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The Yarra Valley Living Centre’s Meditation Teacher Training programs are both a personal and professional development opportunity. Not only will you gain the knowledge, hands-on teaching experience and resources to run your own meditation courses, but your own personal practice and understanding of the healing applications for meditation will grow exponentially.
We are thrilled to announce that our Meditation Teacher Training programs this year are being run by expert mindfulness and meditation trainers, Drs Ian and Ruth Gawler, and Daniel Cerny.
You can download our 2020 Meditation Teacher Training Prospectus HERE
Entry Criteria
The entry criteria for both our Mindfulness-based Stillness Meditation (MBSM) Foundation-level Teacher Training and our Contemplation Meditation Teacher training, is your own established meditation practice, however, if you are particularly new to teaching meditation it is recommended you complete the Mindfulness-based Stillness Meditation (MBSM) Foundation-level Teacher Training training first.
2020 Training Courses
MINDFULNESS-BASED STILLNESS MEDITATION (MBSM) FOUNDATION-LEVEL TEACHER TRAINING
(PREVIOUSLY CALLED MODULE 1)
4-nights | 3 Oct – 7 Oct 2020 | with Drs Ian & Ruth Gawler
Entry criteria: Your own established meditation practice (any style).
This Meditation Teacher Training immersion will set you up with a solid foundation for teaching the Yarra Valley Living Centre’s signature style of meditation – Mindfulness-based Stillness Meditation (MBSM).
The 40-hours of face-to-face training includes 30 hours of education sessions, 10 hours of hands on teaching practice (in small groups), plenty of guidance and support from our expert MBSM trainers, and a comprehensive MBSM teaching reference manual.
Course Objectives:
- Become proficient in delivering your own 8-week MBSM courses, with support from a teaching reference manual
- Understand the benefits of Mindfulness meditation for healing, personal development and spirituality
- Learn about the strengths and limitations of the thinking mind and the causes of excessive thinking
- Review the stress response, the relaxation response and their impact on health and healing
- Gain a solid framework for teaching the 4 foundations of MBSM practice: Preparation, Relaxation, Mindfulness and Stillness
- Examine the application of mindfulness to manage emotions like grief, anxiety and depression
- Explore the links between meditation, neuroscience and neuroplasticity
- Experience the importance of ‘stillness’ and ‘spaciousness’
- Receive guidelines for leading intentional gratitude and loving kindness meditations
A Certificate of Completion and comprehensive teaching manual will be provided at the conclusion of the course.
NEW: CONTEMPLATION TEACHER TRAINING IMMERSION
4-nights | 7 Sep – 11 Sep 2020 | with Drs Ian & Ruth Gawler
Entry Criteria: Completion of our Foundation-level MBSM Training.
Contemplation is an effective pathway for mental clarity, heightened intuition, better decision making, exciting new levels of creativity, increased confidence and inner contentment.
Despite its many benefits, little is written specifically on how to practise Contemplation, and trainings on how to teach it are rare. Drs Ian and Ruth Gawler have been teaching this content for quite some years and are delighted to be offering it as part of our Meditation Teacher Training pathway in 2020.
The 40-hours of face-to-face training includes 30 hours of education sessions, 10 hours of hands on teaching practice (in small groups), plenty of tailored guidance and support from our expert mindfulness trainers, and a comprehensive teaching reference manual.
Course Objectives:
- Become proficient in delivering your own 4-week Contemplation meditation courses, with support from a comprehensive teaching manual
- Understand the theory and benefits
- Practice teaching in a supervised environment
- Appreciate how Contemplation can be used to find meaning and purpose, and to gain insight into age-old philosophical questions.
- Learn how these same contemplation techniques can be used to meet the needs of modern problem solving; increasing creativity, intuition and better decision making.
- Gain an understanding of the strengths and limitations of “positive thinking” and how to manage client safety when teaching contemplation.
- Receive an overview of Mindfulness Based Stillness Meditation, and link with Foundation-level training.
- Learn of the latest research news in meditation, neuroscience and neuroplasticity.
- Understand the importance of the ‘stillness’ and ‘spaciousness’ that comes with meditation and how they support the practice of contemplation.
A Certificate of Completion and comprehensive teaching manual will be provided at the conclusion of the course.
