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This is a hybrid event and will be available to attend both in-person at The Mindfulness and Compassion Centre and online (link will be sent before the event for all those who registered).
If you wish to support the day but are unable to attend, feel free to register to make a payment and make a note that you will not be attending but wish to support the day and the charity organisation.
With Erica Balfour, Barry Lee and Rachel Ardagh
A day of practice offers us an opportunity to set aside our usual tasks and responsibilities and take time to practice being present to the fullness of our experience.
Aside from the guidance, we will be practicing mostly in silence so that we can create the space to allow us to go a little deeper, perhaps, than in our usual mindfulness practice. We may see a little more clearly our reactivity, our patterns and we can practice bringing kindness and understanding to what we are discovering rather than our tendency to distract ourselves, criticise or attack ourselves. We invite awareness, presence and kindness to all of our experience, as best we can.
Please wear comfy clothing and layers for outside walking in Fitzwilliam Square, (fingers crossed the weather will allow us to go outside!). There will be plenty of yoga mats, blankets and cushions at the venue but please feel free to bring your own if needs be.
Bring a packed lunch and there is an area where we can make tea and coffee.
All proceeds will be going to Palestinian aid charity (details to follow)
This is a hybrid event and will be available to attend both in-person at The Mindfulness and Compassion Centre and online (link will be sent before the event for all those who registered).
If you wish to support the day but are unable to attend, feel free to register to make a payment and make a note that you will not be attending but wish to support the day and the charity organisation.
With Erica Balfour, Barry Lee and Rachel Ardagh
A day of practice offers us an opportunity to set aside our usual tasks and responsibilities and take time to practice being present to the fullness of our experience.
Aside from the guidance, we will be practicing mostly in silence so that we can create the space to allow us to go a little deeper, perhaps, than in our usual mindfulness practice. We may see a little more clearly our reactivity, our patterns and we can practice bringing kindness and understanding to what we are discovering rather than our tendency to distract ourselves, criticise or attack ourselves. We invite awareness, presence and kindness to all of our experience, as best we can.
Please wear comfy clothing and layers for outside walking in Fitzwilliam Square, (fingers crossed the weather will allow us to go outside!). There will be plenty of yoga mats, blankets and cushions at the venue but please feel free to bring your own if needs be.
Bring a packed lunch and there is an area where we can make tea and coffee.
All proceeds will be going to Palestinian aid charity (details to follow)
Certified Mindfulness Teacher (MBSR / MBCT) (The Mindfulness Centre for Professional Training); Dip. Mindful Communication (Greenzone Communications); Supervisor for Mindfulness facilitators, Psychotherapist (MSc in Counselling & Psychotherapy University of Northampton), Higher Dip Psychotherapy, Dip Counselling Skills, BSc Hons (Environmental Science)
Erica holds an MSc in Psychotherapy and is Co-Director of The Mindfulness Centre for Professional Training. She facilitates trauma-informed Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), and Mindful Communication courses for the general public, in workplace settings, and for organisations such as AWARE. Erica enjoys her work as a teacher trainer and supervisor, with accreditation in the MBI-TAC framework for assessing and supporting mindfulness-based teaching.
Erica supports clients navigating a range of challenges including anxiety, stress, depression, abuse, grief, and difficulties in family and relationships. She has particular experience and interest in working with trauma, ADHD, autism (including AuDHD), eco-anxiety, and eco-grief.
Her approach is integrative and flexible, drawing on Person-Centred Therapy, Internal Family Systems (IFS), and other modalities to meet the unique needs of each individual. Erica believes that therapy is not a one-size-fits-all process, and works collaboratively to find an approach that feels supportive and effective for each client.
Certified Mindfulness Teacher (MBSR / MBCT) (Institute For Mindfulness Based Approaches); MSC Teacher (Centre for Mindful Self Compassion); MBCL Teacher; Psychotherapist (MSc in Counselling & Psychotherapy University of Northampton)
Certified Mindfulness Teacher (MBSR / MBCT) (Institute For Mindfulness Based Approaches); MSC Teacher (Centre for Mindful Self Compassion); MBCL Teacher (Mindfulness Based Compassionate Living); Yoga teacher (Senior Teacher, Yoga Alliance); Psychotherapist (MSc in Counselling & Psychotherapy University of Northampton)
Barry has trained in a variety of complementary techniques – Mindfulness and Compassion (MBSR, MBCL, MSC and Awakening Joy), Psychotherapy and Yoga.
He works with groups and with people on a one to one basis.
He has practiced meditation since 2005. He is a member and former chairperson of the Mindfulness Teachers Association of Ireland and currently sits on the supervision subcommittee of the MTAI. He has trained as a mindfulness supervisor and in the use of MBI:TAC.
Barry worked for over ten years as a corporate lawyer and has significant experience facilitating mindfulness and compassion training for organisations in a variety of contexts.
In 2017, he founded Mindfulness for Law (www.mindfulnessforlaw.ie) with the intention of bringing the benefits of mindfulness training to the legal profession. He has facilitated workshops and courses in many law firms and he works as a facilitator and student counsellor with the Law Society of Ireland.
In 2016, he co-founded Nature in Mind (natureinmind.ie), an educational organisation which aims to help people improve their health and well-being through mindfully connecting with the natural world.
MSc Mindfulness Based Intervention, BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy, CORU Registered Occupational Therapist
Mindfulness Teacher with The Mindfulness and Compassion Centre:
Rachel began her training in teaching mindfulness in 2017 in Bangor University through their teacher training pathway. In 2020 she completed a Masters in Mindfulness Based Interventions in UCD, and was awarded with the Mindfulness Award for best performance in the Masters from the UCD School of Psychology. She has completed further training in other mindfulness based interventions including Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy, and Trauma Sensitive Mindfulness. Rachel is a part of the Tutor Team for Trainee Mindfulness Teacher's in The Mindfulness and Compassion Centre. She is a registered member of the The Mindfulness Teacher's Association of Ireland.
In 2020 Rachel set up Insight Out Mindfulness and Therapy, a platform where she provides evidence-based mindfulness courses, retreats and one to one sessions for members of the public, hospitals, members of the LGBTQI+ Community and Direct Provision Centres. She has a special interest in the role of mindfulness and compassion in supporting adults with ADHD, and women experiencing infertility and pregnancy loss.
Mental Health Occupational Therapist with The Mindfulness and Compassion Therapy Centre:
Rachel is a Senior Mental Health Occupational Therapist who graduated from Trinity College in 2007. She now specialises in Occupational Therapy Mental health and neurodiversity. She has worked in various sectors for the past 16 years, including disability, paediatrics, equine assisted therapy, and has specialised in the area of mental health for the past 9 years. Rachel spent 7 years working as a Senior Clinician in the National Centre for Youth Mental Health before moving into OT private practice.
Rachel’s approach to OT is firmly grounded in cultivating more self-compassion and awareness in order to support people to engage meaningfully in what’s important to them in their lives. Rachel has training in various therapeutic approaches which are also woven into her practice, including ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy), CBT (Cognitive Behaviour Therapy), CFT (Compassion Focused Therapy) Solution Focused Therapy, and Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy.
She specialises in providing occupational therapy for adults and young people who are neurodivergent, or who are experiencing mental health difficulties. She also has a special interest in supporting people with ADHD. Rachel is CORU Registered and a Member of AOTI
