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Cultivating Life-Long Tools To Maximize Your Life, Even When Facing Stress, Illness And Pain.

Throughout the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program you will be consciously and systematically working the challenges and demands of your everyday life. Your instructor Chris Altizer will create a safe and supportive environment for this work and learning through:

  • Guided instruction in mindfulness meditation practices
  • Gentle stretching and mindful movement
  • Group dialogue and discussions aimed at enhancing awareness in everyday life
  • Systematic instruction in formal MBSR meditation practices, with opportunity to check in with teachers
  • Daily home assignments
  • Downloadable home practice audio files and a home practice workbook

Orientation

The first step toward enrollment in Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) is an Orientation Session – before the start of classes. These Orientation Session is required of all participants before beginning the program. During these sessions you will have the opportunity to:

  • Learn about Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), ask questions, and explore whether it is right for you
  • Meet your program instructor
  • Experience, first-hand, mindfulness methods and approaches you will be learning during the program
  • Confirm your place in the class that fits into your schedule and enroll in the program

All Day Class

The All-Day class is an intensive 7.5 hour session of mindfulness practices intended to assist participants in firmly and effectively establishing the use of mindfulness across multiple situations in their lives, while simultaneously preparing them to utilize mindfulness far beyond the conclusion of the MBSR program.

This all-day class takes place between weeks six and seven. The intensive nature of this session is intended to assist you in firmly and effectively establishing the use of MBSR skills across multiple situations in your life – especially if participating virtually! Having established a daily mindfulness practice during the previous 6 weeks, you will be better prepared to benefit from this class.

Zoom – Socially-Distanced Learning and Growth

In 2020, many adults and children have learned how to stay connected and learn virtually. MBSR can be fully experienced virtually with a reliable internet connection, computer or device with camera and sound, a small space to comfortably sit, and the support of others to allow in-class practice with minimal distraction. Experience is showing that attending MBSR virtually is giving participants the added benefit of learning and practicing “real-time” in their “real-world” – as well as cutting travel time!

MBSR Frequently Asked Questions

WHAT IS THE TIME COMMITMENT?

MBSR is an invitation to make potentially significant changes to how you live and how you meet the challenges of your daily life. The time investment you make in yourself is to attend all 8 of the weekly sessions (~2.5 hours each), the retreat day (~7.5 hours), and making your daily practice (30-45 minutes per day).

IS THERE HOMEWORK?

Yes. Each day you are encouraged to listen to and practice with guided audio files to explore the different formal practices you will learn. Research has proven that daily practice over time, as little as 8 weeks – can modify how you react to stressful events and respond in ways that reduce the likelihood of afterward saying, “I wish I had / hadn’t said / done / thought that…”.

IS THE ORIENTATION SESSION REQUIRED?

Yes. The orientation session provides you with a deeper understanding of this highly-researched, internationally-recognized program and how it can help you be an active participant in your own health and well-being. If you cannot attend the scheduled orientation, reach out to us.

HOW DO I KNOW IF MBSR IS RIGHT FOR ME?

Participating in an MBSR class can be a positive and life transforming experience. At the same time, meditation practice can be strenuous and requires some stability of physical and psychological health.

If you have recently experienced considerable trauma, significant depression or anxiety, or are currently experiencing strong PTSD (post traumatic stress), MBSR may not be appropriate for you at this time in your life. A therapist can help you assess the wisest course of action for you. You may also have a private consultation with the instructor at the end of the orientation. Please share any concerns you may have during this consultation.

I’M CONCERNED THAT MBSR MAY CONFLICT WITH MY RELIGION – IS IT BASED ON A RELIGION OR BUDDHISM?

MBSR is a secular (non-religious), science-backed program with decades of research supporting the benefits to physical, mental, and emotional health. Practices of meditation, movement, and breath are found in many world religions but no faith-based content or dialogues occur in MBSR. Participants are encouraged to integrate their mindfulness practices into their daily life – whatever that includes.

HOW CONFIDENTIAL ARE CLASS SESSIONS?

All participants review and sign a participation agreement that includes a commitment to confidentiality. MBSR is a skill-based program focusing on formal practices of meditation, movement, and body scan and informal practices of eating, walking, and other activities of daily life. Discussion and dialogues are facilitated by the instructor throughout the program. MBSR is managed as a safe-environment for all participants where they are more encouraged to share their experiences applying the learned practices and less on sharing the specifics of their stressors.

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