by Jocelyn Watkin | Jul 4, 2023 | Information |
In addition to Matariki this year, July is also Mindfulness Month.
Together, they make a good combination:
- Matariki is a time of remembrance, joy and peace.
- Mindfulness Month is about finding peace in the present, while raising funds to help the Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand (the foundation) advocate for a brighter future for everyone in Aotoeroa/NZ
During July 2023, I will teach three mindful and restorative sessions and donate my time as a fund-raiser for the foundation. Instead of paying me for a session, I hope you will consider donating to the foundation instead.
The sessions all have connections to the three key principles of Matariki as follows:
- Remembrance: Online, Tuesday evening 11 July 2023, 6.30 – 7.15pm, by Zoom: Mindful, restorative journaling. Remembering our ancestors/tūpuna and lessons from the past can help us to reduce stress today and into the future.
- Celebrating the present: Outdoors, Friday 14 July 2023, 11am – 11.45am, Tai Chi in the Park for the official Matariki holiday. This will be held at Kauri Point Reserve in Wattle Downs, Manurewa, which is at the end of a street called “Moor Park”. Refer to map: https://goo.gl/maps/MZHeqttC5rBeL6mu9 This session will be weather-dependent. If the ground is too wet or the weather doesn’t co-operate, please look for the cancellation notice on the Kia Ora Tai Chi facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/kiaorataichi/
- Looking to the future/learning new skills: Online, Thursday evening, 20 July 2023, 6.30 – 7.15pm, by Zoom. Create a calm and centred universe within you with “Out of this World Qigong”. This date also happens to be the 54th anniversary of the moon landing (20 July 1969).
If you’d like to take part in these sessions or if you’d like to enable a friend or family member to attend, please make a donation to the foundation on my fund-raising page for Mindfulness Month: https://mindfulnessmonth.co.nz/jocelyn-watkin
My sessions usually sell for $10 – $15 per person, per session. However, any amount will be very welcome. Even just $1 will make a difference, as every bit counts.
Once you’ve made your donation, please let me know by texting me on 027 493 9851 or email me or use the contact form on the Kia Ora Tai Chi website. I will then email you the Zoom links for the two online sessions.
Of course, you can still donate even if you choose not to participate in any of the sessions.
Why am I doing this? Several years ago, I was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress (PTSD). I was fortunate to have full support and arohanui (lots of love) from my husband, family and friends, professional care from my doctor, and was able to fully recover.
Restorative journaling was a key part of my recovery. The mindful process of journaling enabled me to break the hold stress had on me and free my thoughts to plan for a better and different life.
Later, tai chi and qigong helped to complete healing process as I learned how to use both of these skills to reduce stress on a daily basis, rather than let it build up.
Here is the link to my fundraising page: https://mindfulnessmonth.co.nz/jocelyn-watkin
Whatever you decide to contribute, thank you so much for your commitment to the foundation and to all New Zealanders in need of support with their mental health. You can find out more about where the money goes in this link: https://mindfulnessmonth.co.nz/whereyourmoneygoes
There are some great resources available for free on the Mindfulness Month website. You can explore them here: https://mindfulnessmonth.co.nz/resources
If you need help and support, you can call any of the phone numbers listed here for free: https://mentalhealth.org.nz/helplines
by Jocelyn Watkin | Aug 7, 2022 | Information |
If you’ve ever thought that life might have more in store for you but you can’t figure out what steps to take to get there, then this cosmic journaling session is for you.
Imagine how good it would feel if you had the chance to see higher and clearer than ever before? Infinitely wonderful. With this “Soul Giraffe” mindful journaling session, you’ll have this opportunity to find out.
Journaling will be your vantage point as you consider your life and what (if any) changes you want to make for the future. Jocelyn will provide guidance, writing prompts and the metaphor of a giraffe to help you to glide along the path and with an elevated view of the horizon. Deep, meditative breathing (qigong) is included.
Who is the journaling guide and teacher? Jocelyn Watkin. You can find out more about her here.
(Note: Jocelyn acknowledges the “Soul Giraffe” inspiration is from Yanik Silver and his Cosmic Journal.)
Online with Zoom this coming Thursday evening, 11 August,6.30 – 7.30pm.
Cost to attend (which includes a replay): Anything from $1 and upward
If you’d like to take part or if you’d like to enable a friend or family member to attend, please make a donation to the Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand on Jocelyn’s fund raising page for Mindfulness Month. Jocelyn’s online sessions usually sell out for $15 – $20 per person, per session. However, any amount will be very welcome. Even just $1 will make a difference, as every bit counts. Jocelyn is donating her time for this fundraiser.
Here is the link to Jocelyn’s fund raising page: https://events.mentalhealth.org.nz/fundraisers/jocelynwatkin/mindfulness-month
Please make your donation by 9am on Thursday 11 August and Jocelyn will send you the Zoom link to join the “Soul Giraffe” mindful journaling session at 6.30pm later that day.
Jocelyn will offer a second journaling session online with Zoom on Thursday 25 August, 6.30 – 7.30pm.
Find out more
by Jocelyn Watkin | Jul 30, 2022 | Information |
Post-traumatic stress: I felt like I was about to be swamped by a huge wave all of the time. That small figure beneath the big land mass in the photo, that was me, frozen like the towering wave-like rock above me.
I was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress several years ago. Thanks to a lot of help and support from my husband, family, friends and my doctor I was able to recover.
Restorative journaling was also key to my recovery. The mindful process of journaling enabled me to break free from the hold that stress had on me, which enabled me to plan for a better and different life.
I’m keen to support the mental health of all New Zealanders and especially the vital work of the Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand (the foundation).
The foundation, along with The Kindness Institute, has organised Aotearoa/NZ’s first ever, nationwide month of mindfulness, which will happen over August. This will be an ideal opportunity for me to share my knowledge about restorative journaling so I can help others. You can find out more about me here.
To help you to make the most of Mindfulness Month and to raise funds for the foundation, I offer two mindful, restorative journaling sessions online with me to support mental health and wellbeing: Thursday 11th August 2022 and Thursday 25th August 2022, both to be held from 6.30 – 7.30pm (evenings). I am donating my time for these sessions.
In these sessions, you can draw, mind map or doodle or just write.
If you’d like to take part in these online sessions or if you’d like to enable a friend or family member to attend, please make a donation to the foundation on my fund raising page for Mindfulness Month. My online sessions usually sell out for $15 – $20 per person, per session. However, any amount will be very welcome. Even just $1 will make a difference, as every bit counts.
Here is the link to my fund raising page: https://events.mentalhealth.org.nz/fundraisers/jocelynwatkin/mindfulness-month
Once you’ve made your donation, please let me know. You can email me or use the contact form on the Kia Ora Tai Chi website. I will then email you the Zoom link for the two online mindful, restorative journaling sessions.
Of course, you can still donate even if you choose not to participate in my journaling sessions.
Whatever you decide to contribute, thank you so much for your commitment to the foundation and to New Zealanders in need of support with their mental health.
