About MBSR

A life-affirming course in conscious living

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) is an empirically-supported 8-week psycho-educational group intervention that teaches mindfulness meditation as a health intervention. Created by Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn in 1979. MBSR offers participants the possibility to develop a different relationship to stress resulting from chronic physical and psychological illnesses. Research outcomes have demonstrated positive improvements in physical and psychological symptoms, as well as changes in health attitudes and behaviors.

The course schedule consists of eight weekly classes and one daylong class on a weekend. This highly participatory, practical course includes:

  • Guided instruction in mindfulness meditation practices
  • Gentle stretching and mindful yoga
  • Inquiry exercises to enhance awareness in everyday life
  • Individually tailored instruction
  • Group dialogue
  • Daily home assignments
  • Guided audio files for home practice and a workbook

The course is challenging and life-affirming. The instructors are accomplished and skilled at creating a safe, supportive, and deeply engaging learning environment that allows participants to seek, explore, and inquire.

In this program, you will learn:

  • Identify the key aspects of mindfulness as it relates to stress reduction, coping with pain and illness and enhancing well-being
  • Articulate the difference between MBSR from relaxation and other distraction techniques that may seem similar but are fundamentally and theoretically quite different in contending with difficulty and enhancing quality of life
  • Apply mindfulness techniques in both personal and professional settings as a means of contending more effectively with the demands of both settings
  • Apply mindfulness into social interaction with patients, colleagues, supervisors, family and friends to facilitate more effective and mindful communication
  • Describe the potential benefits of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (and mindfulness in general) to educate patients and their families about the benefits of such programs in their own lives
  • Utilize brief mindfulness practices with patients and family members as a means of contending with acute pain, anxiety and distress

NOTE: In order to participate in a Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction class, please watch the MBSR Orientation Video and review course expectations outlined on the Practice & Learning Guidelines page. Once you have done this, review the upcoming course schedule and you can register online. Please note that you save $50 if you register more than 30 days in advance for one of our classes.