Mindfulness for Health by Vidyamala Burch & Danny Penman

February 25th, 2016

Breathworks Mindfulness was founded by Vidyamala Burch, co-author of our favourite book  Mindfulness for Health, winner of the Best Book Award (Popular Medicine) British Medical Association’s Book Awards 2014. 

The Breathworks approach to mindfulness is based on accepting our experience of pain, illness or stress and not reacting to it. With mindfulness we can clearly perceive thoughts, physical sensations, emotions and events at the moment they occur without reacting in an automatic or habitual way. Try the 3 Minute Breathing Space here.

Breathworks Australia conduct internationally recognised, scientifically up-to-date meditation courses in Sydney’s Inner West, based on the book Mindfulness for Health. Sign up for the Breathworks newsletter for notification of the next course, designed to help you learn tools to live well with pain and to reduce stress in your life, using a wide range of mindfulness skills to ease the suffering of pain.

Both books are available for postal order by calling Bodhi Books & Gifts, Newtown on 9519 8890 or via ebook through Booktopia.

Description of Mindfulness for Health

Pain, suffering and stress can be intolerable – but it doesn’t have to be this way. Mindfulness for Health reveals a series of simple practices that you can incorporate into your daily life to relieve chronic pain and the suffering and stress of illness. Clinical trials show that mindfulness meditation can be as effective as prescription painkillers and also enhances the body’s natural healing systems. Mindfulness can also reduce the anxiety, depression, irritability, exhaustion and insomnia that can arise from chronic pain and illness.

Mindfulness for Health is based on a unique meditation programme developed by Vidyamala Burch to help her cope with the severe pain of spinal injury. Taught at Breathworks in the UK – and its affiliates around the world – this programme has helped tens of thousands of people cope with pain, illness and stress.

The eight-week programme at the heart of this book takes just 10-20 minutes per day. You’ll be surprised by how quickly your suffering melts away, leaving behind a deep-seated love of life.

Reviews of Mindfulness for Health

“Through simple exercises, well explained and prepared . . . they guide the reader through the principles and practice of mindfulness applied to pain, and towards self-understanding, gentle control and connectedness.” Dr Amanda C de C Williams, Reader in Clinical Health Psychology, University College London

“Mindfulness for Health offers those who struggle with the painful loss of health much support to become more alive and compassionate and not trapped by pain and ill health. This truly resourceful book will help people grow their own sense of self … and lessen their suffering.” Dr Frances Cole, GP, Pain Rehabilitation Specialist and CBT therapist, Leeds Community Trust, Spinal Pain Management Service, UK

Read more at the Breathworks UK website