Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) is a structured program, which teaches individuals the principles of mindfulness and how to apply them to deal more effectively with stress, pain, illness, psychological distress and the demands of daily life. It teaches participants to respond to stressful situations "mindfully"- a state in which one focuses on the present moment, accepting and acknowledging it, while observing clearly and separately the mind's cognitive and emotive reactions. This enables people to respond to such situations by making conscious choices instead of reflexive, automatic responses.

The Centre for Mindful Therapies’ MBSR program is based on the program originally developed by Jon Kabat-Zinn, Ph.D. at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center. Extensively researched in medical and other settings, MSRB has been found to be a helpful adjunct to conventional treatments for a variety of medical and psychological conditions and symptoms. Taught in a group format, the MBSR program teaches mindfulness through body awareness exercises, sitting and walking meditation, and gentle hatha yoga.

Our program lasts eight weeks, with weekly two-hour sessions, and a Day of Mindfulness retreat (an all-day Saturday session). Daily at-home practice is required, and practice tapes are provided for this purpose. Although our MBSR program is demanding, and requires a strong commitment from participants to work on a daily discipline of meditation and relaxation over the eight weeks of the course, it can be pleasurable, empowering, and extremely relaxing, with numerous long-term benefits.

New classes form on a regular basis (see our
Calendar of Events to view the dates of our next scheduled class).
Download our brochure (in PDF format)
Download the registration form (in PDF format)
Free Introductory Seminar (in PDF format)