Participant Experiences
Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction Course

Nothing compares to a personal experience. However, when you are stepping into something new, it can help to read what others say about it.

Based on the feedback I receive, my courses are seen as supportive and nonjudgmental places to learn, with well-organised content and a calm teaching style.

Below some of my course participants share their experiences with the Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction course.

“I found the delivery of the course to be very supportive, calming, non-judgemental and I appreciated the sense of curiosity that was brought to exploring our experience so that we could think about our meditations with fresh eyes and investigate deeper than I would have on my own. Feedback was engaging and it gave me some important lightbulb moments. I felt heard and felt that Elisa was genuinely interested in my experience and is passionate about teaching meditation.” - Helen

“I very much enjoyed the peaceful calm atmosphere that you created at each session. They were paced very well, one clear theme each week and meditations around that, no diversions to confuse things, which was great. I felt safe, at ease and free to share my thoughts without judgement at all times. Overall a deep learning curve into myself and my life and the course and the techniques practised have brought clarity into my experience”. – Marianna

“The support during the course was amazing. Elisa was always contactable via phone or email which proved invaluable during anxious moments. She went out of her way to make sure the environment and sessions felt safe – Thank you! Guidance and supporting materials were excellent – encompassing a wide range of styles. The all-day practice day was incredible as an experience, intense and calming at the same time – a day that everyone should experience at least once in their life time.” - Jenny

“Never felt pushed or forced into anything. The pace was excellent and allowed me to explore at own level. Found the handouts really useful and interesting – good to read over and will definitely refer to regularly in future”. - Gabrielle

“Elisa led the meditations in a grounded, positive and authentic voice. I engaged better with her than almost any other teacher of similar courses”. – Sam

“The course has helped me to process stressful circumstances (including grief) and take a step back has been a skill I will definitely use moving forwards.” - Louisa

“I felt this was a very well structured course and the background information and pre-course discussions with Elisa were very helpful. The booklets that we received were very useful and I shall continue to re-read the information in there after the course as a reminder to myself. It is also very helpful to continue to be able to access the recordings after the course finishes. Elisa was very good at listening to our thoughts and the group felt very warm and welcoming.” - Naomi

“I enjoyed the mixture of teaching styles used each week i.e. guided meditation, comments, theory or sessions in breakout rooms of 1 or 2 people , comments on homework, preparation for the week ahead and concludign with a meaningful poem. Elisa is an incredible teacher - she just seems to know the right way to respond to any situation.” - Debbie

“Mindfulness has made such a difference to my daily life. I am able to approach challenging situations in a more positive way and have a wide range of practises to use to integrate into my day. Elisa is an excellent teacher and I would highly recommend this course. Thank you”. - Paula

“The Introduction into Mindfulness was a good grounding leading naturally into the full course. Yes, there is a time commitment but the entire attendance & practise has been very useful for me. The material available throughout the course has been very comprehensive & Elisa extremely helpful in adjusting formal practises to my needs.” - Sue

“The course has helped me in many ways. I understand that some of the things that I considered to be obstacles, were not. I feel that I have the capacity to commit to a meditation practice now. I have tools to collect myself when my head runs away with me. I have useful tools to learn to understand myself and work with myself when I become overwhelmed. I have had many experiences during the course of having been in a heavy headspace and then shifting into calmness and clarity.” - Helen

“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it. Had a call and explanation prior to the course. Felt the environment was safe and supportive. Enjoyed the bond that was created between the facilitator and the group. Loved the poetry readings. Most definitely would recommend it. I have learned techniques to assist me in navigating life!” - Debbie

“Pace of the sessions “role models” the approach. I found the inquiry around the discussion really helpful to identify specific detail. Loved the full day practise. I feel the guidance has supported me to find ways of being, manage levels of stress & feel happier and facilitate change.” - Anita

“As I couldn’t attend the first group session, Elisa met with me 1-to-1 to give me a similar experience. I didn’t request specific support but I knew others did and valued that option that was offered. Facilitation, voice, teaching style etc. were all very good. It (the course) helps you understand why the mind does what it does and to become more accepting of that.” - Jane

“I have thoroughly enjoyed the course and learned new skills to help manage daily stress and anxiety. I have to say that I feel calmer and clearer in managing negative thoughts and the constant need to plan and control everything. The guided meditations were and will remain very useful in my daily practise. Elisa’s voice is perfect for the guidance an the supporting material very useful.” - Barbara

“I feel that I was fully informed about what the course would entail before I started and received all the information I needed. Elisa was very supportive throughout the course and it was helpful to have a private phone call in order to review how I was managing halfway through.  I felt safe which enabled me to contribute in group discussions but also not pressured to contribute which was sometimes helpful. I believe the course was delivered at a suitable pace and managed efficiently. I really enjoyed listening to Elisa’s voice as it was very soothing and calming. The supporting material was useful, particularly the recordings and workbook. Which enabled me to maintain mindfulness throughout the week.” - Leanne

“I was really happy with all of the information shared before, during and after the course, I especially liked the course workbook, and it was useful to have a private chat with you both before and during the course. I think your approach to facilitation is just right, and I enjoyed all of the meditations. The group felt like a safe place to discuss matters from the beginning, and I think hearing other people’s thoughts did really contribute a lot to what I got from the course – not least in seeing how differently we experience different situations. The course is a great way to immerse yourself in mindfulness practice, and an opportunity to consider and challenge your own ingrained thought patterns.” - Raisa

“I really liked the way the course was delivered starting with a short practice to get the group into the right frame of mind and reflect on the week practice. The time management was very well coordinated throughout the sessions and we were aligned with the course plans and expectations. Most importantly I felt the group was a safe space to practice meditation and share your thoughts and feelings. I registered to this course because I felt a strong connection with Elisa teaching style and delivery and this course has completely matched my expectations.” - Charles

“It has helped me become more aware of myself, and how I react to things, and overall this has led me to become more calm and less anxious. I have found this quite helpful in dealing with depression, and also in how I relate and present to others in a way that I wasn't previously able to do beforehand. I will be able to use the tools I’ve learned to help deal with situations in life that I may have struggled with before, and also appreciate smaller everyday details I would have missed before in my daily routine. This is something I am very grateful for.” - Alex

“I really enjoyed the course delivery. It felt structured, but also flexible to each session. I will continue with regular meditation and approaching things more mindfully.” - Emma

“The course was delivered in a calm, consistent, clear manner with a great quality of communication modelled for all participants. It felt very safe allowing sometimes sharing of profound insights or personal struggle. Most important was the very accepting messages modelling and encouraging us not to judge our own experiences whatever emerges. I have been through a lot of rough turmoil myself which happened during the weeks of the course. I coped surprisingly well with circumstances which would have previously created serious levels of anxiety, panic and overwhelm. I just persisted with exercises and remained very calm even during the worst moments of the challenges I faced. I talk less, allowing more space for others and I listen more with wonder taking in others perspectives much more. I am much more balanced in my own emotional equilibrium.” - Tony