This six-week course is a condensed version of the full eight-week Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) course first developed in 1979 by world renowned Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn at the Center for Mindfulness, University of Massachusetts Medical School.

With more than 30 years of scientific research demonstrating it's benefits, this course introduces the fundamentals of mindfulness practice. The benefits of a regular mindfulness practice are well documented and include:

• Changes to both the structure and function of the brain
• increased ability to manage stress
• reduction in symptoms of depression and anxiety
• enhanced quality of sleep
• improved immune function
• increased ability to regulate emotions
• improved wellbeing and happiness

Course participants will receive a workbook, and downloadable MP3 guided meditations.

ABOUT YOUR FACILITATOR

Rachel is a mindfulness trainer and consultant, trainer and accredited social worker who has worked with individuals, families and groups for close to 20 years. Rachel has worked in the areas of child protection, gender equity, community development, policy, education, training and professional development, and has worked in social work roles in Victoria and Western Australia, as well as internationally in Wales (UK) and Mongolia.

Rachel has trained with a number of world leaders in the areas of mindfulness, stress reduction and emotional regulation including Dr Jon Kabat-Zinn, Founder of the Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction program at the Center for Mindfulness, University of Massachusetts Medical School.

Rachel is also an accredited teacher of Cultivating Emotional Balance, having trained with Dr Alan Wallace, a renowned Buddhist scholar, and Dr Paul Ekman, academic, psychologist and an international expert on the field of emotions. The CEB program was developed under the guidance of H. H. Dalai Lama for secular populations.

Rachel has completed numerous silent teacher-led meditation retreats and has taught mindfulness to a range of professionals including social workers, teachers and lawyers. She also works with a number of corporate clients, including the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) and the Department for Child Protection and Family Support.

Qualifications

Bachelor of Social Work, Bachelor of Social Science (Hons.), Certificate IV Training and Assessment, Accredited Social Worker (Australian Association of Social Workers).