What is MBSR?

Based in ancient wisdom and modern mind/body medicine, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction is a challenging and life-affirming program that teaches you to tap into the wisdom of your own body and access the knowledge you already have about your strengths and your difficulties.

Why is it called Stress Reduction?

Stress is our brain and body's response to the stressors in our lives. When we feel "stressed out" we often have physical reactions. Our nervous systems respond to stress with increased blood pressure, interrupted digestion, increased heart rate, tense muscles and many other changes. All of the systems that are supposed to keep us healthy can be disrupted by stress. As a result, our health may be compromised and we may develop backaches, headaches, GI distress, fatigue, auto-immune deficiencies, sleeplessness or other symptoms.

Mindful practices can minimize these reactions by helping you to change your relationship to your difficulties. If you suffer from chronic pain or illness mindful practices may help to minimize the physical and emotional stress that accompanies these ailments.

Our society has created a "hurry up" mentality that has us multi tasking and paying less attention to what we are doing. We all would like to be able to control the circumstances of our lives but we can only control our own behavior. When we feel out of control, it may cause feelings of helplessness, anxiety or depression.

Mindfulness helps us to practice accepting and living with the way things are. If you practice living mindfully you may become more aware of what you are experiencing from one moment to the next. Learning to live more "in the moment" will enable you to be responsive instead of reactive in stressful situations and to be more accepting of yourself and others.

Why do people take this class?

People attend the MBSR program for reasons as diverse as work, family or financial stress, chronic pain and illness, anxiety or panic disordres GI distress, sleep disturbances, fatigue, fibromyalgia, high blood pressure or headaches and other uncomfortable symptoms.

Many enroll because, although they are feeling well physically, they say the pace of their lives is "out of control" or they’re "just not feeling quite right".

What happens in class?

There are eight weekly 1˝ - 2 hour classes and one day-long class on a Saturday or Sunday. This highly participatory, practical course includes:

• Guided instruction in mindfulness meditation practices
• Gentle stretching and mindful Yoga
• Inquiry exercises to enhance awareness in everyday life
• Individually tailored instruction
• Group dialogue
• Daily home assignments
• Three CDs and a workbook

How will it help?

People who complete this course report:

• Lasting decreases in physical and psychological symptoms
• An increased ability to relax
• Reductions in pain levels and an enhanced ability to cope with pain that may not go away
• Greater energy and enthusiasm for life
• Improved self-esteem
• An ability to cope more effectively with both short and long-term stressful situations

How much does it cost?

In order to make the class affordable tuition is based on a sliding fee schedule based on an honor system and assumes that participants will be forthright in assessing their income.

Payments are collected in equal installments at the first third and fifth class.

*A small number of partial scholarships are available for those with extenuating circumstances.

The cost for the program includes:

• Free initial interview or group orientation
• Eight weekly two hour classes
• One all-day retreat (5-6 hour session)
• Workbook
• Audio CDs to guide your practice

How do I register for the class?

You may register at an orientation or introductory class or print and fill out the registration form and mail to:
The Path to Mindful Living
210 Whiting Street, Suite #3
Hingham, MA 02043