Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) is an eight week introduction to mindfulness through guided meditation, group dialogue, and home practice.

Over the past four decades, the enormously successful MBSR program has become popular around the globe. Thanks to pioneering research out of the University of Massachusetts Center for Mindfulness, MBSR is now an evidence-based program scientifically demonstrated to help individuals suffering from chronic stress, addictions, anxiety, depression, chronic pain, and other conditions that can impact quality of life. MBSR is currently offered in hospitals, universities, and health clinics worldwide.

Mindfulness refers to open, non-judgemental awareness of present-moment experience. The MBSR program focuses on the use of mindfulness for managing everyday stressors related to work, health, relationships, and other concerns. Over the course of eight weeks, you’ll learn how to meditate, how to be more present, and to be more aware of automatic reactions and communication patterns that cause stress.

Learning these skills will allow you to:

  • Change your behaviour as needed
  • Cope effectively with small stressors,
  • Manage larger stressors with calm and equanimity
  • Appreciate everyday moments of pleasure and joy

Programs Waiting List

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More on MBSR

The Mindspace MBSR program is based directly on the MBSR program developed in the 1980s by Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. Mindfulness is originally a Buddhist practice and Kabat-Zinn is credited with its integration into mainstream Western psychology and medicine.

Mindfulness is simple but requires practice. The calm presence of Mindspace teachers and the supportive group environment will allow you to integrate the MBSR material and develop your personal mindfulness practice at your own pace. The ultimate goal of the program is for you to develop a daily meditation practice and to integrate mindfulness into daily life. No prior experience with mindfulness or meditation is necessary.

Our MBSR groups meet for two and half hours aper week, with an all-day silent meditation retreat between weeks six and seven. Participants are provided with reading material to accompany in-class discussions, and audio guides for at-home meditation practice.

Orientation Session

The mandatory orientation session is an important final step toward your enrolment in the MBSR program. The orientation session is included in the cost of the program and provides the opportunity to:

    • Learn about MBSR and ensure that it’s the right fit for you
    • Meet the group instructor(s)
    • Meet the other participants in your group
    • Sample the methods and approaches you’ll learn during the program
    • Ask your questions about MBSR
    • Finalize your registration

Participants will hear a group presentation about the MBSR program and have a short interview with an instructor to ensure that MBSR is a good fit. In the event that the instructor believes that MBSR is not a good fit, you will be offered other options and a complete refund of your registration fees.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Should I take MBSR or MBCT?

    MBSR is open to anyone who is interested in decreasing stress and learning a new way of relating skillfully to their experience. It is not recommended for individuals with recurrent clinical anxiety or depression, but rather is meant to help improve management of everyday stressors (e.g., work, relationships, health).

    In contrast, MBCT is designed specifically to help prevent relapse in individuals who have struggled with acute/clinical anxiety or depression. If you’ve been treated for an anxiety disorder or for one ore more depressive episodes in the past, and are ready to learn new skills for preventing further episodes, MBCT is for you.

    MBSR and MBCT teachers will confirm participant eligibility at the mandatory orientation session one week prior to the start of the program.

  • Do I need to know anything about mindfulness or meditation to take your courses?

    No, Intro to Mindfulness, Individual Training and our MBSR program are ideal places to start, but all our programs are suitable for people with no experience in meditation or mindfulness. MBCT is designed specifically for individuals recovering from recurrent clinical anxiety or depression.

  • Why do I have to attend an orientation session prior to starting the group?

    Mindspace wants to make sure that each participant has a good experience in the MBSR, MBCT or MSC program. The orientation session provides a chance for you to see for yourself what the program is about, so that you can make an informed decision. Likewise, if the instructor determines that MBSR, MBCT or MSC may not be the right fit at the right time for you, we’ll make sure to orient you toward the best alternative.

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