Ali Mills Insights

Meditation

Breath by Breath — Gentle Meditation for Real Life

A Breath, A Beginning
Welcome.

If you’ve found your way here, perhaps life feels a little tight — busy, uncertain, or simply full.

You might be caring for someone you love, navigating change, or trying to find a moment of calm in the middle of it all.

Wherever you are, I’m 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 still or serene. It 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 a quiet returning — to your breath, to your body, to the present moment.

It isn’t about silencing the mind or reaching perfection. It’s about opening a small door inside yourself and discovering that calm and clarity were there all along.

For me, meditation began in the middle of anxiety, exhaustion, and fear. Over time, it became a steady companion — a way to bring peace into the ordinary rhythm of life.

Through simple, practical practices, we learn to breathe more deeply, see more clearly, and move through the world with greater kindness and steadiness.Every breath is an invitation home.
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 Breath When Life Feels Tight
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
I first came to meditation not as a teacher first, but as a seeker.

For as long as I can remember, I’ve lived with an overactive nervous system and chronic anxiety. Meditation didn’t arrive as a cure — it met me where I was and slowly helped me heal from the inside out.Through daily practice, I learned to calm my nervous system, rebuild self-trust, and move from survival into presence. Meditation gave me space to breathe, to listen, and to live with more purpose and peace.

I trained with the British School of Meditation, have delivered wellness programmes in workplaces, and now, as I care for my mum (who lives with dementia), I teach from our family home — weaving real life and meditation together in a way that’s flexible, honest, and kind.My approach is gentle, evidence-informed, and heart-led.

I believe meditation belongs in the messy middle of life — not separate from it.
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

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. Life changes can stir up deep emotions and sometimes leave you feeling ungrounded or overwhelmed.  

Meditation won’t “fix” things overnight, but it gives you practical tools to calm the nervous system, gain perspective, and reconnect with your inner strength.  

Our sessions are held with respect, acceptance, and compassion at the heart of everything. You’ll be supported in a space that honours your experience — no judgment, just presence. There is an agreement that anything that is shared in the room stays in the room and remains confidential.

I’ve designed my classes specifically for people navigating transitions — you're not alone, and you’re very welcome here.


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

Sharing is always optional. You’ll be invited to share any insights you discover, but it’s not essential. Many people find it helpful to listen and reflect quietly, and that’s perfectly valid.

To support your personal reflection, I’ll also give you space for writing notes and reflections during or after sessions. These will be offered as part of your home practice as well, which can help you self-generate your own development with more clarity and direction.

It’s a gentle but powerful way to deepen the benefits of meditation in your everyday life. A little like sharing with yourself.

I would also like to reassure you of the ongoing commitment to keep the classes a safe space, so our sessions begins with an agreement that anything that is shared remains confidential.  

Our group ethos values respect for individual boundaries, and we welcome different learning and communication styles, if you are quietly reflective you are quietly supported. I only ask that if you ever need clarification or would like to share you email me alimillsinsights@outlook.com.


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

Not at all. All of my beginner sessions are seated on chairs for comfort and accessibility. You don’t need to be flexible, athletic, or experienced. Just wear comfortable clothes you can layer on or off, and feel free to bring a cushion or shawl if you like.

In more advanced classes, there will be opportunities to explore different postures traditionally associated with meditation — such as sitting on cushions or lying down — but there will always be access to a chair.

My aim is to make the space physically supportive and inclusive for everyone, no matter your level or needs.

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

Yes and remember it’s completely okay. Change in life, whenever it occurs, can be tough. Sometimes the world can feel very different to what it used to be. When you slow down and become still, it’s natural for emotions that have been quietly bubbling under the surface to come up. This is a healthy and expected part of reconnecting with yourself.

You are never expected to share anything you don’t want to. This is a safe, non-judgmental space, and I’ll guide you gently through whatever arises.

As part of our class etiquette and shared class culture, we agree to come together in a spirit of acceptance and compassion. We’re not here to fix or save one another, rather,  witness, hold space, and support whatever arises through the meditation experience. Everyone is welcome exactly as they are.


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

I’m trained by the British School of Meditation (BSoM), which offers a multidimensional, non-dogmatic approach. My teaching draws from science, philosophy, and spirituality, rooted in longstanding traditions and modern research.
I’ve been practicing mindfulness and meditation for over 30 years, and daily since 2013. I see myself as an explorer of tools and techniques to soothe the nervous system and ease suffering of an over active mind. This long-term commitment to meditation has played a central role in my own healing from a generalised anxiety condition and lack of self confidence.  It’s  my honour to be able to share these skills from lived experience and grounded knowledge. Learning these skills, Even if you are a seasoned meditator, will give you strong foundations to build your own unique practice that fits your values and lifestyle.
So my teaching is unique because it isn’t affiliated with any particular school of belie,  it’s deeply rooted in my own exploration and practice and it comes from a deep place of loving kindness.  Fuelled with this, I guide you through techniques that are proven to support mental clarity, emotional balance, and physical wellbeing. My aim is for you to explore this world with me, so you can find what truly works for you.