Jaya Rudgard

Jaya Rudgard began meditating in 1984, and from 1996 to 2005 was ordained as a nun in the Thai forest tradition in England at Amaravati Buddhist Monastery.

She subsequently trained as an Insight Meditation teacher at Spirit Rock in California and Insight Meditation Society in Massachusetts.

She teaches meditation retreats and courses in the UK and internationally. Jaya has extensive experience teaching Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) and Mindful Self-Compassion and teaches retreats for Mindfulness teachers and teachers in training. She also enjoys practising and teaching qigong.

For upcoming online courses and retreats with Jaya, including qigong and meditation retreats, please see Upcoming Retreats and Courses.

For information about learning qigong with Jaya please see Qi-mindful.com.

Qigong

Qigong (chi kung), meaning ‘energy-skill’, is the ancient Chinese practice of mindfulness in motion. Grounded in Taoist wisdom, it simultaneously promotes physical health and fitness, emotional resilience and mental clarity.

Some qigong practices can develop strength and endurance, whilst others maintain and increase mobility, soothe the nervous system and activate and support the body’s natural healing powers. Above all qigong is deeply enjoyable and relaxing, and is suitable for all ages and levels of fitness.

Jaya has practised and shared qigong for many years and is a certified Holden Qigong instructor. For information about her current online classes please visit Qi-mindful.com.

Upcoming Retreats & Courses

UK

28th July – 3rd August 2026, at Gaia House:

The Five Spiritual Faculties, with Tuere Sala

IRELAND

9 – 15 August 2026
Mindfulness retreat with Christoph Köck for The Mindfulness &
Compassion Centre

USA

1 – 30 September 2026
Outdoor Practice at the Forest Refuge: a monthlong outdoor retreat for
experienced practitioners, with Susie Harrington – Forest Refuge, IMS, Barre MA