MINDFULNESS FOR HEALTH

Living Well with Pain and Illness:

A Breathworks-based approach

What is Mindfulness?

What it IS:

A practice of bringing awareness to our present moment experience, with a non-judgemental attitude, and the cultivation of equanimity towards this experience.

What it is NOT:

A cold, or disengaged, awareness.

Aversion Grasping

Unpleasant Pleasant

How can mindfulness help? Experience of Pain (e.g. sore back)

PRIMARY SECONDARY

Physical Thoughts/Emotions

ache

tightness

sharp twinge

inflammed

REACT not fair/why me?what will I do if…..?anxietyfear

Mindfulness gives us CHOICE, allowing us RESPOND not REACT

We can lessen the secondary suffering we experience

Mindfulness techniques

• Breath awareness• Meditation• Mindful movement• Pacing• Mindfulness in daily life

Meditation

What it IS• For everyone• Training the mind to develop more positive mental and emotional habits• Turning awareness towards thoughts, feelings and emotions - direct

sensory experience• Connecting with self openly and honestly

What it is NOT• Forcing the mind• ‘Pretending’ or disengaging from experience• Making the mind blank

Helpful resources

www.mymindfullife.co.uk

http://www.breathworks-mindfulness.org.uk/

https://soundcloud.com/vidyamala-prue-burch

Mindfulness for Health: A Practical Guide to Relieving Pain, Reducing Stress and Restoring WellbeingBy Danny Penman, Vidyamala Burch.