This course introduces participants to the practice of mindfulness, provides teaching in the core mindfulness practices and supports the cultivation of a more mindful approach to life and work.
Course Context
The publication in October 2015 of the “Mindful Nation UK Report” on behalf of the UK Mindfulness All-Party Parliamentary Group has demonstrated the key role mindfulness can play in today’s society. It reviews the scientific evidence and current best practice in Mindfulness Training.
The report states: “Even brief periods of mindfulness practice can lead to objectively measured higher cognitive skills such as improved reaction times, comprehension scores, working memory functioning and decision making”
Mindfulness training is increasingly becoming an integral feature of international management and organisation development programmes. Some of the world’s leading companies including Google, Barclays, Deutsche Bank, Apple Computers, Yahoo and KPMG have invested in mindfulness training for their employees. Why? Because it is a highly effective way to improve performance and well-being.
Mindfulness is a mind-body practice, one that enables us to use our full psychological and creative potential by training ourselves to pay attention to our present moment experience in a way that is both accepting and allowing. This enhanced state of moment-by-moment awareness then becomes the springboard for more effective, healthier ways of being, working and relating.
More than 2500 scientific research studies worldwide have revealed the mental and physiological advantages of the mindfulness process. Key benefits include a significant improvement in focus, concentration and attention; greater personal and inter-personal effectiveness; enhanced ability to cope with pressure and stress and maintain a sense of inner peace, balance and presence even in the midst of a busy work life.
Mindfulness Trainers
Our Mindfulness Trainers are also experienced practitioners. A skilled instructor is crucial in helping delegates overcome any challenges which might arise during the training. The report highlights the role of mindfulness in the workplace, and the importance of using qualified practitioners and trainers.
The training is delivered in a relaxed, informal and flexible manner with plenty of opportunity for questions and discussion. There is a very interactive learning process with exercises designed to stimulate interest and learning.
Who Is It For?
Mindfulness has historically brought benefits to many individuals but is now increasingly being used by organisations to improve employee’s performance and well-being.
The popularity of training in mindfulness within the business world is in part due to research carried out by the American Institute of Health, University of Massachusetts, and the Mind/Body Medical Institute at Harvard University. Evidence-based studies from these renowned institutions have cited the following as specific benefits of mindfulness for businesses:
- Reduced costs of staff absenteeism caused by illness, injury, stress
- Improved cognitive function – including better concentration, memory, learning ability and creativity
- Increased productivity and improved overall staff and business wellbeing
- Reduced staff turnover and associated costs
- Enhanced employer/employee and client relationships
- A visible and tangible corporate responsibility stance
- Enhanced employee job satisfaction
The course content and capacity can be customised for individuality and to ensure organisations’ specific learning criteria are met. Consultancy in mindfulness practice for performance and wellbeing is also an option either as a standalone service or in conjunction with training.
Key Benefits
Having completed the training and continued to use the mindfulness-based tools as advised, the majority of delegates will experience a significant improvement in their ability to:
- manage stress and stressful situations
- experience a sense of well-being and inner calm
- focus on one task at a time
- manage their emotions and disengage negative thinking
- think creatively and find new solutions
- listen and empathise
- relax and enjoy the present moment
… and notice a positive impact on their:
- productivity and efficiency
- personal and professional relationships
- energy and enthusiasm for life
- level of self-awareness and awareness of others
- department/team leadership capabilities
Course Content
Understanding Mindfulness
- What is mindfulness?
- History, research and benefits of mindfulness
- Mindfulness in relation to well-being, performance and the workplace.
- Mindful eating exercise
Mind training – re-wiring your brain
- Mind training and brain plasticity
- Being mode V Doing mode
- How automatic reactions limit our creativity and productivity as well as damage relationships
- Increasing empathy through mindful listening
- Seated meditation
From stress reaction to stress response
- Mindful walking exercise
- Breaking the fight flight freeze reaction to stress and moving to flow
- Emotional awareness through mindfulness – moving towards emotions rather than avoiding or controlling
- 3 minute coping breathing space meditation
Building a personal practice and mindfulness in the workplace
- Seated meditation
- Ways to practise mindfulness and the importance of remindfulness!
- Everyday mindfulness tips
- Support and resources available
- Reflections on the day
A testimonial for the Mindfulness Training for Performance and Wellbeing course:
“I am pleased and surprised my company are enlightened enough to run this training. I think it should be on every school curriculum and in our working schedule. I would recommend it for everyone.”
Related Training Courses
Introduction to Mindfulness
This 90-minute course is for those who find juggling multiple daily demands can leave them feeling a bit frazzled. The session equips participants with powerful tools that enable them to de-activate stress and respond to pressure in a calm and positive fashion. A handout outlining all the exercises practised during the session together with suggested resources for exploring the topic more deeply is provided.
Read more
The Mindfulness Training Programme
A 16-hour programme that enables participants to develop a core, sustainable mindfulness practice. It is suitable for anyone in an organisation who wishes to enhance their personal effectiveness and general sense of wellbeing, helping them respond to life’s pressures in a calmer way. The programme can be delivered flexibly to suit your organisation.
Read more
Developing Personal Resilience
Delegates are introduced to skills which will increase their confidence when facing the pressures and difficulties of today's challenging workplace. A highly interactive course which includes a variety of tools and exercises.
Read more
Find out more
Please get in touch with us if you have any questions.
We are always happy to talk about our training courses and help you to work out the best match for your requirements.
WHAT OUR CUSTOMERS SAY
"The quality of the training has been fantastic and our employees are really engaging with the trainer and getting something out of it. Also In Equilibrium makes the whole process very easy to arrange."
"We wanted to provide a course that taught useful and practical coping strategies that our members could put into place straight away. In Equilibrium’s experience showed us that they could provide this, and they tailored the course perfectly."
"In-Equilibrium recently presented Mental Health Awareness to Managers in all of our area offices. The training was really well received and all of the trainers were praised for their in-depth knowledge and understanding."
"The training was very well received by staff who now all intend to implement the session’s practical tips and techniques into their existing roles. A large proportion of the staff rated the facilitator and their delivery as excellent and their only recommendation was for a further and longer session!"
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