Note: The program requires a minimum of 8 registrants per MBSR program. Classes with fewer than 8 registrants will be cancelled and provided a refund. Please be aware of this when making arrangements to attend this program.
This program includes a free Orientation session
All are welcome to attend an Orientation session prior to enrolling in the 8-week MBSR program! You can chose one of the upcoming FREE online ORIENTATION session dates. Please see dates here. All orientation sessions are presented by Dr. Jan Klimas.
Upcoming 8-week MBSR programs
The MBSR classes typically occur on eight consecutive Thursday evenings plus an all-day session on Saturday.
|
Season |
Dates |
Times |
|
Winter |
Dates TBC |
5:30 pm – 8:00 pm PST. |
|
Spring |
Dates TBC |
5:30 pm – 8:00 pm PST. |
|
Fall |
Dates TBC |
5:30 pm – 8:00 pm PST. |
Registration opens a few weeks before the program start date.
Registration for this course is closed. Please come back again later, or sign up for the newsletter to receive new course notifications: https://janklimas.eo.page/newsletter
Please Note:
- All times are Pacific Standard Time. To calculate your specific time zone please use this link
- *Session 1 (opening) and Session 8 (closing) are 3 hours in length.
- All day Silent session is usually on Saturday from 9am to 4.30pm.
- The MBSR program is open to anyone 19 years of age and older.
- Attendance at 1 of the listed ORIENTATION sessions is mandatory before taking the program.
- Sliding scale fees are available upon request.
Helpful Fee Info: I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC #19432) with the BCACC Association. Some Extended Health plans cover Counselling Services for BC residents.
What Is Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)?
MBSR is an evidence-based program that uses the tools of mindfulness to help people meet their lives and their circumstances in a more healthy and balanced way. Developed by Jon Kabat-Zinn and the University of Massachusetts in 1979 as a new kind of public health initiative for patients living with chronic illness and pain, it has helped thousands of people to improve their lives using the tools of mindfulness and meditation. With a history of over 40 years, this highly respected program is now taught across the world and helps people to live better lives by teaching them how to use mindfulness to deal more effectively with illness, pain, and the stresses of an increasingly busy and stressful world. As the most researched program of its kind MBSR stands alone as a public health initiative as it teaches participants to engage with their minds and bodies allowing them to tap into their own innate resources for wellbeing and healing.
Over the course of 8 weeks, this hands-on course uses guided meditation practices, short lectures, group sharing, and dialogue to explore several themes including how we perceive ourselves and the world around us, the physiology of stress, the automatic nature of our stress responses, communication and how we can bring mindfulness into our daily lives.
Who Is This Mindfulness Course For?
MBSR is intended for people who are looking to learn how to manage their stress in more effective ways or to bring more peace and balance to their daily lives. It’s open to individuals with no previous experience in mindfulness and experienced practitioners looking to deepen their practice. MBSR is a valuable tool to bring into our lives but it is not meant to replace traditional or psychological treatments but serves as a complement to them. This MBSR program is available to Canadian residents 19 years or older.
What Will You Get?
MBSR is an immersive program where you and your classmates will explore mindfulness and stress over the course of 8 weekly meetings and a full-day silent retreat.
- One information/orientation session that outlines mindfulness, MBSR and how it can bring well- being into our daily lives (1.5 hrs). Session is Free and open to all.
- 8 weekly sessions (2.5 hrs). With the exception of the first and last session (3 hrs);
- Weekly exercises to build mindfulness skills and serve as topics of discussion during group and open session time.
- Silent Retreat (7.5 hrs);
- Supportive Handouts + Recorded Guided Meditations (MP3’s);
- Maximum class size of 20.
What Will You Leave With?
At the end of this immersive course, you will leave with several skills that you can bring into your daily life to manage stress more effectively and cultivate feelings of acceptance, peace, and overall wellbeing. Some of these include:
- An understanding of how perception shapes our world and individual experiences;
- The ability to recognize and explore habitual “ways of being” or “relating” to ourselves (ways of thinking and reacting) and others and how these patterns can be detrimental to our sense of well being;
- An understanding of the habitual nature of stress and it’s physiology;
- Flexibility of attention;
- How to bring mindfulness to moments of difficulty (unwanted physical sensations, emotions etc.);
- Bringing mindfulness to and exploring how unmonitored reactivity can affect your health;
- How to bring mindfulness to interpersonal communication and different communication styles;
- How to develop a mindfulness plan for your daily life (even though it’s busy!).
What Will You Need?
Out of an abundance of caution, this course might be provided via Zoom. In order to participate you will need the following:
- A computer or another device with a functional microphone and camera; and Internet Connection.
- We’re asking everyone to turn on their cameras to foster better discussion and involvement in classes. And if you have any concerns, please send me an email, I’d be happy to talk.
Please Note
- All participants are required to attend the information/orientation session.
- MBSR is an experiential program that requires a commitment to practice not only the weekly exercises but also to attend and engage with every session.
- MBSR is a valuable tool to bring into our lives but it is not meant to replace traditional or psychological treatments but serves as a complement to them.
What’s next:
- Once your application has been reviewed (for completeness or clarification) you will be notified via email on your successful entry into the program. A limited amount of space is available. Applications will be processed within 3 business days.
- If your application is received after the class is full you will be placed on a waiting list and be offered the first available placement during the next cycle in a few months time.
- This program is not for everyone. I reserve the right to decline applications based on my professional judgment.