mindfulness Archives - Mindfulness Association Being Present | Responding with Compassion | Seeing Deeply Mon, 30 Mar 2026 16:08:09 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 https://www.mindfulnessassociation.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/cropped-WhatsApp-Image-2024-10-08-at-10.25.42-32x32.jpeg mindfulness Archives - Mindfulness Association 32 32 Anxiety as an Obstacle in Meditation Practice https://www.mindfulnessassociation.net/team-blogs/anxiety-as-an-obstacle-in-meditation-practice/ Wed, 04 Mar 2026 15:05:02 +0000 https://www.mindfulnessassociation.net/?p=39138 There are different levels of anxiety that might be experienced in meditation practice.

Anxiety might arise in relation to a worry or concern about something happening in our life. Maybe an upcoming house move or a job interview.

It might also arise because we have a strong habit of anxiety, which we have cultivated over many years, so that we become concerned when we don’t have something to be anxious about. Worry thoughts just pop into the mind randomly, we engage them and get caught up in catastrophising thinking loops which feed our anxiety.

We might also experience existential anxiety when our meditation practice is about to generate a significant insight. Such insights can change the way we think about ourselves, what we think we are and how we think the mind works. Or they can change the way we think about the world, what it is and its true nature. We might think, if my perspective changes, who would I be? How would I live in the world? What would the consequences for my life be? I wouldn’t be who I think I am!

I remember once being on retreat when I had an insight about how mean I had been to someone. This contradicted my idea of myself as a kind person and so was very threatening. I remember being very upset and overwhelmed. Not because I had been mean to this person, but because my image of who I thought I was had been challenged. This insight threatened my sense of self.

Transformative insights are very valuable in enabling us to see and come to terms with deeply ingrained habits. They are the basis of deep personal growth which over time reduces our levels of day to day suffering (and that of those around us) and increases our overall happiness. If we can unconditionally accept these old habitual patterns they tend to transform themselves by a process which Krishnamurti called ‘The seeing is the doing’. When we see clearly and in a felt sense way how our habitual patterns cause harm, then they tend to transform themselves. But after such transformation, who would I be?

So, this kind of existential anxiety can be a significant block to our progress of meditation practice. So how do we proceed?

First, we familiarise ourselves with the components that make up anxiety, the thoughts we buy into, how anxiety feels, and any emotions that accompany the anxiety. Then we can hold these components in a wider space and see them for what they really are,  habitual happenings within the mind and learn that we don’t have to buy into them and make them real.

Second, we cultivate courage. There is no courage without fear. The deeper the fear the stronger the courage. Compassionate imagery can help us here to cultivate an ally that has absolute courage and strength to support us in facing anxiety when it arises.

If this is something you are interested in exploring, then why not try our Managing Anxiety Course starting in September. You can find more information here.

]]> The Everyone Project – Bringing mindfulness to those who need it most https://www.mindfulnessassociation.net/team-blogs/the-everyone-project-bringing-mindfulness-to-those-who-need-it-most/ Tue, 25 Nov 2025 08:48:45 +0000 https://www.mindfulnessassociation.net/?p=39952 Bringing Mindfulness To Those Who Need It Most

In January we are launching a 31-day Mindfulness Practice challenge, as a way of supporting the wonderful work for The Everyone Project (it is also way to refresh your mindfulness practice for the new year to come!!).

The Everyone Project is a charity that was set up as an offshoot of the Mindfulness Association.  It had become increasingly clear to us that despite our aim to make mindfulness accessible to all, many people were struggling to access courses and missing out on the benefits and support it can bring.

The Everyone Project was set up with the purpose to make mindfulness accessible to those who need it most. We know that the benefits of mindfulness can be life-changing, yet many people face barriers, be they financial pressures, social issues, or personal realities, that prevent them from accessing the courses and training that could so benefit them.

And so the idea was born of offering our Mindfulness Based Living Course (MBLC) at no cost to allow as many people as possible to engage in practicing mindfulness.  The idea is to help disadvantaged and isolated groups, and those living with multiple stressors, to connect with mindfulness and to help them flourish and achieve their true potential.

 

The Mission

At the Everyone Project, we set ourselves the goal of giving the gift of mindfulness so that everyone in society has the opportunity to flourish.  This might seem like a tall order, but it is something we commit to, one person at a time, echoing how mindfulness deals with each moment at a time!

The work we offer is guided by two core aims:

    • Advancing education and health by making mindfulness and related skills available in line with the Mindfulness Association Approach.
    • Advancing scientific understanding by researching the impact of mindfulness interventions to inform future developments.

