Month: June 2025

Supporting New Research Study into the Mindfulness Now Programme

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Research News! Supporting New Study into the Mindfulness Now Programme

At Mindfulness Now, we are passionate about evidence-based practice and committed to constantly improving our programme through high-quality academic research. That’s why we’re thrilled to share news about a new research collaboration with the University of Lincoln.

This exciting project is being led by Poppy Ryan, from the the University of Lincoln, who is conducting an in-depth evaluation of the Mindfulness Now programme. Her research aims to explore how the programme impacts participants’ wellbeing – and your input could make a real difference.

What is Mindfulness?

Mindfulness is the practice of paying attention to the present moment with curiosity and compassion. It involves noticing your thoughts, emotions, and bodily sensations without judgment. Mindfulness has been widely studied in recent decades and is known to support improvements in stress reduction, emotional regulation, anxiety, depression, and overall mental wellbeing.

Learn more from Mindful.org
Explore the evidence: American Psychological Association – Mindfulness

Contact us

What is the Mindfulness Now Programme?

The Mindfulness Now programme is a flexible, evidence-informed approach to mindfulness training. It incorporates practices from Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), and is used widely in therapeutic, educational, and workplace settings.

Delivered by accredited teachers and therapists, the Mindfulness Now programme helps individuals:

  • Reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression

  • Improve emotional regulation

  • Cultivate compassion and resilience

  • Navigate life’s challenges with greater clarity and calm

Find out more at mindfulnessnow.org.uk

Why is Research Important?

At Mindfulness Now, we believe that scientific research is essential to ensuring the effectiveness, relevance, and credibility of our work. Research helps us:

  • Validate our approach through robust, peer-reviewed evidence

  • Adapt and improve our programme based on real-world feedback

  • Support teacher development with insights from data

  • Contribute to the wider mindfulness field, helping to raise standards and support best practice

This is why we are proud to support research efforts like Poppy Ryan’s. Her findings will help shape the future of the Mindfulness Now programme and benefit everyone in our community – from new participants to experienced teachers.

Can You Help? Share Your Experience

If you’ve taken part in a Mindfulness Now programme, either individually or in a group, you’re invited to share your experience in Poppy’s research survey.

👉 Take part in the survey here:
https://unioflincoln.questionpro.eu/t/AB3u0gIZB3wEng

The survey includes questions on wellbeing, depression, anxiety, and stress – so please only participate if you feel comfortable. Your insights will remain anonymous and completely confidential.

Are You a Mindfulness Teacher?

If you’re a certified Mindfulness Now teacher who has run the programme with individuals or groups, we’d be so grateful if you could share this survey link with your participants:

🔗 https://unioflincoln.questionpro.eu/t/AB3u0gIZB3wEng

The survey includes questions about mental health and background information like age, gender, and neurodiversity (optional). It has been ethically approved by the University of Lincoln (UoL_2025_20259).

Thank You for Supporting Evidence-Based Mindfulness

Every response helps strengthen the Mindfulness Now programme and brings us closer to understanding the true impact of this work. We’re proud to stand alongside the University of Lincoln and continue our journey of compassion, curiosity, and improvement.

📩 For more updates on our research and training, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or visit mindfulnessnow.org.uk.

Additional Resources on Mindfulness and Research

If you’d like to learn more about the science behind mindfulness and its benefits, here are some trusted resources and articles you might find valuable:

🧠 NHS – Mindfulness
https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/self-help/tips-and-support/mindfulness/
An accessible introduction from the NHS, covering what mindfulness is and how it can help with stress, anxiety, and depression.

📘 The Mindfulness Initiative
https://www.themindfulnessinitiative.org
A policy institute working to bring mindfulness into public life – includes research summaries, policy briefs, and education resources.

📖 Oxford Mindfulness Foundation – Research Hub
https://www.oxfordmindfulness.org/research
Explore cutting-edge mindfulness research, including studies on MBCT and mindfulness in schools, workplaces, and healthcare.

📊 American Mindfulness Research Association (AMRA)
https://goamra.org
A comprehensive database of peer-reviewed mindfulness studies with regular research summaries and scientific updates.

🎓 University of Massachusetts – Center for Mindfulness
https://www.umassmed.edu/cfm
The birthplace of MBSR – includes educational content, research articles, and training opportunities.

