“A mind is like a parachute. It doesn’t work if it isn’t open.” Frank Zappa

These sessions are a positive creative boost for your writing & yourself: four short 45min sessions of poetry and mindfulness once a week over 4 weeks.

Mindfulness has been shown to reduce stress and improve well-being, clarity, happiness, memory, focus AND creativity. It can bring more depth of awareness, emotion, empathy, experience, senses, detail and truth into your writing.

These uplifting sessions are a fresh start to the day in the UK, or a wind down if you are in Australia/NZ nearing the end of the day. Each session focuses on a theme related to well being, with a prompt or two for writing. Writing with mindfulness gives your writing a refreshing edge.

It boosts my day - I have more perspective and ease. I feel lighter and more content in my own skin. Gail

I so loved your mindfulness and poetry sessions – they bring me to a place of contentment and quiet creativity. Virginia Gilmour

WHO is it for?  It's for those who want some time out from our busy lives (probably most of us). Plus those interested in mindfulness and/or poetry or writing. Explore techniques to recharge your wellbeing and creativity.

You don't have to be writer or poet to enjoy the sessions. Alternatively, you maybe a writer wanting to explore the effect of mindfulness on your writing (it surprised me how it expanded my creative expression and depth).

DATES: A series of four Tuesdays 21 & 28 January and 4 & 11 February

START TIME: Login 7.50am UK Time  // 3.50pm Western Australia // 6.50pm Sydney // 6.20pm Adelaide // 5.20 Darwin // 5.50pm Brisbane // 8.50pm New Zealand

Approx 55mins long (and extra 15mins optional on the 28th Jan & 11th Feb) 

Advertised times on this site are in London, UK Timezone, but when you add the event to your calendar it should be correct for your local time zone.  You can check your timezone against London UK time here: https://greenwichmeantime.com/time-gadgets/time-zone-converter/

Arrive on time - the Zoom room closes 10 min later (on the hour), so as not to interrupt our peaceful mindfulness. This is  important.

How it will work... These sessions are just under an hour long with 10mins introductory chat/settling in, then a 30min led poetry and mindfulness session, followed by an optional 15mins of writing together (journal writing or creative writing/poetry). It is recommended, but you don't have to stay for the 15mins of writing time at the end. 

For those who can stay longer during the second and last session on the 28th January & 11th February we'll share our reflections and writing (approx. 1hour 15mins in total for these sessions) - again, recommended but not essential.

Get comfy (you are welcome to come in your PJs if you like) and bring a journal for your writing.

COST:   £GBP40 for four sessions

OR  Try one session for only £GBP12

(I use Stripe, a fairly cost effective currency converter.)

Why Mindfulness?  Research has shown that the brain actually changes in response to regular mindfulness practice. Mindfulness can reduce stress and physical pain, and boost happiness, creativity, memory and concentration. Mindfulness is recommended by the NHS.  It enriches and deepens your writing practice, and can spark new poems.

'Mindfulness is a therapeutic technique that can help you manage and prevent feelings of depression, stress, anxiety, or discontent. It enables anyone who practices it to live a more attentive, appreciative and vibrant life.' The University of Oxford, Mindfulness Centre.

The Facilitator:  Cath Drake is an award-winning poet and nonfiction writer living in London. She teaches poetry, creative writing and mindfulness. She has practiced meditation and mindfulness for over twenty years in Australia and UK. She’s an active member of London Buddhist Centre where she set up monthly mindfulness and social action group. Cath trained with Breathworks mindfulness teacher training.

Zoom link and materials will be sent by email at least 2 days prior. If you don’t receive it get in touch with me.

More events here https://www.cathdrake.com

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What participants say...

I loved these sessions. It was a little oasis of calm in a busy, too active life; time to switch off and be still... to be a human being rather than a human doer. I also enjoyed the discipline of a weekly date with the stimulus to write and with just enough input to set us going. Moira Brimacombe

A really magical hour each week of peace and reflection ... such a pleasure to do it with others too. I try to remember to give myself a few moments and revisit the Tuesday session in miniature during the rest of the day and at other times during the week... Miranda Lewis

It was my first time experimenting with meditation and writing - I feel I accessed something different in my writing, more open, more wise and expansive. I really looked forward to each session and reflected on them as they resonated throughout the month.

I enjoyed the sessions and am discovering various ways in which the meditations have begun to affect me. I think I have gained a more positive outlook which is also beginning to show in my writing - that I'm even doing some writing is a real achievement as recently I often feel lacking in focus and motivation. Anna