Mindfulness: a creative approach

Dr Zenna Kingdon, Ann Buckwell  and Chris Kingdon

This three night full-board mindfulness residential course is being hosted by FromtheSheshed-France at Gite d’etape des Korrigans.

Place des Marronniers

The purpose of this intensive course is to explore a broad range of methods which can enable you to access mindfulness. What is useful for each individual will be different. Therefore part of the purpose of the course is for you to develop a toolkit which will support you in continuing your mindfulness journey when you have left the retreat. All the tutors have appropriate qualifications and training to work with adults in this field. 
The practice of mindfulness contributes to your physical and mental wellbeing. When you nurture your wellbeing your personal and professional life will flourish. Engaging in mindful activities reduces time away from employment related to sickness and can support your recovery if you are already sick. Creative approaches to mindfulness increase your focus, improve emotional control, decrease stress and strengthen relationships. Engaging in mindfulness can be life enhancing. 

Over the three days, you will engage in mindfulness activities both indoors and outside. The gite is set in the heart of the Monts D’arree and we will make use of the natural environment around us. You will also create a physical toolkit to take away. You will have the opportunity to create something using knitting or crochet. All materials that you will need for the course and the activities will be supplied. 
Ann Buckwell: I trained as a Registered General Nurse at Treliske in Truro in 1990. I had known from a young age that I was at my best when around others and listening to their stories. In 2000 I decided to look at other aspects of holistic care as I felt that the biomedical model used in nursing did not meet sufficiently the needs and expected outcomes of the patients I was in contact with. I studied with LCCH (London College of Clinical Hypnotherapy) and used it initially as complimentary to my nursing. I practiced Clinical Hypnotherapy and undertook further study; stress management, Eriksonian techniques, NLP ( Neurolinguistic programming), mindfulness and forest guiding (Shinrin Yoku). In both my professional and personal life, I have been using Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) . I am very fortunate to have the opportunity to not only experience personally the benefits, but to teach and give others the potential to take control of their own stress, manage it more efficiently, so that they too can feel and live with the empowerment that it offers.
Dr Zenna Kingdon: I left school and spent several years working in fringe theatre before becoming a primary school teacher. About 20 years ago my focus shifted to early years. It was from here that I moved into teaching in Higher Education. In Higher Education staff are expected to engage in a range of research activities. I looked at children’s experiences of role-play and other aspects of creativity. It was through this work I gained a PhD. I published work in this area and in particular on notions of flourishing. I also looked at the notions of staff being supported to flourish. If those working with children are not supported to flourish themselves how can we expect our youngest children to flourish? Notions of supporting adults in developing their own concepts of creativity and well-being are now really important in my work. 
Chris Kingdon: I was born on Dartmoor and spent much of my childhood roaming and camping on the moors. As an adult I have worked in a range of roles, mostly within the construction industry. I became a teacher within the sector and worked with vulnerable adults and with prisoners. At the same I also became a leader within the scouting movement. Here I was able to draw on both my teaching experience and my experience of exploring the outdoor environment. I led walks, camps and other outdoor activities including; den building, cooking and orienteering. I really understand how being able to be outside and to walk as well as engaging in other activities is important, it definitely benefits my sense of well-being.

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