Vidyamala Burch, co-author of ‘Mindfulness for Health, a practical guide to relieving pain, reducing stress and restoring well-being’, won the BMA award for Popular Medicine, the category in the 2014 Medical Book Awards for books aimed at the general public.

Vidyamala is founder and director of the internationally recognised Breathworks, and is one of the most widely respected names in the field of mindfulness and pain management.

"Mindfulness for Health is an excellent book which guides the reader through an interesting and enjoyable mindfulness course but also brings the practice to life with inspiring personal stories of people who have benefited from mindfulness techniques. I will most definitely recommend this book: in fact people who saw me reading it asked if they could borrow it!”

BMA Librarian and Judge of the Popular Medicine Category, Jacky Berry

The resulting programme, which has helped thousands of people, combines a modern, scientific view of pain with the ancient practices of meditation and mindfulness. This Breathworks MBPM programme is accessible to anyone through the pages of ‘Mindfulness for Health’.

Vidyamala, said: “Winning this award is a tremendous boost and acknowledgement for all the work that the Breathworks team has done over the years and it is a great endorsement to be recognised by the BMA. I hope that this award for Mindfulness for Health means that mindfulness will reach many more people who live with pain, and give them the opportunity to live rich and fulfilling lives again, free from suffering.”