The Institute for Healthy Living are here to support all of your needs including coping with uncertainty during the COVID-19 crisis. Listen to the soothing light exercise recorded by our Director Alysha Coleman. This exercise is adapted from an EMDR technique: Francine Shapiro’s Light stream visualisation.
FREE MINDFULNESS MEDITATION RESOURCES
We run regular mindful meditation group courses at the Institute for Healthy Living. Developing mindfulness skills allows us to respond to life’s challenges in calmer, less critical way. It is a scientifically researched and empirically supported approach to cultivating clarity, insight, and understanding of ourselves and our behaviour. Below are some guided meditations made by clinical psychologist Alysha Coleman for use within the course. Past participants can use these to keep up with their practice, while others can use them to learn about some of the techniques covered in the course.
Body scan
Develop your mindfulness skills by learning to observe without judgement and with an accepting, open attitude. This meditation is a good introduction for beginners.
Mindful breathing
The breath is an anchor to the present moment. Develop your mindfulness skills by learning to observe your breath in a particular way. This meditation is great for those with anxiety or worry.
Grounding meditation
A brief meditation to help you connect to the present moment when you might be feeling overwhelmed by painful thoughts or feelings.
Mindfulness of thoughts
This meditation helps you to change your relationship with your thoughts.
The observing self
Rather than reacting to and identifying with your painful experience, learn to identify with yourself as an observer.