Sunderland graduate meditates with Elvis to help soothe the soul

A Wearside graduate is on a mission to spread serenity across the city with help from The King.
Annette Jeffrey with her new book, Meditating with Elvis.Annette Jeffrey with her new book, Meditating with Elvis.
Annette Jeffrey with her new book, Meditating with Elvis.

University of Sunderland journalism graduate and meditation teacher, Annette Jeffrey, has produced a new book, Meditating with Elvis: A Guide to Simple Meditation & Mindful Awareness for the Soulful.

Among the self-help book’s practical exercises is a meditation especially for commuters, called Commute & Come to our Senses, created to make work-day bus and Metro journeys more joyful.

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Meditating with Elvis also endorses the soothing, restorative powers of music and meditative walking

It claims that strolling through Sunderland while listening to the music of Elvis in particular, is a magically mindful tonic for body, mind and soul.

The author turned to meditation during her first degree at Sunderland, and it helped her become a super-student.

Now, writing all of her own original material, Annette combines her journalistic skills with her meditation teaching qualifications.

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She said: “There are simple, tension-busting techniques that take only seconds, yet can make a world of difference to how we feel, function and perform.

“I’m passionate about helping everyone manage their stress in order to fulfil their potential.

“I teach ordinary people how to meditate in everyday situations – chatting with friends, having a shower, chilling on Seaburn beach, eating chocolate and simply listening to music.

“It really is as easy as that.”

Her book introduces simple and enjoyable meditation themes – breathing meditations, visualisation, mindful awareness, music, sound, the voice and silence in meditation.

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Annette added: “Meditation and mindful awareness are powerful tools for focusing our mind, boosting concentration, memory and problem-solving abilities.”

Annette graduated in 2002 with a first class honours degree in journalism as a mature student, aged 38.

Her undergraduate dissertation, based on the history of travel writing, won the Dissertation of the Year Award.

In 2007, she returned to Sunderland University and graduated with a MSc (Distinction) in Cultural and Heritage Tourism Development.

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“She was presented with the additional Gordon Wainwright Award at her graduation ceremony.

l Meditating with Elvis: A Guide to Simple Meditation & Mindful Awareness for the Soulful is available on Amazon, Apple iTunes, Smashwords and all other major e-book platforms.