‘Tell me and I’ll forget,
Teach me and I’ll remember,
Involve me and I’ll learn.’
-Confucian School, 300bc
8-Week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Course (MBSR)
Date: 9 weekly sessions (1 Orientation session followed by 8 weeks of the course)
Your Investment includes all sessions, meditation recordings a handbook and a retreat day.
- Supported Rate: $540 (an accessible rate, no questions asked).
- Standard Rate: $600
- Sponsor Rate: $660 (a suggested rate which helps me to offer the supported rate).
What is MBSR?
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) course is one of the most well-known modern methods of mindfulness training in the world. It was developed in the late 1970s by Jon Kabat-Zinn in a hospital in Massachusetts, USA and is now taught all over the world. There have been thousands of research studies published evidencing its wide ranging benefits, including reducing stress, improved emotional self-regulation and increased empathy and compassion for ourselves and others.
The practices and methods taught in the program are deeply rooted in the ancient Buddhist practice of mindfulness meditation. However, the course itself is not religious as Jon Kabat-Zinn wanted to draw out the profound mental training methods from traditional mindfulness meditation and make them accessible to anyone, no matter what religious background or belief system. MBSR is strongly influenced by modern psychology, neuroscience & pedagogy. This 8-week course is evidence based and backed by the latest research in the field.
“A mindfulness course introduces practices and skills that aim to bring about a different way of relating to experience, replacing an old mode of ‘fixing and repairing’ problems with a mode of allowing things to be as they are in order to see more clearly how best to respond.”
– Jon Kabat-Zinn
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8 weekly 2.5 hour sessions.
An orientation session before the first week. This session prepares the group for what the next two months involve.
A 6 hour silent practice retreat day usually held between weeks 6 and 7.
Think about this course as 8 weeks of home practice with some sessions thrown in. Home practice will be given each week to complete between sessions and will be 20-40 minutes of formal meditation a day with some informal practices to weave into everyday life. You will be given a selection of recorded meditations and a handbook to accompany the course with supportive material to read. -
The course is very experiential, which means we learn mainly through meditating together and sharing experiences of the practice in a particular way guided by the teacher, called inquiry. There will be opportunities to share with the whole group in pairs/ small groups. There is no pressure to share every week, it listening is also full participation.
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There will be meditations where we lie down on the floor, sit on the floor or a chair and also mindful movement practices such as walking and mindful yoga (which can be done in a chair too if needed).
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You have tried to learn meditation from apps and books but you haven’t been able to make it stick or still feel like you don’t “get it”.
You have no experience in mindfulness whatsoever and want to give yourself a strong grounding in the basics.
You already meditate but would like to deepen your practice or feel you would benefit from the support of a group and teachers.
You would like to develop a consistent daily meditation practice. -
You are currently going through a period of severe depression/ anxiety or mental illness. This doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t ever come on the course but it may mean waiting until the next one may be a more supportive decision.
You are looking for therapy - MBSR may be therapeutic but it is not a form of therapy, like other 'group therapies' with qualified therapists and trained medical professionals. It may be that you wish to do the course alongside seeing your/a therapist.
You have experienced a big life upheaval recently, such as a bereavement, job loss or divorce. It is wise to wait until you are a bit more settled before making the committing this course requires.
"Everybody has awareness, mindfulness just helps you to access it"
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"You're already doing it!"
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"How are you already being mindful?"
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"Everybody has awareness, mindfulness just helps you to access it" 〰️ "You're already doing it!" 〰️ "How are you already being mindful?" 〰️
How to Book…
To book please register you interest below or contact Jen on:
t: 0480716083 e: jen@wildlotus.au
I like to chat to everyone before signing up to the course, to give you space to ask questions and make sure this is the right time for you to join the course.
FAQs
Q: What if there is a week I can’t come?
A: It is okay to miss one session but if you know in advance you will be missing more than one we would advise waiting until you can attend the whole course.
Q: Who is the course suitable for?
A: The course is suitable for total newbies to meditation and mindfulness but also for experienced practitioners looking to deepen their practice or wish to have the support of group learning.
Q: What if I hate speaking in a group?
We understand speaking in front of a group can be some people’s worst nightmare! There will be no pressure to speak each week; listening is full participation, however, as you get to know the group better you may begin to feel more comfortable. There will be opportunities to talk in smaller groups of one or two as well throughout the course.
Q: Where will the sessions be held?
A: The sessions will be held at a venue yet to be confirmed.
Q: Is there a payment plan available?
A: We require a $100 deposit to secure your spot or you can pay in full upon booking. We can also organise a payment plan where you pay in two or three instalments.
Q: What if I am on medication?
A: You can still take part in the course if you are on medication but please let us know about this. It may be wise to consult your doctor or therapist before taking part.
Q: Will I need to bring anything to the sessions?
A: You will need to bring warm clothes, a blanket and something to drink if you want it. We will provide equipment for the meditations, however, you may want to invest in a yoga mat and meditation cushion or bench to practice with at home, but this isn’t essential. You can use ordinary household cushions or a chair to sit on too and do the yoga movements on a rug or carpeted floor.
Q: What is the course cancellation policy?
A: The $100 deposit is non-refundable. If you cancel any time up until 1 month until the start date you will receive a refund (minus deposit). If you cancel between 1 month and 2 weeks before the beginning of the course you will receive a 50% refund (minus deposit). If you cancel after 14th September and at any time during the course the fee is non-refundable.
Q: What happens on the retreat day?
A: The retreat day will be 6 hours dedicated to silent mindfulness practice. It is a real chance to deepen the experiential learning of the course.
Q: Can I join if I limited mobility?
A: Absolutely. The mindful movement can be done on a chair or on the floor. If you are unsure please get in touch.
Q: When is the retreat day?
A: This usually falls between week-6 & 7 of the course. Date TBC.
What People Are Saying
“I would totally recommend the course. It has been transformational for me in small ways and big. Both Katie and Jen are amazing mentors - offering guidance not judgement. I felt happy and encouraged to be open, which helped deepen my practice.”
— Participant feedback Feb 2022
“This was an amazing introduction to mindfulness. I’ve learnt so much over the 8 weeks - lessons that I hope to take into my daily life. Such as how to understand stress, my reactions to it and how to navigate it. Also the importance of pause and reflection and how nurturing this is to our minds and bodies. Jen and Katie are fantastic, committed and supportive teachers. I wish I could do it all again!”
— Participant feedback Feb 2022
“The course gave me time out of my everyday life. It included access to a variety of guided mindfulness meditations.
The group and teachers were very supportive and the course handbook is great!”