Mindfulness courses are also offered periodically at the Center. These courses are taught by Dr. Michael Bresnan and follow the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) curriculum developed by Jon Kabat-Zinn at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. MBSR is a holistic and scientifically validated method for reducing stress and restoring a sense of balance to one’s life. Integrating principles of Eastern meditative practice with a modern understanding of stress and anxiety, MBSR helps us live our lives more skillfully. It does this by strengthening our capacity to be aware of our reactions in the moment, increasing our ability to handle unpleasant thoughts, feelings and sensations, and enabling us to respond to our circumstances in a centered way. MBSR has been validated in several scientific studies and shown to benefit individuals confronting a range of challenges.
MBSR workshops, as developed by the Center for Mindfulness at the UMass Medical School, typically meet for 2 hours and 30 minutes, one day per week, for 8 weeks, with a full-day (7-hour) retreat between the sixth and seventh sessions. In addition to teaching this standard MBSR format, Dr. Bresnan also offers a modified MBSR Workshop. These workshops meet for 9 weeks, and follow the core curriculum as developed by the Center for Mindfulness. However, the meeting time for each class is reduced to 1 hour and 45 minutes, and there is an evening “retreat” rather than a full-day retreat. Some people find that this modified format is easier to integrate into their working life. In all MBSR workshops, participants are asked to also set aside about 30 minutes a day at home, 5 days per week, to practice skills learned in class. A commitment to the full 9-week program is required as each class builds upon material learned in previous weeks.
More information on these workshops can be found at NSMindfulness.com.
Upcoming Mindfulness Workshops at the Center
Fall 2018
9-Session Mindfulness Class [Open for Enrollment]
September 27 – November 29 | Thursday Evenings | 6:45 – 8:30 PM | class does not meet on 11/22
This is a modified MBSR workshop with a slightly shorter meeting time to make it easier for people to fit it in at the end of their workdays. Classes meet at the Center for Mindfulness & Insight Meditation, 72 Grapevine Rd, Wenham. Tuition for the 9-session course, including course materials, is $240 with a $20 discount for those registering before September 13.
9-Session Mindfulness Class [Open for Enrollment]
October 11 – December 13 | Thursday Mornings | 9:45 – 11:30 AM | class does not meet on 11/22
This is a modified MBSR workshop with a slightly shorter meeting time to make it easier for people to fit it in at the end of their workdays. Classes meet at the Center for Mindfulness & Insight Meditation, 72 Grapevine Rd, Wenham. Tuition for the 9-session course, including course materials, is $240 with a $20 discount for those registering before September 27.