This mindfulness workshop, organised by NAMAH, the Journal of Integral Health, provided an insightful introduction to the concept of mindfulness, shedding light on its importance, relevance, and practical applications for managing stress effectively. Overall, the workshop was an enriching experience that also emphasised the necessity of compassion in any mindful practice to sustain and benefit from the practices.

The workshop instructor, Helen Eveleigh, shared her personal journey into mindfulness as a means to navigate and manage a challenging phase in her life.

Mindfulness practices come in various forms, extending beyond formal meditation to include everyday activities such as breathing, walking, eating, and exercising. The key is to engage in these activities with a sense of softness and without judgment. Helen shared a feasible and accessible starting-point and i.e. with the body. The body can be particularly accessible, as it is always present and filled with sensations, waiting to be observed with curiosity. By tuning into our bodily experiences, we can deepen our understanding of our emotions and pain, fostering a more compassionate relationship with ourselves. In addition to these, four practices were shared, ranging from simple techniques like observing the hand, to body scans, mountain visualisation, and the RAIN technique.

Throughout the workshop, Helen repeatedly emphasised the importance of approaching all aspects of experience— whether pleasant, unpleasant, or neutral— with openness, curiosity, and compassion, highlighting these as core elements of mindfulness practice.