What is Mindfulness?
"Mindfulness means paying attention in a particular way: on purpose, in the present moment, and nonjudgmentally.” - Jon Kabat-Zinn
Have you ever noticed just how busy your mind is all the time? All day long it's chattering away, one minute you're thinking about what to have for dinner, then what you need to pick up on the way home to make said dinner, then it might wander to whether or not your partner did the dishes like they promised, then to how annoying it is to come home to dirty dishes, then to the unfairness of always having to do everything yourself. All of a sudden you notice your mood is lower, and you're in a grump, and you're not quite sure how it happened!
All minds wander around like this, and it has a real effect on how we feel. When we spend too much time dwelling in the past or worrying about the future, it can lead to depression, anxiety, stress, low self-image, hopelessness.
As the old proverb goes: "The mind is a wonderful servant but a terrible master." The practice of mindfulness teaches us to harness our wandering mind so we can use it to serve our well-being.
Scientific study over the past 40 years has shown time and time again how mindfulness can change the structure of the brain so we can become more receptive to positivity and joy. We can learn to face life's ups and downs in the knowledge we are strong enough to deal with whatever comes.
Anyone can practice mindfulness, it doesn't require any fancy equipment or apparatus.
Practicing mindfulness allows you to change your relationship with your thoughts and feelings, so you can have more control over your life.
All minds wander around like this, and it has a real effect on how we feel. When we spend too much time dwelling in the past or worrying about the future, it can lead to depression, anxiety, stress, low self-image, hopelessness.
As the old proverb goes: "The mind is a wonderful servant but a terrible master." The practice of mindfulness teaches us to harness our wandering mind so we can use it to serve our well-being.
Scientific study over the past 40 years has shown time and time again how mindfulness can change the structure of the brain so we can become more receptive to positivity and joy. We can learn to face life's ups and downs in the knowledge we are strong enough to deal with whatever comes.
Anyone can practice mindfulness, it doesn't require any fancy equipment or apparatus.
Practicing mindfulness allows you to change your relationship with your thoughts and feelings, so you can have more control over your life.
- “How we pay attention to the present moment largely determines the character of our experience, and therefore, the quality of our lives.” – Sam Harris
Mindfulness For Life - 8 Week Online Course
"It is easier to put on a pair of shoes than to wrap the earth in leather." - Chögyam Trungpa
I love this quote, I feel it describes really well how a regular Mindfulness practice can help us all live more contented lives no matter what is happening around us.
So often in my therapy practice clients have a list of things that need to change before they can be happy. Perhaps it's their partner, or their bank balance, their job, home, kids, self-image, mood, or all of the above! The trouble here is that we are making our happiness dependent on too many external factors. It's hard (sometimes impossible) to get other people to change their behaviour to suit us, or it can take years of graft to get the job or home you want. Our self-image and mood can change at the drop of a hat because of how we slept last night, or our hormonal balance, or if the car wouldn't start this morning. Why place such impossible conditions on your own happiness?
Instead of waiting on the circumstances to be just right (wrapping the earth in leather), we can change ourselves (put on shoes). It's a lot easier, and, it allows us to be happy right now-not when everyone else gets their s#!t together!
So often in my therapy practice clients have a list of things that need to change before they can be happy. Perhaps it's their partner, or their bank balance, their job, home, kids, self-image, mood, or all of the above! The trouble here is that we are making our happiness dependent on too many external factors. It's hard (sometimes impossible) to get other people to change their behaviour to suit us, or it can take years of graft to get the job or home you want. Our self-image and mood can change at the drop of a hat because of how we slept last night, or our hormonal balance, or if the car wouldn't start this morning. Why place such impossible conditions on your own happiness?
Instead of waiting on the circumstances to be just right (wrapping the earth in leather), we can change ourselves (put on shoes). It's a lot easier, and, it allows us to be happy right now-not when everyone else gets their s#!t together!
Hear What Others Have Said About the Program:
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"I started the mindfulness course as person who struggled to stay in the moment and would let my thoughts take over and lead me to think negatively. These negative thoughts led to a lot of anxiety in all aspects of life. Once I started the course it helped bring structure on how to practice mindfulness. There is so much information out there that something it becomes difficult to know where to begin with the practice. This course is very well structured with a variety of different practices and techniques on how to practice mindfulness so it's always interesting. Once I completed the course, I would then practice the techniques I learned to help me through times I was thinking negatively, and with such a variety of practices it always felt there was options for how to practice based on how I felt in the moment. I used this course alongside counselling with Claire and the blend of the two practices really helped me overcome negative thinking patterns and anxiety and really improved my quality of life. I would recommend this course to any person who wishes to improve on their mental well being and quality of life."
