Qualified Mindfulness and Compassion Teacher based in Somerset

​Mindfulness involves learning to be fully present in the here and now.

​Understanding how our mind works regarding thoughts, emotions and habits enables us to have the choice to respond rather than to react to the present moment, whether it is pleasant or unpleasant. Often, we are so busy living in the past or worrying about the future that we actually miss living in the here and now.

If you can sit quietly after difficult news; if in financial downturns you remain perfectly calm; if you can see your neighbours travel to fantastic places without a twinge of jealousy; if you could happily eat whatever is put on your plate; if you can fall asleep after a day of running around without a drink or a pill; if you can always find contentment just where you are:

You are probably a dog.

By Jack Kornfield ​

​Teresa with the photographer David Leyland’s dog Pippa who was happy to pose for the fee of a bag of doggy treats.

Mindfulness involves learning to be fully present in the here and now. 

You’re not concentrating on the task you are doing, because you’re thinking of the next task and wondering if you did the last task ok, then at the same time wondering if you should have said something different yesterday, thinking, if only, I should have, when you were speaking to a friend, boss or loved one.  How many conversations do you have going on in your mind at the same time, churning away with various scenarios giving different outcomes?

Understanding how our mind works regarding thoughts, emotions and habits enables us to have the choice to respond rather than to react to the present moment, whether it is pleasant or unpleasant, just as it is, without clinging to it or rejecting it.
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Example … your child forgets to bring home their sports kit from school, your partner was going to pick up milk on the way home from work and forgot.  With mindfulness awareness we can make the choice to react differently, ensuring we don’t turn it into far more than it is by saying, “you’re always forgetting things”, then giving a long list of previous occasions or beating yourself up thinking that you should have picked up milk and asked about the sports kit when your child got in the car.  I’m sure you are already thinking of other examples that lead to an evening of grumpiness all round. ​

Often, we are so busy living in the past or worrying about the future that we actually miss living in the here and now. 

Whether it was a conversation or something we physically did, pleasant or unpleasant we keep playing it over and over in our mind and worry that in the future it may not be as good as it was last time, or you may make an even bigger hash of it.  While all this is going on, we are not present, enjoying the walk we are having, the time playing with the children, golf, tennis, being aware of where we are driving etc, possibly stressed, anxious, or even feeling very down about it all.  With mindfulness you will learn about awareness of the here and now and how to approach things with choice, clarity, calmness and compassion for others and yourself.

Mindfulness is not about emptying your mind or to stop having thoughts, thoughts are normal. We all have thoughts. Mindfulness is a skill that I teach, and you need to practice, just like learning a new language, instrument, running 5k, playing golf, the list goes on.  

Negative thoughts are (the most) annoying but natural, it’s how our brains were created and with that in mind…

The Science Bit

I cover this briefly on my course, briefly, but I feel it is so important, as it helps you to understand that we are all human, with thoughts, emotions, anxieties, fears, wanting to be happy, included, appreciated and valued. Personally I found this very empowering, understanding that I’m just human and with mindfulness it helps to give me choice, time to respond rather than react out of habit, choice to change my behaviour, thoughts, inner atmosphere and outlook on life; very exciting.
 
We are all human living wide-ranging lives and are at different stages in our life, but I am sure whatever your situation you may well relate to the above.  Whether you’re self employed or an employee, mindfulness understanding taken into the workplace will help you to become more focused, creative and be an even greater team player.
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All that I speak of has modern scientific, medical research, and clinical studies to back it up. 

You only need to go online, there are apps and YouTube clips or pick up a magazine and there are plenty of books too.  But like all things, there is good and not so good advice out there, the difference of having a teacher is that you can ask questions.

I wondered if Mindfulness was for me because there was nothing wrong with my life. Curiosity led me to do the course with Teresa and she quickly made me realise that there is a lot more to life than I thought! Mindfulness is helping me to rediscover the person that I am and has opened up my future to all sorts of new possibilities. It has improved my confidence, compassion and relationships. I would say that Mindfulness is for everyone. 
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​Viv

My story: Teresa Wort

I live in Milverton Somerset and discovered Mindfulness and Compassion back in 2012, a few years after I had been diagnosed with Psoriatic Arthritis.  For anyone with a lifetime illness, as there is no cure for Arthritis, finding the right drugs to help your condition is often a challenge. For me, it took three years, during which time I suffered pain and side effects from the different drugs.  I needed to find something else that would help me.  I also suffered with anxiety, as since 2005 I had been learning to live with being Idiopathic anaphylaxis (Idiopathic means unknown cause). I’ve had several anaphylactic shocks and it’s only thanks to the life saving drug adrenaline, which I carry with me, that I am still here today.

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Discovering Mindfulness and Compassion was life changing. It helped with my anxiety, learning to live in the here and now, not looking back at what had happened, and not worrying about what may happen in the future.  As for the Psoriatic Arthritis, I am on an excellent drug but still have pain, ask anyone who suffers when the weather is cold or damp, you ache, but thanks to Mindfulness and Compassion I manage to keep that in a good place too.  So how did I become a teacher?  My previous career history was in sales and training followed by fundraising at Bibic, St Margaret’s Hospice and Conquest. 

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A few years ago I had a life changing accident.  Unfortunately, while out walking with friends, unintentionally their dog ran into my leg.  Whilst waiting for Devon Air Ambulance I spent two hours  in a field practicing mindfulness; it kept me calm and able to manage the pain.  Eventually I was taken to Musgrove Hospital where it was discovered I had shattered, split, and taken a chunk out of my tibial plateau. I spent 10 days in hospital, eight weeks unable to touch the ground and then 18 months hardly able to walk, during which time mindfulness was my anchor.  I had left work, crocheted two blankets, drank loads of tea with my many wonderful visitors, but it was time to do something with what had been a huge part of my recovery process.

I trained to teach Mindfulness and Compassion.  I graduated with MindfulnessUK after completing their Foundation Degree in Integrating Mindfulness and Compassion in Professional Practice Course.  This is accredited by the CPCAB (Counselling and Psychotherapy Central Awarding Body). This qualification allows me to create bespoke courses for individuals and small groups. My teaching will be secular as I’ve been trained. I had my surgery and can now walk, although I will need further surgery in the future.

There is currently no regulatory framework specifically for Mindfulness practitioners but all MindfulnessUK teachers adhere to the UK Network Good Practice Teacher Guidelines as designed by Bangor University, Centre for Mindfulness Research and Practice in association with Exeter and Oxford Universities

We found the Mindfulness course was well presented, easy to understand and very helpful. Teresa gave us various meditation practices to follow at home, her instructions with them cannot be faulted. 
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Alan and Freda

Offering a bespoke course to individuals and small groups

I teach bespoke one to one course, small groups and corporates.  I am also happy to give talks on Mindfulness and Compassion for Pain and Anxiety for a donation to Devon Air Ambulance. 

Mindfulness and Compassion can help profoundly
​with your health, wellbeing and happiness.

From pain, anxiety, low-self esteem to blood pressure, immune system and much more. Self-care for your mind, body and spirit.

Some more kind words

The Mindfulness and Compassion that Teresa delivered made me stop and take stock of what was important in my life.  She has given me tools to cope with workload and stressful situations and well as improving the quality of my life through the daily Mindfulness sessions.  She is professional and compassionate and always a joy to spend time with. 
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​Jane Phillips, Miles Phillips Consulting Ltd

• Learning about Mindfulness from Teresa has been life-changing. She taught us how the brain works and how Mindfulness helps our brain cope with stress, anxiety, and pain. We were taught a variety of meditations and have been given recordings of the meditations for our own practice. We are encouraged to be non-judgmental, compassionate to others and to ourselves. I recommend Teresa's training to anyone seeking calm, peace and a way forward from illness in body or mind. Teresa is a fabulous teacher and practitioner, her compassion encourages us when our own Mindfulness discipline might slip, and she encourages us with patience and gentle humour. Her training has changed my life and it could change yours too. 

Helene

Teresa is a highly compassionate and caring teacher who provides fantastic support and guidance through the practice of mindfulness. With Teresa’s personal experience and insight, I feel we went on our mindfulness journey together. My one to one course of mindfulness and the skills I have learnt with Teresa have transformed my life, health and wellbeing. I continue to use these skills and benefit from mindfulness in my everyday life. Teresa is a wonderful mindfulness teacher and I can’t recommend her highly enough. 

​Pam

• As a local priest I had been aware that there was a great deal of suspicion of mindfulness as being un-Christian. I have enjoyed Teresa’s course as have several of my congregation and the results of those practicing mindfulness has led to a much more prayerful atmosphere in church because they have learnt to be still, to focus, and to be aware of a divine presence in the calm space that has developed. 
  
• Rev H Stainer

Richard and I would testify to the gentle but thorough way in which we were introduced to mindfulness.  The benefits are tangible, even though we feel unable to devote as much time to practise as taught.   Self-awareness and the ability to relax both physically and mentally are enhanced, reflected in better sleep patterns and a more balanced and appreciative view of life.
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Diana

I was a little unsure what I was letting myself in for with the Mindfulness Course.  I had heard so many views, rather than listen to the comments I decided to take part and I am so glad I attended the course.    I have lost loved ones recently and I use the body scan and the compassion talk to help me.

​Sandra    

Mindfulness Teacher in West Somerset.

Upcoming talks & courses

Guest speaker:
Mid Somerset Rheumatoid Support Group
'Mindfulness and compassion for pain and anxiety'
Tuesday 10th September 7pm 
​Details here

Courses 
3rd October
6th November
​Ask for details.

Free Talk
At Ford, Wiveliscombe
Wednesday evening 18th September 2019
​Please call to book your place.

Guest speaker:
Word Gets Around Business Networking 
​'Mindfulness. Learning to be present in the here and now'
21st November
Click here for details and to book.

Book your place
​Please get in touch using the form below or call:
​07768 447826