MINDFULNESS DEMYSTIFIED
a one day training/retreat
There is now thousands of evidence-based research papers that confirm what has been known for centuries by many cultures; intentionally training your mind leads to mental calm and stability and it is ongoing if you practice. Toning the vagus nerve with simple exercises, releases learned fear responses and tensions and restores balance. Regular practice strengthens the ‘attention muscle.This training gives you the science, practices and tools to start “rewiring the brain” and learn to “push the pause button” on the busy mind, restore balance to the nervous system. Build resilience and reprogram conditioned behaviours and beliefs that are unhelpful.
LEARN MINDFULNESS IN A SAFE AND SUPPORTIVE SPACE WITH LIKE-MINDED PEOPLE.
“Thank you, this wonderful experience, which is now forever a regular practice in my life”.
Susan H.
The ability to control attention is one of the key markers of a successful life. Regular mindfulness practices is a proven method to help increase focus and awareness, make it possible to self-regulate and shift attention when caught up in negative thinking and worrying. Mindfulness exercises are designed to train our awareness and the ability to stay calm under stress and turbulence as well as having better sleep and increasing resilience.
During this day you will be introduced to and learn the the powerful mindfulness techniques that are helping individuals from all walks of life to have more balance and focus in their lives.
This course will provide you with an in-depth understanding of the mechanisms that underpins mindfulness widespread success and application as well as all the exercises that will help you establish your own regular practice.
and the resources to successfully learn to self-regulate, lower stress and anxiety responses
“Thank you Rita for providing such a thorough course in Mindfulness. This has come at exactly the right time for me as I look towards a less cluttered lifestyle, on the physical plane as well as the emotional and spiritual. Thank you once again”.
Anna C.
Why Learning Mindfulness is the Greates gift you can give yourself
Our thoughts are the root cause of suffering. They are the cause of worry and stress. The problem is that those, especially, self-critical thoughts of not being good enough etc. mostly goes on ‘under the radar’ where we don’t recognise them. They are like an invisible automatic response in our head that get triggered in different situations.
With mindfulness practice we can put the spotlight of awareness on our thoughts and patterns of behaviours and start recognising that we have a choice of where we put our attention and learn that we can shift attention when trapped in negative self-talk and unhelpful thinking patterns. That is the doorway to inner freedom.
Mindfulness can’t be learnt by just talking or reading about it. Mindfulness is experiential. It is by actually doing the practice you start experiencing the benefits.
During the day we will be looking carefully at the basic neuroscience; how purposefully connecting with the body’s self-calming para-sympathetic nervous system leads to lower stress and anxiety, increased attention and mental clarity.
Learning mindfulness is like nothing else, it is not “learning” in the traditional sense, it is not therapy either. It is more like ‘decluttering’ the over-filled, busy mind.
THE SCIENCE OF MINDFULNESS
Understanding how the brain works goes a long way to empowering people to practice mindfulness. Mindfulness ‘teaches’ us how thoughts and feelings affect our state of being and how we are able to train ourselves, intentionally, to observe the activity of the mind without becoming entrapped and start believing every thought the mind produces or be swept away by every emotion felt.
In recent years, scientist’s have revealed what mindfulness and meditation practitioners have known for centuries; bringing awareness to the mind and body (nervous system) and training our attention to ‘listen’ to what’s happening in the body and mind leads to calmness, presence and alert awareness.
This level of awareness anchors us in the body and we develop an increased level of alertness for shifts and changes and in particular notice when our thoughts and feelings are becoming troublesome.
THE LONG TERM DANGERS OF STRESS
Many people are unable to find a way to put the brakes on stress. Chronic low-level stress keeps the nervous system activated, constantly ‘on’ much like a motor that is idling too high for too long. After a while, this has an effect on the body that contributes to the health problems associated with chronic stress.
Persistent epinephrine surges can damage blood vessels and arteries, increasing blood pressure and raising risk of heart attacks or strokes. Elevated cortisol levels create physiological changes that help to replenish the body’s energy stores that are depleted during the stress response.
People prone to stress, anxiety and dysregulation can learn to self-regulate by regularly practicing these simple, highly effective strategies as well as adopt a daily breathing and relaxing practice to re-educate the vagus nerve away from anxiety and fear response back to safety.
Many people have lost the sense of purpose and meaning in their lives and live day to day on auto-pilot in a world of “doing” without being present in the moment, never taking time to stop for even as little as 5 minutes, to reflect and recharge.
