How I came into teaching mindfulness

I came to mindfulness during a time when one of my children was living with daily migraines and not able to attend school. I was exhausted, worried, and unsure how to meet what was happening, all while trying to keep up with the demands of family life. When mindfulness was suggested as a way for my child to work with their pain, I was doubtful. Still, I decided to try it myself.

What I found was something I hadn’t realised I was missing. Mindfulness offered me a way to pause, breathe, and begin meeting my life with more steadiness and care. It wasn’t a dramatic or instant transformation, but a gradual one—small shifts that gently changed how I related to stress, uncertainty, and to myself. Over time, it helped me become more present and available as a parent, partner, and friend, even when things felt hard.

My practice has continued to grow and deepen over the years, moving from mindfulness apps, to completing a couple of MBSR courses, and now to attending silent meditation retreats two to three times a year. Practising mindfulness in everyday life continues to support me—not by making life easy, but by helping me meet it with more openness, resilience, and kindness. My mind can still be busy and unruly at times, but I now have a much friendlier relationship with it and a greater capacity to navigate emotions and long-held patterns.

This lived, human experience of mindfulness is the place I teach from. While we each arrive with our own stories and struggles, one of the gifts of MBSR is the way it creates a sense of shared humanity. In learning to be present with our own lives, we often discover that we are not alone, and that there is space for compassion, connection, and choice—even in the midst of difficulty.

Background

• BMusEd (hons) with over 30 years of teaching experience in primary and secondary education, and a deep understanding of the needs of students and educators.
• Specialized training with Youth Mindfulness (UK) and Mindful Schools (US) to teach mindfulness programs for young people aged 12 to 21.
• Passionate about integrating mindfulness into schools to enhance social-emotional learning, focus, and well-being. Currently working in the development and support of school-based mindfulness programs.
• Qualified MBSR Instructor through the Mindfulness Training Institute (Australia)
• Over 10 years of personal meditation and yoga experience, including twice yearly 9-14 day silent retreats.

Specialisation

Helen has extensive experience working with young people and values the power of group work in supporting learning. In the past 8 years, she has shifted her focus to working with educators and adults. Helen is dedicated to helping individuals cultivate mindfulness practices that support emotional resilience and enhance overall well-being in meaningful, everyday ways.

Teaching Philosophy

For me, mindfulness matters most in the everyday moments. It enables us to see more clearly what is happening, and to have more choice in how we respond to ourselves and others. I’m passionate about helping others find their own path to a practice that brings greater joy, understanding, and freedom to this messy, beautiful journey of being human.