Meditation and me…
A year ago I was at a very low place in my life. I had recently lost my partner of 37 years and moved from our house to a flat in a different part of the county. I was suffering from anxiety and panic attacks, was lacking in energy and felt that somehow I had become ‘lost’. The person I had been seemed to have disappeared and been replaced by an insecure, frightened someone I barely recognised.
After attending one of Kathryn’s mindfulness meditation taster sessions I signed up for a course, and have been attending ever since. Weekly classes are energising and enlightening; meditation at home is grounding, relaxing and a wholly positive experience. It is becoming a welcome and empowering daily discipline.
Mindfulness meditation is not a quick fix but a continuing journey of discovery and understanding – it’s about living in and appreciating the moment, and learning how to deal with life’s anxieties and the disquieting thoughts that plague us all from time to time. I feel calmer, less diffident and more self-aware than before; and I have a better connection with the world around me. I am less inclined to panic, and can step back and look at myself and my reactions from a different perspective.
Kathryn’s approach is calm, kind, warm and often tinged with humour. A year ago I was in a bleak place and I turned to meditation in desperation. Thank goodness I did. Thank you Kathryn.
Lin
I used to be a got-to-be-busy-doing-things-all-of–the-time person, that was my way of coping. For various reasons I realised that this needed to change and one of the things I started doing was yoga, initially for the physical benefits, however the meditation/visualisation at the end intrigued me and I decided to have a go at meditation.
I’d always thought that I’d never be able to meditate, that I could never stop thinking – what a joy to discover that I didn’t have to! Also that there was no right or wrong way to meditate, it would be right for me at that time.
The realisation that I am not my thoughts and that I can choose to let them go and not to let them scare me or take me where I don’t want to go has been truly liberating. I still occasionally revert to my got-to-be-busy self, but I’m aware that I’m doing it and know that it’s OK. I would recommend meditation to anyone – give it a try.
Kathryn has been a kind and gentle guide during my discovery of meditation. You can do a lot of work by yourself, using books and CDs, but it is so helpful to have someone to refer to, who can answer questions and give guidance. Best of all, she knows that ‘stuff happens’ and is always supportive and understanding.
Kate
Higher Level Teacher Assistant, Cheltenham
I’d always thought that I’d never be able to meditate, that I could never stop thinking – what a joy to discover that I didn’t have to! Also that there was no right or wrong way to meditate, it would be right for me at that time.
The realisation that I am not my thoughts and that I can choose to let them go and not to let them scare me or take me where I don’t want to go has been truly liberating. I still occasionally revert to my got-to-be-busy self, but I’m aware that I’m doing it and know that it’s OK. I would recommend meditation to anyone – give it a try.
Kathryn has been a kind and gentle guide during my discovery of meditation. You can do a lot of work by yourself, using books and CDs, but it is so helpful to have someone to refer to, who can answer questions and give guidance. Best of all, she knows that ‘stuff happens’ and is always supportive and understanding.
Kate
Higher Level Teacher Assistant, Cheltenham
Meditation was recommended to me during a time of stress and anxiety. It has opened my mind to how powerful the brain is and most importantly that you are not your thoughts. This has allowed me to puts things in perspective and live more in the moment.
I feel less frantic and I am kinder to myself. It has taught me to realise how I am feeling and to acknowledge it and to then get on with my day rather than over analysing situations. I also use it as a tool to lessen stressful situations.
Sometimes it can be tricky to find time in a busy day to meditate so coming to Kathryn's weekly class keeps me grounded and I also enjoy trying out the little snippets of advice and mindfulness ideas that Kathryn gives.
Kate
Primary School Teacher
I feel less frantic and I am kinder to myself. It has taught me to realise how I am feeling and to acknowledge it and to then get on with my day rather than over analysing situations. I also use it as a tool to lessen stressful situations.
Sometimes it can be tricky to find time in a busy day to meditate so coming to Kathryn's weekly class keeps me grounded and I also enjoy trying out the little snippets of advice and mindfulness ideas that Kathryn gives.
Kate
Primary School Teacher
Meditating on a regular basis has helped immensely providing a tool to help rationalise thoughts that I would previously dwell on and over analyse. It also helps to create a sense of calm and a chance to reenergise during busy periods.
Kathryn provides great insight into meditation with various stories while delivering the classes in a fun manner, welcoming new members whatever their experience.
Tim
Kathryn provides great insight into meditation with various stories while delivering the classes in a fun manner, welcoming new members whatever their experience.
Tim
Following a diagnosis of invasive breast cancer and subsequent surgeries I decided it was time to take stock of my life and refocus on the important things including myself.
Kathryn's meditation classes have been an integral part of my rehabilitation process and have underpinned a change of direction in my life. I am very grateful to her.
She is a wonderful teacher, funny, empathetic and kind. I cannot recommend her classes highly enough.
Julia
Kathryn's meditation classes have been an integral part of my rehabilitation process and have underpinned a change of direction in my life. I am very grateful to her.
She is a wonderful teacher, funny, empathetic and kind. I cannot recommend her classes highly enough.
Julia
..I just left an abusive marriage, moved to a new city and home and started a new job when I joined Kath’s class. I had anxiety & panic attacks, crying hysterics on a daily basis and I was fearful of everyone and everything new but I was determined to get better and decided to really give mindfulness meditation a go.
The first few sessions were difficult and frustrating as I was unable to focus on my breathing and I was being far too hard on myself. But with Kath’s compassionate and empathic guidance I slowly learnt to be kinder to myself, to train my mind to become an observer of all my thoughts and feelings and after 6 months I can genuinely and confidently say I am happier, calmer and reaping the rewards of being in ‘the moment’.
I am a shadow of who I was a year ago and I truly believe mindfulness meditation has played (and still does) a huge role in my new lease of life.
-I had the wound, and you were the light Kath. Thank you.
J
The first few sessions were difficult and frustrating as I was unable to focus on my breathing and I was being far too hard on myself. But with Kath’s compassionate and empathic guidance I slowly learnt to be kinder to myself, to train my mind to become an observer of all my thoughts and feelings and after 6 months I can genuinely and confidently say I am happier, calmer and reaping the rewards of being in ‘the moment’.
I am a shadow of who I was a year ago and I truly believe mindfulness meditation has played (and still does) a huge role in my new lease of life.
-I had the wound, and you were the light Kath. Thank you.
J
Kathryn provided mindfulness sessions as part of our health and wellbeing month. We had never done this before and weren't sure how it would be received but the feedback has been excellent. We wanted to provide staff with alternative ways of dealing with busy lives and Kathryn's sessions have been very successful in doing that.
Kathryn's nature and personality melted any scepticism that people may have had about mindfulness and it was a pleasure working with her.
Julia Jones. HR Hazelwoods Accountants, Cheltenham
Kathryn's nature and personality melted any scepticism that people may have had about mindfulness and it was a pleasure working with her.
Julia Jones. HR Hazelwoods Accountants, Cheltenham