Mindfulness-based Living Course

“The best way to take care of the future is to take care of the present moment.”

~  Thich Nhat Hanh


The Mindfulness-based Living Course is a tried and tested, unique mind training that has been designed by the Mindfulness Association, an international organisation offering an in-depth, personal practice of mindfulness that is rooted in compassion.

You will learn how to be present, respond with compassion and see deeply into your thoughts, feelings and behaviours. It is comprised of weekly classes, guided practises, explanations and talks, a full day retreat and most importantly, a supportive group environment that will enable you to establish an effective and regular daily mindfulness practice to better deal with life’s ups and downs.

It is a comprehensive programme of mindfulness training that is recognised as an eight-week course in the Good Practice Guidelines of British Association of Mindfulness-based Approaches (BAMBA). It is based on the work of Rob Nairn, one of the world pioneers in presenting meditation training in a way that is accessible to the Western mind. He was asked to teach meditation by the Dalai Lama!


Who is this course for?  

This course provides a solid foundation for a more mindful life. It is open to anyone wishing to develop a mindful approach to life, those wishing to go on to train to teach mindfulness (see below for further details) or organisations/employers who wish for their service users or staff to draw on the benefits of mindfulness. 

This course is for you if:

  • you feel like life moves at a relentless pace,
  • you often get stuck in spiralling negative thought patterns,
  • you'd like to create or maintain a strong healthy body and mind,
  • you'd like to create space and time for your own well-being,
  • you’d like to re-learn how to slow down and connect to your inner wisdom.

 

The benefits:

Research is showing how mindfulness contributes to:

  • increased focus and attention, 
  • reduced stress and anxiety, 
  • quality sleep and rest, 
  • improved relationships and 
  • ultimately teaches us to live a happier, more fulfilled and abundant life.


The structure of the course: 

There will be 8 main sessions with an introductory session before the course starts and a follow-up session to check in with how your practise is going (10 sessions in total). Each session is two hours long with a full Day of Mindfulness Retreat Day towards the end of the course to consolidate your learning.

 

Dates: 

Weekly sessions will take place on Friday mornings 10.00-12.00 and we will begin with an introductory session on Friday 13 January. 

Our Full Day of Mindfulness Retreat Day will take place on Sunday 5 March 10.00-16.00. 

We will also have a follow up session on Friday 12 May to check in with how your practice is going. 

There will be a two week break over the February half term. See below for all dates and weekly themes.


Day of Mindfulness Retreat Day: 

This full day of practice will take place on Sunday 5 March, 10.00-16.00 and is an opportunity to take some time out from day-to-day life. 

It will include periods of guided meditation, mindful movement, silence and inquiry. It is useful for consolidating the practices, experiences and insights from the MBLC training.


Location:

This course will take place at Highfield Park Visitor Centre in St Albans Hertfordshire, AL4 0RA, a beautiful light-filled room within a stunning green space perfect for mindful walking and nature connections.


Resources: 

As part of the course, you will be provided with the Mindfulness Associations book 'Mindfulness-based Living Course' by Choden and Heather Regan-Addis and lifetime access to recordings for each of the practices. 


Teacher training pathway: 

The Mindfulness Association provide a comprehensive teacher training pathway for those who have attended this course and wish to train to deliver the MBLC. Find out more HERE.


Costs:

You can choose to pay in full or spread the cost over 3 monthly payments, available when booking before 24th January:

Full Course - £497.00,

Or pay over 3x Monthly Payments - £165.66 per month.


Premium Course - £597.00,

Or pay over 3x Monthly Payments - £199.00 per month.

Access the full course as well as TWO 1:1 private 45min sessions wth Louise at the beginning and end of the course to give you the opportunity to ask questions, review your practice and provide tailored meditations and support for your unique needs. 

These 1:1 sessions will take place online via Zoom and will include a recording of the session so you can revist.


'A unique approach'

by Liz Hobman

“Louise has a very unique approach to her teachings, drawing learning from nature, neuroscience and nourishing spiritual teachings! I love the variety in her programmes, which combine mindfulness practices, movement and postures, readings and poetry, with wisdom and warmth. I am learning so much about how the mind, body and spirit can work together to cultivate compassion, strength and resilience for ourselves and those around us. I always feel calm and uplifted after a class. Informative, insightful and inspiring - thank you Lou!”

