At Leeds Student Medical Practice

MINDFULNESS TRAINING

at Leeds Student Medical Practice

Mindfulness training offered at LSMP:

Introduction to Mindfulness sessions
Mindfulness OpenSessions
Mindfulness Resilience course

Mindfulness Practices can help:

Enhance physical and emotional wellbeing
Decrease the effects of stress
Improve memory
Enhance creativity
Assist concentration
Build emotional resilience

What is Mindfulness?

Mindfulness is an evidence-based practice which involves turning our attention to whatever is happening in the present moment and observing it non-judgmentally. We often spend much of our time thinking about the past or planning for the future and we miss the richness of living in the present moment.

Our minds can be very busy, with constant chatter, which can sometimes be quite negative about ourselves, others and situations we are in. We can get so caught up in our thinking that we tend to live inside our own head. With all the distractions of mobile phones, computers, television and the internet, we have lost some of our ability to 'be here now'. With our increasingly fast paced 24/7 lives, it can be really helpful to take some time out of our constant 'doing' to 'just be'.

Why learn mindfulness skills?

Of course we need to spend some time planning for the future, however we can waste a lot of energy engaging in fantasies about what may or may not happen, which can cause worrying and stress. We can also find our minds thinking about what has happened in the past and wishing it were different or we had behaved differently.

Mindfulness is not about getting rid of thoughts, but instead taking a step back and disengaging from them, observing them non-judgmentally. In this way we break away from the spiral of negative thinking that can drag us down. With mindfulness practices we become more aware of activities of the mind, so we can then decide what is useful or unhelpful and take control back over our automatic habitual thinking patterns. We are coming off automatic pilot and developing a ‘mental muscle’ to enable us to focus our attention on what we want to be focusing it on.

What are the benefits of mindfulness practice?

There is now a wealth of evidence demonstrating the effects of mindfulness practice on physical and emotional health and wellbeing; and in reducing stress (

The Mental Health Foundation report stated benefits such as 70% reduction in anxiety, better quality sleep, greater self-esteem, reduced tension, anger and depression. They also found that almost three quarters of GPs think mindfulness meditation skill would be beneficial to patients ( Mindfulness practices are also being used by people suffering chronic pain and chronic health conditions, impacting positively on their quality of life (Kabat-Zinn, 2004).

Reviewing the evidence for mindfulness, the Mindfulness All-Party Parliamentary Group (MAPPG, 2015) has recommended that mindfulness be introduced in 4 key areas: health, education, the workplace and criminal justice system (

Contraindications of mindfulness

Some mindfulness practices may not be helpful for some individuals, for example those currently experiencing clinical depression or with a history of severe trauma or who experience episodes of dissociation, since the practices involve turning our attention towards our experiencing. If you are unsure whether mindfulness practice is appropriate for you, please contact the mindfulness teacher.

What happens in the Introductory and MindfulnessOpen Sessions?

The sessions are experiential and invite participation in a variety of short practices such as gentle mindful movements, observation of the breath, mindful eating, mindful walking, observing an object mindfully. We will discuss the evidence behind why the practices are helpful and how to incorporate mindfulness into your everyday life. This isn't a therapy group so we won't be discussing personal issues, only the practice of mindfulness.

How big is the group?

The number of participants attending the introductory and mindfulness open sessions varies, however we have space for up to 25 participants to attend on a first come first served basis – no booking required. Some individuals find it beneficial to attend the Mindfulness Open Sessionsregularly and others attend as and when they wish. The sessions are flexible to accommodate this.

How do I find out more about the Mindfulness Resilience Course?

For more information on this course visit:

Is mindfulness practice religious?

Many religions embrace meditation and contemplation, however we will introduce the practices in a secular way, so it will not interfere with any spiritual or religious beliefs you may or may not hold.

Do I need to practice outside the sessions?

There is no specific requirement to do so, but you will feel more benefit if you do. Research has found that even 10 minutes practice a day can have measurable effects.

Who runs the sessions?

Sessions are run by Mindfulness Teachers Cathy Theaker or Geraldine Breakwell – see To discuss any concerns you may have: email:

For more information on the mindfulness interventions offered at LSMP, visit: