Mindfulness is defined as knowing what is happening, while it is happening, with an attitude of kindness and curiosity. In the beginning, we notice how our attention is like a butterfly flitting from one thought to the next. So we start by slowing down and settling our mind. We then introduce practices that ground us, allowing our attention to drop out of our heads and into the sensory awareness of the body. We learn to rest in the present moment getting used to disengaging from our habits of compulsive doing. During the retreat we will be “coming home” to our body, heart and mind; applying curiosity and compassion to whatever we notice. This attitude of openness, kindness and acceptance to whatever is there helps us to live with greater clarity and resilience. The weekend will be experiential and is designed as a helpful first step in developing your own personal Mindfulness practice or as a way of refreshing your existing practice.
Chrissi Preuss has an Honours degree in Psychology from Rhodes University, specialising in trauma and neuropsychology. After completing a Mindfulness Association 8-week course through The Waterfall Retreat And Environmental Centre, she set her heart on teaching yoga and has since completed an intensive 2-year yoga teacher training program. She approaches every class she teaches with kindness acommodating students of all ablility levels.