About the training

Module 1 offers a rigorous, practice-based foundation in mindfulness teaching, grounded in lived experience, ethical awareness, and clear communication.

The training is suitable both for those who wish to teach mindfulness professionally and for those who want to integrate mindfulness more deeply into their existing work or personal life, without any requirement to teach.

Throughout the training, the emphasis is on embodied mindfulness practice first. Teaching grows out of understanding and experience, rather than technique alone.

Prerequisites

There are no rigid prerequisites for this course – only a strong interest in meditation practice and a wish to share it with others.

The course structure is such that you will learn how to accurately communicate the techniques. You do not have to be a Buddhist, and no specific meditation attainments are needed – although the more experience you have the more you will be able to offer your students.

What you will learn?

During Module 1 you will explore:

• the foundations of mindfulness practice
• how to guide mindfulness practices clearly and responsibly
• how mindfulness supports awareness, regulation, and presence
• the ethical and relational dimensions of teaching
• how to embody and communicate mindfulness appropriately in professional and everyday settings

The training includes formal practice, inquiry, teaching guidance, reflection, and supervised learning.

Practice and teaching

This training is practice-led. There is no expectation that participants must teach after completing the course.

That said, should you wish to begin teaching mindfulness immediately — whether in workplaces, community settings, or one-to-one — you are able to do so after completing the training and may charge appropriately for your teaching.

Some participants choose to teach straight away. Others take time to integrate the learning into their own lives or roles before offering it outwardly. Both approaches are equally valid and fully respected.

Module 1 – Structure

The Mindfulness Teacher Training Path begins with Module 1, which is split into two parts.

Module 1.2

A 2-day follow-up training, attended in-person or online.

Module 1.2 must be completed:

• at least one year after Module 1.1
• and within a maximum of three years

On completion of Module 1, participants are able to teach the Zenways 8-week Mindfulness and Meditation for Health & Wellbeing course, written by Daizan Roshi.

Although rooted in Zen and Buddhist-based mindfulness practices, the course is suitable for individuals and organisations seeking a non-spiritual programme that supports stress reduction, wellbeing, and practical problem-solving.

Training formats

Live: residential intensive, or non-residential graudual

An immersive, in-person training offering depth of practice, shared inquiry, and community learning. Offered in a residential, intensive, retreat setting, or non-residential gradual format (weekends spaced over a few months).

Live: online

A focused, interactive online training covering the same core material, delivered online. Suitable for those who need flexibility or accessibility.

Both formats meet the same training requirements and allow progression within the training pathway.

The training pathway

Module 1 forms the foundation of the Zenways Mindfulness Teacher Training Path.

Those who wish to continue may later progress to Module 2 and Module 3, which lead to individual accreditation with the IMTA. There is no obligation to continue beyond Module 1.

Accreditation & recognition

Our course is recognised and accredited by the International Mindfulness Teachers Association (IMTA).

The IMTA is a US-based organisation with an international remit, overseeing recognised standards for mindfulness teacher education and training worldwide. Accreditation confirms that this programme meets established professional benchmarks for mindfulness training and teaching.