The course itself will be run over four weeks, and consists of a weekly class on Thursdays from 12.30pm to 2.30pm at the Wingham Court House commencing on February 5.

 ‘Bringing Mindfulness to Life’ will teach how practicing mindfulness can reduce stress and increase your energy, clarity, confidence and resilience, and bring ease to your daily demands, routines and relationships.

The course incorporates theory and practices from the internationally acclaimed Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program, traditional calm abiding meditation and the facilitator’s years of teaching, study and practice.

Do not be put off by the word ‘meditation’. “There’s a lot of misconception about what meditation is,” course facilitator Dr Sharn Rocco said.

“People think it’s either hippie, new age, esoteric or religious. But it’s changing slowly but surely – we’re shifting people’s reticence.”

Sharn exudes peace and still serenity, and that is because she embodies what she teaches.

Sharn has been a practitioner and teacher of meditation for over a decade and has received instruction from some of the world’s renowned meditation masters, such as the Vietnamese Zen master, Thich Nhat Hanh.

Twice scholar-in-residence at the Garrison Institute in New York, Sharn has taught MBSR courses and led mindfulness retreats in various locations in Australia and overseas. She currently lives in Nowendoc.

The fee for the course includes four 2 hour classes, course book and guided practice recordings. Discount fees are available on request. For more information and bookings contact Sharn on sharnrocco@gmail.com (bookings are essential).

For information on the free Introduction to Mindfulness session at Wingham Library, call Sheryl Amos at the library on 6553 4555.