RUNZEN's mindfulness for new runners - beginning to run mindfully
Why mindfulness for runners?
Running is one of the most popular forms of exercise in the UK with proven physical and mental health benefits, including helping prevent obesity, heart disease and high blood pressure, and boosting sleep quality and mood.
In recent years, there has also been a growing interest in mindfulness, with research linking a regular and sustained mindfulness practice with a decrease in the incidence of depression, anxiety and stress. It can also improve the ability to regulate our emotions, build resilience and help increase focus and attention.
Mindfulness for runners combines the benefits of both running and mindfulness into an integrated whole for more enjoyable runs and greater all round well-being whether on the cushion, on the trail or in everyday life.
So, where to begin...
Beginning to run mindfully
This workshop designed by RUNZEN is for anyone who is completely new to running or has so far been unsuccessful in integrating running into their life but would like to and also anyone who is completely new to mindfulness and would like to benefit from what it has to offer, although any experience is welcomed.
Starting running is often fraught with anxiety around potential injuries as well as battles with our own mind about our identity as a "runner", negative thinking patterns and excuses about giving up, convincing ourself that we are not physically good enough or fit enough compared to others, as we often set unrealistic goals and expectations that we then don't meet, resulting in us throwing in the towel and returning to our former, less healthy, habits.
How to approach and navigate all this and more is addressed within RUNZEN and this workshop will set out to explore:
Instructions for good running form and posture as a focus for our mind as well as to help reduce injury prevention. Beginning running with instructions in good form and posture can pay dividends down the line, resulting in smoother progression in our running and less or no injury set backs.
Becoming more aware of our embodied presence in stillness and movement, to connect with our body and listen more deeply to its natural wisdom so we can respond appropriately, as well as enjoying the freedom of "simply being" through the body.
Become more familiar with our mind's negative habits and learn how to deal with them with more wisdom and kindness.
Exploring the gratitude attitude - focusing on our abundance and opportunities for growth instead of lack and what isn't good enough.
Understanding how some of the insights gained through mindful running on the day can be applied in our everyday life.
We will guide you through a range of mindfulness practices and easy-paced runs around the the Great Lines Heritage Park with a number of S.T.O.Ps. The invitation for the whole day is simply to be curious about our experience, and each practice is followed by an opportunity to share as a group what we may have discovered.
Participants will receive a follow up email with supporting materials and will also then be able to participate in our free community runs throughout the year.
Prior to the workshop there will be a questionnaire (to become familiar with your previous experience and any physical and/or mental health needs) for all prospective participants to complete and return.
Past participant feedback
"Great experience and well designed content,
delivered in a thoughtful and sensitive way.”
“Restored a sense of joy to my running. Feel now I can just run for the joy of it and not be constantly beating myself up for not performing or doing as well as I think I should be.”
“I am very interested in connecting mind with body and this course provided an ideal opportunity to explore that interest. The experience of running with a different mindset and attitude was revealing.”
“RUNZEN is more than just about running. It guides to experience the joy of movement and stop being judgemental towards yourself. Very liberating sensation. The course is well structured and the instructors clearly are passionate about what they do. I would recommend it to anyone who likes running, irrelevant of the level they are at.”
“I will be reflecting more on my habitual ways of thinking and how this affects my experience. I am going to continue to try to apply the skills we learnt to running and life in general.”
Your RUNZEN instructors
Stuart McLeod and Cesare Saguato have many years combined experience in running, mindfulness meditation and professional training, in running fitness coaching, mindfulness and psychotherapy at The Centre for Mindfulness Practice and Research at Bangor University and Oxford Mindfulness Centre at Oxford University, The Western Chan Fellowship, Bodhicharya and Kent and Medway NHS. Through all this, they have learnt that the integration of mind-body awareness can improve mental health and running simultaneously for greater all-round well-being and are passionate about sharing this with you.
Location
For this workshop we shall be located within a converted ammunitions bunker at the historic Fort Amherst, which opens out immediately onto the spacious Great Lines Heritage Park where we shall do our runs.
Refreshments
Water and energy snacks shall be provided.
Personal investment
Beginning to run mindfully: £40 for five hours.
Book your space via PayPal here:
https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=FA2J3CP3UJGC4
Or via bank transfer (preferred) - please email for the details, thank you.
Queries
If you have any questions at all about RUNZEN for beginners, then please do get in touch with us here or via email: runzen.contact@gmail.com
Beginning to run mindfully is an introduction to RUNZEN and mindfulness for runners and will equip you with the basic tools and practices that you can then explore in running and life. You could then sign up to other courses, such as the six week course or module one, later in the spring/summer (please see here for more information: http://runzen.co.uk/index.php/mindfulness-for-runners-events/)
To find out more about RUNZEN please see our website here:
We look forward to meeting you!