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Learn mindfulness strategies, breathing awareness exercises and body awareness to decrease/eliminate overthinking and anxious thinking from a trainer with 30 years expereince in a private setting.
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Welcome to Mindfulness in New Zealand
We offer mindfulness courses to learn to access calm, ‘rewire the brain’ to self-regulate, restore balance to the nervous system. build resilience and reprogram conditioned behaviours and beliefs that are unhelpful.
Mindfulness reshapes our biology to a state of calmness, presence and awareness.
We also provide mindfulness facilitation courses for teachers, counsellors, social workers, parents and anyone who wants to learn how to establish an ongoing Mindfulness practice for themselves and help others.
As the benefits of mindfulness practices are becoming more widely recognised, there is now a growing demand in organisations and work places for mindfulness training and trained mindfulness facilitators.
Why Choose Us?
Internationally Recognised Accreditation
Our courses are accredited with IMMA (International Mindfulness & Meditation Alliance).
These courses are designed to meet the growing need in all sectors ( education, medicine, psychology, social work, physiotherapy, business etc) for evidence-based strategies that lead to self-regulation, emotional awareness and lowered stress and anxiety.
Leading Trainer
Learn Mindfulness from a professional educator with more than 30 years experience of mindfulness and meditation.
Highly evaluated courses
Hundreds of teachers, social workers, counsellors etc. have taken the 2 day Mindfulness Facilitation Course. The trainings receive consistently high evaluation and reviews.
All Age Groups
The program is designed and has been successfully implemented for all age groups from 4 year old pre-schoolers to 80 year old seniors.
Life-Time Access
When you register for an online course or a face-to-face training you receive lifelong access to the course material and all the resources provided. Ongoing support is available.
“I just wanted to take the time to express how much I thoroughly enjoyed the 2 day course…I have attended other mindfulness training but really feel your offering is unparalleled”.Sarah H.
Explore our courses
Evidence-based results from more than 3,500 research papers from around the world continue to show that the regular practice of mindfulness is an effective mental training leading to improved attention, awareness and lowered stress and anxiety as well as improved mental and physical wellbeing. One of the clearest messages from contemporary neuroscience is that our sense of self is anchored in a vital connection to our bodies.
2 Day Mindfulness Facilitation Course
MBSR BASED TRAINING
This is an Accredited & Highly Evaluated Course for Practicing & Facilitating Mindfulness to Reduce Stress and Anxiety, Improve Attention and Mental Resilience.
This course gives you the background, science, practices and techniques to teach/guide others and establish a regular practice yourself.
There is a great need for mindfulness trainers who can guide adults, students and children towards experiencing mindfulness and to establish the practices themselves to experience the many on-going benefits; decreased anxiety and stress, increased mental clarity, better self-regulation, better sleep quality to name a few.
Learn Mindfulness Facilitation from an experienced trainer.
“I’ve really loved this course. I’m so grateful I’ve learnt these empowering new tools.”Natalie E. Auckland, NZ
• Deepen the contact with your natural intelligence & intuition.
• Learn How To Self-Manage Unhelpful Thoughts & Limiting Belifs
Mini-Retreat at Eden Garden in Auckland 29-30 November
Learn Mindfulness in a beautiful setting. During these two (non-residental) days we will learn practices to relax the body, eliminate stress, calm the mind and experience the mindful state. We will learn strategies to build mental resilience and a new appreciation of nature. There will also be instructions on how you can guide others in these practices.
“My perspective of life has expanded through this practice as I discover more about myself through awareness, non judgement and compassion not only for others but for myself. Thank you Rita”. Melissa M.
COURSES TO DO ON YOUR OWN
THE SCIENCE OF CALMNESS
Why not make the inner world, where we spend most of our time, a still, silent and calm place to be?
Start Practicing Mindfulness
Self-Paced Online Course
Learn the effective mindfulness techniques that are helping individuals from all walks of life to have more balance and focus in their lives.
