How to plan a Mindfulness Workshop: This Guide
The Mindfulness X specialist training course is discussed at the end. This program is an independent program that trains trainers and gives them all the resources and materials they need to lead eight sessions with clients based on eight pillars.
It is best to concentrate on the practical exercises and discussion of participants’ experiences when offering an introductory workshop. Some background information is necessary, but it is better to keep the theory to a minimum. It is important that the group be manageable so that everyone contributes and shares their knowledge within the allocated time.
A one-day workshop for beginners is planned
To deliver the workshop, you will need some equipment. You will need a whiteboard, flip charts, pens, handouts with worksheet exercises, a laptop and projector.
Participants should be aware of the appropriate type of clothing to wear. Below are some tips to help you deliver the workshop online.
1. Participants in
As soon as participants arrive, begin the workshop with a mindfulness exercise. To help participants relax and feel fully present, you can use the Noticing Five Things exercise. This should only take 5-10 minutes.
2. Request brief introductions
This can be used as a group warm up exercise. You can break people into pairs and ask them questions about their preferences for the workshop. Next, ask them to introduce themselves. This should take approximately 20 minutes.
3. Get creative with brainstorming
In a brainstorming session, get the group to think about mindfulness. Encourage everyone to share whatever comes to their minds. This session can be used to talk about mindfulness and to relate it to the workshop’s expectations.
You can also show Russ Harris’ short video, which gives a quick overview of some myths surrounding mindfulness. The video should be completed in 20 minutes.
To bring people back to the present moment, you can lead a Breath Awareness activity after the video. Distribute a handout to timetable the remainder of the workshop.
The three steps listed above should take between 50-60 minutes. Perhaps you would like to take a break for some refreshments.
4. The history of mindfulness
Next, you can give a brief history of mindfulness, from early Buddhism through modern neuroscience. The video below, which Ruth Farenga (founder of Conscious Leaders), explains mindfulness’s neuroscience in very accessible terms, is available to you.
