‘Mindfulness is a "must-have": a way to keep our brains healthy, to support self-regulation and effective decision-making, and to protect ourselves from toxic stress.’
Your questions, answered.
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What's the difference between Openground's courses and other mindfulness stuff that is out there?
Openground has 20 years of experience in helping people with serious mental and physical health challenges. Our programs spring from a long tradition of preventative and behavioural medicine which has been researched over decades. Much of the more recent mindfulness stuff has been watered down:
- using videos V exploring with a dedicated teacher
- just using an app, rather than a detailed exploration of your patterns and how to interrupt them
- using the research about longer, intensive programs like MBSR and MBCT to "sell" more "light-on" programs
- focussing on "well-being" rather than acknowledging just how tough mental health problems can be.
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Who is MBSR for and what does it involve?
Our MBSR course is for anyone who wants to reduce work, family or health-related stress, bring a greater sense of balance and meaning to their lives, and learn how to manage challenges more skillfully.
The MBSR course involves:
- an individual phone interview with your teacher
- a 2.5 hour class, once a week for eight weeks, plus one full retreat day
- yoga and body awareness training
- an exploration of your own patterns of thinking, feeling and action, and how to transform them
- brief lectures and discussions
- individual feedback and support
- scientific rationale for the practice
- your commitment to daily homework practice using audio tracks and a course book.
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Why is it important to practice?
Mindfulness is not just a good idea – it’s a practice!
A with any new skill – like learning to swim, do Pilates or play golf – just hearing or reading about mindfulness can only take you so far. Experience and practice are the two things that will lead to lasting and profound changes.
For the training to make a real difference to your mental health, ask yourself if you are willing to make a commitment to undertake some formal practice each day over the eight weeks of your course. This will make all the difference to your satisfaction with the course, the benefits you experience, and your life.
Training in mindfulness will equip you with a very portable set of skills that you can practice anywhere, anytime. Give it a go and let's see what happens!