Caroline Brookes (previously known as Ani Tselha)

I have known Heather since around 2010, both as a teacher and as a friend, and I can say with complete sincerity that she embodies the qualities she teaches. By this I mean that the principles she shares — presence, compassion, patience, honesty, and non-judgement — are clearly visible in how she lives and relates to people every day. With Heather, mindfulness is not something separate that she delivers during a course; it is woven into the way she listens, responds, and meets life’s challenges. That authenticity is immediately felt and makes her teaching deeply relatable, safe and trustworthy.

One of the things that stands out most about Heather is how deeply she cares. She genuinely cares about the people she works with and about creating and delivering courses/retreats that are thoughtful, supportive, and of a very high quality. Her care is not superficial — it shows in the attention she gives, the consistency she brings, and the safe, respectful space she creates for others.

Heather brings warmth, dependability, and integrity to everyone she works with. She treats people with equal respect regardless of background or circumstances, and there is a steadiness about her presence that helps others feel safe and supported. It is also very clear how much she loves the teachings — there is a natural joy and sincerity in the way she shares them, which inspires confidence and ease in those around her.

I would wholeheartedly recommend Heather to anyone seeking a teacher who is not only skilled and experienced, but also grounded, authentic, and truly living what she teaches with joy and compassion, inspiring others to do the same. 

Tracy Connor

I am a cancer nurse specialist with many years of clinical experience, and I am also a mindfulness and compassion teacher. I have known Heather since 2013 when she became my tutor on the MSc on Mindfulness Studies. I became a mindfulness teacher under Heather's teaching and guidance. Heather teaches with clarity, warmth, compassion and a grounded authenticity that creates a safe and steady space for learning. Heather does not simply deliver content; she embodies what she teaches. I wholeheartedly recommend Heather to you.

Gary Henessey (Ratnaguna)

I was one of the founding members of Breathworks and worked with that project for about 20 years, as a director, teacher and teacher trainer. During that time mindfulness was becoming recognised as a legitimate intervention for a number of health conditions, and became very popular. This necessitated some kind of regulation, and a bi-annual meeting of the main actors was initiated to do this. This included the mindfulness departments of Bangor, Exeter and Oxford Universities as well as a few independent projects, such as Breathworks and the one Heather ran - the MIndfulness Association. Heather and I used to represent our respective projects at those meetings, and that is when we began to get to know each other.

An aspect of that regulation stipulated that all mindfulness teachers and trainers receive regular (monthly) supervision from a recognised senior mindfulness trainer, and Heather asked me to be her supervisor, which I agreed to do. I would guess that I've been her supervisor for about ten years now, and I've also known her as a colleague, and later as a friend for about 20 years.

Heather is a very impressive person. She is very capable, has great integrity, and she's a great teacher and trainer. Perhaps most importantly though, she is a dedicated Buddhist and meditation practitioner. So when she told me, a few weeks ago, that she had decided to start this project - Beachcomber Meditation - I was immediately excited, knowing that she will be able to share her experience with so many people.

Jane Kellock

I have had the privilege of studying with Heather Regan-Addis and can wholeheartedly recommend her as a mindfulness teacher and supervisor. Heather brings deep experience in mindfulness, compassion, insight, and wisdom, and her teaching style is consistently authentic, grounded, and supportive. Heather has an exceptional ability to meet you exactly where you are in your practice, offering steady guidance through both growth and challenge. I have always found her presence safe, reassuring, and deeply knowledgeable. Heather has also authored several accessible and insightful guides on mindfulness, compassion, and insight, further demonstrating her clarity and leadership in the field. She is truly one of the outstanding mindfulness teachers of our time.

Kathy White-Webster

It was when I was Head of Drama and Dance at a comprehensive school in Northumberland that I visited Samye Ling on a regular basis to find a restorative and peaceful state of mind so that I could return to teaching and leading a successful department.

The Bangor University part time Master’s degree course in Mindfulness Based Approaches deepened my understanding and commitment to mindfulness teaching.

Rob Nairn was leading Mindfulness trainings from 2008 at Samye Ling and I attended all of the trainings as Rob’s teaching was embodied in his own practice and authenticity and had at its root Buddhis teaching with Akong Rinpoche at Samye Ling.

Holy Isle saw the teacher training and the beginning if the Mindfulness Association with Rob guiding the training. It was here that I found myself in Heather’s group. Heather’s inner balance, her clarity and compassion inspired me in my teaching.

Heather’s teaching of self-compassion had a profound impact on the way I lived my life and therefore the way I taught mindfulness.

I co-taught with Heather and felt utmost respect for her grasp of the whole programme. There was trust and respect between colleagues and people attending. Heather had a gentle approach, free of ego.

Equanimity and intelligent emotional awareness are embodied in Heather.