Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction

MBSR is an 8-week course designed to teach participants how to integrate and apply mindfulness into their daily lives. This program focuses on the development of four main mindfulness practices: the body scan, yoga, seated meditation and walking meditation. Participants meet for two hours each week and participate in one day-long retreat. Weekly discussion topics to be covered are: awareness, acceptance, perceptions and conditioning, reacting/ responding, the power of presence, recognizing and coping with stress, and developing effective communication. Studies show the benefits of MBSR include: increased ability to manage stress, fear, anger, anxiety and depression, greater acceptance and feeling less judgmental, improved ability to focus, increased pain management skills, greater sense of well-being, and increased relaxation.