Welcome to my new website and news page… I am very excited to be sharing this with you all. I have spent the summer weeks writing content and making autumn plans. It’s a work in progress and for those of you that have been asking yes, I will be uploading some of my meditation recordings very soon too.
So here we are in September, my favourite time of year (and not because it’s my birth month and a milestone age at that) but because I love to notice the changes in colours that this month brings, awakening all the senses as the temperatures drop and the nights draw in.
‘To say it was a beautiful day would not begin to explain it. Today was the day when the end of summer intersects perfectly with the start of fall’ Ann Patchett
Photo taken Dunwich Heath, Suffolk
The summer was not without its challenges for my family, such is the reality of life. I did take comfort though on a day’s masterclass with Dr Kirstin Neff, an inspirational teacher and pioneer of self-compassion. Kristin shared some practical exercises and talked about the difference between mindfulness and self-compassion and why both work so well together - “like a dance or tango” she said, and how we can all soothe our difficult emotions with this dance. Self-compassion is in practice to offer the same kindness to yourself as you would a friend.
Clearing by Martha Postlewaite
Do not try to save
the whole world
or do anything grandiose.
Instead, create
a clearing
in the dense forest
of your life
and wait there
patiently,
until the song
that is your life
falls into your own cupped hands
and you recognize and greet it.
Only then will you know
how to give yourself
to this world.
I was also fortunate to attend a 3 day silent retreat in the heart of the city. Coming home from London every evening amongst the commuters after a day of silent practice was challenging, not helped by the pouring rain and no brolly on day one! But after 3 days of shared practice with a lovely group, I came away with my heart warmed and my mind quietened – a clearing of sorts ready for a new day. I share here a poem by Martha Postlewaite read by one of the teachers during the retreat.
Autumn Teaching News - I am delighted to be back teaching the MBSR 8 week Mindfulness course this term at the wellbeing Pilates Pavilion, look out for the taster classes this month prior to the course starting on Tuesday evenings from the 2nd October to 27th November. There are still places left so do get in touch to book.
Plans for this term also include regular monthly refresher classes on Sunday mornings. These sessions are ideal for those with a meditation/yoga practice, and or have completed a mindfulness course before.
Mindful Parenting News – My colleague Lauretta and I have also been trialling an online parenting programme this summer. The course is designed to help parents learn cognitive tools and practices (for both parent and child) to help them parent more mindfully. Taster online sessions are running throughout late September ready for the start of the 6 week course in October.
Baby Mindful News – the baby mindful classes that proved so popular at the Orleans Art Gallery in Twickenham, are also continuing this term. New Classes will run in four week blocks on Monday mornings from October and will include mindful movement and some new creative mindful sessions too. For more information visit: https://www.orleanshousegallery.org/event-categories/children-families/
You can now book online for all of these classes this term by visiting the bookings page of the website. To receive up to date news on courses, events and future meditation recordings sign up for my mailing list.
Hoping that you will find some light and wellbeing moments in my mindful musings this term and that the new website proves to be a useful resource to dip into and share.
Warm wishes,
Sam