Mindfulness is paying attention to the present moment with awareness but without judgment.

Mindfulness is a skill like any other. It can be learnt and taught in a variety of ways, including formal meditation practices (such as mindfulness of breath or body awareness meditations) as well as bringing attention and awareness to informal daily activities (such as communicating, washing dishes, eating, etc). The Everyday Mindfulness and Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction courses are excellent ways for people to learn mindfulness.

Mindfulness is different from meditation because mindfulness is a way of relating to what’s happening while meditation is a practice that can help people achieve a mindful state of being.

Mindfulness is about paying attention to the present moment, without judgement, and objectively viewing one’s emotional response, be it pleasant or unpleasant. Meditation is a fast track to strengthening your ability to be mindful in everyday life.

Meditation is a practice. Often, people sit still while meditating, noticing the sensations of their breaths, while also being aware of their surrounding environment, thoughts, sensations and emotions. Meditation can also be an activity like walking or yoga if done in a particular way.

Mindfulness is compatible with all religious faiths. Despite its Buddhist roots, mindfulness is not specific to any single belief system. Mindfulness is about developing our ability to be fully present moment to moment without judgement.

Core to almost all religions is the notion of the contemplative life, and mindfulness is all about contemplation and awareness. People of faith gain clarity and courage by turning their attention inwards, ultimately strengthening their connection with their faith, no matter the belief system.

That’s a very common misconception. To be mindful or to meditate, you don’t need to fully empty your mind of thoughts (nor is it possible). We’re gifted with an incredible mind and it does what it is supposed to do: think constantly.

Through regular practice, you learn to view the mind’s activity as a radio playing in the background; you’re aware it’s there and can tune in when you choose. You can also learn to let it play in the background while you focus on something else. The mind will never be empty of thoughts, and that’s not the aim.

Any moment of mindfulness is beneficial and any time given to meditation is beneficial. However, for the course duration, we ask you to readjust your schedule so you have time for meditation. Think of it as a prescribed dosage, just as you would take prescribed medicine for a set period of time. After the course is over, you can allocate time as you wish to formal and informal mindfulness and meditation practices. As mentioned, any moment of mindfulness is beneficial.

No, you can sit in any way that’s comfortable for your body while meditating. That may be on a straight-backed chair, a cushion, or a meditation stool. A posture that’s alert but not stiff, with your spine and neck aligned and your shoulders relaxed is best. Aim for a comfortable position that embodies a sense of dignity and wakefulness.

If you need to adjust your posture, position, or how and where you’re sitting, then please do so. You are the expert on what your body needs. Formal body awareness practices teach us to notice the sensations taking place in our bodies. We learn when change is required and when to allow the sensation to pass.

It is not unusual for people to have reservations about participating in a group activity. As someone who has experienced trauma in my past, I understand the importance of creating a safe environment where participants always have a choice. There is no expectation or obligation for you to share your experience with the group. You do not need to close your eyes during any of the meditations. I will always invite you to work within your own window of tolerance.

To get the most benefit from the course, it’s best to attend every session. If you do need to miss a session for any reason, that’s okay. Try not to miss more than one session so you receive the full scope of the course.

You can still attend the course. Sleeping during the meditations may indicate that you’re simply in need of more sleep. Typically, people find that as the course progresses, they fall asleep during meditations less frequently. The aim is to be alert and awake, but it’s common in the early stages for people to feel somewhat drowsy.

Please always follow your doctor’s instructions in regards to medications.

I am deeply committed to supporting people through these challenging times by offering the course at the most affordable rate possible. No one will be turned away if unable to pay. I invite you to contact me if you can’t afford the minimum fee and want to participate.

Fees will be refunded (minus $50) if you withdraw two or more days before the first class.

Fees will be refunded (minus $100) if you withdraw the day before the first class or after session number one.

Afterwards, fees are not refundable.

Open Wisdom reserves the right to cancel courses due to low enrolment. A full refund will be provided. We do not offer transfers to a subsequent course.

If you wish to withdraw from your current course partway through, you will be offered a 50% discount off the course fee for the following term.

If you are unable to complete the course because of serious life disruption (such as a serious illness or family crisis), please let us know. At our discretion, we may provide a credit note valid for six months so you can enrol in a future course.

Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) is a formal eight-week program created in 1979 by Jon Kabat-Zinn at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. MBSR supports people with their stress, chronic pain, anxiety, depression, sleeplessness, headaches, grief and other causes of stress.

Open Wisdom’s mindfulness courses are for everyone. Many people enrol because they are experiencing significant anxiety or stress and are overly worried about the past or the future. Participants may be struggling with pain, grief or depression.

Other people enrol because they are happy with their life and want to learn to be more present. Or they want to learn to meditate or deepen their current meditation practices. Or they want to learn how to incorporate mindfulness into their everyday life and experience its benefits.

Couples often enrol in the course as it provides them with a common language and understanding of mindfulness, which can help people navigate the challenges of relationships and parenting.

No prior experience is needed. Everyday Mindfulness and MBSR are perfect for beginners and for those wishing to strengthen their existing practice.

For the duration of the course, participants do the formal and informal practices suggested at home. The real work of the course is in this home practice, the weekly class sessions are more of a support.

Yes, I am trained by the Mindfulness Training Institute of Australia and New Zealand (MTIA) and have achieved full certification. Certification is only awarded to those who have taught many courses as a Registered teacher, worked with a supervisor over many months or years, submitted video and audio recordings of classes and meditations which have passed a rigorous assessment, attended several multi-day silent meditation retreats, and submitted essays and reflective papers about the practice and teaching. This is all on top of the detailed prerequisites to enter the teacher training pathway.

I am also a certified Trauma-Sensitive Mindfulness Practitioner, and a member of the International Mindfulness Teachers Association.

My courses are held in the Blue Mountains, NSW, Australia.

I am a fully certified mindfulness teacher with the in-depth training and qualifications needed to teach. In addition, I have been meditating and practising mindfulness for more than 30 years. My ethos is one of gentle, open, accepting and inviting warmth.

I also provide excellent value for money, not only with all you receive during the course, but after the course is over you are welcome to attend the free fortnightly online practice group and become part of the Open Wisdom mindfulness community.

If considering other organisations, please be sure that, as a minimum, they have mindfulness teaching certifications.

During the MBSR course in particular, we do gentle yoga and stretching. We likewise do some movement in the Everyday Mindfulness program. This is always done in a non-striving way though; you do not need to reach a certain state and you don’t need to compete with other people or even with yourself. You just need to listen to your body’s innate wisdom about how far you go with each exercise or whether you adjust each to suit your body’s capabilities. Even choosing to not do a particular exercise is fine.