Welcome to Mindful Academy International. We are a professional training school offering Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, Mindfulness-Based Emotional and Social Intelligence and Mindfulness-Based Approaches teacher training and courses to individuals and companies for mental health and wellbeing.
As a 3rd party externally Accredited Provider of Training Excellence© with the globally recognized Professional Development Consortium and CPD Standards Office, our courses offer you gold standard in-person and live online interactive mindfulness courses. You can download the MBSR Level One prospectus here.
The school was founded in 2010 by CEO and TEDx speaker Kathy Ward a senior International MBSR, MBCT, M-BESI and MBA Trainer, Supervisor, and Teacher. She is currently working with the World Health Organization WHO as a Mindfulness Consultant developing and supporting a mindfulness and emotional intelligence for mental health and wellbeing in the workplace course and research project. Kathy also develops and delivers corporate training programs, and gives keynote talks on mindfulness and workplace safety.
As you explore the website, we hope that you find the information and links that you need, if not please contact us by email at [email protected] or call us in the UK on (+44) 1225 294483.
Download the full Prospectus HERE Suitable for those who wish to add mindfulness to their profession, or start a new career in mental health and wellbeing. Our externally accredited Level 1 Mindfulness teacher training courses focuses on the teaching process and curriculum of the 8-week Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction MBSR Course, developed by Jon Kabat-Zinn at the University of Massachusetts Medical Centre and also by the Centre for Mindfulness Practice and Research CMRP Bangor University where CEO and Senior International Trainer Kathy Ward trained to teach MBSR and MBCT, Mindfulness Supervision and MBI-TAC.
Rather than a cognitive course, the intention of this experiential course is to give you the skills and confidence to teach mindfulness-based practice. The course covers trauma-sensitive mindfulness and the Mindful Academy International core practices, session plans, and resources that have been rigorously updated by Kathy to reflect a trauma-sensitive and 'do no harm' vision of teaching mindfulness.
The course is also invaluable for those who wish to teach Mindfulness-Based Approaches MBA or mindfulness in a different form including Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy MBCT and Mindfulness-Based Mental Agility MBMA. It will also deepen skills for professionals offering Acceptance and Commitment Therapy ACT.
Dates:
- April: Live online interactive teacher training (intensive)
- 7-days, Saturday the 24th - Friday the 30th of April 2021
- September: Live online interactive teacher training (intensive)
- Saturday the 11th of September (90-minute workshop)
- Saturday the 18th of September (6.00 pm - 7.30 pm) followed by full days Sunday the 19th - Friday the 24th of September
- September - January, Live online interactive teacher training (modules)
- Saturday the 11th of September (90-minute workshop) followed by 4 x Saturdays and Sundays (once per month) 9.00 am - 6.00 pm:
- 2nd and 3rd of October, 6th and 7th of November, 4th and 5th of December and the 15th and 16th of January
- January/February: Live online interactive teacher training (intensive)
- Saturday the 22nd of January (90-minute workshop)
- Saturday the 26th of February (6.00 pm - 7.30 pm) followed by full days Sunday the 27th February - Friday the 4th of March
- January - May 2022, Live online interactive teacher training (modules):
- Saturday the 22nd of January (90-minute workshop) followed by 4 x Saturdays and Sundays (once per month) 9.00 am - 6.00 pm:
- 19th and 20th February, 26th and 27th of March, 23rd and 24th of April, 28th and 29th of May
"Having already studied with Kathy Ward, I knew how incredibly organized she is and was confident that this would be a very thorough and valuable course. The online course is as thorough as her in-person teachings and the delivery and organization of the course along with the well-planned Zoom space are all incredibly wonderful. Thanks again for being my guide through Level 1 Mindfulness MBSR and MBA Course"
Louise Konrath from the USA, Level 1 online course July 2020.
- April: Live online interactive teacher training (intensive)
The externally accredited Mindfulness MBSR and MBA Teacher Training Level 2 course build on the foundation of the Level 1 course. It is designed to support and deepen both personal and professional understanding of the skills in teaching mindfulness and integrating mindfulness-based approaches in professional practice.
It is open to those who have taken the Level 1 course with Mindful Academy International, and those who have taken a Level 1 with other equivalent training organizations. Please contact us to check the equivalency.
Dates:
- 2021: Saturday the 24th to Saturday the 31st of July LIVE ONLINE Apply Now!
- 2022: Saturday the 18th to Saturday the 25th June
The Level 2 online Teacher Training course was an unforgettable experience with intensive practice and diving into the very deep spectrum of teaching intentions and creative ways of implementation of the curriculum. Lots of fun, connection, and interaction, with a real embodiment of experiential learning and co-journey. For teaching experience, I think the online Teacher Training has as many benefits as weaknesses compared to the in-person group, and at the end of the day, we will teach at the end of a busy working day or online as well, not in a retreat center or hotel garden!
Kathy is a teacher who not just show what she knows, but eager to share her wisdom and knowledge with everyone who is open to it. I am so grateful to have the opportunity to meet her and learn from her.
Dr. Kornelia Nyitray from Hungary. May Level 2 online graduate.
You can graduate as a Mindful Academy International Qualified Mindfulness MBSR & MBA Teacher on successful completion of the Level 1 and Level 2 courses plus a total of 8 hours of supervision whilst teaching your first 2 x 8-week MBSR courses and the submission of reflective journaling. This 8-week course supervision and submission of reflective journaling can either be between the Level 1 and Level 2 courses or afterward depending on your development. You would also need to have attended at least one 5-7 day teacher-led mindfulness-based silent retreat with us or another approved mindfulness-based silent retreat provider.
