After experiencing the benefits of mindfulness herself, Lizzy West decided she wanted to share it with others.
My experience of training to teach adapted mindfulness-based interventions
I first came across the Sussex Mindfulness & Compassion through my work in social prescribing, when I was sharing information about its eight-week mindfulness course for people of colour. I realised it might be something I needed too – so I wrote myself a social prescription and joined the course.
It was the beginning of my own mindfulness journey, and I discovered how powerful it was to soften my inner critic, steady my thoughts and reconnect with acceptance. I later wrote about that experience for the Centre’s My Journey with mindfulness series.
Since then, training with Sussex Mindfulness & Compassion has been a deep continuation of that journey. I went on to do the year-long Adapted Mindfulness-Based Interventions teacher training, which strengthened me both professionally and personally.
Professionally, the training gave me confidence in offering culturally sensitive, trauma-aware mindfulness. It is helping me to refine my facilitation style, with slower pacing, more choice and more gentleness. It has supported me to become a steadier, more grounded facilitator, with a growing awareness of how to respond rather than react.
Personally, the training was nourishing. It helped me maintain a kinder dialogue with myself, deepen my sense of acceptance and trust my own inner resources.
What I particularly loved about the course was the sense of safety and nourishment in each session, the diversity of the group, and the way cultural awareness was woven into the heart of the teaching. The sessions felt spacious and human, allowing us to explore identity, belonging and wellbeing without pressure.
Fitting it into my life was manageable because I treated the training as nourishment rather than another obligation. I protected the session time, did home practice in small pieces and let the learning blend into everyday moments.
In the end, the training supported my life rather than competing with it, strengthening both my personal wellbeing and my professional practice.
If you’re interested in training to teach Brief & Adapted mindfulness interventions book onto one of our information sessions. These sessions are designed to give you an overview of the courses we offer.
Find out more about Brief & Adapted mindfulness interventions here.