“Mindfulness for me is about kindness and compassion to self and then it expands out to others – even though I am still learning this as every day is a school day.” (Vic Graham – BZ Mindfulness)
Vic Graham, founder of BZ Mindfulness, first experienced mindfulness during an introductory retreat several years ago, which inspired her to train further. Living with a chronic health condition, she was drawn to the Breathworks Mindfulness for Health course, following which she completed her advanced mindfulness teacher training. This complemented her background as a nurse lecturer at Wrexham University, where she worked until 2024 before becoming a self-employed lecturer and mindfulness teacher.
Whilst at Wrexham, Vic taught two full Mindfulness for Stress courses to staff and introduced mindfulness to undergraduate healthcare students, opportunities she values highly. A former staff participant recently told her, “I had to fight with my line manager to get the time to attend the course, but it was worth it, I still use the resources today. I still use mindfulness daily”. One course she remembers especially fondly was with second-year nutrition and dietitian students, which prompted a lively debate about mindful eating.
Vic’s understanding of mindfulness as an evidence-based tool, supported by NICE, that can help people with long-term pain, led her to briefly work with a Chronic Pain Team delivering mindfulness teaching on a Pain Management Programme for people living with persistent pain in North Wales. This work was supported by previous studies which suggest regular practice can disrupt the ‘pain cycle’, reduce reported pain scores and improve mood.
Vic’s current work supports healthcare professionals and individuals seeking mindful self-care, something she understands personally. Much of her initial training took place during the Covid pandemic, when she shielded for three years because of her health condition. Although this was challenging, the training brought important benefits, as she explains, “If anything, it helped to sustain me as I gained an entire mindfulness community online.”
“During this time, I learnt so much about mindfulness and as I continued my journey and stayed with mindfulness it transformed my experience with my health.”
Vic is acutely aware of the need for scientific data and outcome evaluation. She has measured these in her own teaching, with a recent course receiving a 90% positive rating for outcomes. She feels this is especially important for healthcare professionals, who may be more able to ‘lean into’ mindfulness practice once supported by evidence.
Following the success of her courses, Vic has been approached by the University of Staffordshire to teach compassionate decision-making linked to self-care and mindfulness, and by community groups to deliver talks and taster sessions. This supports her long-term aim of bringing mindfulness to more groups in higher education, healthcare and local communities. She hopes further research will endorse the work of mindfulness teachers and help build more mindful communities.
Vic continues to develop through retreats, supervision and ongoing learning. Drawing on her university teaching background, she brings humour, warmth and cultural awareness to her work. As she points out, teaching can be data and research informed while remaining personal and approachable.
Vic adapts her mindfulness practice to her moods and healthcare needs week by week. She often walks her dogs through the Welsh countryside, moving quietly in nature. Her basset hounds walk and sniff slowly, helping her to slow down, notice her surroundings and observe details she might otherwise miss. When her joints are stiff, she can resist moving but usually encourages herself into mindful movement. Recently, while travelling home by coach after doing too much in one day, she was aching and considering pain medication. Instead, she slowed down and practised mindfulness. On the noisy journey, she closed her eyes and completed a 20–25-minute practice, gradually feeling lighter and breathing more comfortably. Later, she realised she had not needed pain medication after all; she had simply needed to rest and recharge. For Vic, this was a particularly positive example of making mindfulness work for her and encourages her to keep sharing these skills with others.
To contact Vic:
Via email: Victoria.graham1805@gmail.com
Facebook: BZ Mindfulness