Experience the Transformative
Power Of Mindfulness
Only $27 – for a limited time
“Many thanks for your wonderful course, which was very thought provoking” Patricia C. Ireland
The Mountain Meditation
5 min Guided Meditation For Positive Energy and Mental Resilience
One of the most powerful meditations we do in in the mindfulness trainings is called the Mountain Meditation.
Just so you can get an idea, You can see a video of it below, if you like you can listen to me guiding the group and follow along.
it takes less than 4 minutes and I think you will find it very uplifting.
BREATHING FOR BALANCE
A One Day Training In Balancing the Nervous System for Ultimate Wellbeing
EXPLORE THE SECRET TO ULTIMATE WELLBEING
Covers among many other things:
• Steps to avoid Burn-out
• How to Recognise Stress Triggers
• Balancing the Autonomic Nervous System
• Polyvagal Theory
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Learn skills to cope with stress, fear, depression and anxiety in a safe place together with like-minded people.
Add Mindfulness Facilitation To Your Skillset
Discover the power of breathing
Mindfulness exercises are designed to train our awareness and the ability to stay calm under stress and turbulence as well as having better sleep and increasing resilience.
The self-paced mindfulness online course provides you with an in-depth understanding of the mechanisms that underpin mindfulness widespread success and application in order to establish a strong regular practice yourself as well as all the practices and tools to teach and help others with confidence and authenticity.
“Thanks for all your help and an Awesome useful course”.Debra S.
Why not make the inner world, where we spend most of our time, a still, silent and calm place to be?
Experience the Transformative
Power Of Mindfulness
GET THE FREE EBOOKStart Your Mindfulness Journey Today!
MINDFULNESS & FLOW
“I’m so grateful I’ve learnt these empowering new tools. THANK YOU” – Natalie E. Auckland
Flow is the natural state of the brain when free of self -doubts, distractions, negative emotions, unproductive incessant aimless thinking. When we are in a state of flow (present moment awareness), we are naturally creative, calm and still inside and in touch with all the good in our lives. When in a state of flow, the brain releases chemicals that allow you to absorb information so you are mentally sharper, present more alert and responsive.
Mindfulness practice brings you in alignment with the state of flow; your natural intelligence, your original state of being, (before it was covered over with all the conditioned beliefs and unhelpful mental behaviors, wanting, trying, hoping, negative self -talk) a state of being uninterrupted, stress- free that allows the natural state of joy to arise in you as you make more direct and meaningful contact within yourself and with the world around you.
Explore skills to self-regulate
Finding Your Inner Anchor
Connect with like-minded people in an allowing & caring space
Activate your body’s innate ability to restore calm when the pressure is on
Transform your physical mental and emotional wellbeing.
How to Deal with Difficult Emotions
Discover the power of breathing
How To Shift Attention
In our fast-paced world, where the increasing demands of living puts enormous stress on all people, children, teenagers and adults, the purposeful, daily cultivation of minimising stress, self-regulation, connection to self, others and the world around us has been proven to assist mental, emotional and physical balance.
Learn How To Connect with The Body’s Self-Calming System
A basic understanding of how our brains function shows us that by intentionally connecting with our natural calming system, the parasympathetic nervous system we can prevent rising stress and anxiety by doing the breathing practices.
With regular mindfulness practice we are learning new skills to cope with our often unhelpful thoughts, feelings and robotic reactions, beliefs and behaviors.
We live in an age of science and we expect to be able to prove why and how something ‘works’ or is effective. Research shows that when the brain is exposed to new external and internal stimuli, new neural pathways are created – in other words both the structure and chemistry of the brain changes over time when exposed to new influences.
With mindfulness we learn to put the spotlight of awareness on thoughts and patterns of reactivity and recognise that we have a choice of where we put our attention as well as knowing we can shift attention, especially when trapped in negative self-talk, unhelpful thinking patterns, this is the doorway to inner freedom.
Through guided, simple easy-to-follow practices you are training the mind to be more present in the moment resulting in increased alertness and being truly present in your life.
This 2 day certification in mindfulness facilitation will provide you with an in-depth understanding of the mechanisms that underpins mindfulness widespread success and application
Staff Training in The Workplace
The Science of Safety
Our work pay the bills, occupy much of our time and can even give our lives purpose. But it can also be a source of stress: tight deadlines, long days and difficult conversations.
