Ali Mills Insights

Meditation

Breath by Breath — Gentle Meditation for Real Life

A Breath, A Beginning
Welcome

Perhaps you’ve found your way here out of curiosity — wondering what meditation is all about.

What’s all the fuss? How does it work? How do you even begin?

Or maybe life just feels a little tight right now — busy, uncertain, or quietly overwhelming.

Perhaps someone has mentioned meditation as a way to soften, to heal, or to help you find a bit more space in the middle of it all.

Wherever you are, I’m really glad you’re here.

This is a space to pause, to breathe, and to begin again — gently, honestly, and at your own pace.Meditation doesn’t ask you to be perfectly still or endlessly serene.

It simply invites you to notice, to soften, and to meet yourself where you are.You don’t have to know how to start.

You’ve already begun — with this breath.


What Is Meditation? ​
Meditation is the art and skill of slowing down — returning to your breath, your body, and the present moment. It’s not about emptying your mind or escaping life. Instead, it’s about cultivating awareness, focus, and presence, giving yourself space to respond rather than react.

With regular practice, meditation can reduce stress and anxiety, improve sleep, boost clarity and focus, support emotional resilience, and strengthen the mind-body connection. ​Alongside you beginning to live a more fulfilled or even joyful life.

Through simple, practical techniques, it teaches us to pause, notice, and reconnect — finding calm, clarity, and balance, one breath at a time.

What I aim to offer?
My intention is simple:

To make meditation accessible, practical, and human — something that every person on this planet has the opportunity to explore.

I offer guided meditations, gentle teachings, and small practices that help you:

  • find ease in everyday moments,
  • meet challenge and change with compassion,
  • reconnect with your body and breath,
  • rediscover peace, purpose, and possibility.

You don’t need special skills or long hours.
Just curiosity, patience, and the courage to pause.

A Calm Within
There are seasons in life that stretch the heart — when we’re caring for others, facing loss, or simply trying to hold it all together.

In those moments, meditation can become a quiet refuge — not an escape, but a space to breathe again.

Through stillness, reflection, and gentle awareness, we remember that it’s okay to rest, to feel, and to begin again.

Sometimes the smallest pause can open the largest door.

Why Train With Me
Sometimes the path to calm begins in the middle of the storm.I

 didn’t come to meditation as a teacher — I came as a seeker. Living with chronic anxiety and an overactive mind, meditation met me where I was and gently helped me find calm, trust, and a way back to myself.

I’ve spent my life exploring the connection between body, mind, and spirit through movement, wellbeing, and over 30 years of personal practice. Trained with the British School of Meditation, I’m passionate about helping others open the door to a more conscious, compassionate, and accessible way of being.

This journey has filled me with deep compassion for anyone navigating life’s changes — caring, grief, illness, or simply the chaos of being human.

Now, as I care for my mum who lives with dementia, meditation continues to be my anchor — teaching me patience, presence, and quiet strength.

The Power of Practice in Challenging Times
Meditation isn’t about escaping the hard stuff — it’s about meeting it differently.

When we practice, even for a few minutes, we create space inside ourselves — space to breathe, to choose, to respond with compassion rather than react from fear.This is where healing begins.

And it doesn’t just change us — it ripples outward, touching the people we love, our communities, and the wider world.When one person finds peace within themselves, the whole planet exhales just a little.

An Open Invitation
This work is my offering — a small contribution toward a calmer, kinder world.

I want every person, everywhere, to have the chance to explore this practice and discover its healing potential.

Whether you join me for a guided meditation, read a reflection, or simply take a moment to breathe — you are part of this journey.You don’t need to wait for the perfect time.

Begin now, with this breath.

Connect With Me
If any of this resonates, I’d love to hear from you.

Please contact me if you’re interested in learning or training with me.

You may also be interested in my upcoming book, Breath by Breath: A Healing Journey and Exploration into Meditation.

My meditation groups currently take place at a local fitness centre and from my home in North Bristol.

My guided meditations will soon be available on Insight Timer.

I’m always open to possibility — to collaboration, conversation, and connection.
If something here speaks to you, reach out.

