Course Information

Teacher Training Online Level 1

When: 31 Jan 2021 - 28 Feb 2021
Where: Online Event
Tutors: Christina Shennan, David Shannon

About the training:

In these difficult times we are committed to continuing to provide good quality Mindfulness Teacher Training in the best way we can. It seems that the world needs skilful teachers now more than ever.  As a result, we have developed an online equivalent of the Teacher Training Retreat 1. Our intention is to create a rich, safe learning environment that will support you to begin your journey into Mindfulness teaching.  

We aim to offer all that the residential TTR1 offers in an accessible online format, as detailed below; 

This intensive, entry-level, mindfulness-based teacher training is considered to be the highest standard of training available. It has been developed, refined and delivered since 2002 and taught by some of the most experienced mindfulness-based teachers in Europe. Approximately 50% of all UK mindfulness-based teachers have been trained by the Centre for Mindfulness, Research and Practice (CMRP) and teachers from all over the world choose to attend this programme, which is now delivered in collaboration with The Mindfulness Network.

This programme is designed to immerse participants in the principles and practice of mindfulness-based teaching. It starts from the premise that as teachers we need to embody mindfulness-based practice in our own lives before we can attempt to teach it to others. The programme facilitates an opportunity for sustained inner work through practice and learning alongside peers. It is designed to be a collaborative and participatory learning experience.

The training primarily focuses on the teaching process and curriculum of the group-based, eight-week Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) programmes. The underpinning experience and understanding is also valuable for those who wish to integrate mindfulness into individual therapeutic work or teach mindfulness in a different form.

On TTO1, you will learn to teach the Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction (MBSR) curriculum. The foundational skills, approach and practices that you learn are common to both MBSR and MBCT.

This training offers you an opportunity to learn and practise:

  • embodiment
  • inquiry
  • guiding practices
  • professional good practice

TTO1 is experienced in a retreat environment to develop and support the deepening of your personal mindfulness practice. During the week there will be regular periods of silence and a silent led practice day.


Learning outcomes:

Teaching skills:

By the end of the training, participants will have:

  • practised and developed skills and understanding in guiding mindfulness-based practices and the inquiry process that follows the practice
  • experienced the curriculum and themes of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction as the basis of all Mindfulness-Based Programmes (MBP)
  • developed an understanding of the ways of learning and teaching within Mindfulness-Based Programmes, including:
    • teaching out of one’s own direct embodied experience
    • bringing Investigation/exploration/inquiry/curiosity to the learning process

Personal practice:

By the end of the training participants will have:

  • developed a grounded understanding of mindfulness as an approach cultivated through on-going personal awareness, in both formal and informal everyday practice, in silence and in dialogue.
  • explored the value of mindfulness-based practice as a way of relating to difficulty
  • experienced being part of a practice community with a sense of common purpose

Theory and professional issues:

By the end of the training participants will learn about:

  • the origins and context of mindfulness in contemporary settings
  • the central importance of a commitment to a sustained path of personal development and practice
  • the process of assessment and orientation as a vital part of the delivery of mindfulness courses
  • the importance of committing to personal/professional supervision and self care for mindfulness teachers
  • some of the ethical issues which arise in this work

Please note that participants must commit to the entire training.


After completion of the TTO1 retreat:

One of our priorities is to establish high standards for teacher training and development. This programme is designed to begin the process of training to be a teacher of mindfulness-based approaches. Participants come to this programme with varying skills and experience and levels of practice. Inevitably, not everyone will be ready to begin to teach on completion of this programme. Further development may be required. At the end of the programme, there is an opportunity to discuss this and other matters in a one-to-one meeting with one of the programme tutors. This can be a helpful way to reflect on next steps and to review your learning and development needs after your TTR1.


Pre-requisites for attending:

  • Completion of a group-based, eight-week MBCT/MBSR course or, a CMRP/MN nine-week distance learning MBSR programme.
  • Commitment to an ongoing daily personal mindfulness-based practice, based on MBSR/MBCT practices

About the trainers:

Our trainers are all members of the Centre for Mindfulness Research and Practice (CMRP) training team. All have been extensively trained in this approach and engage in a rigorous ongoing process of training and supervision. We use strict criteria when selecting teachers/trainers to work with us. The name of the specific trainer(s) for this event is at the top of this page. Just click on the trainer name to find out more about him/her.


