How I came into teaching mindfulness

My route to teaching mindfulness began when I attended an MBSR course in 2017. I was excited and ignited at the end of that first class. I loved the elegant and balanced way that information was conveyed and the practices we engaged in. I also learned so much from my fellow students’ shared experience.

I knew in that first MBSR class that this was something I wanted to teach. I had been teaching yoga for 12 years and while I loved doing that, the general perception of yoga as a stretchy-bendy exercise program was difficult to expand on. And I knew of the deep potential for yoga to develop awareness, focus, deeper calm and ease on all levels. Thus, training to teach the MBSR program felt like a natural progression, and a broadening of what I could offer.

My daily yoga/meditation practice, which had already been in place for 14 or so years in fits and starts, began to flower as I learned more through the MBSR program. And though some days I found it challenging to put aside the time for a practice, sticking with it has brought a sense of confidence in myself, and a steady presence, that I’d not known before.

Background

My background in advertising and graphic design has built familiarity with the corporate world, and I have taught mindfulness skills in various formats in several corporate settings in Adelaide, as well as community-based programs.

• Diploma of Hatha Yoga Teaching – Yoga Spirit Studios, 2005
• Graduate Certificate of Yoga Therapy – Yoga Therapy Institute, 2017
• MBSR Teacher Training – Mindfulness Training Institute of Australia, 2018
• Registered MBSR teacher with Openground since 2019
• Registered senior teacher and teacher mentor with Yoga Australia
• Yoga teacher for past 20 years; yoga retreat leader for past 7 years on regular 1-5
  day yoga and mindfulness retreats in Australia and Bali
• Attendance at week-long silent and other retreats on yearly basis for past 10 years.
• Countless hours of professional development in yoga, mindfulness, somatics,
  breathwork and related studies over past 25 years.
  

Specialisation

I work with people from all walks of life, with a particular interest in the ‘over-50s’. Here is the demographic I’m in on this fascinating journey through life. Yoga does help to keep the

body limber, but that is only part of the picture to a blossoming in our older years. My experience with mindfulness is that it allows awareness not only of what’s happening inside me, but has broadened my ability to be who I am in the world as it is. We each have something precious to offer, and I’m curious about our potential as we grow older consciously.

I am also interested in the ‘end of life’ as we know it. I was diagnosed with a blood cancer over eight years ago. This does give a prod to one’s psyche. I know my mindfulness practice has given me ballast and a bigger view that has kept me from major distress as I’ve gone through various treatments. And I am counting on it as time passes, understanding viscerally that we don’t get to live forever, so making hay. Now. As they say.

It’s not so important, I’ve realised, to grow older gracefully. But super important and very useful to grow older with awareness, patience, and tenderness.

Teaching Philosophy

It feels like profound privilege to teach mindfulness because I know the value of building this skill in myself. The way I teach is infused with reverence for this opportunity to be with others in ways that matter to our deepest self. I love to listen to and encourage participants to share what feels authentic to them. And a sense of humour is always welcome.