 

The Future of the Project

The Everyone Project works because of the selfless commitment of our teachers, organisers and wider team, who offer their skills for free.  This approach is imbued with the attitudes of kindness and compassion that are at the heart of the Mindfulness Association and the work has brought the benefit of mindfulness to many. If you would like to know more about the Everyone Project and its work, click here (link)

However, the work of the Everyone Project is far from over and it will require support from others if it is to continue to help people access mindfulness courses and flourish. If you would like to support the work, why not sign up for our 31-Day Charity Mindfulness Challenge here and help those who really need the support access this wonderful practice?

]]> Mindful Qigong – Mindfulness – Autumn Intake https://www.mindfulnessassociation.net/course/mindful-qigong-mindfulness-autumn-intake/ Wed, 04 Dec 2024 11:31:57 +0000 https://www.mindfulnessassociation.net/?post_type=mec-events&p=35354 Learn how to combine the ancient arts of Qigong with Mindfulness over 5 evening sessions online. ]]>

Bring Balance to your Body and Mind

I can feel a real difference in the body from doing the movement

I loved the opportunity to practice movement mindfully and to be learning a style of movement that has been benefitting people’s mental health for hundreds of years.

Tutor has gentle, all-embracing style which fosters learning and acceptance.

The course opened my eyes (and mind!) to ways of integrating movement with sitting practice, and how beneficial that could be, as well as exploring the body/mind connection

i enjoyed the opportunity to increase my body awareness through the practice of the body scan particularly as it seemed appropriate for being aware of the deep stabilising muscle of the spine both upper and lower.

I have been incapacitated because of pain created by ‘broken’ tendons for 2 years. I thought and still think that Qigong is helpful with this condition.

The movement enhances my mindfulness practice

It’s great we are able to use Zoom to do all this and meet everyone, plus have the recordings which are invaluable

I loved being able to move softly and experience becoming softer each time, and not to just to think that once softness is achieved, there is no where else to go.

That’s the beauty of it, listening intently to the body and seeing what it wants to do and how it wants to flow through the many layers of that softness. it feels very freeing.

The Mindful Body – Learn to tap into the wisdom of the Body

Help release trapped emotions in the body with Mindfulness, Qi Gong, Tai Chi & Gentle Yoga

5 Weekly Thursday Evening Sessions 7pm – 9pm starting 2nd – 30th October 2025

With Jacky Seery

Complete with course manual and videos to download.

“The body is not experienced as a solid object but as the ‘experience of sensing’, floating weightlessly like a cloud in the open, empty, loving sky of awareness” Rupert Spira

“The Taoist book Saikdondan says: The rest in rest is not the real rest; there can be rest even in movement. An Ancient worthy says “Meditation in movement is a hundred, a thousand, a million times superior to meditation at rest”. Lopez

About the Tutor:
Course tutor Jacky Seery undertook her QIgong, Yoga and Tai Chi Mastership training over 10 years ago and taught for several years before undertaking her MSc Mindfulness training. Jacky skilfully interweaves the ancient practices of mind and body bringing together a gentle programme of healing and wellbeing suitable for every body.

What to Expect:

  • This course will include gentle, easy to follow mindful movement – using Qi Gong, Yoga, Tai Chi and Meridian Stretches.
  • You will learn short, easy to follow movements and sequences as we go on a journey bringing mindfulness and compassion to every move.
  • We will begin to become more aware of trapped emotions inside the body and begin to help these release with Mindfulness and the ancient arts of gentle Yoga, Qigong and working with the meridians that are familiar in Chinese Medicine.
  • You will learn some mini sequences to do at a desk or in a chair.
  • Cultivate awareness of the body throughout any movement, including how to be more mindful when running, cycling and swimming etc.
  • The sessions will include sitting mindfulness practices as we transition from sitting to movement and back to sitting.
  • We will also practice a compassionate body scan and explore how to move our bodies with kindness.
  • In our Mindfulness Training – awareness of the body helps us to remain present and can reveal a multitude of emotions that we are experiencing or even hiding.
  • This new awareness provides us with the opportunity to give some space and kindness to any pain or tight sensations we are experiencing and allow healing to happen and the movement helps to shift the trapped energy.