Let’s begin, breath by breath.

My email address is: alimillsinsights@outlook.com

My Email Address:
alimillsinsights@outlook.com
Contibutions for Classes
Contributions for ClassesI put a lot of care into every session and want meditation to be accessible to everyone. I work on a donation basis, so you can contribute what feels right for you.

As a guideline:
  • 1:1 sessions: £35 per hour
  • Group sessions: £8–£10

Payments can be made by bank transfer or cash, and if this isn’t affordable, please reach out — I’m happy to discuss options.

This approach allows the classes to be inclusive, supportive, and sustainable, while giving you the opportunity to invest in your practice in a way that works for you.

Maybe you have Questions? Here are some FAQ's for you to explore.

“I’m going through a lot of change right now — divorce, body changes, career transition, or empty nesting. Is meditation really something that can help?”

Absolutely. Change can stir deep emotions and leave you feeling unsteady. Meditation won’t fix everything overnight, but it offers practical ways to calm the nervous system, find perspective, and reconnect with your inner strength.

My sessions are designed for real life — gentle, compassionate, and completely confidential. You’ll be supported in a space that honours your experience and helps you find your own sense of steadiness.

“Do I have to share in the group? I’m quite private.”

Sharing is always optional. You’re welcome to speak if you wish, but many people simply listen, reflect, or write notes — and that’s perfectly valid.

My sessions are designed to support your personal reflection and growth, with space to explore quietly or through guided home practice. Everything shared in the group is confidential, and respect for individual boundaries is central.

Everyone’s learning style is welcomed — whether reflective, quiet, or more verbal. If you ever want to share privately or ask a question, you can email me at alimillsinsights@outlook.com

“Do I need to sit on the floor or be flexible to join your classes?”

Do I need to sit on the floor or be flexible to join your classes?”
Not at all. All beginner sessions are chair-based, so you don’t need to be flexible, athletic, or experienced. Just wear comfortable clothes, and feel free to bring a cushion or shawl for extra comfort.

In more advanced sessions, you may explore traditional meditation postures, like sitting on cushions or lying down, but chairs are always available.

Even in floor-based groups at the sports centre, bolsters and cushions provide full support so you can settle in comfortably. My aim is to make meditation accessible and physically supportive for everyone.

“What if I get emotional during a session? Is that normal?”

Yes — and it’s completely okay. When life changes or slows down, emotions we’ve been holding often rise to the surface. It’s a natural and healthy part of reconnecting with yourself.

You’ll never be asked to share anything you don’t want to. Our sessions are gentle, confidential, and rooted in compassion — a space to simply be, without judgment or pressure.

We come together not to fix one another, but to witness, hold space, and support whatever unfolds. Everyone is welcome, exactly as they are.


"What makes your approach to meditation different from apps or spiritual traditions?”

I’m trained with the British School of Meditation (BSoM), which offers a non-dogmatic, multidimensional approach. My teaching draws from science, philosophy, and spirituality, rooted in both tradition and modern research.

With over 30 years of personal practice and daily meditation since 2013, I guide from lived experience — having worked through anxiety and self-doubt myself. My approach is practical, grounded, and compassionate, designed to help you soothe the nervous system, find clarity, and build emotional balance.

Unlike rigid schools or apps, my teaching is flexible and heart-led. Together, we explore techniques that work for you — helping you create a meditation practice that fits your values, lifestyle, and e

I don’t feel ready for a group — is that a problem?

Not at all. 1:1 sessions can be arranged if you prefer.

Or, if you’d like, you can bring a couple of friends — this can make it more comfortable and more affordable.

Do you offer online sessions?

Yes! I can now offer online sessions for those who prefer to practice from home.

As this is a new offering, there’s a special introductory discount available until the end of 2026.

How much do your sessions cost

Sessions are usually on a donation basis.As a guideline:
  • 1:1 sessions: £35 per hour
  • Group sessions: £8–£10
Payments can be made by bank transfer or cash.
If this isn’t affordable, I’m happy to discuss options — please don’t hesitate to get in touch.