10-Week Meditation Course

Ten weeks of learning different meditation techniques that work for modern, busy, overthinking minds. This isn't about emptying your mind (impossible) or achieving some blissful state (unrealistic). It's about developing a different relationship with whatever's going on in your head.

By the end, you'll have a toolkit of techniques you can actually use when life gets overwhelming.

Real guidance: When you get stuck (and you will), there's someone who knows what they're talking about to help you through it

Community: Learning alongside others who are struggling with the same challenges you are

Accountability: A daily practice requirement that actually helps you build the habit

Different techniques: We explore multiple approaches so you can find what works for your particular type of mind

Questions answered: Apps can't respond when you ask "Is it normal that my mind gets busier when I try to meditate?"

Many of us feel overwhelmed, disconnected, or stuck in a cycle of constant doing. Technology overload and daily stress leave the mind unsettled, affecting sleep, focus, and our ability to truly relax.

Meditation helps break that cycle. It teaches us to slow down, become present, and respond rather than react. Over time, it creates space for more clarity, balance, and quiet optimism - often for no reason at all.

One of my teachers calls meditation "the great teacher" because it gently holds up a mirror, allowing you to meet yourself with honesty and compassion. It becomes an intimate relationship with yourself - not always easy, but always worthwhile.

This course is based on the classical system of Raja Yoga meditation. Each week builds on the next, helping you develop a regular home practice with a wide range of techniques.

You'll learn how to:

• Understand the nature and patterns of your own mind

• Use the breath to calm and centre yourself (yes, we do teach breathing practices!)

• Explore the impact of lifestyle and diet on mental wellbeing

• Practice different styles of meditation each week (breath, visualisation, mantra and more)

• Join group meditation and discussion

• Be introduced to the wisdom of Patanjali's Yoga Sutras (timeless tools for peaceful living)

You'll also be guided through practices like pratyahara (withdrawing mental energy from the senses), dharana (concentration), and dhyana (meditation) — all taught in a simple, grounded way.

The effects of meditation are cumulative. The more you practice, the easier it becomes to enter that relaxed but alert state — and the more its benefits begin to flow into everyday life.

This course requires a daily home practice, starting with 10 minutes and gradually building to 20 minutes by the end of the course. That's non-negotiable. You'll also keep a daily journal (using an app or written diary) to track your experience, with weekly prompts from me to focus your attention.

Before you panic: this isn't about finding extra time in your day. It's about realising that 10-20 minutes of actual rest and mental clarity can make the remaining hours work better.

• People dealing with chronic stress, anxiety, or racing thoughts

• Anyone who's tried meditation before and "failed" (there's no such thing, but we'll address why it felt that way)

• Those curious about meditation but put off by spiritual or religious associations

• People who want practical mental health tools and some interesting yoga philosophical ideas on the mind

• Anyone tired of their mind running the show instead of the other way around

I won't promise you'll achieve enlightenment, stop having problems, or become a different person. Meditation isn't about transcending your humanity - it's about being more skillfully human.

This isn't a spiritual course, though some people find it spiritually meaningful. It's practical training for your mind, like going to the gym for your mental fitness.

Some sessions will feel amazing. Others will be frustrating, boring, or seemingly pointless. Both experiences are completely normal and part of the process.

Your mind will resist. You'll forget to practice some days. You'll wonder if you're doing it "right." All of this is expected, and we'll work through it together.

The benefits are cumulative and often subtle at first. You might notice you sleep better, react less to daily annoyances, or find small moments of calm in chaos. That's the real work happening.

When: Saturday or Sunday late mornings, 90 minutes weekly

Group size: Maximum 10 people, minimum 6 for the course to run

Format: Mix of instruction, guided practice, and discussion about what's actually happening when you try to meditate

Materials: All provided, plus weekly email support and check-ins

Cost: [Check booking system for current rates]

Booking: Email me to register interest - early booking advised as groups are small

Requirements: Commitment to daily practice (10-20 minutes) and weekly journal keeping with guided prompts

What to bring: Just yourself and willingness to sit still for increasing periods

Backup plan: If there's a lockdown, the course continues online

Email me with your questions. Common concerns:

• "My mind is too busy" (that's exactly why you need this)

• "I don't have time" (20 minutes of mental clarity creates more time than it takes)

• "I'm not spiritual" (neither is learning to drive, but it's still useful)

• "I tried meditation and couldn't do it" (let's talk about what actually happened)

"Learning to meditate was something I had wanted to do for a number of years. I wish I had done it sooner! The course has been life changing for me. I now feel more relaxed, positive and more confident as a person."

"I signed up because I sometimes become overwhelmed with stress and anxiety. The course gave me practical tools I actually use, not just nice ideas I forget about."

"This course has absolutely changed my life. I arrived when I felt my whole life had fallen apart. The group were very friendly, and it was amazing how we all supported and respected each other from day one. Not everything is easy, you have to be prepared to work hard and be committed to the course, but it really is worth it and Viv is there every step of the way."

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