Mindfulness: The Foundation for Healing + Injury Prevention

Back in 2014, I was writing my Physio Master Research on Mindfulness in Physiotherapy interventions. Since then, the field of academic research has bloomed in this area, resulting in a move towards the mainstream into evidence based practice, both in physical, psychological and somatic presentation. It underpins many of the practices I teach, but what is it?

In a world that often demands speed, reaction and constant movement, mindfulness can offer a powerful counterbalance: A return to presence, spaciousness, and choice. It’s not just a wellness buzzword, mindfulness is a foundational skill for healing, emotional balance, and even injury prevention.

What Is Mindfulness?

Jon Kabat-Zinn, a pioneer in bringing mindfulness into mainstream Western medicine, defines it as:

“Mindfulness means moment-to-moment, non-judgmental awareness. It is cultivated by refining our capacity to pay attention, intentionally, in the present moment, and then sustaining that attention over time as best we can. In the process, we become more in touch with our life as it is unfolding.”

This definition emphasises mindfulness as a skill, one that can be learned, developed and deepened with practice.

Honouring the Roots of Mindfulness

While mindfulness is now widely used in therapeutic, educational, and workplace settings, it’s essential to acknowledge its origins. The practice of mindfulness originated from Buddhist traditions, where it is known as sati — one of the elements of the Noble Eightfold Path. In this context, mindfulness was never just about stress reduction; it was part of a comprehensive path toward wisdom, ethical living, and liberation from suffering.

Modern adaptations like Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) intentionally draw on these ancient teachings while presenting them in a secular and accessible format. When we recognize and honour these roots, we help preserve the cultural integrity of the practice and avoid unintentional appropriation. (Interestingly, Kabat Zinn originally wanted to call his programme Mindfulness Based Suffering Reduction).

Mindfulness as a Gateway to Healing

Healing, whether emotional, mental, or physical, requires space. Space to feel, to process, and to respond with care. Mindfulness helps to creates that space. When we practice observing our thoughts, sensations, and feelings without judgment, we step back from automatic patterns of being and begin to notice the nuances of our internal experience.

This awareness makes room for emotional regulation. Instead of being swept away by anger, sadness or anxiety, mindfulness invites us to pause, breathe, and soften into the present moment. We learn to recognise whether our experiences are pleasant, unpleasant, or neutral and have the space and freedom to make choices in how we respond. By not clinging to the pleasant, pushing away the unpleasant, or ignoring the neutral, we allow ourselves to engage with life more skillfully. We also learn that we are separate from our sensations, thoughts and emotions.

For me personally, this has had a profound impact in how I treat myself; communicate with others; navigated pregnancy and childbirth; and how I respond to the challenges of bringing up children.

The present moment is filled with joy and happiness. If you are attentive, you will see it - Thich That Hanh

Responding, Not Reacting

One of the most profound gifts of mindfulness is its role in prevention, both emotional and physically. When we are mindful, we’re not caught in automatic reactivity. We’re aware. We notice tension rising in the body, feel fatigue, before it turns into injury. We sense emotional triggers before they spiral into conflict. This awareness allows us the space to respond instead of react to the multitude of stresses which arise in everyday life.

That might mean noticing the beginning of fatigue and choosing to rest before pushing through. It might mean recognising the early signs of overwhelm and taking a mindful pause instead of snapping at a loved one. These small moments of awareness can prevent harm, whether subtle or strong, to ourselves and to others. Awareness gives us choice, and this in itself is a great gift.

My wonderful Mindfulness teacher Kathy Ward gave this TEdEx Talk on Mindfulness and Kindness: https://youtu.be/ISkBwQqdwto?si=uKNd7ExLgj5xzzMh

The Discomfort of Mindfulness

While mindfulness can offer profound healing, it's also important to acknowledge that it can sometimes be uncomfortable — especially at first. When we begin to slow down and pay attention, we might become more aware of things we’ve long avoided: difficult emotions, physical pain, or thoughts we’d rather not face. This is the paradox of mindfulness, you can’t unsee what you have seen. In the long run, this is great for change, but in the short term it can make you feel vulnerable or frustrated; or it might just make you feel liberated as pieces of the puzzle start to fall into place.

For some, this discomfort can feel overwhelming. That’s why learning from a skilled and experienced mindfulness teacher can make a significant difference. A trained practitioner can guide you through the process with care, helping you to stay grounded, safe, and supported as you build your capacity for awareness. I would definitely encourage learning from a trauma-informed practitioner, even if you don’t feel you have experience significant trauma in life.

Mindfulness isn’t about forcing ourselves to be calm — it’s about learning to meet ourselves just as we are, with compassion.

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Course (MBSR)

If you're interested in exploring mindfulness in a structured and supported way, we fully recommend the 8-week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) course. Doing this course probably changed my life, and almost a decade later, I still see the benefit of its wisdom rippling in my life.

There are many courses around, face-to-face and online and it can seem a little overwhelming to find the right one! I would always say, trust your instinct, speak to the trainer and make sure you feel comfortable with them. The MBSR program is designed to help you deepen your mindfulness practice, build emotional resilience and your capacity to move out of autopilot and into life. It really can be the sustainable foundation for well-being, and our connection to life itself.

If you would like to join the waiting list for our inaugural 8week MBSR course starting later in 2025 or would like to work with Mindfulness on a 1:1 basis, then please get in touch.