Portrait Akademie für Achtsamkeit und Resilienz

Unique information, continuing education, further training and advisory institution
The Academy for Mindfulness and Resilience in Lenzburg (AAR) is an innovative center for mindfulness in Switzerland. The aim of the AAR is to accompany and train people on the path of mindfulness, resilience and positive psychology. The diverse, unique offering includes continuing education, further training at university level (CAS, DAS, MAS), MBSR courses, workshops, lectures, seminars and personal coaching. The AAR is aimed at companies, administrations, schools, organizations, associations, clubs and individuals.

The Academy for Mindfulness and Resilience is more than just a training center. It is a place for development, encounters and inner clarity. Based in Lenzburg and with a dedicated team of experienced lecturers, we support people and organizations on their path to greater mindfulness, presence and resilience.

As owners and managing directors, Tanja and Joe Taugwalder run the academy with a lot of heart and expertise. Our programs are independently developed, scientifically based and certified with the eduPROVED seal of approval. Our vision is a world in which mindfulness is not only taught, but consciously lived in everyday life and at work.

Individual AAR courses are certified with the eduPROVED seal of approval. It guarantees continuing education formats with the highest level of quality and high academic standards. Prof. Dr. Volker Schulte, lecturer at the FHNW, is responsible for academic management.

Next course in February 2026

The "CAS Mindfulness - Mindful in Life" (formerly "Mindfulness in Everyday Life and Leadership") is aimed at people with an interest in a mindful approach to life. Professional and private life are equally affected. The ethical treatment of people and the environment are central topics. Graduates are able to teach the theoretical foundations of mindfulness and offer practical exercises in everyday working life and in their free time. In addition to the specific philosophical roots, participants systematically and intensively learn the basic exercises of yoga, sitting meditation and the body scan and combine these with the spiritual Eastern and Western traditions of mindfulness. Elements of mindful leadership, stress detection and stress scoping are covered as well as the early detection of and response to psychosocial dysfunctions.

Finally, participants learn the basics of positive psychology, in-depth knowledge of building resilience and resources and the prerequisites for a positive attitude. The course teaches key elements for a successful, compassionate life.

Our academy is a qualified further education institution and has its courses certified. The structure and quality of our courses correspond to the general university standard, but is not a university title. All participants who successfully complete the continuing education, further training course receive a certificate with 15 ECTS points in accordance with the Bologna system.

Next course in March 2026

The"CAS Resilience and Positive Psychology"provides you with the scientific and practical foundations for building resilient development in individuals, teams and organizations. You will be able to convey the core elements of positive psychology and knowledge about the meaning of a positive attitude to life. You will apply mechanisms of self-efficacy and tools for successful crisis management. You will acquire application knowledge to convey and support resource-oriented action and competence experience as a trainer. You will develop your resilience, get to know resources and consciously build up energy filling stations.
An optimistic experience, the recognition of one's own strengths and successful crisis management through the use of personal and socially mediated resources are key components of the course content. You will acquire the practical knowledge you need to act as a trainer or mentor in order to convey resource-oriented action and the experience of competence.

Next course in October 2026

The certificate course"CAS Mindful Leadership"develops and promotes the ability to move authentically in the everyday field of tension between "I-YOU-WO". A fundamental skill for this is to perceive what is happening in the moment as unfiltered as possible. Self-confidence and courage enable the next step: expressing what is perceived. This creates a culture of openness, trust and appreciation. This culture can develop in each individual. It cannot be demanded, it can only be exemplified.

In order to achieve this culture of trust, managers need to be courageous enough to face themselves first. They know their own patterns on both a mental and emotional level. Their own clarity enables self-leadership. This results in the ability to lead other people better and better and to meet them in such a way that a trusting "WE" can develop.

The course also teaches methods for integrating mindfulness well and purposefully into day-to-day management and thus tapping into and nurturing sources of personal development. We assume that there is a desire to work at this level.

The structure and quality of our certificate course correspond to the general university standard. Participants who successfully complete the course receive a recognized certificate with 15 ECTS points in accordance with the Bologna system.

Next training in September 2026

This extra-occupational training combines mindfulness with effective coaching skills from the systemic and solution-oriented tradition. You will deepen your presence, expand your repertoire of methods and learn how to design coaching processes clearly, ethically and responsibly - with plenty of practice, supervision and transfer into your everyday life.

In four compact modules, you will combine a mindfulness-based approach with sound coaching skills: clarifying the assignment, goal work, questioning techniques, working with emotions and the nervous system, a trauma-sensitive approach, ethics and boundaries. You will learn to clarify issues, structure processes coherently and accompany people safely even in emotionally challenging situations.
A clear process framework, many practice settings (dyads/triads), supervision and structured feedback enable sustainable competence building and direct applicability in counseling, leadership and education.