Mindfulness reshapes our biology to a state of calmness, presence and awareness
Mindfulness is about bringing attention to the present moment awareness and being fully present as life unfolds; without having expectations or an agenda or trying to interfere to get a particular outcome you ‘want’.
Acceptance of what is, is a large part of living mindfully. Too often we want things a particular way, try to influence people and events because we think we know best or want a particular outcome rather than just letting life unfold in the moment.
It takes time to retrain the mind and body but with daily practices of as little as 15 minutes, research show us that in 63 days the brain will automatically default to protective patterns when the pressure is on. In other words, through regular mindfulness practice we can restore and activate emotional and mental resilience when challenges arrive.
Thanks to the work of Stephen Porges and Bessel Van de Kolk, it is now well known, through evidence-based research, that focused breathing exercises, putting the attention on the body’s sensations (breath, tightness, warmth, softness etc) and many others simple practices can intervene the escalation of stress and anxiety and de-regulates the traumatic nervous system response bringing the nervous system back to a sense of calm, safety and connection.
“With Mindfulness training you are not adding to your knowledge in the
traditional sense – you are in fact removing some of the mental clutter
that is holding you back from being naturally mindful and in a state of
equilibrium”.Rita Riccola
Book Now and Start Today!
Mindfulness and meditation can’t be learnt by just talking or reading about it.
It doesn’t matter if you never have meditated or done one Mindfulness exercise in your life, this course is for anyone who is moved to establish their own mindfulness practice and get the tools and resources to lessen stress and anxiety, improve focus, mental resilience and learn to self-manage unhelpful thoughts and emotions.
To sign up and start your Mindfulness Journey, simply chose a date below and click the button and you are taken to the registration page for checkout and immediate access to the 8 week online part of the course.
Limited time $100 Discount
Regular cost for the course is $295 For a limited time we offer this course for only $195
The face to face course is normally $345 but we offer it for $245
WHAT DO YOU GET FROM THIS COURSE?
Part of the courseg is a 8 week online course that you can do in your own time to establish (or deepen) your personal practice by weekly engaging lessons and keeping a daily journal.
INCLUDING:
TRAINER WITH 30 YEARS EXPERIENCE
Rita Riccola is one of New Zealand’s leading mindfulness trainers. Hundreds of individuals including school teachers, life coaches, psychologists and counsellors in both New Zealand and Australia has taken her 2 day mindfulness facilitation course to date. She have provided staff training for numerous schools across New Zealand to help integrating mindfulness practice to the curriculum. She is a former teacher and a trained mindfulness teacher with 30 yrs experience who has completed courses with Mindful Schools USA and attended many Mindfulness retreats.
Make A Booking
Choose dates for Zoom trainings:
(CLICK TO EXPAND)
COURSES 2022
AUGUST
1 DAY Virtual Interactive Course 22 August 2022
Monday: 9.30am-2.30pm (NSW Time)
(There will be breaks for lunch and afternoon tea).
Cost: $195
Including: Online Course and ongoing support.
Payment plans available.
AUGUST
1 DAY Virtual Interactive Course 19 October 2022
Wednesday: 9.30am-2.30pm (NSW Time)
(There will be breaks for lunch and afternoon tea).
Cost: $195
Including: Online Course and ongoing support.
Payment plans available.
*The course is held using the Zoom online meeting platform that we have found being both intuitive and to offer a fluent meeting experience. It is used by millions of people worldwide and if you have not used it before it is very easy to install and use. You get an email with instructions in good time before the training.
Choose dates for face-to-face trainings:
(CLICK TO EXPAND)
COURSES 2022
SEPTEMBER
12 DAY Mindfulness Course in Sydney 27 September 2022
Tuesday: 9.30am-3.30pm
Cost: $245
Including: Morning Tea, Online Course and ongoing support.
Payment plans available.
NOVEMBER
WEEKEND Mindfulness Facilitation Course in Sydney 19 November 2022
Saturday: 9.30am-3.30pm
Cost: $245
Including: Morning tea, Online Course and ongoing support.
Payment plans available.
COURSES 2022
OCTOBER
1 DAY Mindfulness Course in Melbourne 5 October 2022
Wednesday: 9.30am-3.30pm
Cost: $245
Including: Morning tea, Online Course and ongoing support.
Payment plans available.
