IN THE ZONE MINDFULNESS COURSE FOR MEN

Feel Better. Perform Better. Live More. 4-Week Mindfulness Course by Men For Men. $95

This practical 4 week mindfulness course was designed by men for men. Most men know the feeling of “hitting the wall” at some stage in life. This course is for anyone who has experienced that and would like to learn effective ways of moving through this. It is also for men just generally looking to improve your focus, clarity and work or sports performance.

Most people find that over time that mindfulness can help to:

• Improve sleeping patterns
• Reduce stress, anxiety and depression
• Improve concentration and focus in areas of life such as work and sports
• Increase feelings of self-acceptance and meaning in life
• Increase mental clarity

What is Mindfulness?

Mindfulness means “paying attention in a particular way; On purpose, in the present moment, and non-judgementally.” – Jon Kabat Zinn (Professor of Medicine Emeritus Stress Reduction Clinic and the Centre for Mindfulness in Medicine).

Modern research about mindfulness and meditation shows measurable and significant benefits to people including less stress, less anxiety, greater focus, calm and happiness. Organisations such as Google, Apple, Nike and Yahoo! now run mindfulness programmes and sessions for staff during work hours.

The Benefits of Mindfulness

“Neuroscientists have found that meditators shift their brain activity to different areas of the cortex…This mental shift decreases the negative effects of stress, mild depression and anxiety. …The researchers found that the meditators showed a pronounced shift in activity to the left frontal lobe. In other words, they were calmer and happier than before.” - Psychology Today

Over time, and with regular practicemindfulness can help to:

• Reduce stress and anxiety
• Increase feelings of self-acceptance and self-love
• Improve sleeping patterns
• Increase relaxation
• Increase enjoyment of life

"Mental Health Foundation mental health promoter Grant Rix says mindfulness has been shown to benefit our brains to such an extent that we can feel calmer, more aware, have an increased ability to focus and concentrate, remember things better and feel happier." - NZ Mental Health Foundation Press Release July 2012

Mindfulness for Mental Health

Over time mindfulness can help to reduce stress anxiety and depression
Mindfulness can help with improved sleeping patterns
Mindfulness can assist with feeling better about ourselves with greater self-acceptance

Mindfulness for Performance

Mindfulness can assist with sports and athletic performance by making it easier to concentrate and be present
Mindfulness can help with work performance by reducing distractions, fatigue and stress
Mindfulness can help with innovative and creative thinking

No religion, no new-age nonsense and no funny positions…

This course is practical with down to earth advice, techniques and explanations
There is no religion, dogma or belief systems to adopt in mindfulness based meditation and methods
The instructions and explorations throughout the day has a focus on practical, everyday life
We sit on chairs and there are no strange positions at all (cushions are available if you prefer)

About The Course

• Practical with no dogma or religion
• Each class includes a instruction, a guided meditation and time for questions/reflections
• Meditation is in chairs
• Four weekly 55 minute classes
• Safe and supportive environment
• Learn to meditate in a simple, clear, effective and practical way
• Develop your capacity of self-awareness, self-understanding, compassion and mindfulness
• Generate greater calm, insight and wisdom

Course Contents:

Week 1: What is Mindfulness?

• What mindfulness is
• The benefits of mindfulness and meditation
• How to get the most from the course
• Guided body scan mindfulness meditation
• Question and answers / discussion

Week 2: Working with the Mind

• Why thinking can be problematical
• Practical ways to work with difficult thoughts
• Self judgement and how to intervene
• Guided mindfulness meditation - counting the breath
• Questions and answers / discussion

Week 3: Working with Emotions and Feelings

• What are emotions?
• Learning to feel emotions
• The RAIN method
• Non-judgement and acceptance
• Guided mindfulness meditation on feelings
• Question and answers / discussion

Week 4: Radical Acceptance

• What it means to be present
• How wanting causes stress
• Developing wisdom and insight
• Authentic self compassion
• Open awareness guided mindfulness meditation
• Question and answers / discussion

All Introductory Courses Include:

• 4 classes
• 45 page workbook
• Downloadable guided mindfulness meditations
• Weekly emails

Refund Policy and Transfer Policy

• Full refunds are available up to one week before a course starts.
• Free transfers to other courses are available up to one week before a course starts.
• Once a course has started, full refunds are only available if you attend every class of the course and feel you have not got value. In this case you are entitled to and will be given a full refund.
• Refunds are not given if you do not attend every class of the course and if you simply ‘do not like’ the course or decide it ‘is not for you’.

How Long is Each Weekly Class and What Happens?

Each class is 55 minutes long. There will be a guided meditation for a period. This will include meditation instruction. After the meditation and instruction there will be a talk or discussion. This includes a question and answer time.

Who is This Course Suitable For?

This course is suitable for absolute beginners.

Your Trainer is Blair Bowker

For the last 25 years my passion for kayaking and exploring has taken me around the world. It was during these travels, 20 years ago, that I first came into contact with meditation and mindfulness in Kathmandu, Nepal, where I attended my first 30 day meditation retreat. The first of many. Hooked, I spent the next several years in India learning the art of meditation under various teachers.

My deep interest in how meditation could be more fully integrated into my daily life took me around the world practicing mediation and living in retreat centers. Whilst living at the Insight Meditation Society in Massachusetts, USA, set up by Jack Kornfield and Joseph Goldstein, I learned to face one of my biggest challenges in life; being with chronic pain.

I practiced mindfulness for 10 years, yet something was still missing, somehow deep patterns remained unmoved. This drew me to Psychosynthesis, a holistic therapy with mindfulness at its heart. Working with a Psychosynthesis therapist I started to uncover these patterns and drives and integrate what I had learnt through meditation. Profound transformation took place.

Some of my other working background includes setting up and running projects for isolated and homeless youth, training organisations in social networks and communication, life coaching and working within the mental health sector.

I am a qualified counsellor working in private practice and training as an Psychosynthesis psychotherapist. I work in a way to help people transform and deeply accept themselves. I am interested in how we can be fully alive and present to all of life, even its challenges, while staying connected to a sense of ease.

Questions or More Information

If you have questions or require more information:

Visit our website www.mindfulnessworks.co.nz

Email: karen@mindfulnessworks.co.nz

Ring or text: 027 664 9281

Contact Form: Mindfulness Works website contact form