The Mindfulness for Life
now available in-store
Next modified Rebalance Life: 6-week Course 16th January 2025
Wellness Centre Wollongong
The Mindfulness for Life (sometimes referred to as Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy for Life, MBCT-L) is an evidence-based course, developed in the light of research at the University of Oxford and other leading research centres. An original course handbook will be shared with participants.
The program integrates mindfulness practices and cognitive-behavioural skills, aiming to protect and promote mental health in the general population. It teaches another way of living that responds to challenges with kindness and curiosity rather than habitual patterns of thoughts and behaviours. And it also guides you in how to savour each moment and send generosity to others, which leads to a joyful and meaningful life.
This course is not being offered as a treatment for any specific physical or psychological problems. Please do not sign up for this training if you are currently experiencing severe physical or mental health problems.
Mindfulness for Life is an in-depth programme intended to cultivate lasting and sustainable change.
Any questions or enquires please fill out the Contact Us form below and we will reply very soon !
What will you learn
In general, you can learn the following aspects through our sessions and your home practices:
- Stepping out of automatic pilot and bringing awareness to daily activities that maybe overlooked.
- Paying attention to the breath or another anchor that feels steady and grounded.
- De-centering, personal experience and clearly noticing body sensations, thoughts, emotions, and impulses.
- Responding to suffering with compassion rather than reacting in unhelpful thinking and behavioural patterns.
How will you learn
The Mindfulness for Life is an eight-week program that includes a group-based session (2 hours and 15 minutes, 6.30pm to 8.45pm weekly) and home practices (up to 45 minutes) each week. It also has a 5-hour practice day (Saturday Or Sunday). A printed course handbook is provided in the first session. Each session has a theme that is woven into meditation practices, cognitive exercises, and discussions:
- Session 1: Waking up from autopilot
- Session 2: Another way of being: keeping the body in mind
- Session 3: Gathering the scattered mind
- Session 4: Recognising reactivity
- Session 5: Allowing and letting be
- Session 6: Responding skilfully: thoughts are not facts
- Session 7: How can I best take care of myself?
- Session 8: Mindfulness for life
Home practices are explained at the end of each session. Basically, home practices include formal meditation and informal mindfulness practices. In the next session, you are invited to share your practice experience such as delights and difficulties. Teachers will share recordings for the guided meditation practices.
The practice day (5 hours, date to be confirmed) is between week 6 and week 7, which provides an opportunity to strengthen mindfulness skills through familiar guided practices with more silence. At the end of the day, you are invited to reflect on and discuss your experience.
Who is it for?
This course is intended for those wishing to enhance their general physical and mental wellbeing. It is suitable for you if:
- You are new to mindfulness.
- You have tried mindfulness before – perhaps listened to an app or read a book – and you want to experience doing a deeper, evidence-based course in a group, led by a professional teacher.
- You have done a different mindfulness course (e.g., the Introducing Mindfulness Course) before and would like to do experience what 'Mindfulness for Life' has to offer.
Entry requirements
You are eligible to attend this course if you:
- Are over 18 years old.
- Can commit to attending at least 7 of the 9 Mindfulness for Life sessions (including the Practice Day).
- Do not have severe physical or mental health problems (please fill out the Pre-Course Health Questionnaire sent with the Registration confirmation email)
What is the difference between this course and the Introducing Mindfulness Course?
Compared to the Wellness Centre's Introducing Mindfulness Course, the course is a longer program that includes more and deeper mindfulness practices and cognitive-behavioural exercises. You begin to dive into the ocean of mindfulness.
What happens after you complete the course?
The Wellness Centre provides Confirmation of Attendance letters to participants who fully attend at least 7 of the 9 Mindfulness for Life sessions (including the Practice Day).
You will be invited to give feedback (not compulsory).
In the last session, you will be given information about ways to continue your mindfulness journey.
What may be the benefits:
The Mindfulness for Life program is adapted from the traditional mindfulness-based programs (mindfulness-based stress reduction and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy) which have shown many positive outcomes in research. We hope you can experience some of the following benefits through the 8-week sessions and your home practices:
- Improved positive emotions and quality of life
- Having a stronger sense of purpose in life
- Being more self-compassionate and resilient in difficult times
- Reduced feelings of emotional tension,.
- Less rumination and apprehension
What may be the challenges:
Although you may face some of the following challenges, it is important to believe that all difficulties both in this course and in life can be transformed into opportunities for growth.