Our Trainers
Dr Ian Gawler
OAM, BVSc, MCounsHC
Ian played a major role in pioneering and popularising meditation and other mind-body techniques in the Western world. He has authored six bestselling books including Peace of Mind, Meditation – Pure and Simple, The Mind that Changes Everything and Meditation – an In-Depth Guide. Known for his clarity, insight and good humour, Ian has a gift for translating ancient wisdom into a modern, scientific context. A long-term cancer survivor, Ian began one of the world’s first lifestyle-based cancer support groups, founded the Gawler Foundation and expanded his work and writings into the fields of disease prevention, health and well-being. He has appeared widely in the media and presented at conferences around the world. In 1984 he was awarded the Order of Australia Medal for his services to the community. Author of several books and articles including the re known long term best-seller You Can Conquer Cancer and Blue Sky Mind.
Dr Ruth Gawler
MBBS, MGPPsych, RACGP
Ruth is a General Practitioner with specific expertise in Mindbody Medicine. Ruth knows meditation to be a way of getting to know your own mind and learning how to use it more effectively. Ruth’s regular personal study and practice of yoga and meditation over 35 years informs many of her ways in assisting people to open their awareness, connect with body, deeply relax and integrate their whole being. She has an openness, directness and authenticity that have endeared her to many. Ruth is a past president and was on the board of Meditation Australia for 8 years. She played a significant role in bringing to reality their vision of integrating mindfulness and meditation into everyday life, and in training Meditation and Mindfulness teachers.
Together, Ian and Ruth have over 80 years of personal meditation practice and 50 years of experience teaching meditation to many thousands of people.
Daniel Cerny
BHSc(Nat), AdvDip(Nut)
Daniel is a clinical naturopath, nutritionist, herbalist, restorative yoga teacher and mindfulness expert, having taught mindfulness in private practice, corporate settings, community classes, workshops and retreat programs over the past 10 years.
With his diverse background in Mindfulness-based Stillness Meditation (MBSR), Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction (MBSR), Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT), Mindfulness-integration Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (MiCBT), and traditional buddhist practices, Daniel has taken his teachings all over the world, sharing his knowledge, insights and wisdom, and seeing firsthand the positive effect that mindfulness has on healing and quality of life.
Daniel is deeply motivated by helping people develop a more compassionate and connected relationship with themselves and the world around them. He loves teaching people how to unplug from their busy virtual/conceptual reality, so they can create a safe, nurturing space within – coming ‘home’ to who they really, resulting in a more meaningful and enjoyable life.
Pricing
Pricing as outlined below includes GST, and covers all elements of the training including 4-nights accommodation, comprehensive teaching reference manual, delicious plant-based wholefood meals, snacks, teas and dandelion coffee. Optional extras include transport, massage therapies, counselling and purchases from our resource centre. Click here for further information on transport.
| $1,775 pp * | Multi-Share room (same-sex dorm) |
| $2,185 pp * | Twin/Double room |
| $3,398 pp * | Single room – subject to availability |
A $550 holding deposit is required at the time of booking to reserve your place, and the remaining balance may be paid in instalments.
*Did you know that members of our Foundation receive significant discounts on retreats and trainings? To review our full member benefits and to see how much money you could save, please click here.
Bookings & Enquiries
Our bookings team are available during business hours on 1300 651 211 to answer any questions you might have. Alternatively, you can submit an enquiry using the form below (with your preferred call back time), and we will call at a time/day that suits you.
A $550 deposit is required to secure your place in your preferred training. Deposits can be made over the phone (credit card or direct deposit accepted), or you can secure your spot now by paying your deposit online with one of the booking links below:
CLICK HERE TO PAY YOUR DEPOSIT for MBSM, 3 – 7 Oct, with Drs Ian & Ruth Gawler
CLICK HERE TO PAY YOUR DEPOSIT for Contemplation, 7-11 Sept, with Drs Ian & Ruth Gawler
By paying your deposit, you acknowledge your acceptance of our Cancellation & Transfer Policy. If paying your deposit online, we will be in touch by phone to finalise your room allocation. Until this room allocation has occurred, your deposit is covered by our full refund policy.
Meditation Teacher Training Enquiry Form
Recommended Reading
Accreditation
The Yarra Valley Living Centre’s Meditation Teacher Training pathway is accredited with the peak meditation teacher’s professional body, Meditation Association of Australia (formally ATMA).
Completing our Foundation-level MBSM Training PLUS Contemplation Training, meets the training criteria (80 hours) for a provisional membership with the peak meditation teacher’s professional body, Meditation Association of Australia. Following this, if you do an additional 30 hours of training, you will have met the training criteria (110 hours) for full membership.