🧩 Neuroscience of Mindfulness – Greater Good Science Center (UC Berkeley)
https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/topic/mindfulness/definition
Articles on how mindfulness changes the brain and supports emotional and cognitive health.

Statement of Solidarity with the Trans Community

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In Solidarity with Our Trans and Gender-Diverse Community

You are seen. You are valued. You are welcome.

Mindfulness Now understands the severity of what trans people are experiencing at this time, and we want to be absolutely clear: you are welcome here.

We are in full solidarity with our trans and gender-diverse community – we see you, we hear you, and we are standing with you. This isn’t just a statement—it’s a commitment.

We are actively working to ensure that all aspects of our programmes reflect our intrinsic mindful values of compassion, loving-kindness, inclusivity, and common humanity.

This commitment includes:

  • Continually updating and developing inclusive policies

  • Creating meaningful training for our Mindfulness Now teachers around gender identity, trans experiences, and the use of inclusive language

  • Ensuring a safe, supportive, and affirming environment within our training and across the wider Mindfulness Now community of teachers and learners

We recognise that this work is never finished. We are committed to ongoing listening, learning, and action—to ensure our words are matched by our behaviours and systems

With love, compassion and human connection — we are with you.

In support of Trans, Non-Binary and Gender-Questioning Communities

The recent UK Supreme Court ruling defining women by biological sex under equalities law has understandably led to deep anxiety and concern among trans, non-binary and gender-questioning (TNBGQ) individuals.

At Mindfulness Now, we stand in unwavering solidarity with TNBGQ communities. We are a training college committed to inclusion, safety, compassion and respect for all identities — not only during this challenging time, but always.

Our Commitment to Inclusivity

Mindfulness Now is a trauma-informed training provider offering mindfulness-based therapeutic training and support. Our ethos is grounded in kindness, equity, and care for all people.

We aim to be a space where TNBGQ students, graduates, teachers, and clients feel seen, safe and fully respected.

We commit to:

  • Championing the dignity, diversity and lived experience of TNBGQ people

  • Continuously improving our teaching, guidance and support with inclusivity at the core

  • Removing barriers to access and participation across all aspects of our training and community

  • Listening, learning, and reflecting with humility and compassion

Every person’s experience of gender is valid and deserves full respect. We honour the individuality and identity of each person in our courses, trainings and community.

Understanding the Supreme Court Ruling

The UK Supreme Court ruled that under the Equality Act 2010, the legal definition of a woman refers to biological sex. This means trans women with Gender Recognition Certificates may be excluded from some women-only spaces or services.

However, trans and non-binary individuals remain protected under equality law from discrimination, harassment, and victimisation.

We understand that this ruling may raise questions and distress for many in our community, including mindfulness students, graduates, trainers, and clients.

How We’re Responding

We are currently exploring the implications of this ruling for our training, teaching practice and professional guidance. We are:

  • Consulting with legal experts, inclusion advocates, and those with lived experience

  • Reviewing our training content, policies and materials to ensure clarity, compassion and inclusivity

  • Creating safe channels for discussion, feedback and lived experience to be heard

We acknowledge that our community includes a rich diversity of views, backgrounds and life stories. We believe that mindfulness must be a space where people are not only welcome — but safe.

What Mindfulness Means Here

Mindfulness is not neutral. It must be rooted in ethics, care and courage. It must stand up for those who are marginalised or harmed.

That means:

  • Adopting a trauma-aware and participant-led approach

  • Holding space with sensitivity, humility and care

  • Ensuring personal beliefs do not override inclusive, ethical practice

  • Speaking out against all forms of discrimination and harm, including transphobia, racism, ableism, ageism, homophobia, sexism, Islamophobia and antisemitism

We welcome your comments

We know we can always do better—and we want to. If you have thoughts, ideas, or feedback about how we can improve our teacher training, create safer spaces, or help people feel more seen and included, please get in touch.

Contact Us

Resources and Support

We will always be here to support members of the Mindfulness Now community and you are always welcome to reach out to us.

 

Your Voice Matters

We welcome feedback, reflections and ideas on how we can better serve the TNBGQ community through our trainings, teacher development, and public offerings.