Online information:

We will be using a Zoom platform for our classrooms, which offers facilities for online meetings and also online ‘break-out‘ rooms for smaller group work. We also will be able to offer an online classroom facility, that makes it easy to access all the documents and links you will need for the whole course as well as virtual ‘chat rooms ‘ for  community discussions.

A zoom link will be sent to you for the whole event prior to the start date, along with joining instructions. 


Dates and Timings:

All times are displayed as GMT and are for guidance only and will be confirmed closer to the time. 

Orientation:    Sunday 31st January  18.30 - 20.30

Sessions:        Friday 5th & Saturday 6th February 9.00 – 17.00

                       Friday 12th & Saturday 13th February 9.00 – 17.00    

                       Friday 19th & Saturday 20th February 9.00 – 17.00  

                       Friday 26th & Saturday 27th February 9.00 – 17.00  

                       Sunday 28th February 3-hour closing session, 10.00am - 1.00pm                   

Each full day will approximately follow this schedule; 

                       9.00am – 11.00am 

                       11.00am - 11.30am  BREAK

                       11.30am  - 12.30pm

                       12.30pm -1.45pm   LUNCH

                       1.45pm – 3.30pm   Online Small group work

                       3.30pm -4.00pm   BREAK

                       4.00pm – 5.00pm

Between each of the 2-day blocks, there will be opportunities for reflecting on personal practice, your experience of learning and working with a partner to practice teaching together.

The intention is to create a group process that feels safe and trustworthy; an open, spacious learning environment that encourages spontaneity and creativity; and structured learning.


Preparation for the event and what you will need:

In order to participate in the training, you will need:

  • A room where you can close the door and engage in the training away from family distraction. It is particularly important that confidentiality is maintained by ensuring that those who are not on the training cannot see your screen or hear the audio. It may be helpful to use headphones.
  • Log in via a computer which is resting on a hard surface and which has audio and webcam. Please don’t use handheld devices. 
  • A space for practice, a mat, cushion and blanket may be helpful for your comfort. 

The Zoom meeting link for the whole training will be sent prior to the start date. 


Our rates:

Our rates have no hidden extras and include the £200 deposit.

Standard rate – £925

TTP & CMRP Master’s discount rate – £831

Standard Rate – The rate for accessing this training as a ‘stand-alone’ training event and not part of a CMRP teacher training pathway.

TTP & CMRP Master’s discount rate – 10% reduction of the training cost, excluding accommodation, for those currently on the Teacher Training Pathway (TTP) or the CMRP Master’s programme.

Employer’s rate: Recognising the large administrative overhead of dealing with employers, we will be adding a £50 surcharge if the employer is paying directly; where possible we would advise applicants to pay themselves and reclaim on expenses to avoid the charge. We will be applying this to all our offerings with effect from September 2020. 

If you would like to pay a £200 deposit in the first instance please choose the applicable rate in the drop-down list in the application form.


Application and payment process:

Our application and payment process involve the following steps:

  1. We receive your application form and assess it to ensure that this event is suitable for you. We endeavour to make assessments within a week.
  2. Upon offering you a place, we will then invoice you either a £200.00 deposit or for the full amount, depending which option you choose when you complete your application.
  3. Your place is confirmed once we receive your deposit or full payment.
  4. If you selected to pay the deposit only, we will invoice you for the balance four months before the event starts.
  5. Your place is fully confirmed once we receive your full payment.
  6. We will email you the joining instructions in advance of the course.

Payment and cancellation policy:

Please read our Terms and Conditions for information regarding payments and cancellations.


Other information:

Please see the British Association of Mindfulness-Based Approaches (BAMBA) for good practice guidelines and other information for mindfulness-based teachers.

Certificate of Attendance. Please note that we give a Bangor University Certificate of Attendance that details the nature of the course and the hours involved. However, this does not constitute an authorisation to teach mindfulness-based approaches. The development and interest in the potential of mindfulness within a range of settings is rapidly growing and training processes are therefore becoming more structured. Within the UK, though, there are currently no formal qualifications/certification processes which regulate competency in teaching mindfulness-based approaches. This requires those of us working in this developing field to inquire deeply into our own practice, our integrity and our intentions, as well as the boundaries of our skills, competencies and understandings.


Contact us:

Please feel free to email us at training@mindfulness-network.org to discuss any questions you may have about the course or whether it is appropriate for you at this time. We will ensure that your query reaches the correct person.


Click here to sign up to our waiting list - unfortunately this event is now full.