Awareness Days (School Retreat Days)

A key part of the Sanctuary for Young People Programme) is our Awareness Days for schools and youth groups,  held in the beautiful surroundings of the Sanctuary in Dublin’s city centre, a true oasis. These days are experiential and introduce the young person to an urban meditation and mindfulness centre such as the Sanctuary. The day enables them to see that meditation and mindful awareness are qualities and practices that can speak to their own reality and benefit them as they grow into adult life.

The Awareness Day introduces the young people to the Sanctuary’s approach to MINDFUL AWARENESS. An Important part of the day is to bring the young person to a moment of reflective and integrative stillness – And to enable them to return to this stillness when they need to…All we ask of the young person is the commitment to be present and to try every practice.

Through the practice of Mindful Awareness, every person can create a place of sanctuary and safety within themselves and for themselves as they develop their self-esteem, self-respect, and self-confidence. There is an increasing evidence base to show that teaching young people to meditate and the use of mindful awareness leads to positive outcomes, such as improved self-confidence, greater resilience, improved mental health and general well-being. The practice of meditation can help people develop such traits as focusing, creativity, empathy, emotional and self-regulation and listening.

The Awareness Days are from 10 until 2 pm but students can arrive anytime from 9:30 am to allow them to settle and begin then at 10 am. We have juice, tea and coffee, and fruit on the day but we recommend students to bring a packed lunch that they can eat here on site rather than go out to the local shop which can be a bit disruptive to the day for them.

Awareness Days cost between €400 and €600 depending on class size. Classes are suitable for between 20 to 30 students. The Awareness Days are delivered by a panel of fully trained and experienced facilitators.

For more information and to book contact programmes@sanctuary.ie