Some years ago I found myself struggling trying to keep all the plates spinning -working as a full time primary school teacher, raising a young family and renovating a house. I was often mindlessly flapping in panic from one unfinished task to another in a constant state of anxiety.  I read about the 8 week Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) course and signed up.

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As I gained an understanding and followed the practices I became calmer, better able to focus and felt more in control of my life.  Increased awareness made me realise I had been ‘waiting for life to happen’ instead of appreciating the present moment.  I wanted to inspire and enable others to share these life changing benefits.  As a teacher, with over 20 years experience in the classroom, this seemed an obvious place to start so I studied to teach children mindfulness techniques.

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After training and delivering the Paws B course, I noticed the children in my class were better able to cope with difficulties and more confident in engaging with positive opportunities.  Giving them an understanding of the brain and neuroscience enabled them to recognise and articulate their emotions and self-regulate their responses.  This inspired me to learn to train teachers and  become a qualified Mindfulness teacher.

I have been a school Mindfulness lead since 2017 and have specialised in teaching mindfulness to education professionals through the .b Foundation (an 8 week course based on the MBSR programme but designed by teachers for educational staff working in schools). I have taught a number of these for a variety of school settings, including Healthy School advisors.

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 I offer all ‘Mindfulness in Schools’ curricula:

• The dots programme for 3-6 year olds

• The Paws B programme for 7-11 year olds

• The .breathe mindfulness and transition programme for 10-14 year olds

• The .b programme for 11-18 year olds.

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Alongside nurturing and developing a mindfulness practice I also returned to yoga. After practicing Ashtanga regularly I began to notice the feeling of well-being that stayed with me,  physically I was in better shape than I had ever been and had more energy. During lockdown,  I took the opportunity to train as a yoga instructor. I trained  in ‘Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga’ and ‘Yin Yoga’ .  This enabled me to bring my understanding of how mindfulness supports wellbeing into deeply nurturing yoga classes.  I followed my passions to deliver Yoga  classes on Swansea Beach and the Swansea Wellbeing Centre. Also, I ran my first mindfulness, yoga and meditation retreat on Gower in July 2021. This wonderful experience was truly heart warming was immensely rewarding. 

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More recently, I have delivered ‘Compassionate Mind Training’ for school staff.  This course, developed with Paul Gilbert and Frances Maratos in Derby University, is designed to alleviate burn out by allowing people to treat themselves with compassionate awareness.  .

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I am very passionate about sharing knowledge and skills that can empower and inspire others to support their own wellbeing. This year, I have decided to teach part-time and pursue my dream and launch a business. Planning and developing holistic yoga classes and delivering mindfulness courses and blending my knowledge in these different areas of wellbeing is truly exciting. 

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Joanna