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Just wanted to email to say how much I get from the Claire Shannon Therapy 8 week mindfulness program, Claire. And with that realisement of not being at peace or worrying, so quickly peace, safety, wellness, ease and love was asked in, with you facilitating coming into the space. Thank you for offering this practice in a way that goes so deep it feels uncomfortable and yet is a safe vehicle for self realisation and healing. I think mindfulness is infinitely powerful, deeply nourishing experience. Not healing through escape. Compassion through the deepest presence possible.
Aisling
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"I found Claire's Mindfulness Programme extremely helpful in my journey. Having this structured introduction when I didn't know where to start was so useful and has given me a new approach to looking after my own mental health and a toolkit I can always use. Thanks Claire"
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How Will It Help?
People who have completed the 8 Week MCBT course have reported an improvement in their self-image, more joy and patience in relationships, a decrease in symptoms of anxiety and depression, more energy, and more calm in their minds.
Using a combination of evidence-based tools such as guided meditations, self-awareness exercises, and journalling prompts designed to help you work with your thoughts and feelings in productive ways, you can take more control over your own happiness.
Using a combination of evidence-based tools such as guided meditations, self-awareness exercises, and journalling prompts designed to help you work with your thoughts and feelings in productive ways, you can take more control over your own happiness.
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Studies show that Mindfulness training helps with:
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Those completing a mindfulness course report:
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About Your Tutor
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Claire Shannon MA
I am a counselor who has been working in private practice for over a decade. Through my work with clients, and in my own personal experience, I have learned just how important it is to have a regular mindfulness practice. Clients who practice this 8 week course alongside their therapy have seen vast improvements in their quality of life. I have found that I feel more balanced, energetic, optimistic, and peaceful since I began to practice meditation and mindfulness over 25 years ago. If you support your practice (i.e. show up and do it!), you will find that it, in turn, will support you, and provide a sense of strength and peace through the ups and downs of life. I hold a Masters Degree in Clinical Counselling, and a Certification in the Clinical Use of Mindfulness. |
- “No matter how difficult the past, you can always begin again today.” – Jack Kornfield
Frequently Asked Questions:
Who is this course for?
This course is suitable to a complete beginner, or anyone who wants to refresh their practice.
Do I need Prior Experience?
Prior experience with meditation or mindfulness is NOT required.
What's the difference between this course and a Mindfulness app?
Mindful apps are great, I've used them myself from time to time. The difference between them and this course is that the course offers a comprehensive training in Mindfulness Based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. Each week introduces a new skill and builds on what has gone before. The first few weeks has a focus on training the attention, and the latter half teaches skills to work with challenging emotions and feelings. There are lots of self-awareness exercises to help you learn about your own personal triggers and thought patterns, and tools for how to work with these!
I encourage people to start with the full course, and then by all means use their apps afterward once they've established good foundations.
I encourage people to start with the full course, and then by all means use their apps afterward once they've established good foundations.
How long before I notice a difference?
How long is a piece of string? (Only kidding, sort of!) This is a tricky one to answer as everyone has a different starting point. What I generally see with my clients is that usually around week 3 or 4 people come in feeling a lot calmer, and will often say something like: "Now I get why you said I should do this!".
I tried to meditate before and i couldn't do it!
I hear this a lot! Mindfulness is a skill, and like any skill, we need to be patient and allow for a learning curve. You wouldn't expect to lift the heaviest weights on your first visit to the gym, and it's same with mindfulness. The first few times you do it you might fidget, your mind might race, you might feel bored to tears, This is all ok! Give it a little time and you'll start to see improvement.
Do I need to log in at a certain time every day?
No! You can practice at any time that works for you. However, I do encourage people to try to do it at the same time each day, as this helps make it into a sustainable habit. One of the hardest things about Mindfulness is remembering to do it!
How long does it take each day?
In general, you'll need 20-30 minutes a day, 6 days a week. This might sound like a lot, but it's the same time you would spend watching a tv show, and this will make your life better. It's a no-brainer!
can i download content to practice offline?
Yes! All the exercises and guided meditations are downloadable so you can work offline if you need to.
Price: €97
When you click the button below you'll be asked to set up an account with a username and password so keep note of these as you'll use them to access your course.
When you click the button below you'll be asked to set up an account with a username and password so keep note of these as you'll use them to access your course.
If you have any questions about the course, please contact me at claireshannontherapy@gmail.com
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Developed with the assistance of the Local Enterprise Office, Galway
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Let's talk soon...
HoursMonday: 10am - 6pm
Tuesday: 11am - 7:30pm Wednesday: Closed Thursday: 11am - 7:30pm Friday: 10am - 6pm Email: claireshannontherapy@gmail.comTel: 089 208 7678
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Unit 3 Liosban Industrial Estate, Tuam Road, Galway. H91 H63P
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With assistance from the Local Enterprise Board, Galway
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