I am teacher of Insight Meditation and Mindfulness-based Approaches. I lead retreats and courses with organisations including Gaia House, London Insight Meditation and Bodhi College. I also teach mindfulness courses for staff at Nottingham University and the general public. I have delivered workshops on the Buddhist foundations of mindfulness to NHS Trusts in Nottinghamshire and Tees, Esk and Wear Valley. Before becoming a full-time meditation teacher, I spent thirteen years teaching Philosophy and Religious Studies at Bilborough College in Nottingham.
Qualifications
- Mindfulness Supervision Training (2017). Bangor University Centre for Mindfulness Research and Practice (CMRP)
- MBSR Teacher Training (2014 – 2015). TTR 1 and 2. Bangor University CMRP
- Hatha Yoga Teacher Training. Yoga Alliance 200 hours. Bahia Yoga (2012-13)
- MBCT Teacher Development Level 1 (2012). Enter Mindfulness.
- Foundation Certificate in Psychotherapy and Counselling (2008-2009). Sherwood Psychotherapy Training Institute.
- Dharma Teacher Training with Christina Feldman, co-founder of Gaia House (2005-2008)
- MA Buddhist Studies. University of Sunderland (2003-2006)
- MA Philosophy. University of Sussex (1994-1995)
- P.G.C.E (Further Education). University of Greenwich (1997-1998)
- BA Social Sciences. University of Westminster (1991-1994)
Teaching Training Specialisms
- MBSR for the general public
- Buddhist foundations of mindfulness
Retreat Lead Experience
I have lead silent retreats at Gaia House since 2007 on themes including the foundations of mindfulness, loving-kindness, joy, compassion and equanimity. I have co-led retreats with teachers including Christina Feldman, Martine Batchelor, Caroline Jones, Chris Cullen, Jenny Wilks, Paul Burrows, Kirsten Kratz, Rob Burbea, and Zohar Lavie. I have also taught Insight Meditation retreats in Finland and Denmark and have led many daylong retreats with organisations including London Insight, Oxford Gaia House Retreats, Sheffield Insight and Nottinghamshire NHS Trust.
Retreat Specialisms
- Four foundations of mindfulness (satipatthana sutta)
- Brahma Viharas (loving-kindness, compassion, joy and equanimity)
Personal Practice
I have been practising meditation since 1995. In addition to many week-long retreats, I have completed several extended periods of silent retreat at Gaia House including three months (2003), six weeks (2005, 2006) and one month (2007). I have also sat retreats with Amaravati monastery, the Vipassana tradition taught by S.N Goenka, Vajraloka, Oxford Zen centre, and the Tushita Tibetan Buddhist centre in Dharamsala, India. My practice draws on various interpretations of the Buddha’s discourse on the foundations of mindfulness, the brahma viharas, and the practices used in Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction and Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy.
