Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction

The MBSR course is a transformative, evidence-based journey designed to equip you with tools for resilience, stress reduction, and mindful living. The course originated as a public health project in 1979 by Jon Kabat-Zinn, PhD, a renowned author, scientist, yogi and meditation practitioner, at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center Stress Reduction Clinic. MBSR was initially tailored for patients living with chronic conditions that did not respond to traditional medical treatments.

Today, MBSR is taught worldwide and continues to seamlessly blend ancient mindfulness practices with contemporary insights, providing a holistic approach to well-being. Numerous studies affirm MBSR's effectiveness in alleviating chronic pain, anxiety, depression, and overall stress.

MBSR Course at-a-Glance

  • Orientation

    Discovering Mindfulness

    Meet the members of your cohort. Together, we’ll review the 8-week curriculum, as well as the science and benefits of mindfulness.

  • Week 1

    Awakening Awareness

    Initiate a shift from autopilot to mindful awareness. Explore the practice of slowing down and cultivating awareness of the body.

  • Week 2

    The Lens of Perception

    Examine the influence of perception on stress response. We’ll discuss how the way we see things determines how we react or respond.

  • Week 3

    The Power in Presence

    This week, we’ll incorporate a variety of mindful practices, including mindful movement, and share insights and challenges from the practice.

  • Week 4

    Bringing Awareness to Patterns

    Understand the physiological and psychological bases of stress reactivity and learn mindful strategies to shift from reaction to response.

  • Week 5

    Mindfulness in Stress Response

    Explore how the practice is showing up in your daily life, interrupting patterns around being stuck or maladaptive coping mechanisms.

  • All Day Retreat

    Day of Practice

    This full day of practice invites participants to see their life through the practice and what can arise without the usual demands and distractions.

  • Week 6

    Building Resilience

    Continuing on the insights and challenges from the all-day retreat, we’ll shift our focus to interpersonal mindfulness for communication.

  • Week 7

    Everyday Mindfulness

    Consistent practice invites insights and discoveries and this class explores how to continue integrating mindful practices into your life.

  • Week 8

    Reflect & Commit

    In this final session of the program, we’ll review lessons learned and embrace the closure of the program and the beginning of the rest of your life.

I'm interested in the upcoming cohort!

FAQs

  • This course is designed for individuals, particularly for those who deal with general stress, anxiety, chronic pain and/or illness, or who are interested in a greater sense of well-being. of all experience level to support stress management with mindfulness mediation and movement techniques.

    • Facing Stressful Times: Build resilience for work and life.

    • Seeking Holistic Well-Being: Embrace mindfulness for balance.

    • Needing Coping Strategies: Learn practical tools for stress.

    • Aiming for Mental & Emotional Well-Being: Foster clarity.

    • Open to Growth: Experience transformation and mindful living.

    An open mind and commitment to practice are all you need to start your mindfulness journey.

  • Participants learn various mindfulness meditation techniques through guided meditation and movement throughout the 8-week course. These techniques support present moment awareness to reduce reactivity to stressors.

    Each weekly session is 2-2.5 hours (plus 8-hour all day retreat) with 10-20 people cultivating a supportive community.

    Note: Mindful movement practices are adaptable to support participant’s current level of mobility.

  • MBSR is not a substitute for seeking or receiving medical treatment. Studies, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses have demonstrated individuals with conditions like anxiety, chronic pain, and depression have benefited from participating in an 8-week MBSR course.

  • Brown University’s School of Professional Studies has a great description of MBSR and MBCT and how these programs are similar and different.

    Learn more here

  • PHYSICAL RISKS

    Taking care of yourself is the highest priority of this course. Participants are encouraged to explore their limits, examing the edges of their boundaries, but not going beyond them.

    EMOTIONAL RISKS

    At the beginning of the course, strong feelings of sadness, anger, fear or anxiety can arise, due to participants paying attention in a more conscious way for the first time.

    You may make discoveries about yourself that you like and dislike.

    A history of trauma, abuse, addiction to substances, or suicidality may heighten these reactions. I encourage you to use your judgement to assess if this is the best time for you to participate in the course.

  • No, MBSR is a secular (non-religious) program rooted in mindfulness principles from contemplative traditions but remains accessible to participants of all faiths or no specific faith.

  • Yes, you will receive a certificate of completion at the end of this 8-week course.

    • Investment of Time: to daily mindfulness and meditation practice with 2.5 hours of weekly class participation (plus one all day retreat of 8 hours)

    • Financial Investment: As part of my commitment to accesibility, please contact me about available scholarships.