The MBSR program pairs mindfulness-meditation with gentle yoga over the course of 8 classes and an all-day retreat. MBSR provides simple and clear instructions on a variety of meditations and participants receive guided meditation recordings for home use. In addition to guidance for learning meditation, practical methods for integrating mindfulness into daily life are also covered.
This course teaches you how to be mindful, which is paying attention to the present moment without being swept away by all of your thoughts. Jon Kabat-Zinn describes mindfulness as “the awareness that arises through paying attention, on purpose, in the present moment, non-judgmentally.” Mindfulness is something anyone can do virtually any time, although effectively practicing it involves some guidance and understanding.
MBSR will consist of the following:
1 hour orientation class (Free)
Weekly two hour classes and an all-day retreat from 10a-4p on a Saturday
Gentle yoga for all levels (modifications are welcomed and encouraged for those with physical limitations)
Live guided meditations and clear instructions
Open and supportive class discussions
Daily home practices designed to encourage mindful living
Guided meditations for home use MP3s or CDs
Mindfulness is not as hard to practice as you might think. In fact, mindfulness is a state of being that all humans possess so there is nothing to acquire or achieve. When practiced over time, mindfulness becomes a valuable and reliable resource in the face of stress, pain and illness.
Stopping to learn how to meditate may seem like a lofty goal in a world where you have to go to work, raise children, pay bills and keep up with all the tasks of daily living. Many of us are scrambling to make enough time for exercise let alone finding time for stillness. However, making time for mindfulness will help you juggle all of your responsibilities with a greater sense of ease and peace of mind.
