Human Equine Realised Development

Mindfulness can help us perceive with greater clarity and respond with kindness and a sense of possibility. These are the skills and ways of being we practice, week by week, during the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction.

They say a picture speaks a thousand words. I captured this image today on my morning walk and was grateful to pause for some mindful moments.

Our mindfulness practice can create space for awareness and insight, like the winter sun on clear day. In this way, it can offer the potential of brighter days on the horizon, as we navigate the winter months, at the same time as extending an invitation to appreciate the wonder and beauty available in this moment.

If you would like to explore mindfulness with me, and a like-minded group, my next MBSR course begins this week. There's still time to join but registrations close soon!

If you are curious and would like to know more, do get in touch for an informal chat. And if you'd like to secure your spot you can do so at: https://www.realisemindfulness.com/service-page/mbsr-course-starting-january-2025?referral=service_list_widget

I was delighted to return to Bangor University this weekend for my fifth year of study. It really felt like a beautiful coming home. It was also an opportunity to meet a new group as I move into the Research module.

As I wrote in a recent blog, it was a big decision for me to shift the route of my Masters, and I was a bit daunted about going into the Research module as numbers are really not my thing!

So, it was a relief to realise, with the expert guidance of course tutor Shelby De Meulenaere, that I can access critical thinking without having to dive too deeply into statistical analysis! It was also a privilege and joy to work with fellow students on the course.

As part of the learning we had chance to analyse a paper on the impact of Nature Assisted Mindfulness (NAM). It was validating for me to read a peer reviewed research paper which supports the way I work with clients.

It was no surprise to me to learn that:
✅Nature and animal assisted mindfulness can make mindfulness practices more accessible, particularly to those of us who may have experience of trauma
✅Practicing mindfulness in nature can help with our motivation to continue and complete a course
✅Nature Assisted Mindfulness is more effective than treatment as usual, for participants with experience of recurrent depression, at reducing the risk of subsequent episodes of depression

For fellow Mindfulness nerds, like me, who would like to read the paper for themselves, I will attach a link in the comments. And for anyone who is interested and experiencing Nature Assisted Mindfulness for themselves, do get in touch and I’d love to support you with that experience.

Have you heard of the Inner Development Goals?

Developed in response to the realisation that our challenges with meeting UN global sustainability goals were a people issue, the IDGs offer us a practical way to enable inner development to manifest outer change.

If you would to learn more about how you can harness the IDGs to enable inner development to lead to outer impact, you may be interested in the Thrive workshop series designed by me and learning expert and author which begins on Wednesday 9th Oct. Find out more on my website: https://www.realisemindfulness.com/idg

Yesterday, as an IDG Hub Coordinator, I had the privilege to be part of an Inner Development Goals Co-creation Dialogues meeting to support the development of an IDG Ambassador Programme.

During our landing practice I was reminded of these beautiful words, from Julia Fehrenbacher's poem, Hold out your hands - "Stop asking: Am I good enough? Ask only: Am I showing up with love?"

When we show up with courage and love we open the space for growth and transformation, for ourselves, our community and our planet.

Last weekend, at a social gathering, I was asked how I worked with the horses. I’ll be honest, this question is always difficult for me to answer because sessions differ depending on each client's needs and what lessons the horses choose to offer, depending on what they pick up from an individual client.

Sometimes the horses quietly hold space for us, as we explore awareness and presence, through mindful meditation practices. And, often the horses are active coaches in the process themselves.

As relational, herd beings horses are very skilled at attuning to our energy and mood. Some consistent themes that the horses regularly offer insights around include:

🐴 The power of presence and learning to be fully in your experience in any moment
🐴 The power of acceptance – of ourselves, of each other and of our situation (for instance they regularly humble me with the stoicism with which they accept the weather)
🐴 The importance of clear boundaries knowing when an unambiguous 'No' is called for

If you would like to discover what insights the horses may share with you, we would love to work with you and introduce you to this transformational work.

And if you have experienced the power of EFL for yourself I'd love to hear what insights you took away.

As regular clients head off on summer vacation I have some slots available right now, so, if you'd like to grab your opportunity to experience Equine Facilitated Learning, get in touch.



You can book your Discovery session here: https://www.realisemindfulness.com/service-page/efl-discovery-session?referral=service_list_widget

I am regularly humbled by what gracious teachers of mindfulness and compassion horses are. Last Friday was no exception as me and my duo of therapeutic equine colleagues hosted our Discover your Equine Equilibrium session.

Here are some of the insights and reflections from those of us participating that the horse supported:

🐴 Being in the presence of horses at rest helps to calm our human nervous system
🐴 Horses model and embody ‘being mode’ and sharing territory with them helps us too to calm the busy mind and rest in mindfulness
🐴 We can learn from their equanimity as they literally take everything in their stride - the changing weather patterns of life, aging, ill health & the simple pleasures of a spring day
🐴 Spending time with horses can help us recognise and embody our own strengths as horses often offer us a ‘mirror’
🐴 We simply feel better when we allow ourselves some quiet time in nature

If you’d like to experience this for yourself, me and the horses would love to hear from you. Why not contact me to find out more or to book your own private discovery session. You can also find out more on my website: https://www.realisemindfulness.com/equi-coaching

I’m also planning a summer solstice retreat day with the horses on Saturday, the 16th of June. Places will be limited so send me a message to secure your spot.

