of stress, worry and anxiety in their lives. Having a session with Susan on mindfulness can really help, showing you ways to relax and techniques to make this realxation part of everyday life.” “I have learned to set time aside for me, just to relax, breathe…no telly, no noise or any other distraction.” “It helps to rest the mind.” It’s fantastic to chill out and forget my troubles.” Helps me to relax and stop worrying.”