What is MBSR?

The Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction course is based on a program that was founded in 1979 by Jon Kabat-Zinn. MBSR serves as a complementary aid to traditional medical treatments, providing an additional layer of support for individuals dealing with stress, anxiety, depression, and even chronic pain. The program’s effectiveness is rooted in its time tested approach of allowing participants to tailor the practices to their unique needs and lifestyles.

Through a combination of mindfulness meditation, gentle yoga, and other techniques, MBSR helps individuals cultivate a greater sense of peace and well-being. This often results in creating a more balanced relationship between one’s body and mind, resulting in a greater sense of well-being. Integrating this approach into the challenges and adventures of everyday life, participants frequently report experiencing a greater sense of agency with themselves, improvement in communications and relationships with other people, and improvement of their overall sense of health and vitality.

In addition to the mental health benefits, the program also creates a supportive community where participants share experiences, learn from each other, and grow together. This group support is an important part of the course’s benefits.

The program has been featured on the Bill Moyers PBS documentary “Healing and the Mind,” Oprah, NBC Dateline, ABC’s “Chronicle”, CBS’s “60 Minutes”, and written about in a vast array of periodicals. It is also the subject of numerous books including Jon Kabat-Zinn’s original book, Full Catastrophe Living: Using the Wisdom of Your Body and Mind to Face Stress, Pain and Illness (Delta, 1990).

The Course Explained

This is a highly participatory eight week group educational course based on the curriculum of the Center for Mindfulness at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. The course includes guided instruction in mindfulness meditation practices, homework exercises to enhance awareness in day-to day living, gentle stretching and mindful yoga, and group exchange. Participants are required to make the commitment to practice at home and are given audio resources and written materials to support their work. Potential group members are interviewed and placed in groups that are appropriate to meet their needs.

The MBSR course consists of 8 weekly, 2 hour classes, and one half day session on a Saturday or Sunday. Prior to the course there is an orientation session that provides a first-hand experience of mindfulness and describes the course in greater depth.

Learn strategies to better manage stress.

• Improve your ability to regulate emotions, reducing anxiety and depression.

• Increase your mindfulness and present-moment awareness.

• Benefit from the physical health improvements associated with reduced stress, such as lower blood pressure and improved sleep.

• Connect with a community that supports each other’s growth.

• Gain mindfulness tools that you can use for the rest of your life.