Contact us: info@mindfulnessnow.org.uk
Website: mindfulnessnow.org.uk

Together, we can cultivate mindfulness spaces rooted in awareness, kindness and justice. This is not just good practice — it is essential.

Best Practice Guidelines for Mindfulness Teachers

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Best Practice Guidelines for Mindfulness Teachers

These guiding principles have been developed by the Mindfulness Teachers Association (MTA) to promote integrity, consistency, and high standards in the teaching of mindfulness-based approaches. MTA-accredited teachers are expected to embody these best practices in order to support the safe, effective, and ethical delivery of mindfulness programmes across a range of settings.

Mindfulness courses aim to support participants in managing physical and psychological health challenges and developing resilience to life’s stressors. These guidelines apply to secular, evidence-based, mainstream mindfulness programmes, typically taught over eight weeks and including structured home practice.

To find out more please click here for the MTA Best Practice Guidelines for Mindfulness Teachers and Training Organisations 

The Mindfulness-Based Programmes Covered

These programmes are:

  • Informed by a clearly articulated rationale;

  • Teacher-led and experiential in nature;

  • Based on a defined curriculum;

  • Structured across a minimum of eight sessions with 30–45 minutes of daily home practice;

  • Designed for scalability and accessibility in community, educational, workplace, and healthcare settings;

  • Committed to ongoing evaluation and grounded in research evidence.

Examples include (but are not limited to): Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), Mindfulness Now, and other programmes listed in the MTA’s About the Register.

A. Mindfulness-Based Teacher Training Requirements

  1. Direct Personal Experience
    Teachers must have completed in-depth personal experience with all core mindfulness and meditation practices. To have an established daily mindfulness meditation practice for a least 6 months. 

  2. Comprehensive Teacher Training
    Teachers must have completed a rigorous mindfulness teacher training or supervised pathway. The training must have contained observational assessment during the course of the training by a trainer or tutor. Training should have included mindfulness teaching practice with fellow students, discussion and questions and answers with your trainers or tutors. All post-course assessments need to have involved both a practical assessment of teaching and a written assesssment of teaching.

Find out more

B. Ongoing Good Practice Commitments

  1. Sustained Personal Mindfulness Practice
    All teachers must maintain a regular personal mindfulness practice, including:

    • Daily formal and informal meditation;

    • Annual attendance at a teacher-led mindfulness retreat including extended periods of silence.

  2. Supervision and Peer Reflection
    Teachers are expected to:

    • Engage in regular formal supervision with an experienced mindfulness-based teacher;

    • Share reflective dialogue on teaching and personal mindfulness practice.

  3. Continued Professional Development (CPD)
    Teachers commit to:

    • Ongoing training and CPD relevant to their mindfulness teaching;

    • Staying current with emerging research and developments in mindfulness-based interventions;

    • Reflective journaling, peer forums, and professional dialogue.

  4. Ethical Standards and Professional Conduct
    Teachers must adhere to the ethical framework relevant to their profession and teaching context. Where no existing framework is applicable.

 

Book CPD or Mindfulness Supervsion

Why Registration with the MTA Matters

Registration with the Mindfulness Teachers Association ensures that you are recognised as a teacher who:

  • Meets robust training and ethical standards;

  • Maintains an active commitment to integrity, compassion, and self-awareness;

  • Is part of a professional community of practice;

  • Is listed in the MTA Accredited Teachers Register, allowing members of the public and employers to find trusted, qualified mindfulness teachers.

Further Resources

A Practical Guide with Resources, Research, and Support

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How and Where to Learn Mindfulness: A Practical Guide with Resources, Research, and Support

In today’s fast-paced world, more and more people are discovering the benefits of mindfulness—a practice rooted in ancient traditions and supported by modern science. But what is mindfulness exactly, how can you learn it, and where can you find trusted training and support?

Whether you’re curious about mindfulness for personal wellbeing or considering a deeper path of training, this guide will help you get started with evidence-based insights, free practices, and reliable organisations.

What Is Mindfulness?

Mindfulness is the practice of paying attention, on purpose, in the present moment, and without judgment. This simple idea has roots in Buddhist meditation but has been adapted into modern psychology and healthcare.

