Bognor Regis based therapist Melaina Welland has become a Mindfulness Practitioner after attaining a teacher training accreditation from Mindfulness Now at St. Johns College Oxford, affiliated to the licensing body, UK College of Mindfulness Meditation (UKCMM).
In the modern digital age, life has never been so stressful, and we are all often overloaded with things we ‘think’ we need to do. As a consequence, our minds are often over-stimulated, leaving us feeling tired, exhausted and confused about why we can’t think clearly. Mindfulness is a practice of cultivating awareness by bringing the attention deliberately back to the present moment, without judgement. It is about acknowledging and accepting our thoughts and feelings.
Melaina says that while a little stress can be a good thing, constant high levels of stress and anxiety have a negative impact on our health and well-being. Indeed, depression and stress are the biggest causes of work absenteeism, hampering productivity and costing the economy an estimated £105.2 billion each year. With younger people now being affected too, Melaina is determined to make a change.
Mindfulness meditation is scientifically proven to reduce stress and anxiety, and is recommended by the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) as a treatment for recurring or relapsing depression. It is also promoted by the NHS and used effectively as a support during the medical treatment of patients suffering from cancer.
Melaina offers an eight-week programme to improve health and well-being, where clients will learn about Mindfulness, the science behind its practice and, how to develop awareness of emotions, thoughts and physical sensations. Clients will also learn how to separate recurring thoughts from constant ‘mind-chatter’ and will be motivated to develop their own mindfulness practice and techniques.
Melaina said: “I’m delighted to have received an accreditation to teach Mindfulness meditation. It is argued that the UK is in the midst of a mental health epidemic and after experiencing the life transforming benefits of practicing mindfulness myself, my wish was to be able to pass this on to others, promoting mental, physical and emotional well-being. My passion is to help people and eventually bring Mindfulness to schools and businesses in Sussex as well as individuals so that we can benefit as a community.
“Today, many of us live on auto-pilot without ever paying attention to the task at hand and we are soon lost in our thoughts. Rarely, are we in the here and now. By practicing Mindfulness, people will learn how to cope with these unwanted thoughts that take us away and we learn to shift from a ‘doing’ mode into a ‘being’ mode.”
Melaina is also keen to stress that the practice of Mindfulness can help tackle unpleasant situations that happen to us all from time to time. “By being aware of these experiences and associated thoughts as they happen,” she says, “we can give them more appropriate attention before letting go and moving on and not continuing to focus on our thoughts after the event has passed. We learn to let go and move on with our life.”
“Mindfulness meditation is something we are all capable of and once you have the tools, it will last a lifetime and continue to grow within you. All you need is the desire to take control of your life and willingness to practice and engage.”
Prior to her recent achievement in Mindfulness meditation, Melaina worked successfully as a holistic therapist for more than 25 years, treating clients of all ages and with a variety of symptoms, using a combination of reflexology, massage and meditation relaxation techniques. She also teaches baby and toddler reflexology.
Melaina is the only teacher in the area on the Mindfulness Teachers Register, found at www.mindfulnessteachers.org.uk
If you require any further information, or would like to book an introductory session, please contact Melaina Welland on Tel: 07946 282 032 or email melaina.welland@outlook.com