Regular mindfulness practice is a proven way to improve focus and awareness and make it possible to shift attention when caught up in stress and anxiety.
Contact us to learn more about our workplace programs for teams and management.
• Lunch & Learn
• 1 Hour Introductions
or longer if required.
“I had the pleasure of studying with Mindfulness in Australia and completed their 8 weeks Mindfulness Facilitator Training certification including the 2 day live workshop.
Having studied several mindfulness courses I was looking for something more comprehensive, I must say this was the best training I have done this far. The course content was clear, concise and leading edge. Rita as a facilitator is approachable and knowledgeable. The sheer amount of resources provided with the course sets you up for success and has been a huge asset to my business”.Sarah Akil Managing Director - Crystal Clear Wellness Co
What is Mindfulness?
Mindfulness means “paying attention in a particular way, on purpose, in the present moment, and non-judgementally.” – Jon Kabat-Zinn. (Founder of Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction)
“Just watch this moment, without trying to change it at all. What is happening? What do you see? What do you hear?”Jon Kabat-Zinn
ABOUT THE TRAINER
Rita Riccola is one of New Zealand’s leading mindfulness trainers.
She is an educator and a trained mindfulness teacher with over 30 yrs experience who has completed courses with Mindful Schools USA and attended many Mindfulness retreats.
Some of the organisations that have provided this course to members of their staff
How does it work?
Mindfulness increases our ability to notice what is happening in you and around you in the present moment. Mindfulness is a skill and requires practice. Just as athletes train on a daily basis to maintain fitness and stamina. Mindfulness,requiring regular daily practice to experience the many well documented benefits especially of de-stressing, relaxing the body and most importantly improving life quality with raised awareness and appreciation of life itself.
Through guided, easy-to-do practices you are training the mind to be more present in the moment resulting in a fresh alertness and aliveness previously covered over with anxious thinking and over-thinking and being caught up in feelings and emotions.
Mindfulness means “paying attention in a particular way, on purpose, in the present moment, and non-judgementally.”Jon Kabat-Zinn. (Founder of Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction)
Why Mindfulness?
Research over the past few decades has found that Mindfulness training helps to;
Relieve Anxiety & Stress
In our fast paced lives, where we rush from one demand to another, there is very little time or space to stop and pause. Mindfulness offer the tools needed to connect with our inner intelligence, where we can access natural calmness beneath the busy minds.
Let go of Anger & Frustration
Coming in contact with your direct experience in the mindful state allows us to become familiar with the patterns that direct our lives; our thoughts, emotions and reactions.
Overcome Negative Thinking
Pain is an inevitable part of being human but suffering is optional. In mindfulness we learn how to manage our thoughts and emotions instead of letting emotions and thoughts manage us.
Stop Inner Chatter
Aimless thinking and inner chatter is draining our energy and clouding over the present moment. One of the most common benefits from regular mindfulness training is greater mental clarity and a new sense of inner peace.
Have Better Sleep
To be able stop incessant thinking and worrying is one of the great benefits of Mindfulness and it makes it easier to go to sleep and have unbroken sleep throughout the night.
Stop Living in the Past
Mindfulness practices increasingly bring you more into the present with the growing awareness that going over the past keeps you stuck in the past.
Who is it for?
Everyone!
- Who wants to improve the quality of life and relationships
- Thinks anxiously as a regular behavior.
- Stressed people
- People who engage in constant negative self-talk
- People who can’t sleep because of incessant inner chatter
- People who operate on ‘auto-pilot’ and are always ‘on’..
What Participants Say
“What I liked best about the 2 day training was the relaxed, knowledgeable approach to Mindfulness”.
-Laura, Melbourne
“I liked the pace, experiential learning and the facilitators sharing her experience”
Alison, Sydney
“This has been a wonderful course and I look forward to sharing what I have learned with others!”
