8-week Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Program 2020 Mar Canceled

Since the Monday classes are full, we are now taking a waiting list for Tuesday morning or evening classes starting March 31, 2020 and will offer them if there is enough interest.  Please email us to get on the list.

Pre-requisite:  A personal interview or a previous class with Geeta is required.  Please fill out the registration form and email it to us with a list of available dates and times for a telephone interview.

This program is taught through an 8-week class that meets once a week for 2.5 hours.  Participants are also required to attend a day-long silent retreat that is teacher-led.

The dates for the 8-week class are as follows:

• (Sold out) Mondays: 10:00 am – 12:30 pm starting March 30, 2020 at a private location in Southwest Austin.  Class dates: 3/30, 4/6, 4/13, 4/20, 4/27, all-day silent retreat on the weekend of Saturday, May 2, or Sunday, May 3 at Stillwaters Retreat Center, 5/4, 5/11, final class day on 5/18
• (Sold Out) Mondays: 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm starting March 30, 2020 at a private location in Southwest Austin.  Class dates: 3/30, 4/6, 4/13, 4/20, 4/27, all-day silent retreat on the weekend of Saturday, May 2, or Sunday, May 3 at Stillwaters Retreat Center, 5/4, 5/11, final class day on 5/18

The fee for the 8-week class is $550 for a total of 26 hours of instruction.  Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are available for Social Workers for an extra $25 fee.  Other professionals may also be able to obtain CEUs.  Please check with your CEU agency.

In the 8-week program, participants are trained in mindful meditation that helps them explore their reactivity and response to stress.  In addition, practices that explore the mind-body connection are explored through mindful movement and body-awareness.  The practices of developing stress hardiness through training in kindness and self-compassion and training in mindful communication are also offered.

The MBSR Program is evidence based and has been clinically proven to benefit people reporting a variety of concerns:*

Stress – caused by work, school, family, financial, illness, aging, grief, and several other factors of daily living.

Medical conditions – including chronic illness or pain, high blood pressure, cancer, heart disease, GI distress, skin disorders, and many other conditions.

Psychological distress – including anxiety, panic, depression, fatigue and sleep disturbances.

Prevention and wellness –including health enhancement and learning a better sense of balance in life.

This program is offered as a complement to traditional medical and psychological treatments.

Who can attend:  Anyone interested in exploring mindfulness practices for stress reduction.  No prior practice is necessary.  All exercises will be modified to meet the individual needs of participants.

What to wear:  Comfortable clothing that allows for gentle stretching and comfortable sitting.

Options to sit:  Chairs and back-jacks (for supported floor seating) will be provided.  Participants are encouraged to bring a yoga mat and blanket for the body-centered practices if they choose to lie on the floor.  If participants already have a meditation practice for which they use a meditation cushion, they are welcome to bring it along.

*  Information used with permission from the University of Massachusetts Center for Mindfulness.  Please visit them for more information on  clinical research and more information on Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction.