JAN GRIGG BSc. PGCE Biology  MSc. MINDFULNESS

Originally from Liverpool, I gained a BSc Honours degree in Medical Cell Biology from Liverpool University; studying Human Physiology, Biochemistry, Genetics and specialising in Radioimmunoassay of Oesophageal cancer cells.After travelling and studying Yoga and Mediation in India in the 1980's and starting a family, I moved to Scotland and trained as a Biology Teacher gaining a PGCE in Northern College, Aberdeen in 1997. My first permanent teaching job was Headteacher of a small rural Secondary School on the West Coast of Scotland which was an wonderful immersive and  an authentic 'community school' experience. Since 2001 to 2019 I have enjoyed teaching Biology and Science in a large (800 pupils) Morayshire Secondary School, also introducing Mindfulness practices to over 4000 teenagers in the classroom. Having practiced Meditation and Yoga for over 30 years I gained a Masters in Mindfulness studies in 2013 from theUniversity of Aberdeen. I have researched, written and trialled Mindfulness courses in a wide variety of settings: Education, Business, NHS, Secondary pupils, Armed Forces. I enjoy speaking at Conferences, courses and running meditation retreats in collaboration with a wide range of other teachers.I am a fully qualified, experienced Mindfulness teacher since 2013, and annually meet the "UK Mindfulness Good PracticeGuidelines." I have taught the MBLC and other MBI's over 20 + courses.I have now completed training to be a Mindfulness Supervisor, teaching, mentoring and supporting the facilitators in Highland Mindfulness Group and one to one Supervision to Mindfulness Teachers.Since 2016, I have been committed to establishing 'Mindful Forces' and bringing 'Right' Mindfulness Training to the Armed Forces, Police and their communities. I have been working alongside some wonderful people in the British Armed Forces including the Defence Buddhist Network (Mindfulness Support), the Defence Mindfulness Steering Group (Curriculum Development).I am a member and teacher on the 'Kalyana Mitra' Buddhist Chaplain Support Group within the Armed Forces and currently developing Mindfulness curricular materials and accreditation for a new EU Spiritual Caregivers Support Group. A member and Assistant PR of SATI (Society of Ancient Theravaden Institute).My personal daily practice is in the Mahamudra Training in the Tibetan Vajrayana 'Karma Kagyu' Tradition through Palpung Institute, India with Tai Situpa Rinpoche (2016-2024).

2025

In 2025 I was asked to help teach Mindfulness on a Resilience Week with members of the Intelligence Corps. Alongside the current Command Team, The Corps Padre and Welfare Officers, we delivered Mindfulness Instruction to 3 groups of soldiers a day. They were also supported with a range of wellbeing activities, including walking, painting, pilates, yoga and Stress Management sessions. It was huge privilege to support the work of these soldiers and I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of this brilliant initiative. We ran these courses twice last year and hoping to be part of the 2026 schedule.

In June 2025 I was invited to teach a 4-week MIndfulness beginners course to 15 Infantry Soldiers at Fort George. This was a really fun experience getting to know the soldiers and helping them to learn some basic mindfulness skills. Keen to do more.

Most of this year 2025-26 I have been running a project funded by Scottish Government on behalf of the Whole Families Wellbeing Fund to promote wellbeing in our local area of Nairn. This has been a brilliant experience meeting so many of our town folk and finding out how best to support a range of people's wellbeing through painting, chatting, building trust, playing sport and when people are ready doing to some Mindfulness practice together. I have mostly been working in the local Academy working with a range of pupils and helping them with self-regulation through having a lot of fun and creativity. I have also loved working at Cantraybridge College which supports young adults with learning needs; so working with the staff has helped everyone to discover new ways of being present and calm.

Insight training has been ongoing for several years with Peter Wilkes, and now I am teaching my own small classes and working through a large curriculum of practices, creating conditions for Insight and Wisdom to arise. Wonderful

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2026

Continuing with working with pupils in the Academy, I am rolling out some Mindfulness sessions with Whole Classes in Science and helping them to be calmer, rested and more focussed on their work. Continuing working with small groups of young people to build trust, be calm, paint, play sport and share stories, building social skills. I have also been working one to one with two pupils, and again building trust and having a lot of fun; building towards mindfulness...

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