The biggest benefit of this MBSR program for me was to practice “to accept whatever is happening as is.” When I focus on my body during breathing, yoga and meditation exercises and can observe and allow whatever is passing through my mind helps me to open a space for myself and to be more tolerant towards myself. To read the stories in the handbook is also very pleasant. Ayse’s gentle and loving attitude is in full harmony with the content of the education.

Mindfulness that came with the MBSR Program has been an incredible experience for me. I realized that I wasn’t really aware of the beautiful moments that passed. I became aware that my mind was always stuck somewhere else. With this program I also started learning what my body wants and how to breath.

I especially liked the warm-up exercises, 6 healing sounds, 8 Brocades, and inner child meditation. Now I realize that all practices benefited me. I felt more energetic and dynamic on the days of class. My mind was clearer as well. When I feel stuck in daily life, I use the breathing exercises.

To start this MBSR program in a period of life, between the pandemie and work, when I felt challenged mentally has benefited me a lot. I look forward to the time on Saturdays that I set aside for myself. During the program I relax and through coming back to my body and breath, I feel as if I am letting go of all the tiredness of the week. Even though I am not doing the individual practices during the week that much, I feel like the teaching on coming back to the moment has been indirectly rooted and I am able to deal better with difficult moments through focusing on my breath and my body. To know that these have accumulated in my mind and even without a regular practice I can practice them in times of need, gives me confidence.

My meditation instructor Ayse Dayi, definitely gave me the insight to raise the awareness of how precious the organs of our bodies are. By means of qiqong, I started thanking my body along with the nature, felt the dense connection between two of them; and during the sitting meditations, I recognized the significance of my being through the idea of bodily existence of myself apart from the spiritual one. Overall, both qiqong and sitting meditation help me to calm my body and my mind at the same time. In this sense, I am really grateful to Ayse.

Through mindfulness practices of the MBSR Program I have new discoveries about myself. Last week I realized that I have a defense mechanism where I shut myself to negative experiences. Since I started the body scan I started taking many concrete actions in my life to relieve my back and neck pain, to ease my stomach and to nourish my soul. In short my life quality is enhanced.

This MBSR program deepened my understanding of what it means to be in the moment (in the here and now) and to be in acceptance. These were my main needs for joining the program too. During the course, Ayşe’s patient and compassionate reminders on acceptance and mindfulness led me in a natural way to respond respectfully and compassionately to my mental and bodily boundaries. These days I am going through an emotionally difficult period and I realized that when the pain arises I am able to be mindful without planning it. This experience of going through this time without being engulfed in pain but accepting it makes me feel emotionally more mature.

These classes benefited me in ways I did not even imagine, especially in emotional and mental ways. It also made me feel joyful and energetic. The effects lasted and I also did the practices on my own. The classes increased my life force, created psychological release, made my body more relaxed and flexible. I have been meditating for over 20 years. It is even more joyful and healing to do these practices with others. The Sunday qiqongs with dear Ayşe Dayı’s guidance are wonderful ways to see that others are on similar paths and this is very encouraging. And this happening during the pandemic was priceless.

I really like the qigong as it offers a welcome break from sitting. I also know next to nothing about it, so I ‘ve enjoyed hearing Ayse explain about seasons, organs, etc. The effects of these courses were confidence and strength building -strength in the sense of mental strength: a sense of humor, levity. Currently for nearly 4 month, I am tending to my four kids on my own.  All the frequent micro-crises, the emotions, the demands can get me down. But I learned from Ayse to put on my golden bubble every day which prevents easy-triggering. I think Ayse strikes an excellent balance between talking / explaining and doing / leading.  This balance is hard to achieve, so I really value it. Just meeting Ayse is a pleasure in itself. She has a very reassuring, life-affirming way about her which naturally seeps into the class and the meditations. The students at the school in Berlin would be very lucky to have you around!

 

Ayşe is my friend from elementary school. When I received her invitation to join online Qiqong courses, I joined the first class out of curiosity and with the wish to see my friend. The comfort of the online format, learning about Qiqong philosophy and meditation.. After a while I was hooked and attended all the classes..

It’s been only 4 weeks since starting the MBSR Course with Ayşe and I look forward to each Saturday. As I do the recommended practices every day, I am already able to see their positive effects on my life. Between the very busy work life and responsibilities of home, how I forgot to turn inside. Now I am more “mindful/aware.”

 

I prefer to call it my MBSR life because this for me has been more than an education. It became an understanding, and an important step and milestone that makes my life more meaningful, more productive, and helps sensing life in a more mindful way. I believe that, in this healing experience, our teacher Ayse’s high level of humane attitude (in addition to her professional background and experience) played an important role. I am so happy that I have given this gift to myself.