Benefits

Movement and Qigong, both rooted in ancient practices, offer a wide range of physical, mental, and emotional benefits. Here’s an overview:

  1. Physical Benefits:
  • Improved Flexibility and Balance: Qigong involves slow, deliberate movements that enhance joint flexibility and improve balance, reducing the risk of falls and injuries.
  • Enhanced Strength and Stamina: The gentle resistance and controlled movements in Qigong build muscle strength and endurance without the intensity of more strenuous exercises.
  • Better Circulation and Cardiovascular Health: Qigong movements stimulate blood flow, supporting cardiovascular health and reducing blood pressure.
  • Boosted Immune System: Regular practice is believed to enhance immune function by reducing stress and increasing energy flow, helping the body resist illnesses.
  1. Mental and Emotional Benefits:
  • Stress Reduction: Qigong’s focus on deep, mindful breathing and slow movements helps activate the parasympathetic nervous system, promoting relaxation and reducing stress levels.
  • Improved Focus and Mental Clarity: The meditative aspects of Qigong, including its emphasis on concentration and breath control, enhance cognitive function and mental clarity.
  • Emotional Balance: Regular practice can help regulate emotions, providing a sense of calm and emotional stability, and reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression.
  • Mind-Body Connection: Qigong encourages a deep awareness of the body and its movements, fostering a stronger connection between mind and body, which can improve overall well-being.
  1. Energy Flow and Spiritual Benefits:
  • Enhanced Qi (Energy) Flow: Central to Qigong is the concept of “Qi” or life energy. Practitioners believe that Qigong helps balance and enhance the flow of Qi throughout the body, contributing to overall vitality and health.
  • Grounding and Centering: Qigong practices often emphasize connecting with the earth and centering oneself, which can provide a profound sense of grounding and inner peace.
  1. Social and Lifestyle Benefits:
  • Accessible and Adaptable: Qigong is low-impact and can be adapted to suit people of all ages and fitness levels, making it an inclusive practice.
  • Social Interaction: Practicing Qigong in groups can foster a sense of community and provide social support, which is beneficial for mental and emotional health.
  1. Holistic Health:
  • Integration of Body, Mind, and Spirit: Qigong promotes a holistic approach to health by integrating physical movement, breathing techniques, and meditation, addressing the well-being of the whole person.
  • Preventive Health: Regular Qigong practice can serve as a preventive health measure, helping maintain balance in the body’s systems and potentially reducing the need for medical interventions.

The course will take place on Zoom over 5 evening sessions from 7-9pm.

This course is for everyone – no prior experience required – so if you are a beginner or experienced practitioner, this course will hep you begin your mindfulness journey or bring a new element to your practice. The movements are all very gentle and can be done seated if you wish.

This course counts as Continued Professional Development (CPD) for Mindfulness teachers wishing to learn more about mindful movement in their practice and teaching.

 

This is a standalone course – where you will be able to take away some practices, with video to follow, to integrate into your daily life.

If you wish to continue after the course, once a year there is the opportunity to deepen with two more advanced courses with a focus on qigong with compassion and insight.

Booking: contact info@mindfulnessassociation.net

MINDFUL-QIGONG-2-INFOG

Jacky talks about the course in this short video

Read Jacky’s Mindful Movement Blog

Read Science of Mindfulness – Benefits of Mindful Movement Blog

Read The Power of Mindful Movement: Scientifically Proven Benefits of Mindfulness and Qigong Blog

SAMPLE QIGONG PRACTICE

You can find more short Qigong Practices on our YouTube Channel – click here to join in. 

11 Minute Qigong Warm Up

]]> Mindful Qigong – Moving with Compassion https://www.mindfulnessassociation.net/course/mindful-qigong-compassion/ Thu, 31 Oct 2024 14:26:12 +0000 https://www.mindfulnessassociation.net/?post_type=mec-events&p=35351 Learn how to combine the ancient arts of Qigong with Mindfulness over 5 evening sessions online. ]]>

Mindful QiGong with Compassion ~ Tuesday Evenings Online

Bring Balance to your Body and Mind

I can feel a real difference in the body from doing the movement

I loved the opportunity to practice movement mindfully and to be learning a style of movement that has been benefitting people’s mental health for hundreds of years.

Tutor has gentle, all-embracing style which fosters learning and acceptance.

The course opened my eyes (and mind!) to ways of integrating movement with sitting practice, and how beneficial that could be, as well as exploring the body/mind connection

i enjoyed the opportunity to increase my body awareness through the practice of the body scan particularly as it seemed appropriate for being aware of the deep stabilising muscle of the spine both upper and lower.

I have been incapacitated because of pain created by ‘broken’ tendons for 2 years. I thought and still think that Qigong is helpful with this condition.

The movement enhances my mindfulness practice

It’s great we are able to use Zoom to do all this and meet everyone, plus have the recordings which are invaluable

I loved being able to move softly and experience becoming softer each time, and not to just to think that once softness is achieved, there is no where else to go.

That’s the beauty of it, listening intently to the body and seeing what it wants to do and how it wants to flow through the many layers of that softness. it feels very freeing.