I hope you discover your own equine equilibrium in the week ahead, whatever the weather holds.

As Spring slowly but surely unfolds, I’ve been reflecting on abundance and what brings me joy and fulfilment in work and in life. In the midst of this, I've been noticing how it can be all too easy to slip into (self) judgement and a scarcity mindset.

However, looking through this scarcity lens can lead to a distortion and discounting of of all the positive things. In my May newsletter I talk about some of my personal reflections on shifting from a scarcity to an abundance and growth mindset. I also offer one of my favourite coaching tools to help gain clarity on what inspires and nourishes us as well as sharing my latest news and mindfulness informed, nature-based events.

You can read my reflections on mindset and manifestation and access your free 'Ideal Day' contemplation here:
https://shoutout.wix.com/so/e9OyPokPQ?languageTag=en

It would be lovely to hear some of the things that you’d like to celebrate - the ways you are living into your intentions. And if you’d like some support to recognise that, step into a growth mindset, and develop clarity for the next phase of life then I’d love to work together and support you with that.

As the weather warms up, more clients start finding their way to me and my therapeutic herd. We'd love you to join us.

Since 2017 I've had the privilege to work alongside my wise, gentle and generous equine colleagues, teaching mindfulness and supporting personal growth and well-being. Over the years, these majestic souls have each offered their own unique lessons to me and the many clients we have worked with. Here is just a snapshot of some of the lessons they are so skilled at teaching:

🐴 You cannot not communicate! As herd animals, horses are masters at reading what is not said, understanding energy and communicating through body language.

🐴 It's often better being part of a herd. Like horses, we are also social animals. As humans, finding our 'herd' can be a complex business but nowadays there are many blended ways we can get our need for connection with like-minded souls met. I am grateful for both the in-person and the online community groups I am part of.

🐴 Horses model emotional agility. They respect emotions as they arise, listen and act on the message and "go back to grazing" when the situation is dealt with.

🐴 Don't take it personally. To the uninitiated, the way horses sometimes communicate with each other (ears back, a nip or a raised back leg) can seem fierce and aggressive. But horses are actually skilled communicators and generally interpret and respect these communications without taking it personally. They simply respond without worrying what judgements the other may making. It can be good to work at developing our own 'horse hide' - learning to interpret and respect the intention behind the message without taking it personally.

We will be offering our own unique blend of coaching, mindfulness and Equi-therapy this Friday at a group session: Discover your Equine Equinity and have just one spot remaining! We'd love you to join us.

Alternatively, I'd love to hear from you to arrange your own one-to-one Discovery experience at a date and time to suit you.
No previous horse experience necessary.
You can find out more at: https://www.realisemindfulness.com/equi-coaching

With warm wishes, Kate and the herd.

As Spring slowly but surely advances, I notice how the horses I work alongside gratefully appreciate the changing weather patterns, savouring the new Spring grass, finding a sunny spot on the days when the sun decides to come out to play and finding shelter when the Spring hailstorms make a surprise visit. Unlike me, they don't waste time ruminating about why it's still so cold! The horses simply appreciate and adapt to their environment moment to moment.

This is one of the many reasons why they are such great teachers of mindfulness, well-being and equilibrium. If you'd like to experience this for yourself, you are warmly invited to join me and the gentle therapeutic herd I work with to Discover your Equine Equilibrium on Friday 3rd May 1st 15:00 - 17:00, alongside the beautiful Bambsech forest just outside Luxembourg City.

You can reserve your spot on my website: https://www.realisemindfulness.com/

Spaces are limited so book soon to avoid disappointment.

No previous experience with horses is necessary and if you are curious about why else horses may be such effective teachers, here are some words from the international charity Horses for Mental Health:

"Horses create a nonjudgmental atmosphere where clients can feel safe and accepted. They offer direct feedback through their responses to our actions, guiding us in understanding what works and what doesn’t. In mental health services that incorporate horses, trained professionals facilitate profound connections between humans and horses, promoting mental resilience and well-being. This enables us to explore our emotional responses with new perspectives and embark on a path toward healing.

Despite their intimidating size, it is commonly reported by clients that they feel safe, connected and peaceful when in the presence of horses. It is through this, whether on the ground or riding, that horses help people regulate emotions. Working with horses provides an opportunity for relationship-building that can rewrite past trauma stories and provide present-moment connection."

December News - The theme of this month’s newsletter is gratitude and generosity. As Christmas approaches I am connecting with my sense of wonder and gratitude and I invite you to join me.
http://wix.to/rpB3UcP

Realise Mindfulness Newsletter - Mellow October
Now October is here there is a distinctive autumnal nip in the air. Kate & the herd have been waking up to magical misty mornings like the one captured with Paddy. Once the cooler weather and darker mornings would have sent me into a tailspin but my mindfulness practice has taught me to respond with more equanimity to the changing seasons of life.

October Newsletter Hello ${contact.Name.First}, now October is here, there is a distinctive autumnal nip in the air. Me & the herd have been waking up to magical misty mornings like the one I captured with Paddy above. Once the cooler weather and darker mornings would have sent me into a tailspin but my mindfulness pr...