Drop into a better head space

Find calm and peace

Relax and decrease stress

Treat yourself to this half day retreat at Houchen House and enjoy this lovely and peaceful venue. During the day we will explore mindfulness meditation and working with thoughts and emotions to access the ease and joy of being fully present. This will be a mixture of doing sitting or lying mindfulness practices as well as exploring mindfulness in the beauty of nature. There will be a instructions on mindfulness, guidance on how to work with your mind and emotions so you can learn ways to experience acceptance and peace.

Who is it suitable for?

This is an ideal course for both beginners and people with previous experience.

About your trainer

Blair Bowker

For the last 25 years my passion for kayaking and exploring has taken me around the world. It was during these travels, back in 1996, 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 meditation and living in retreat centers. I spent two years living at the Insight Meditation Society in Massachusetts, USA, set up by Jack Kornfield and Joseph Goldstein, where I studied with a variety of teachers as well as doing longer meditation retreats for up to two months.

I practiced mindfulness for 15 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.

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 also work with sports teams and athletes, teaching them mindfulness to help improve their performance.

I am a qualified counselor working in private practice and training as an Psychosynthesis psychotherapist with the Institute of Psychosynthesis New Zealand. I have also just recently completed an eight-week Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT) course with Dr Russ Harris and regularly attend workshops and courses so I can continue to better myself and stay updated with the latest research and practices.

I aim to help people transform and accept themselves deeply. 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.

For more information visit www.mindfullyalive.co.nz

To contact Blair click on the following link http://www.mindfullyalive.co.nz/contact/

Cancellation Policy

Regarding cancellation. Once the course is booked, you are welcome to transfer to another course where possible, however I do not offer refunds.

Testimonials for the Half day mindfulness course

"I benefited by taking time out in a beautiful setting, with a group of people also interested in mindfulness"

"I went from feeling irritated/agitated to being really rested"

"I go home feeling like I've let go of tension and want to engage more than I do in mindfulness. Thanks for facilitating a great day"

"I learnt more about myself. I left feeling relaxed and calm"

"I felt ready to do it all again and for longer. Thanks Blair"