Mindfulness Africa and the Mindfulness Association in the UK are working closely together to develop a full teacher training programme to be run in Southern Africa.
Facilitating Mindfulness:
4 year programme
Rationale:
To support the development of
- a reflexive daily practice
- trainer facilitation skills
- key principles of mindfulness
Why four years?
- Without a daily practice, it is not possible to teach from experience, yet many people struggle to establish a daily practice
- Other mindfulness training associations assume that trainees will have professional certification already
Entry Requirements:
- Completion of One Year or 8 week course
- Completion of 10-day retreat
- Interview with trainer
Year One
Focus: Establishing a reflexive daily practiceCriteria for entering Year One: must have done either a One Year, or 8-week mindfulness course and 10-day retreat.
Criteria for Completion:
Complete either the One Year, or 8-week course, depending on which has not yet been done (as you will be expected to teach both).
- 1 urban retreat every 3 months, or weekly/monthly meditation with a group
- Personal interview with a trainer
- Peer learning buddy, contacted at least every 2 weeks
- Journalling
- Assignment
Assignment: A Reflection on Daily Practice
Not more than 2000 words
Based on a series of honest reflections
- Reflect on your experience, drawing on extracts from your journal
- Reflect on the basic concepts of the mindfulness courses, drawing on your observations and experience
- Reflect on the impact of mindfulness in your daily life and work
Outcome: To have developed a daily reflexive practice
Cost: R650, which covers registration fee and MA membership
Year Two
Focus: Developing Facilitation Skills as a Mindfulness Trainer
Fulfilled criteria for Year One and attend an interview with a trainer to discuss readiness to proceed.
Criteria for Completion:
- Attend at least one 8-week or One Year course and assist the trainer in leading some mindfulness practices
- Attend Teacher Training Modules 1 and 2 of the Train the Trainer programme (see below)
- Attend a 10-day retreat
- Daily mindfulness practice
- Journalling
- Peer learning buddy
- Assignment
Assignment: The Key Principles of Mindfulness, and the Qualities of a Mindfulness Trainer
Not more than 2000 words
Focused on the understanding of the key principles of mindfulness, and the ideal qualities of a mindfulness trainer, drawing on modules 1 and 2, academic readings and your experience in attending courses.
Year 3
Focus: Transition from Practitioner to Trainer, and Experience in Mindful Movement
Fulfilled criteria for Year Two and attend an interview with a trainer to discuss readiness to proceed.
Criteria for Completion:
- Attend Modules 3 and 4 of the Train the Trainer programme (see below)
- Daily mindfulness practice
- Attend a 10-day retreat
- Run at least one 8-week mindfulness with a buddy and supervision, and record or video at least one session.
- Attend a mindful movement class e.g. yoga, tai chi, qi gong etc
- Journalling, buddy and assignment.
Assignment: Self reflection on transition from practitioner to trainer
Outcome: Receive certification as an Apprentice Trainer
Year 4
Focus: Building Confidence as a Trainer
Fulfilled criteria for Year Three and attend an interview with a trainer to discuss readiness to proceed. An external examiner will be invited to view/listen to the recorded session and give input. The decision to move on to Year Four will be a group decision by the MA Trainers and external examiner.
Criteria for Completion:
- Daily mindfulness practice
- Attend a 10-day retreat
- Run 8-week mindfulness course/s with supervision, and record or video at least one session.
- Journalling and buddy support.
The decision to be certified as a Mindfulness Africa trainer will be a group decision by the MA Trainers and external examiner.
Facilitating Mindfulness:
Training Modules
Module 1: Generic Facilitation Skills
- Presentation of material
- Leading practices
- Enquiry approach
- Qualities of a trainer
- Group management skills
To be held centrally at TRC from 9th-13th January 2013 – facilitated by Heather Regan-Addis and Mindfulness Africa facilitators
Module 2: Facilitation in Action
- Prepare one aspect of the 8-week MBLC Curriculum, and present, lead practices and conduct enquiry approach within the group of trainees.
- Peer feedback
To be held regionally in 2013 by MA Trainers
Module 3: Mindful Movement
- Safety precautions
- Simple practices using yoga or qi gong
Module 4: Mindfulness Based Living Course (MBLC) Training Skills
- Key principles of Weeks 1-8 of the MBLC course