The Mindful Body – Compassion- Learn to tap into the wisdom of the Body

Help release trapped emotions in the body with Mindfulness, Qi Gong, Tai Chi & Gentle Yoga

5 Weekly Evening Sessions 7pm – 9pm starting Tuesday 7th October, Tuesday 14th October, Tuesday 21st October, Tuesday 28th October and Tuesday 11th November 2025

With Jacky Seery

Complete with videos to download and manual.

“The body is not experienced as a solid object but as the ‘experience of sensing’, floating weightlessly like a cloud in the open, empty, loving sky of awareness” Rupert Spira

“The Taoist book Saikdondan says: The rest in rest is not the real rest; there can be rest even in movement. An Ancient worthy says “Meditation in movement is a hundred, a thousand, a million times superior to meditation at rest”. Lopez

About the Tutor:
Course tutor Jacky Seery undertook her QIgong, Yoga and Tai Chi Mastership training over 10 years ago and taught for several years before undertaking her MSc Mindfulness training. Jacky skilfully interweaves the ancient practices of mind and body bringing together a gentle programme of healing and wellbeing suitable for every body.

What to Expect:

  • This course follows on from the Mindful Qigong Course where we introduce new Compassion practices into the Qigong movement flows, however anyone can join the course.
  • You will learn new qigong sequences which incorporate compassion practices from the Level 2 Compassion Course.
  • This course will include gentle, easy to follow mindful movement – using Qi Gong, Yoga, Tai Chi and Meridian Stretches.
  • You will learn short, easy to follow movements and sequences as we go on a journey bringing mindfulness and compassion to every move.
  • We will begin to become more aware of trapped emotions inside the body and begin to help these release with Mindfulness and the ancient arts of gentle Yoga, Qigong and working with the meridians that are familiar in Chinese Medicine.
  • You will learn some mini sequences to do at a desk or in a chair.
  • Cultivate awareness of the body throughout any movement, including how to be more mindful when running, cycling and swimming etc.
  • The sessions will include sitting mindfulness practices as we transition from sitting to movement and back to sitting.
  • We will also practice a compassionate body scan and explore how to move our bodies with kindness.
  • In our Mindfulness Training – awareness of the body helps us to remain present and can reveal a multitude of emotions that we are experiencing or even hiding.
  • This new awareness provides us with the opportunity to give some space and kindness to any pain or tight sensations we are experiencing and allow healing to happen and the movement helps to shift the trapped energy.

The course will take place on Zoom over 5 Tuesday evening sessions from 7-9pm.

This course counts as Continued Professional Development (CPD) for Mindfulness teachers wishing to learn more about mindful movement in their practice and teaching.

If you wish to continue after the course, once a year there is the opportunity to deepen with the Mindful Qigong with Insight.

To Book: please  use the booking link at the side or contact info@mindfulnessassociation.net

_web-MINDFUL-QIGONG-INFOG

Read Jacky’s Mindful Movement Blog

Read Science of Mindfulness – Benefits of Mindful Movement Blog

Read The Power of Mindful Movement: Scientifically Proven Benefits of Mindfulness and Qigong Blog

SAMPLE QIGONG PRACTICE

You can find more short Qigong Practices on our YouTube Channel – click here to join in. 

11 Minute Qigong Warm Up

]]> Living Well to Die Well – Annual Retreat https://www.mindfulnessassociation.net/course/living-well-to-die-well-annual-retreat/ Wed, 30 Oct 2024 13:37:01 +0000 https://www.mindfulnessassociation.net/?post_type=mec-events&p=35349 Cultivate a practice that enables you to live well every single day without regret. ]]>

Deepen Your Practice

Living Well to Die Well

A catch up weekend for all Living Well to Die Well Course graduates

Join us for a unique opportunity to get together at Samye Ling or Online for our Annual get together to deepen our practice.

During this weekend of practice and reflection our key themes will be impermanence and attachment. Reflecting on impermanence, enables us to recognise how fortunate we are in this moment and to use our time well, while we have the opportunity. Given, that time is short, how will we use the time we have, to live well? It enables us to come to terms with and accept the facts of sickness, old age, and death, which will happen to us and to our loved ones. As we age, we will lose much that we take for granted and when we finally die we will lose everything. Therefore, being attached to what we have and take for granted now, health, relationships, material possessions, will cause suffering in the long run. We will explore how we can fully enjoy what we have now, without attachment.

Eternity by William Blake

He who binds to himself a joy

Does the winged life destroy

He who kisses the joy as it flies

Lives in eternity’s sunrise.

We will also have the opportunity to share in making practical preparations for our own death, addressing legal issues, how we want to be cared for by family and health professionals, and what we want to happen around us as we go through the stages of dying.

 

Price: £165

Location: Samye Ling & Online

Booking: contact info@mindfulnessassociation.net

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