1 FAQs on Breathworks Living Well with Pain and Illness Course

Who is the course for?

The mindfulness-based pain management courses are designed for anyone suffering chronic or long-term pain.

Do I have to be suffering from severe pain to join the course?

No! The course works well for those suffering both long-term pain and illness; those who have conditions that cause intermittent pain; such things as chronic fatigue/ME; and those receiving treatment for cancer and other conditions.

I don’t understand what ‘mindfulness’ means or how it will help me.

In our day-to-day life we tend to be creatures of habit and much of what we do is a kind of unconscious reaction to life’s circumstances. Mindfulness is the ability to be more aware, or awake, to our experiences. We learn how to be aware of what we are actually experiencing in the present moment. This ability then enables us to choose how to respond to our experiences. Mindfulness can help you to break cycles of reactivity and to regain a sense of initiative, confidence and control.

Why would I wish to become more aware of my pain?

Very often when we suffer pain our instinct is to push the pain away. This is normal and natural. When we suffer long-term pain it is very tiring and stressful to constantly be pushing away the pain. This causes us an even greater amount of suffering, what we call 'secondary suffering'. In trying to ignore the pain we often find we block out other experiences including pleasant ones. Mindfulness helps to reduce the stress of constant ‘blocking’ and hence removes some of the secondary suffering, and gives us greater possibilities to experience more of the pleasant aspects of life.

Is mindfulness easy to learn and put into practice?

It is relatively easy to learn how to be mindful, but it needs quite a lot of practice to be able to stay mindful much of the time. Mindfulness is developed through a series of simple practices that help us to become aware of what is happening to us. Over time we learn to see what is actually happening and to develop the ability to chose how we respond instead of what often is an automatic reaction. It takes practice and so needs a degree of patience and time to develop.

I don’t know whether I want to commit to all the classes and home practice.

We run the classes in a series that constitutes a course. Each week we teach new techniques, provide new ‘tools’ as well as go over things we have already presented. Sometimes it happens that you cannot get to the class on a particular week because of a flare-up or other illness or for some other reason. If this happens we will send you details of what we covered in the class you miss as well as other material we gave out on the course that week. We can also talk to you about what you need to practise in the coming week.
Home practice is a very important part of the course and it only really works if you put in the time to practise. We ask you to find twenty to forty minutes each day, six days out of seven. If is not possible to find this time when you are considering the course, we would suggest you wait until you have more time. If you wish to discuss this with the course trainer please contact our office.

Why is the course price relatively high?

Breathworks is a Community Interest Company (CIC) and as such does not aim to make a profit for shareholders. Prices of the courses pay for the facilities in which we run the courses, administration and supporting the trainers. Unlike paying for a therapy or treatment, Breathworks courses will give you a number of tools or methods for dealing with pain, stress and long-term illness that will last for life. The course fee also includes three CDs, a handbook and a journal (altogether worth £35).

How will I know if the course is right for me?

If you are unsure, we suggest that first of all you talk things through with one of our members of staff, or we can arrange for one of our trainers to speak with you. From time to time we hold taster or orientation days for people to sample some of the things we offer on the course as well as give more information about how the course works. These days also give you the opportunity to meet with the trainers. (Please contact our office for details about the next day)

I understand that mindfulness comes from the Buddhist tradition. I am uncomfortable about the ‘spiritual’ aspects of the course.