Supervision is a vital part of the teacher training pathway so that we can support your development as a teacher in real life teaching contexts, it also meets the recommendations of the Good Practice Guidelines for Mindfulness Teachers.
The supervision hours also count as Continued Professional Development CPD and along with your Mindful Academy International certificate, formal CPDSO Standards certificates are issued and accepted in a multitude of countries and across all professional sectors.
After teaching 3 x 8-week MBSR courses, you can also continue your teacher training pathway with Mindful Academy International to graduate as a 'Certified Mindfulness MBSR & MBA Teacher' by taking a 3rd supervision based course.
This supervision course includes the submission and review of video recordings of your teaching the whole 8-week course, supervision, and reflective journaling. You will also need to have attended a second teacher lead mindfulness-based silent retreat either with us or another retreat provider.
This qualification gives you a certificate of competency in teaching Mindfulness-Based Approaches MBA and as well as the Mindful Academy International certificate, formal CPD Standards certificates are issued and accepted in a multitude of countries and across all professional sectors. Please check with your local licensing board to determine if the accreditation meets their requirements.
5-Day Silent Retreat at the Cabragh Lodge, Sligo, North West Ireland - Friday the 25th of June at 4 pm to Tuesday the 29th of June after lunch
Trauma-Sensitive Mindfulness - a new vision of teaching mindfulness
An estimated 90% of the world's population will be exposed to a traumatic event over the course of their lives (Frans, Rimmo, Aberg & Fredrikson, 2005) and up to 20% of us will develop post-traumatic stress. Mindfulness is not for everyone, and there are guidelines that we need to follow to minimize risks when teaching the general public.
However, the latest research and figures show that anywhere mindfulness is being practiced, someone in the room is likely to be struggling with trauma. To address this, here at Mindful Academy International, Kathy Ward has updated and revised all core practices, session plans and resources so you can learn how to teach the general public in a trauma-sensitive way. This meets with our vision of 'do no harm' when teaching mindfulness, allowing us to minimize the potential dangers. Read more
CEO and Senior International Trainer, Teacher and Supervisor Kathy Ward is the lead Trainer on every course in Altea Spain, Ireland, Hungary, and the USA. The other members of the team are all professional Mindfulness Teacher Trainers who have trained with us, CMRP Bangor University in the UK or UMASS Centre for Mindfulness in the USA.
Each team member exceed the requirements of the Good Practice Guidelines for Trainers of Mindfulness-based Teachers published by the UK Network of Mindfulness-based Teacher Trainers
The team is also dedicated to sharing mindfulness with different cultures and teaching contexts around the world.
Our Training Venues in Altea Spain and Ireland
Our courses on the Mediterranean coast in Spain are held in the small family run 4-star Hotel Tossal d' Altea a 300-year-old olive mill and farm (shown in the photo) at the edge of the 16th century picturesque old town of Altea. The name Altea derives from the Moors who conquered the region and named it Althaya, meaning health to all. For more photos of Altea click here
With many low-cost operators flying into Alicante International airport and with direct transport links to Altea with Benniconnect, getting here could not be easier.
We also run occasional courses at the Cabragh Lodge in Coolaney, North West Ireland. The venue is a stunning purpose-built center in the Ox Mountains run by Mindful Academy graduate and Teaching Staff member Fiona McMahon. Visit www.cabraghlodge.ie
"This time I opted to have a single room in the hotel where the training was..a good move as it meant I had a little refuge from the intensity of the course and all the amazing exchanges/group work - a quiet space close to hand where I could take care of myself, rest and study when needed during the day." Julia.
- As a Provider of Training Excellence and accredited Continued Professional Development CPD provider with the globally recognized Professional Development Consortium and CPD Standards Office, we offer externally accredited professional teacher training CPD/CEU courses and qualifications. For full details click here
- For many professions, engaging with CPD is a professional expectation and for others, it is mandatory. Our professional courses give you sought after externally accredited mindfulness-based teaching skills to add to your annual CPD record and professional skills.
- The curriculum we teach follows the standard Mindfulness MBSR 8 Week course curriculum taught around the world including the Centre for Mindfulness Practice and Research CMRP Bangor, the UK where Founder and Director of Training Kathy Ward trained, and the official MBSR course curriculum taught at UMASS Centre for Medicine so you can be sure of authentic teaching. Check out our resources page for more details.
- You receive a personal supportive assessment with feedback on the MBI TAC 6 essential Domains of teaching Mindfulness to support your ongoing teacher portfolio, and demonstrating you are taking a professional training course.
- We follow the Mindfulness Best Practice Guidelines for training and supervising teachers.
- The intention of our Teacher Training is to give you the skills and confidence to teach Mindfulness, we therefore only accept a maximum of 12 students which means you receive individual support and development from CEO and Senior International Teacher, Trainer and Supervisor Kathy Ward both before, during and after the course.
- We include Supervision sessions, email support, Inquiry and Mindful Movement which are often additional costs or courses with other Training organizations.
- You can join our closed community group of Mindfulness Teacher and tap into a wealth of experience and ongoing support.
- You get a free listing on our Worldwide Directory
- You are invited to attend our closed group meditation sessions and other events
- We consistently receive excellent feedback from our students. Read our testimonials.
- We are a Partner Organisation with the Events List. Partner Organisations have evidenced their status as Mindfulness Training Organisations that meet the criteria as outlined in the Segal et al MBCT Training Pathway and made a commitment to provide quality trained facilitators for all their events. Our training courses and events are listed on
With CEO and Senior International Mindfulness MBSR and MBCT Trainer, Teacher and Supervisor Kathy Ward.
1-1 or 1-2 Courses in the comfort of your own home. Various start dates. Please contact Kathy at [email protected] to arrange a no-obligation call to see if the course is for you.