Jon Kabat-Zinn, who developed the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) programme, defines it as:

“Awareness that arises through paying attention, on purpose, in the present moment, non-judgmentally.”
– Kabat-Zinn, 2003

Mindfulness helps us respond to life with greater clarity and kindness, rather than reacting on autopilot. It’s been shown to reduce stress, anxiety, depression, and even physical pain (Khoury et al., 2013).

 

How Do You Practise Mindfulness?

Mindfulness can be practiced formally—through meditation—or informally by bringing attention to everyday activities like eating, walking, or listening.

Some core practices include:

  • Breath Awareness

  • Body Scan Meditation

  • Mindful Movement

  • Loving-Kindness Meditation

These can be done sitting, lying down, or even while walking. Apps like Headspace and Insight Timer offer excellent guided meditations.

🌀 Try This: A Simple Breath Awareness Practice

Here’s a short practice to help you get started:

Sit comfortably. Close your eyes or soften your gaze.
Bring your attention to your breath—feeling the air move in and out of your nostrils or the rise and fall of your chest.
If your mind wanders, gently notice it, and return your focus to your breath.
Stay with this for a few minutes.

You can also listen to this guided 5-minute breath awareness meditation.

 

Evidence-Based Approaches to Learning Mindfulness

Many people start their mindfulness journey through structured programmes backed by research. Here are some of the most respected:

1. MBSR – Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction

Developed at the University of Massachusetts Medical School by Jon Kabat-Zinn, MBSR is an 8-week course combining mindfulness meditation and yoga.

 Research:

2. MBCT – Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy

Originally developed to prevent relapse in depression, MBCT blends mindfulness with cognitive therapy techniques.

 Research:

3. Mindfulness Now

A UK-based integrative approach that combines MBSR and MBCT with flexibility for modern life. Offered by The UK College of Mindfulness Meditation, it’s ideal for both personal development and professional training.

 Learn more:

 

Find out more

Where Can I Learn Mindfulness?

Find a Teacher Near You

Learning from a qualified teacher can be deeply supportive. The Mindfulness Teachers Association (MTA) is the UK’s primary professional body for accredited mindfulness teachers and organisations.

Click here for Best Practice Guidelines for Mindfulness Teachers and Training Organisations 

Why choose an MTA-registered teacher?

  • Trusted quality

  • Evidence-based training

  • Adherence to ethical standards

  • Trauma-aware practices

 Explore:

The MTA only lists organisations that meet rigorous standards of training and delivery—such as the UK College of Mindfulness Meditation and others that follow NICE and NHS-aligned guidelines.

🌐 Online Courses and Resources

If you’re not ready for in-person sessions, here are some well-respected options:

Quick Tips to Start Your Mindfulness Journey

  1. Start small – even 3 minutes a day can make a difference.

  2. Use a guided meditation – this reduces the overwhelm of “doing it wrong.”

  3. Be kind to yourself – it’s natural for your mind to wander.

  4. Create a routine – tie practice to a daily activity like morning coffee.

  5. Find community – a group or teacher adds encouragement and support.

From Learning to Teaching?

If you’re already practicing mindfulness and want to go deeper, consider teacher training. Programmes like Mindfulness Now Teacher Training offer a supervised and accredited path, culminating in optional MTA registration.

“Joining the MTA demonstrates your commitment to professional standards, trauma-informed care, and continuing development.”
– Mindfulness Teachers Association

Find out more about training

Key Links Summary

Becoming a Mindfulness Practitioner

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How Do I Become a Qualified Mindfulness Practitioner?

If you’ve experienced the personal benefits of mindfulness and feel inspired to share it with others, you might be asking about the process of becoming a qualifed trained mindfulness practitioner.

What does it take to become a qualified mindfulness Practitioner?

Becoming a certified mindfulness practitioner is not only a personal journey of transformation but also a professional pathway that allows you to help others develop emotional resilience, manage stress, and improve wellbeing.

Let’s walk you through everything you need to know, from personal practice to professional qualification — and how you can take the next step with the UK College of Mindfulness Meditation.

Find out more

Step 1: What’s the foundation of becoming a mindfulness practitioner?

Q: Do I need to have a personal mindfulness practice?

Yes. A consistent personal practice is the essential first step. As Jon Kabat-Zinn, the founder of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), says:

“You can’t teach mindfulness without embodying it.”

Start with daily meditation. Apps like Insight Timer or Headspace can help you begin. The UK College of Mindfulness Meditation encourages all aspiring teachers to meditate daily and deepen their understanding before stepping into training.

