I have been eating better as well as making more time for myself to do things I enjoy, like playing guitar. I have become more aware of when my mind drifts off...and even though things at work and in everyday life still stress me from time to time, I can deal with things better now by noticing the way I feel and recognising that it is just a feeling that will pass instead of reacting in a negative way. Unfortunately I won't be able to attend the MBSR full day of mindfulness this time as I've planned to go skydiving. I'll make sure I'm practising mindfulness while I jump out of the plane though!        

Simon MBSR, July 2011

What I notice is that I'm much more aware of my body, my feelings and my emotions...Being aware of them makes me feel more 'alive' rather than just slipping along through the days. I also find that my capacity to sit with unpleasant emotions and feelings is greater than before. I notice that by opening myself up to the practice (of mindfulness) new and unexpected things arrive. I was always a 'glass half full' person anyway but I now notice a real sense of joyousness and purpose about my days - although I don't feel like I am really 'doing' anything much different than before - apart from the mindfulness practice.                                           

Kathy, MBSR, July 2011                                                                                                                                                                                

I find now that when my mind starts down a negative track I can bring myself back to the present by using mindfulness

Robyn, MBSR July 2011                                                                                                                                                                                

For over 20 years I've had an irrational fear of flying. I managed a return flight to Melbourne during the MBSR course with almost no anxiety using the body scan and breathing. I still have a long way to go but now have the tools to continue and practise. MBSR has helped me to have a better understanding of how unproductive anxiety and worry can be, and how important the moment is.                                                   

Carol, MBSR, April 2011                                                                                                                                                                                  

I now have part time employment, and go about life more confidently and with less paranoia. I do enjoy my morning beach walks and think of them as vertical meditation in action!                                                                                                                                                  

Joseph, MBSR, April 2011

MBSR was particularly helpful for me because I was managing some big changes in my life at that time. I found that the training, which included meditation, yoga and some mindfulness communication techniques, also helped me to improve some of my relationships including getting to know myself better. I appreciated how the teacher shared the wisdom of her own mindfulness practice with the group.

Carmel, MBSR, 2010                                                                                                                                                                        

I used to experience terrible panic attacks in tunnels. After doing MBSR I decided to drive my husband through Brisbane's 5km under river tunnel. It was intense, and at times I just wanted to turn back. But by focusing on breathing and sensations in my body I was able to keep going. Being able to do this is such a wonderful feeling. I'm now using mindfulness to tackle my anxiety around air travel. Fear and anxiety can rob us of so many wonderful things that we often take for grantedLila, MBSR, 2010                                                                                                                                                     

Since starting the course I have only had 2 bad days considering most days where I had to deal with nausea and other types of scenarios previously. The bad days are now only 4 out of 10 in intensity so something must be working.  I have high blood pressure (genetic) and when I monitor it after meditation at night, my readings are 128/70+- with lowest being 111/70+-. Very amazing as it was always in the high 130 to 160 previous to starting the course.Mindfulness is a part of my life now and I do it unconsiously, though some days you feel like you have travelled to another level. I told you that I had anxiety going into long tunnels. Well I can say that the last few times I have tried I have been anxiety free ("Yehar!") and I was in a traffic jam for a while yesterday and not even a missed heart beat. No nausea since and the blood pressure is also great. My family life has also been rewarded in many ways...new steps into fears that once trapped me.

Chris, MBSR, 2010                                                                                                                                                                       

I am still engaged with the process and have ritually connected with my Yoga Nidra daily for 30 minutes or sometimes twice since your workshop. This has created a beautiful flow for starting my days as well as a much deeper sense of stillness and presence that carries over throughout most days at work, at home and with my family and friends. My intention last year was to find peace and indeed feel that doing MBSR precipitated this change for me.  

Robyn, MBSR, 2008                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

It was lovely to get back in touch with a way of being that was once so vital to me, and to realise that it's still there - the stillness, the quiet, the non-attachment - even though I haven't always paid attention.                                                                                                                                                                        Lou, MBSR, 2010                           

The main reason that I wanted to complete this programme was to develop my skills at managing my anxiety – a problem that I have struggled with for some years and I might add, a problem that can leave you somewhat vulnerable when you work in a bullying culture. I have tried several ‘things’ but these were always short-lived. Mindfulness on the other hand has really made the difference that I’ve been looking for. Recently I had a situation at work where through anxiety I totally misconstrued another person’s intentions...Later I realised that the interaction that I witnessed was not what I’d thought. I really put this awareness down to the MBSR training. I was able to recognise my physical symptoms, then consciously breathe, calm myself and look at the situation differently. I now see that I can change my thoughts and feelings. In fact it is I who have the control over these – no-one else. I also don’t ruminate to the extent that I did previously. I understand that frequent regular practice is central to maintaining this awareness and will honestly say that I am a work in progress in this regard, but at least I am aware of this. I would like to add that since completing the MBSR course I have lost 3-4 kilograms. Mindfulness meditation is really helpful in maintaining my peaceful mind and allowing me to focus on returning my weight to where it needs to be. The reduction in stress hormones is also going to be an advantage in preventing weight gain.

MBSR has also given me more awareness of my surroundings especially when I’m out walking. I recently spent a holiday at a northern New South Wales beach. I found that just taking in the sounds of the ocean, the wave formations and various sights and smells was a really beneficial mindfulness activity. Reflecting back I thought the MBSR sessions were done with great sensitivity and concern for participants and the physical environment was most welcoming.

Yvonne, MBSR, 2009                                                                                                                                                                                                            

Last Saturday afternoon I did the body scan and had such an amazing experience!  Lately I have been relaxing so much quicker than earlier on and it feels like I get into a meditative state within a few minutes instead of 20 minutes.  Anyway...I was completely focused on the scan and I started noticing physical symptoms of anxiety and fear and what could only be described as the darkness of my soul but instead of reacting to it and "running away" from it, I simply observed it and what would normally have been overwhelming simply faded and slowly disappeared. I feel liberated like something inside me has changed forever. I still find living in constant mindfulness an incredibly big challenge and I know I will inevitably face trials and tribulations in the future but I now feel like I have the tools to deal with it. Cameron, MBSR, 2008                                                             

DV Connect provides the Queensland-wide domestic violence crisis counselling service where counsellors work at an informed psychological level, and practically to assist women seeking to transition out of domestic and family violence. It is intense work requiring a deep sense of presence. The training, 'Mindfulness as a Self-Care and Support Strategy for Crisis Counsellors' reminded workers of the importance of replenishing mentally, physically and even spiritually in order to be fully present to clients' unique and difficult circumstances. In the training, counsellors were invited to explore 'mindfulness' and the concepts of 'awareness', 'balance' and 'connection' as a way of self-monitoring the ability to respond resonantly to clients, and to enjoy a satisfying life away from work. Alison Keane is an organised and efficient trainer, and has excellent skills in creating a safe place for people to explore issues related to their own sense of mindfulness in their work.

                                                                                                                                                                                                             DV Connect, Qld

The Adolescent Mental Health Unit at the Royal Brisbane & Women's Hospital is a 12-bed inpatient facility for young people aged between 14 and 18 years. Our unit provides mental health assessment and interventions for young people not only from Brisbane but from across Queensland. As part of the Unit's diverse activities programme, Alison Keane has been conducting yoga sessions twice a week for several years. Having yoga sessions provides an opportunity for patients to learn to release stress in a productive and positive way. In the turbulent world of adolescence this is an important skill to have! Alison has a calm and patient teaching style which is a great benefit.