You may feel strange while practising meditation. However, it is important to notice that the program is a secular mindfulness course rather than any spiritual practices.
Benefits cannot be seen immediately. It takes time for practices to reveal its potentials. That is why the program includes 8-week sessions, home practices, and a practice day.
It can be challenging to stay in a group. The program is a group-based learning journey that cultivates a sense of common humanity. No one is alone to suffering.
About the Teacher:
Wei comes from China. She is a mindfulness practitioner and teacher. She enjoys practising mindfulness in the early morning. She has spent 18 months receiving professional mindfulness teacher training at the Oxford Mindfulness Foundation in the UK. Wei is also a PhD student studying mindfulness and elite athlete mental health at the University of Wollongong. She is looking forward to sharing mindfulness with more people. As Thich Nhat Hanh said, “peace is every step, we shall walk hand in hand’.
Next modified Rebalance Life: 6-week Course 16th January 2025
Upcoming 2025 8 week course dates TBA
Full-time Students and Blue Concession & Health Card Card holders $395 For Concession pricing & in-store Afterpay please register online & contact Wellness Centre on +61 2 42263777
Please call the Wellness Centre on 42263777 for more information
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Frequently asked questions (Mindfulness for Life):
What happens during sessions?
The Mindfulness for Life is an eight-week program that includes 8 group-based sessions, home practices, and a day of practice. Each session has a theme that is woven into meditation practices, cognitive exercises, and discussions.
Why attend a group Mindfulness course in person?
- experience a deeper level connection and engagement
- gain a sense of community and support
- Personalised guidance and feedback from your teacher
- Opportunity to disconnect from technology and other distractions
- helps establishing a regular, dedicated practice
- Ability to ask questions and receive immediate answers
- supports a greater accountability & motivation to attend classes regularly
What happens if I cannot attend all sessions?
The course unfolds from session to session. Try to attend every session.
However, if you are not able to attend all sessions, please let the teacher know.
She will help you catch up with what you’ve missed.
The Wellness Centre provides Confirmation of Attendance letters to participants who fully attend at least 7 of the 9 Mindfulness for Life sessions (including the Practice Day).
What does home practice involve?
Home practices include formal meditation and informal mindfulness practices.
Teachers will share recordings for the guided meditation practices. It may take up to 45 minutes to finish all practices every day. The teacher understands that time commitment can be difficult for some participants, and thus she shares some shorter guided meditation practices (10-15 minutes). Please let the teacher know if you have any difficulties with home practice.
What does a day of practice involve?
The practice day includes some guided practices that have been taught before and discussions at the end of the day. Practices have less guidance and more silence.
What is the difference between this course and the Introducing Mindfulness Course?
Compared to the Introducing Mindfulness Course, the course is a longer program that includes more and deeper mindfulness practices and cognitive-behavioural exercises. You begin to dive into the ocean of mindfulness.
Is this an evidence-based mindfulness course?
Yes. The course is adapted from the Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), which has shown some positive mental health outcomes. A link to an academic paper https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijchp.2021.100227
The program has been introduced to different populations worldwide such as the UK, China, Spain, and America.
What is the difference between this course and the MBCT?
The MBCT is one of the first generations of mindfulness-based programs (another one is Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction) that focuses on people with repeated episodes of depression. In order to help the non-clinical population have a flourishing life, some researchers from the University of Mindfulness Centre adapted the MBCT into the Mindfulness for Life.
Money Back Guarantee
If by any chance, you participate in all scheduled Mindfulness Course sessions and believe that you haven't gained any advantages, you are entitled to a full refund.
About the Teacher
Wei Wang comes from China. She is a mindfulness practitioner and teacher who enjoys practicing mindfulness in the early morning. Wei has spent 18 months receiving professional mindfulness teacher training at the Oxford Mindfulness Foundation. She is also a PhD student studying mindfulness and elite athlete mental health at the University of Wollongong. Wei is looking forward to sharing mindfulness with more people. As Thich Nhat Hanh said, “peace is every step, we shall walk hand in hand’.
You can read her mindfulness story through this link https://www.oxfordmindfulness.org/news/responding-mindfully-in-difficult-times-how-mindfulness-helped-me-as-a-tennis-player/
Other Upcoming Mindfulness Meditation related courses and events
Any questions or enquires please fill out the Contact Us form below and we will reply very soon !