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.

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..

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.

It was an amazing experience and a complete course! I appreciate the depth of knowledge, clarity and experience Ayse, a committed teacher brings to each session. She takes all efforts to pass on what she has achieved over time for helping others to experience the same. I feel spiritually and emotionally grown over time. Every class she brings new knowledge and new movements that adds to excitement. This course smoothly integrates strength and mindfulness. Qigong movements Ayse taught helped me in getting to know my body. I admire her natural ability to transgress into individual needs and adopt suitable movements. I highly recommend this course for anyone who is interested to liberate mind and body!

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!

 

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.

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.

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 started the courses to move a bit, to gain flexibility, and to spiritually be more peaceful and balanced. I experienced improvement in all these areas. I am calmer, feel less angry and happier. My neck and shoulder pain decreased as well.

 

 

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.