FREQUENTLY
ASKED QUESTIONS
What is Mindfulness?
Mindfulness
is the intention and practice of paying
attention to each moment of your life without
judgment.
What is the Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program?
When
Mindfulness is practiced on a regular basis,
the physical, emotional and mental stresses of
life can be viewed and worked with in new and
healthier ways. The result is often a
significant improvement in the quality of life.
The MBSR program teaches how to practice
Mindfulness and how to incorporate it into
daily life.
How long are classes?
The
first and last class are about 3 hours long,
with the remaining 6 classes lasting 2 ½ hours.
The Saturday intensive session is about 7 hours
long.
Graduates of the program can attend any of the Saturday intensives to refresh and renew their MBSR practice. This is also a great way to meet others who practice MBSR and expand your support network.
Graduates of the program can attend any of the Saturday intensives to refresh and renew their MBSR practice. This is also a great way to meet others who practice MBSR and expand your support network.
How much does it cost?
The 8
week class session costs from $270- $300, on a
sliding scale based upon household income. A
limited number of scholarships are also
available. This works out to be less than $10
per contact hour of class.
Is there homework?
Yes.
In order to get the most benefit from the
class, the participants in the 8 week commit to
45-60 minutes of practice time at least 6 days
per week during the class session. The practice
may be done in one sitting, or broken up into
smaller time periods during the day.
Where are classes held?
Classes
are held in various locations each term. Call
Awakening Health for classes in your area
(248.930.0004).
Is this a yoga class?
MBSR
involves some gentle yoga, some of which is
done in class and some at home with practice
CDs. The student can choose to do the yoga or
not.
Can MBSR heal my physical problems?
MBSR
is a powerful adjunct to traditional medical
treatments. It is not a substitute for them. It
is a means to access and reinforce your own
natural capacity for health, healing and
well-being.
Who teaches the classes?
Classes
are taught by Linda Bowers, MS, RYT. She has
completed the Practicum in Mindfulness Based
Stress Reduction at the Center for Mindfulness
at the University of Massachusetts Medical
Center.
Can anyone attend?
Prospective
students must attend an orientation session
(often free) at which they learn about the
specifics of the MBSR program. An assessment of
readiness to join the program is made at that
time.
What are some of the benefits?
MBSR
is an effective and healthy way to cope with
the stresses present in our lives. It can be
used to improve the quality of your life if you
suffer from physical or emotional pain, chronic
illness or pain, anxiety, sleep disorders,
attention problems and other issues relating to
the stresses of everyday life. It has been
shown to increase the speed of healing,
decrease perceived pain levels, lower blood
pressure levels, and improve quality of life in
those that commit to practicing MBSR on a
regular basis.
Can you come to my work place and help employees deal with job stress?
Yes.
Corporate classes and workshops are available
and can be tailored to meet your needs. Call
Awakening Health for more details
(248.930.0004).
Can MBSR help people recover from illness and/or surgery?
Yes.
Because MBSR helps us to access our own
capacity for health and healing, it can be an
important component in your recovery. MBSR has
been shown to improve immune system response,
to decrease the level of perceived pain, and to
accelerate the healing process. It is not a
substitute for medical treatment.
Do I have to join a group or can I do private classes?
MBSR
can be taught in a group setting or in
individual private consultation. The cost of
private consultation varies. Call Awakening
Health for details (248.930.0004).
Where can I learn more about MBSR?
Call
Awakening Health (248.930.0004)
for
specific questions about the 8 week programs
and other MBSR services offered. For more
general information about MBSR and its
applications throughout the world, access
the Center for Mindfulness
website or
read
Full Catastrophe Living: Using the Wisdom
of Your Body and Mind to Face Stress, Pain
and Illness, by
Jon Kabat-Zinn. There is also a wealth of
published, peer reviewed scientific studies
that validate the efficacy of MBSR.