What you can expect from this course:

  • A unique opportunity to pause, reflect and bring healing to your inner and outer worlds

  • Learn tools to reduce stress and anxiety levels and calm your busy mind

  • Promote quality sleep through reminding your body how to slow down and relax

  • Develop emotional intelligence and create harmony and balance in your mind

  • A variety of insightful, interesting and varied sessions that build on a new theme each week

  • Become part of a like-minded, conscious and supportive community

'Sessions are a life-line'

by Cathy Washbrooke

"Louise’s sessions are a life-line! I find myself being able to calm my anxiety, find a new purpose and most importantly accept where we are as a country and continue my daily life. Louise is a very warm, nurturing and knowledgeable teacher. She also integrates elements of nature through various readings, poetry and insights to deepen the practice and allow deep rest to take place. I always feel lifted, yet grounded after each of Louise’s sessions."

Dates and Themes for each week:

  • 13 Jan - What is Mindfulness and Why Practice it?

  • 20 Jan - Start Where you Are

  • 27 Jan - The Body as a Place to Stay Present

  • 3 Feb - Introducing Mindfulness Support

  • 10 Feb - Working with Distraction

  • 3 March - Exploring the Undercurrent

  • 5 March - Full Day of Mindfulness Retreat Day

  • 10 March - Attitude of the Observer

  • 17 March - Self-Acceptance

  • 24 March - A Mindfulness Based Life

  • 12 May - The Rest of your Life

'Louise is so kind and caring'

by Emma Scinaldi

"I started as a complete beginner and was worried I would not be able to follow, but Louise is so kind and caring, plus really knows her stuff so is able to give very clear, supportive guidance. There is never any pressure as Louise always offers alternatives. With care and kindness she has encouraged me to really develop my practice. I always feel really energised after a session with Louise but I am also starting to notice a higher level of peace and tranquility in my day to day life. I feel strong and calm at the same time!"

Your Teacher

'Yoga gives us peace and clarity in order to see the beauty and wonder that is all around us'

Louise Neicho

Having spent the first 20 years of my professional life working in and with Nature I feel a deep connection to the natural world that has promoted numerous benefits in my life. Combining this with a love and appreciation of yoga and mindfulness that spans over two decades has enabled me to share practices that help us connect more deeply with Nature and ourselves. I have completed over 1000hrs of yoga and mindfulness teacher training and in 2023 I received a distinction for my master's degree in Mindfulness where my thesis focused on the wellbeing benefits of connecting with Nature. I can honestly say that yoga and Nature has saved my life on more than one occasion, and I don’t think I would be the person I am today if it wasn’t for my practice. To bring all of this together is simply a dream come true and I hope you will join me and our like-minded community soon.

'Louise’s passion is infectious'

by Sonia Battaini

“Lou's passion for mindfulness is infectious and her knowledge is incredibly vast. I have been practicing for a long time but I am always amazed at the fact that I am still learning something new with Louise’s very detailed explanations. The sessions have helped me staying in the moment and achieving calmness within”

'Insightful, interesting, varied'

by Sarah Hall

"Louise's sessions are always insightful, interesting and varied as she brings her knowledge and ongoing training and research into each one, combining useful 'off-the-mat' mindfulness tips with yoga poses appropriate to the unique theme for the week as well as catering for individual requirements where needed. They are packed with lots of good advice for day-to-day living as well as for practice on the yoga mat. Now that everything is online and recorded there is the added benefit of being able to participate in Louise's sessions wherever you are in the world and the enormous library of recorded classes is a treasure trove of resource"

'Louise teaches from the heart'

by Amy Dodd

“Lou's classes have been a real anchor for me amongst all the uncertainty of the past year. I do like being able to log on to the website and do the recorded sessions at any time. The classes cover a specific topic each term, and I’ve found that having a subject to focus on really enhances my practice, off the mat as well as on it! Lou brings some wonderful insights into each class and you can tell she really teaches from the heart.”

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