Step 2: What training is required?

Q: Is there a structured course I can follow?

Absolutely. At the UK College of Mindfulness Meditation, training begins with a 5-day practical, intensive course that blends theory with experiential learning.

This course is:

  • Experiential, hands-on, and delivered in a supportive group setting.

  • Led by expert trainers and integrates Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT).

  • Approved by the British Psychological Society.

You’ll be taught to:

  • Guide group and individual sessions.

  • Use breath, body, movement-based practices.

  • Understand trauma-informed approaches to teaching.

  • Work with diverse populations, from schools to healthcare settings.

Course Structure

Step 4: What qualification will I receive?

Q: Is the qualification recognised?

Yes. Upon successful assessment, you receive a fully certificated qualification as a ‘mindfulness teacher’

 Graduates can:

  • Join the Mindfulness Now accredited network – which is free.

  • Teach the structured 8-week mindfulness wellbeing course.

  • Deliver flexible, drop-in-style mindfulness sessions.

Step 5: What kind of support will I receive?

Q: Is there any follow-up after qualifying?

Yes – ongoing support is a core part of the programme. This includes:

  • Free Weekly Mindful Mondays: Open Zoom meditations with themes led by graduates and trainers.

  • CPD events, supervision, retreats (in-person and online) and lifelong email/phone support with the college.

  • Free membership to the Mindfulness Now teaching network.

  • Access to an annual mindfulness teacher in-person conference

This isn’t just a course; it’s a community.

Step 6: Where can mindfulness teachers work?

Q: What career paths are available after qualifying?

Mindfulness teachers from this programme have gone on to work in:

  • The NHS, including mental health and palliative care.

  • Schools, via partnerships like NeuroHeadway.

  • Private practice, delivering sessions to individuals and groups.

  • Corporate environments, offering stress management and performance coaching.

Qualified teachers can obtain professional indemnity/public liability insurance and are encouraged to continue developing their skills and practice.

Train to be a Mindfulness Practitioner

Your Six-Step Journey to Becoming a Mindfulness Practitioner

  1. Personal practice – Establish your meditation routine.

  2. 5-day training – Attend our in-depth, hands-on course.

  3. Case studies & assignments – Apply what you’ve learned in real settings.

  4. Assessment – Demonstrate your competency and understanding.

  5. Certification – Gain your qualification as a ‘mindfulness teacher’.

  6. Ongoing CPD, Supervision & support – Join a vibrant and supportive professional network.

 

More information

What Comes After Qualification? Join the Mindfulness Teachers Association (MTA)

Once you’re qualified, it’s important to stay connected, supported, and accountable as a mindfulness teacher. One of the best ways to do this is by joining the Mindfulness Teachers Association – MTA.

Q: Why join the MTA?

The MTA is the UK’s leading professional body for mindfulness teachers. Although the field of mindfulness teaching is not yet formally regulated, the MTA sets out clear professional standards, ethical guidelines, and good practice frameworks.

Membership with the MTA helps you to:

  • Demonstrate credibility to clients, employers and organisations.

  • Be part of a recognised register of trained, ethical and supervised teachers.

  • Access ongoing CPD events, webinars, and shared resources.

  • Stay updated with the latest mindfulness research and developments.

  • Network with a supportive community of like-minded professionals.

  • Promote your services through their public-facing Find a Teacher directory.

To be listed as a member, you’ll need:

  • A recognised teacher training qualification (like the Mindfulness Now Programme).

  • Ongoing supervision and CPD.

  • A personal practice and adherence to the MTA’s Code of Ethics.

Joining the MTA not only helps ensure high standards of teaching across the UK, it also offers a sense of community and continual growth — which is essential in a field as relational and dynamic as mindfulness teaching.

📌 Learn more and apply here: https://mindfulnessteachers.org.uk/

Please click here for Best Practice Guidelines for Mindfulness Teachers and Training Organisations 

Final Thoughts: Is this your next step?

Becoming a mindfulness teacher is a deeply rewarding journey that begins with your own self-awareness and blossoms into helping others live with greater calm and resilience. If you’re ready to guide others in mindful living, then why wait?

👉 Start your journey today with the UK College of Mindfulness Meditation

Useful Resources and References