Roy Higginbottom
4 years ago I took a 1 year career break during which I travelled extensively. Subsequently, these experiences crystallised within a wish to establish a social enterprise to demystify and disseminate knowledge of the mindfulness practices that have benefited me, focusing on reaching those least likely to encounter the practice and most in need of the benefits it can bring
In a nutshell, it’s about giving people skills to face difficult challenges, manage stress and enjoy life more through programmes of person centred mindfulness training
Mindfulness training can help people facing the most challenge in their lives deal with their situation and focus on the things that are possible. Developing, innovative, engaging ways to deliver personally relevant programmes to those most in need is at the heart of what I do.
Training, mentoring and coaching
Roy is an experienced trainer, mentor and project manager with over 25 years’ experience of community development in the environmental sector and a formal qualification in teaching in the lifelong learning sector. A skilled, facilitator, he has a proven ability to engage groups and individuals backed up by specific training undertaken with the Environment Council, the Neighbourhood Initiatives Foundation and training in Non-Violent Communication. He also has a wealth of experience to the development and delivery of tailored training packages with formal training and a depth of experience in communications planning, dealing with the press and media
As an experienced senior manager, he has a depth of experience in coaching and mentoring individuals in their personal and professional development. In previous roles he has also personally supported and mentored people and organisations in the development of literally hundreds of small medium and large scale projects.
Mindfulness Training and Experience
Roy has undertaken formal mindfulness teacher training with Zenways led by Zen Master Julian Daizan Skinner with whom he continues to study.
Roy’s daily mindfulness practice developed over the last 6 years reflects the flexible nature of his approach and incorporates sitting meditation, body scan meditation and mindful movement involving elements of Thi Chi, Chi Kung, gentle stretching and dancing Argentinean Tango, all aimed at bringing mindfulness into everyday experience.
During the past year he has researched deeply into the history, development psychological processes and neuroscience of mindfulness. This has culminated in the setting up of an enterprise which emphasises the flexible, innovative and dynamic nature of his approach to teaching mindfulness based around the individuals needs and experiences rather than a standardised approach.
His mission is to make this accessible and understandable to everyone regardless of their background or circumstances and recently As a result of this, he has been selected for the School Of Social Entrepreneurs mentoring programme support the continued development of this project.
Movement and body awareness training and experience
Roy has an enduring interest in movement and movement based meditation developed over the past 25 years.
He is an accomplished martial artist studying in the traditions of Tai Chi, Shotokan Karate and Capoeira. He also has a developing interest in the Israeli self defence system of Krav Maga.
Over the last 10 years he has also focused on dance and other movement forms including Salsa, Argentinean Tango and Contact Improvisation. For the past seven years Roy has focussed principally on developing his skills in Argentinean Tango, travelling extensively to find the best teachers. In 2009 he spent three and a half months in Buenos Aries exploring tango at the source following an intensive tailored programme of regular group classes, bodywork and daily 1:1 lessons with highly regarded teachers.
As an accomplished social dancer he has travelled widely throughout Europe and the UK. From around 2008 has taught informally on a regular basis.
Additional Body Awareness Experience
Roy has also studied Pilates with weekly 1:1 instruction over an 18 month period from 2005 and is a trained Thai massage practitioner studying for in Thailand for 2 periods in 2010 and 2012.