Hannah Marsh

Consultant, The Mindfulness Institute.ca

Hannah Marsh is a mindfulness teacher, writer, and the founder of The Art of Being Here. Since 2016, she has facilitated our Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) programs, and offered mindfulness classes to community groups. In 2018, drawing on her MBSR training and her experience as a writer and meditator, she developed Mindfulness & Creativity – a series of monthly classes open to anyone interested in fostering creativity through mindfulness.

Hannah has a lifelong interest in meditation and contemplative practices. She began her yoga practice in high school. During her undergraduate arts degree, she studied and practiced with Zen Buddhists (2005) and stayed with Premonstratensian monks in Tarascon, France, where she was introduced to monastic silent practice (2007).

In 2010, she helped launch the Mindfulness Institute.ca as our communications specialist. That same year, she worked with Catherine Phillips as an editor of the white paper, “Integrating Mindfulness Training into K-12 Education.” She’s helped organize our events, including the International Conference on Mindfulness with Youth (2011), and our Mindful Self-Compassion Residential Intensive (2015). This collaborative work furthered her interest and understanding of mindfulness, inspiring her to pursue teacher training.

Hannah is a Certified MBSR Facilitator. In 2015, she completed MBSR in Mind-Body Medicine with Saki Santorelli and Florence Meleo-Meyer (Oasis, University of Massachusetts). In 2016, she began co-facilitating our MBSR programs under the guidance of Priscilla Koop. She then completed her MBSR certification through the Centre for Mindfulness Studies (2020-22), where her training included the Advanced Teacher Training Intensive, Inquiry Essentials, and mentorships with Blakie Sahay and Dr. Patricia Rockman. She’s also completed Mentorship Training with Brea Johnson at Heart and Bones Yoga (2017), and sat several silent retreats, including with Kristina Baré, Howard Cohn, Heather Martin, and Ajahn Pavaro. Most recently, she completed training with Dr. Mark Williams to teach the 8-week Deeper Mindfulness program. She’s grateful to all her teachers – including her participants, who have taught her so much! – and she's excited to continue her learning.

Hannah is honoured and delighted to share mindfulness practice with others through the Mindfulness Institute.ca. Her approach to teaching is grounded in trauma-sensitive practices and mindful self-compassion. Her intention is to keep classes playful, curious, kind, and accessible.

Hannah has an MFA in nonfiction writing from Columbia University, where she was awarded a teaching fellowship in 2013. She’s currently working on a memoir about mothers and daughters and healing intergenerational trauma.

You can find her writing on mindfulness and creativity at The Art of Being Here, along with further opportunities for mindfulness practice.

From Hannah’s students:

“Your gentle nature brings forth such ease and calm. The sense you brought to each moment of “all is well” was a much needed reminder and felt wonderful! This was greatly appreciated and you are greatly appreciated! In Gratitude,” (J.A.W & C.W.)

“Hannah had excellent explanations and examples that resonated with me. She modelled the practice well.” (Karen C.)

“Love her energy as well as enthusiasm in teaching us.” (Anon)

“Hannah’s approach is very welcoming and validating.” (M.Y.)