Nancy C.. Auckland, NZ
“I’ve really loved this course – both the online component and the two day course, I’m so grateful I’ve learnt these empowering new tools. THANK YOU :-)”
Natalie E. Auckland, NZ
“Rita is a fabulous facilitator – she made us feel extremely comfortable, was open minded and encouraged us all to share from our diverse backgrounds and areas of expertise. I came away with many very practical, easy to use exercises that I have since been using with with my classes of various ages. Thank you Rita for gifting me such a wonderful and enjoyable afternoon of learning”.
-Louise Dore, Auckland
“This Course Exceeded My Expectations”.
Angela B, psychologist, Auckland
“Thank you Rita for providing such a thorough course in Mindfulness.
Warm blessings”
Anne C., Auckland
“I’ve really loved this course – both the online component and the two day course, I’m so grateful I’ve learnt these empowering new tools. THANK YOU :-)”
Natalie E. Auckland, NZ
“The 8 week course has allowed me to re connect with the person I used to be and ignite my passion to forge forward, to help others find their passion, peace, connection and love within themselves”.
Sia K, Sydney, AUS
Frequently Asked Questions
Mindfulness is a way of noticing where your attention is in the present moment without judging it good or bad. It’s about not wandering off into an imagined future or going over the past but fully engaging right here right now.
Through guided, simple easy-to-do practisies you are training the mind to be more present in the moment. resulting in it to be less anxious, more alert and alive.
- Who over-thinks
- Thinks anxiously as a regular behavior.
- Stressed people
- People who engage in constant negative self-talk
- People who can’t sleep because of incessant inner chatter
- People who operate on ‘auto-pilot’ and are always ‘on’..
Related Courses
The Science of Calmness
Why not make the inner world, where we spend most of our time, a still, silent and calm place to be?
Start Practicing Mindfulness
Self-Paced Online Course
Learn the effective mindfulness techniques that are helping individuals from all walks of life to have more balance and focus in their lives.
Experience the Transformative
Power Of Mindfulness
Only $27 – for a limited time
“Many thanks for your wonderful course, which was very thought provoking” Patricia C. Ireland
Bring Mindfulness to the Classroom
For Teachers, Psychologist, Therapists, Life Coaches, Nurses, Parents, Social Workers & Team Leaders etc.
In this online certificate you will receive the tools and training to teach mindfulness to those around you. This Mindfulness Facilitation Course gives you an extensive resource to lead mindfulness sessions for any age-group with integrity, confidence & authority.
TIME LIMITED OFFER-
40% DISCOUNT
“Since this course I have been using these skills with my students and I want to thank you so much. Your course is amazingly comprehensive and has given me a full toolbox while also taking me on a personal journey”. Naomi M.
EXTENSION TRAINING FOR MINDFULNESS FACILITATORS & PRACTITIONERS
Hone your skills in helping others finding purpose, calm & joy
a 1 day extension training for further enquiry and practices in all aspects of mindfulness:
– examining mental behaviors and conditioned reactions
– cultivating deep listening
– anchoring in the body (throughout the day and in practice and training sessions)
– accepting what is without resistance or wanting a particular outcome
– developing the willingness to let go of anxious ‘holding on’ and learn to trust.
– being centred, present and receptive while running sessions
Pre-requisite: Completed 2 day Mindfulness for Facilitators and 8 week online training.
“Since this course I have been using these skills with my students and I want to thank you so much. Your course is amazingly comprehensive and has given me a full toolbox while also taking me on a personal journey”. Naomi M.
Non-Religious
There is no religion, dogma or beliefs attached to Mindfulness. Mindfulness has it’s roots in many contemplative practices but doesn’t require or impose on anyones belief systems. It’s a mental activity that has proven to be of great benefit for maintaining physical, mental and emotional balance.
Evidence Based
The many benefits of Mindfulness have been well documented especially in the past 30 years since Jon Kabat-Zinn established the Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction programme that has led to the wide-spread, evidence based research and the acceptance of these non-religious, practical exercises anyone can do.
Mindfulness For Everyne
Mindfulness practice doesn’t require any preparation or beforehand knowledge about meditation. Anyone can experience the effect from these simple exercises.