Our History

BAMBA evolved from ‘The UK Network of Mindfulness-Based Teacher Training Organisations’, which was established in the mid-2000s as it adapted to developments in the field of mindfulness in the UK.

‘The UK Network for Mindfulness Teachers and Training Organizations’ was established in 2005 when colleagues from the Universities of Bangor, Oxford and Exeter and from Breathworks CIC and NHS Scotland came together to explore ways of collaborating to support and help shape the development of mindfulness in the UK.

A key part of the early work was the publication of the Good Practice Guidelines, which articulated a shared framework supporting the integrity of mindfulness teaching which has now been adopted in mindfulness teaching internationally.

Over subsequent years the founding members were joined by other training organisations and work has continued to add to the field guidance and establish the UK listing of mindfulness teachers.

‘The UK Network for Mindfulness Teachers and Training Organisations’ was renamed to BAMBA (The British Association of Mindfulness-Based Approaches) in 2017 with an aspiration to formally register as a charity in England and Wales.
BAMBA is currently an unincorporated members organisation.

Our mission is to promote safe, ethical and inclusive practices in the field of evidence-based secular mindfulness teaching in the UK. Find out more about our mission and objectives.