What people have said about the courses
Mindfulness Meditation
‘If you want to try mediation for the first time and are not sure what to expect– then this is surely the course for you! Penny leads the group in a very gentle unassuming way and quietly invites everyone to join her guidance.
A sample of different meditation practices are explored, all in a quiet, unrushed and calm atmosphere. Everyone is invited to take part as fully as they like.
Throughout there is an emphasis of there being no right or wrong way, but for individuals to do what feels right for them. All in all, it was a great experience and an excellent introduction to meditation. I would thoroughly recommend it to anyone feeling in need of relaxation, that life is too hectic or busy, just to find that it is possible to reclaim some inner peace.’ Helen Allen
‘Meditation was always something ‘I was going to do’ but didn’t quite know where to start. This course took away any mystery or feelings that maybe I wasn’t spiritual enough and it made meditation feel very practical and uncomplicated. Meditation is now something that ‘I am doing’ and I love the serenity and peace it is bringing into my days.’ Meryl Thompson
‘This has been a wonderful opportunity to enjoy a peaceful, revitalising space every week for 8 weeks. It has enabled me to cope better with the pressures that life throws up and to control the wild frivolities that go on in my brain especially in the middle of the night.’ Jill Creagh-Barry
‘During the course I learnt how to still my mind and to become aware of my thoughts. It has become easier for me to let go of unwanted thoughts. Meditation has helped reduce my anxiety levels and made me feel calmer. It is a comfort to know there is a safe place that I can retreat to!’ George Jones
‘Thank you for allowing me this valuable and enjoyable experience which will be of use both personally and professionally.’
‘The Mindful Awareness course which Penny recently held has given me a wonderful new tool for my life-kit. The body scan meditation in particular is like a half hour holiday. It calms down the buzz of 'have-to-do' lists, allows me to focus on one thing, on something outside the realm of the everyday. Penny led the course with reassuring expertise, her quiet voice guiding us through various mindful exercises, always bringing us back to the here and now and away from past or future concerns. After the first session I was already recommending the course to friends - I knew I'd found something special.’ Monica Watson
‘I gained valuable tools to enable me to steer myself in a more controlled manner through some of life’s rough water.’ Gail Maxted
‘Penny facilitates the programme in a way that demonstrates genuine kindness and creates an environment where people feel valued and not judged. She allows individuals to take their steps towards mindfulness at a pace that suits them. Amongst the chaos of modern living I have learned to enjoy just ‘being’!’ Paula Pearson
Steps Course
I was a little sceptical about the course at the start but after a couple of hours into the course my mind was racing with ideas and thoughts. From the course I made new friends, increased my sense of self worth and gained more confidence. Michele, Marketing Co-ordinator
"I signed up for the Steps Course following a tough 6 months when my life had fallen apart in many ways - moving to a house in new area and missing network of friends and family, a troubled marriage, my daughter needing eye surgery and me suffering from severe anxiety/ insomnia. I was looking for any help to get my life back on track and when I heard about Steps I felt hopeful.
I got so much out of the course and it proved to be the turning point of my life. Initially I benefited from friendship, kindness, support and empathy which felt like a life line. I learnt strategies for dealing with the negative thought patterns that had been dragging me down. I set clear goals for how I wanted my life to be, I wrote affirmations and encouraged my family to as well and stuck them all over the house as a constant reminder.
For the first time in months I felt that I was taking control of my life and my self esteem grew. I welcomed the regular group meetings and the boost they gave me. During the next few years, the Steps material felt like a safety net of tools to use when faced with the every day stresses and challenges of life.
My health and marital relationship improved and I felt strong enough to think of furthering my education and career prospects - I passed psychology GCSE, started to teach piano from home and this year I have started a teacher's training course with The Associated Board of The Royal Schools of Music. I would strongly recommend the course." George Jones
"When my husband died I was left struggling to establish a worthwhile life on my own. My confidence and self esteem were low which made facing new challenges alone very difficult. I looked for, and was prepared to take up, anything which might help me at this unhappy time in my life.
Steps gave me the confidence to face the challenge of training and carrying out work that I previously thought was beyond my capabilities and that I would never be good enough to do, enjoy or find so satisfying. My relationships with my son and my friends have gone from strength to strength. I have taken up new interests that give me so much pleasure and, although there are still times when I feel sad and alone, they are short lived as I now have the tools to spring back. Life is good again!" Roberta aged 63
It was through Penny’s expert guidance and understanding of the experiences and teachings of Lou Tice set out in the Steps Course, that I was able to envisage hope and possibility for the future, beyond my entrenchment in the past." Christine Talbot |