Mindfulness and Embodiment for Doctoral Candidates

Keywords:

Mindfulness, meditation, yoga, embodiment, relaxation, self-development

Introduction to the course topics:

This 6 session training covers the basics of mindfulness for doctoral candidates to improve one’s quality of life and reduce negative stress responses. The course sessions will consist of guided meditation practices, body postures, discussions and self-reflection. Dr. Luisa Demant will give short talks on certain topics, however, the training focuses on experiencing the content through guided mediations and movement. We will discuss insights in the group and use zoom breakout rooms for partner work.

Course aims:

• The basics of mindfulness and how it can impact your work and life
• The body as a focus point for mindfulness
• The breath as a focus point for mindfulness
• Working with thoughts, calming the worrying min
• The benefits of cultivating kindness towards oneself and others
• Implementing the learnings into everyday life

Teaching methods:

Short presentations, group discussion, self-reflection, guided meditation, body postures and movement.

This course fits doctoral candidates in the following phase:

at the beginning of the doctorate│during the doctorate│at the end of the doctorate

Participation requirements:

Participants must be willing to be seen on the screen and interact with the group. Open to movement and meditation.

Technical requirements:

Laptop/tablet with stable internet connection, microphone, webcam, Zoom (in most cases)

Additonal information, notes:

Please wear comfortable clothes. It´s ideal to attend from your home or a quiet environment (not a café).

Information about the trainer:

Dr. Luisa Demant is trained as a social worker and holds a Ph.D. in sociology. Her research focuses on professional development and consulting in social professions. Since 2012 she has taught seminars on consulting and professional development in social professions at the Technical University of Dortmund as well as seminars on inclusion, diversity and participation in society at the Technichal University of Munich. After finishing her Ph.D. she moved to London to train as a yoga teacher with a specialisation in Embodied Yoga Principles. She now combines her research background in professional development with her passion for yoga, mindfulness and embodiment. Luisa has been delivering courses on a regular basis for Frontline, students of Sociology at the University of Kent and Queen Mary University of London, doctoral candidates at the Technical University Munich and staff at the NHS in the borough of Tower Hamlets, Hackney and Poplar. .

What participants say about this course:

• Many methods can be learned in such a short time. The trainer created a group spirit even via zoom - this has been a great experience.
• Luisa tried to create some group spirit via zoom and it really worked - was a great experience as for the most online courses this did not happen.
• Luisa introduced the topic and different parts of it in a nice and understandable way.