6-Week Introduction to Mindfulness Course:

I went along to Sarah’s Mindfulness and Meditation course in the summer of 2019. A friend encouraged me to attend. I will admit, I was a little sceptical at first; I knew mindfulness was useful, as it ties in with cognitive behavioural therapy practices, but I’d never done meditation. I’m quite a logical and scientific person, and so the thought of closing my eyes and listening to my breathing etc… well I just wasn’t sure what the benefit was going to be. I was also not sure if it was worth committing for 6 whole weeks.

Boy was I wrong. As Sarah led us through her thoroughly researched programme, and I took part in the many meditations that she shares throughout the course, I could *feel* the benefits for myself. Permission to just stop, clear my mind and take a moment away from it all gave me some much-needed breathing space, and I didn’t realise how much I needed that until I got it. The more I practised this over the weeks, the better I felt and the less sceptical I became. As the course progressed, I began to really look forward to Sarah’s sessions. Some weeks I would attend very stressed from work, but when I left, I would feel on top of the world.

It’s got to the point now that I’m incorporating meditation into my life as often as I can. If I feel things are getting on top of me, I take ten minutes out to meditate, and afterwards I’m able to focus clearly again. It’s just great to have this tool at my disposal.

Sarah is a lovely human being, so warm and welcoming in her style, and so passionate and well-informed… if you can go along, please do. If you’re sceptical like I was, you won’t be by the end. I was so sad that I wouldn’t be coming back!

Coaching

‘I feel that by talking everything through, it helped me to process what the cause of the problems were, which meant that I could deal with them more effectively. Sarah was easy to talk to, listened really well and was really kind in her responses. She asked questions of me to challenge why I thought a certain way, which was good. She listened really well and clarified everything that we did’

Coaching

‘Sarah doesn’t miss a trick. You can talk for 45 minutes (and she will let you if she sees that you are benefiting from it), afterwards she will pick up and remember key points where she can make insightful observations’ Key words to describe Sarah’s coaching – friendly, dedicated and profoundly interested’.

Coaching

Lightbulb moment(s) during sessions so far ‘Realising that fun was a value, as I had been conditioned that it was a reward. Realising the pressure I put myself under to achieve perfection and would stop playing my piano if I made a mistake and start again, I realised this had been a learned behaviour’

Coaching

‘You are an effective listener who has an intuitive understanding of my needs and who has guided me to reach my own conclusions without telling me and you have used various techniques to help me get there, all of which have suited me very well. I would definitely recommend you and I would say to any new coach, you will get out of this experience what you put in with the skilful, knowledgeable and empathetic Sarah who is passionate about her work and the help she can give’.

Coaching

‘Sarah helped me so much leading up to my GCSE’s. I was suffering from panic attacks and she gave me breathing techniques and positive quotations to use to help me through these. Talking to Sarah put me at ease and she was really friendly so I didn’t feel awkward at all. I would recommend her to anyone who is struggling. Chat to her she is a great listener’

Mindfulness, Resilience and Wellbeing in Education Coaching

‘Our Year 5/6 children really enjoyed their sessions with Sarah who built a great rapport with them. They learned about the physical effects of anxiety/stress on their bodies and practical strategies to manage these. This proved invaluable in helping equip our children with the skills to build emotional resilience for the future – lots of positive feedback received from children and parents. Thank you so much, Sarah’

Mindfulness, Resilience and Wellbeing in Education Coaching

‘THANK YOU! very much for letting me take part in your sessions. I have learned a great deal from you and am already using some of your ideas in my ELSA interventions. I really think that the children at Braishfield have enjoyed and benefited from the lessons and are ready to take their SATS Tests more relaxed and prepared to free the challenge.’ Love, Monika x.