The Oxford Mindfulness Podcast

The impact of art on the neurobiology of stress with Dr Sará King

In this keynote presentation, listeners will receive an overview of the neurobiology of mindfulness, and how this relates to a brief history of the use of art-therapy for healing in clinical and non-clinical settings. Listeners will also be introduced to the neurobiology of viewing abstract art, as it relates to stress reduction in clinical and non-clinical settings.  Sará shares information on her work - the development of the first awareness-based educational program and study "Art and Awareness As A Catalyst For Collective Healing" being launched at the Museum of Modern Art in New York in February of 2022.  A short art-based mindfulness practice is also offered.

Responding to climate change - the role of mindfulness

We were delighted to be joined by Jeroen Janss for our October keynote. The session explores how mindfulness is helping us to respond to the unfolding Climate Crisis with compassion & a sense of purpose. 

Mindful movement with Sarah Silverton - part 2

Sarah has been teaching, and training others to teach, mindfulness for more than 20 years. She has taught a range of established mindfulness curricula and created programmes for both schools and adults. She has had a passion for movement throughout her life and has long-established yoga and Pilates practices.

This practice session sets out to offer a space to explore moving mindfully in different ways, exploring creating movement and allowing movement, arising from the body’s messages and wishes. Can we bring clear intention to be awake to what our body tells us, awareness of the sensation moment by moment and with attitudes of playfulness, kindness, gratitude and encouragement as we move? Practising being mindful with our body as it moves, rather than doing mindful movement.

The session will support you to find ways to bring friendly awareness to your body and move wisely and well in both your formal practise and in daily life.

The movements explored are intended to be very gentle movements, suitable for most people and you will be encouraged to work safely within your own range of movement. This is about moving with awareness, rather than getting into any specific positions or postures.

Mindful movement with Sarah Silverton - part 1

Sarah has been teaching, and training others to teach, mindfulness for more than 20 years. She has taught a range of established mindfulness curricula and created programmes for both schools and adults. She has had a passion for movement throughout her life and has long-established yoga and Pilates practices.

This practice session sets out to offer a space to explore moving mindfully in different ways, exploring creating movement and allowing movement, arising from the body’s messages and wishes. Can we bring clear intention to be awake to what our body tells us, awareness of the sensation moment by moment and with attitudes of playfulness, kindness, gratitude and encouragement as we move? Practising being mindful with our body as it moves, rather than doing mindful movement.

The session will support you to find ways to bring friendly awareness to your body and move wisely and well in both your formal practise and in daily life.

The movements explored are intended to be very gentle movements, suitable for most people and you will be encouraged to work safely within your own range of movement. This is about moving with awareness, rather than getting into any specific positions or postures.

Exploring Mindful Self-Compassion with Steve Hickman - Part 2

Steven Hickman, Psy.D. is a clinical psychologist and Executive Director of the non-profit Center for Mindful Self-Compassion, as well as a trainer of Mindful Self-Compassion teachers. He has taught MSC all over the world and trained teachers of MBSR and MBCT in addition to MSC. He is the author of the recently published Self-Compassion for Dummies. 

This podcast is an opportunity to revisit part 2 of Steven's sessions, where we explore the powerful practice of self-compassion and explore the relationship between mindfulness and self-compassion through practices and exercises drawn from the Mindful Self-Compassion program developed by Chris Germer and Kristin Neff. You are invited to open up to learning to treat yourself the same way you would treat a dear friend when they experience failure, misfortune and struggle or suffering. The research on the relationship between self-compassion and various measures of well-being is quite clear, and this is an opportunity to experience it for yourself.

Noticing the little things with Jem Shackleford - part one

Noticing the Little Things - A way to move our practice off the cushion.

This session looks at how we can shift the awareness of the minute details of our experience to our ‘sphere of influence.’ By doing so, we can have a positive impact on our lives and the world around us.

Exploring Mindful Self-Compassion with Steve Hickman - Part 1

Steven Hickman, Psy.D. is a clinical psychologist and Executive Director of the non-profit Center for Mindful Self-Compassion, as well as a trainer of Mindful Self-Compassion teachers. He has taught MSC all over the world and trained teachers of MBSR and MBCT in addition to MSC. He is the author of the recently published Self-Compassion for Dummies. 

This podcast is an opportunity to revisit part 1 of Steven's sessions, where we explore the powerful practice of self-compassion and explore the relationship between mindfulness and self-compassion through practices and exercises drawn from the Mindful Self-Compassion program developed by Chris Germer and Kristin Neff. You are invited to open up to learning to treat yourself the same way you would treat a dear friend when they experience failure, misfortune and struggle or suffering. The research on the relationship between self-compassion and various measures of well-being is quite clear, and this is an opportunity to experience it for yourself.

Seven and a half lessons about the brain

We were delighted to be joined for our September keynote by Dr Lisa Feldman Barrett, PhD, who is among the top one percent most cited scientists in the world for her revolutionary research in psychology and neuroscience. She is a University Distinguished Professor of Psychology at Northeastern University, with appointments at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital. She is also Chief Science Officer for the Center for Law, Brain & Behavior at Harvard University.

Noticing the little things with Jem Shackleford - part two

Noticing the Little Things - A way to move our practice off the cushion.

This session looks at how we can shift the awareness of the minute details of our experience to our ‘sphere of influence.’ By doing so, we can have a positive impact on our lives and the world around us.

Supporting young minds through change and challenge - Part 2

The second of a two-part series with Dr Chris Willard, this week the Wednesday session was tailored towards anyone supporting young people and explores how they can support them through mindfulness.