To the mind that is still
The whole universe surrenders.
~ The Buddha
Mindfulness is a now a familiar word these days – in the media and in conversation. But what does it really mean and why does it matter? In this 1.5 hour workshop participants will learn what mindfulness is and how to apply it in brief experiential exercises, including a short meditation with opportunities for discussion and reflection.
Mindfulness and meditation have been studied extensively through the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) course developed by Jon Kabat-Zinn and his fellow researchers at the Center for Mindfulness at the University of Massachusetts Medical School and shown to lower stress, boost immune response, and bring relief and joy to people with a variety of physical and psychological conditions.
This workshop is a prerequisite for the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) course offered at Innerlight Center for Yoga & Meditation beginning January 14, 2019.
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) is an in-depth 8-week course with weekly sessions from 2.5-3 hours at 6pm on Mondays from January 14, 2019 to March 11th, 2019. Participants wishing to apply to the MBSR course will fill out an application and meet with the teacher privately at the end of the Introduction to MBSR session.
Offered by Nancy Bennett
Qualified MBSR teacher trained at the Center for Mindfulness (CFM),
UMASS Medical School.
The prerequisite for this course is attendance at one (1) of the free “Introduction to Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and Orientation to MBSR” workshops from
*Prospective participants must attend one Introduction to Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction and Orientation session prior to registration for the full 8-week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction course that begins January 14, 2019.
Price for Introduction to MBSR and Orientation: FREE
Price for full 8-week MBSR: $365
Early bird price $325 if registered by December 21, 2018
Some Scholarships available
When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves. ~Viktor Frankl
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) 8 Week Course Description
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) is an intensive 8-week course designed to help people in distress discover the healing power of mindfulness.
Created by Jon Kabat-Zinn at the Center for Mindfulness at the UMASS Medical School in the late ‘70’s, MBSR has helped over 24,000 graduates learn to cultivate awareness in the present moment and discover their natural capacity for wellness, ease, and peace of mind.
“Moments of experiencing wholeness, moments when you connect with the domain of your own being, often include a palpable sense of being larger than your problems and in a much better position to come to terms with them.” -Jon Kabat-Zinn
In 8 weekly classes and one All Day session, we will explore what causes stress, how perception affects stress levels, what makes it difficult to manage stress, and what helps free us from reactivity to stress so that we can respond with wisdom and compassion for ourselves and others. Through a variety of mindfulness practices including sitting and walking meditation, the body scan, mindful movement/yoga, and loving kindness meditation, participants will learn to bring awareness to thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations to empower themselves to live their lives more fully, more productively, more joyfully.
These are some of the many reasons people have turned to MBSR: trouble falling asleep, feeling overwhelmed or out of control, impatience with family of friends, feeling anxious or depressed, challenging physical conditions or illnesses, loss, or an inability to enjoy life.
· The Course consists of the following:
· - a free 1 ½ hour Introduction to MBSR and Orientation session
· - 8 weekly classes of 2.5 to 3 hours
· - an All-Day retreat
· - daily mindfulness home practices of 45 to 60 minutes a day
The Course Schedule in Detail
The course is 8 weeks from January 14, 2019 to March 11, 2019 on Monday nights at 6:00pm with an All-Day session on Sunday, March 3, 2019. The schedule is outlined as follows:
· Class 1 Monday, January 14 6:00pm – 9:00pm
· Class 2 Monday, January 21 6:00pm – 8:30pm
· Class 3 Monday, January 28 6:00pm – 8:30pm
· NO CLASS Monday, February 4th
· Class 4 Monday, February 11 6:00pm – 8:30pm
` Class 5 Monday, February 18 6:00pm – 9:00pm
· Class 6 Monday, February 25 6:00pm – 8:30pm
· ALL DAY Sunday, March 3rd 10:00am – 6:00pm
· Class 7 Monday, March 4 6:00pm – 8:30pm
· Class 8 Monday, March 11 6:00pm - 9:00pm
Weather Day Monday, March 18 6:00pm – 9:00pm
Most classes will be 2.5 hours; Class One, Five and Eight will be 3 hours.
· Please note the All-Day Session between Class 6 and Class 7 on Sunday, March 3rd from 10am to 6pm. This session is a required part of the course.
A strong commitment to attendance, participation, and engagement over the 8 weeks is required. If a prospective participant expects to miss two or more classes, it is recommended he or she take the course at a later, more convenient time.
CD’s or MP-3’s for home practice are included.
Nancy Bennett – is a mindfulness and meditation teacher offering the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) course and mindfulness and stress reduction workshops for several years. She trained and received her Qualification as an MBSR teacher from the Center for Mindfulness at the UMASS Medical Center and is on the Certification path. She has an MA in Pastoral Care & Counseling in the Buddhist track from New York Theological Seminary and the NY Zen Center for Contemplative Care with experience as a chaplain intern in NY & RI hospitals offering mindfulness groups for nurses, social workers, aides and other staff and leading mindfulness and spiritual care groups in psychiatric care units. She has been a meditator since 1998 in the Vipassana/Insight tradition working with renown Insight meditation teachers Joseph Goldstein, Guy Armstrong, Sally Clough Armstrong, Sharon Salzberg, Larry Rosenberg, and Analayo among others.
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