Meditation
Meditation is an age-old practice which originated around 3000 years ago in Eastern wellness traditions. It is now growing in popularity in the western world for its wide range of physical, mental and emotional benefits. These include:
improved calm, clarity and focus
better sleep
less emotional reactivity and improved emotional stability
reduced pain related to stress
increased positive emotions such as joy and gratitude
improved relationships due to an increase in compassion and empathy.
The greatest benefits of meditation are unlocked through a regular committed practice. Like any muscle, the brain also needs to be trained in order to increase its capacity for attention and awareness.
Short, daily meditations of 10 minutes are enough to grow your brain’s ability to be present in the here and now. This awareness will extend to your everyday activities, helping you feel more connected and present to life.
Classes provide an opportunity to commit to a regular meditation practice each week, to help you gain the skills and confidence to continue this practice in your daily life and to integrate it as part of your routine.
Introduction to Mindfulness Meditation Techniques (delivered online)
With Dr Neelam Taneja
This six-session program will help you develop ten foundational skills to enhance your self-awareness, inner calm, and well-being. You will also learn techniques to better cope with life's challenges. You don't need experience with mindfulness meditation, but those who have practised before and wish to refresh their foundational skills are welcome.
Date: Thursdays 7-8pm for 6 weeks starting 5 October (no session 26 October)
Cost: £60
Drop-In Meditation Sessions on Mondays (via Zoom)
Our free online meditation sessions run on Mondays from 1-2pm. The dates for the drop-in sessions are as follows:
September 25; October 2, 9 & 16; November 6, 13, 20 & 27; December 4 & 11
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/976095039?pwd=RDRQK0hKcEZsN2I3a1hvN0JtbHM4QT09
Meeting ID: 976 095 039
Passcode: 102312
About the tutors:
Dr Neelam Taneja PhD, Member IAYT, Life Fellow RSM
Dr Neelam is an accredited teacher of meditation and mindfulness from the Oxford Mindfulness Centre, as well as the Mindfulness in Schools Project - teaching mindfulness skills to students and teachers.
Dr Neelam has thirty years experience of working in Europe, USA, Africa and Asia helping people from different cultures, backgrounds and beliefs. These include executives, creative people, students, health professionals, housewives and carers dealing with life’s challenges. He has consultancy and coaching experience, helping people in the corporate, public and charitable sectors and gives regular lectures on Meditation in the local community. He believes that Meditation is an inclusive practice, helping you stay healthier for longer with improved quality of life, and creates a non-judgemental and supportive environment for his students to learn.
Dr Neelam is a member of the British Wheel of Yoga and trains Yoga teachers in the philosophy and practice of Yoga and meditation. Neelam is a Life Fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine.
Dr Neelam Taneja Meditation and Mindfulness Tutor at The Sadie Centre
Kate Tomlinson
Kate has studied Yoga for over 40 years and is a 500 hour MindflowYoga Qualified Yoga teacher. She has studied Pranayama under an array of fine teachers, including Sarah O’Connor and Philip Jones (an ex-miner and one of the first Pranayama teachers in the UK who survived despite greatly reduced lung capacity through Pranayama and Hatha Yoga. An inspirational teacher, he taught the practices of Swami Gitananda.) Kate did further training with Swami Dharmananda Saraswati Maharaj, founder of the Dharma Centre, and studied the philosophy of Yoga under Neelam Taneja. In her work, she combines Pranayama, Meditation and Mantra as a means to gaining equanimity and inner stillness.