DECEMBER
1 DAY Mindfulness Course in Melbourne 14 December 2022
Wednesday: 9.30am-3.30pm
Cost: $245
Including: Morning Tea, Online Course and ongoing support.
Payment plans available.
COURSES 2022
NOVEMBER
1 DAY Mindfulness Course in Brisbane 8 November 2022
Tuesday: 9.30am-3.30pm
Cost: $245
Including: Morning tea, Online Course and ongoing support.
Payment plans available.
COURSES 2022
SEPTEMBER
2 DAY Mindfulness Facilitation Course in 20 September 2022
Tuesday: 9.30am-3.30pm
Cost: $245
Including: Morning tea, Online Course.
Payment plans available.
Why Choose This Course?
Internationally Recognised Accreditation
Our courses are accredited with IMMA (International Mindfulness & Meditation Alliance). After completion you will be eligible to apply for IMMA membership.
These courses are designed to meet the growing need in all sectors (education, medicine, psychology, social work, physiotherapy, business etc) for evidence-based strategies that lead to self-regulation, emotional awareness and lowered stress and anxiety.
Leading Trainer
Learn Mindfulness from a professional educator with more than 30 years experience of mindfulness and meditation.
Highly evaluated courses
Hundreds of professionals and individuals have taken the 2 day Mindfulness Facilitation Course. The trainings receive consistently high evaluation and reviews.
See testimonials here
For All Age Groups
The program is designed for all age groups from 4 year old pre-schoolers to 80 year old seniors.
Life-Time Access
When you register for an online course or a face-to-face training you receive lifelong access to the course material and all the resources provided. Ongoing support is available.
Be part of a Community
Connect with like-minded people that support each other.
WHAT PARTICIPANT’S SAY
“I have to be honest when I started this, it came with a certain amount of skepticism on my part. However, since I have been practicing mindfulness on a regular basis I can see nothing but benefits from what it has given me. I have used this now with clients and after many months of CBT and adding mindfulness to this I have seen great changes in them. It felt that mindfulness added that little something which just clicked with them”.Mark T.
“Thank you Rita for providing such a thorough course in Mindfulness. This has come at exactly the right time for me as I look towards a less cluttered lifestyle, on the physical plane as well as the emotional and spiritual. Thank you once again”.
Anne C.
“I’ve really loved this course – both the online component and the two day course, I’m so grateful I’ve learnt these empowering new tools. THANK YOU :-)”Natalie E., Auckland NZ
“The 8 week course has allowed me to re connect with the person I used to be and ignite my passion to forge forward, to help others find their passion, peace, connection and love within themselves. So they too, can help others to find their way in life. Thank you for this experience and training”
Sia K., Sydney AUS
“I just wanted to take the time to express how much I thoroughly enjoyed the 2 day course…I have conducted other mindfulness training but really feel your offering is unparalleled”.Sarah A.
“I am extremely grateful for your teachings…you are truly inspirational”.Wendy R.
“Thank you, this wonderful experience, which is now forever a regular practice in my life”.Susan H.
“I just wanted to take the time to express how much I thoroughly enjoyed the 2 day course…I have attended other mindfulness training but really feel your offering is unparalleled.”.Sarah A.
ASK A QUESTION ABOUT THIS COURSE
“With Mindfulness training you are not adding to your knowledge in the
traditional sense – you are in fact removing some of the mental clutter
that is holding you back from being naturally mindful and in a state of
equilibrium”.Rita Riccola
Mindfulness means “paying attention in a particular way, on purpose, in the present moment, and non-judgementally.”Jon Kabat-Zinn. (Founder of Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction)
Frequently Asked Questions
Mindfulness is a way of noticing where your attention is in the present moment without judging it good or bad. It’s about not wandering off into an imagined future or going over the past but fully engaging right here right now.
Through guided, simple easy-to-do practisies you are training the mind to be more present in the moment. resulting in it to be less anxious, more alert and alive.
- Who over-thinks
- Thinks anxiously as a regular behavior.
- Stressed people
- People who engage in constant negative self-talk
- People who can’t sleep because of incessant inner chatter
- People who operate on ‘auto-pilot’ and are always ‘on’..
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“Thank you for offering this course, it has been a blessing in my life”. Nicky M.
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“Just watch this moment, without trying to change it at all. What is happening? What do you see? What do you hear?”Jon Kabat-Zin
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BRING MINDFULNESS TO THE CLASSROOM
Complete 3 part online course to establish your own daily practice and learning to facilitate groups