Workshop to explore mindfulness meditation

The workshop, which will run from 11am to 5pm at Leeds Beckett’s Broadcasting Place, will offer a practical and engaging introduction to mindfulness meditation through both traditional sitting and moving practices.

Mindfulness has its roots in traditional practices of meditation and involves cultivating an enhanced awareness of, and attention to, the present moment; allowing ourselves to be more authentically present with one another and engaged with the world around us. Recent research has demonstrated that mindfulness may play an important role in reducing stress and anxiety-related disorders, while also improving concentration and enhancing creativity.

Led by Chartered Psychologist and Senior Lecturer at Leeds Beckett, Dr Elliot Cohen, the workshop will help participants to learn about the benefits of mindfulness meditation and focus on how mindfulness can play its part in combating stress, fatigue and anxiety. Participants will learn simple relaxation and mindfulness techniques, as well as how to enhance awareness and concentration and using mindfulness to create a positive home and work environment.

Speaking ahead of the workshop, which is accredited by the British Psychological Society, Dr Cohen commented: “One of the unique properties of the human mind is that we can become aware of our being aware, conscious of our consciousness; and in doing so we can actually use our minds to change our minds – transforming and transcending negative psychological states and destructive emotions in the process.

“Mindfulness is currently being introduced into a great number of different professions and disciplines- medicine, psychology, psychotherapy, education, politics, business/management, and the creative arts. This workshop will be giving attendees a really thorough introduction to the varieties of mindfulness practice. It will also give participants the opportunity to explore how mindfulness-based approaches can be integrated into our daily lives.”

Leeds Beckett is the first university in the UK to include meditation classes as an integral part of one of its undergraduate courses – the BA (Hons) Psychology and Society, and its postgraduate course – MA Interdisciplinary Psychology, which has a popular module in Mindfulness-Based Approaches.

Theoretical elements range from the original Buddhist teachings to the latest findings from neuroscience. The level of the workshop will be tailored appropriately according to its attendees, making the content both relevant and engaging. There will be plenty of opportunity for the sharing of personal perspectives, exploration of theory and practical activities.

The Mindfulness Meditation workshop costs £65 per person and places can be booked by emailing hss-cpd@leedsbeckett.ac.uk.