Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction
"InsightLA is a precious resource in the Los Angeles area for bringing mindfulness into your life. Trudy Goodman is a superb and highly respected teacher with long-term experience with Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)." - Jon Kabat-Zinn
Taught by Certified Teachers
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction as taught at InsightLA is Los Angeles’ premier MBSR program, under the guidance of Christiane Wolf, MD, PhD and Trudy Goodman, PhD.
Christiane is one of the few fully certified senior MBSR teachers worldwide and an MBSR teacher trainer accredited by the UMass Center for Mindfulness, the “mothership” of MBSR. Trudy worked closely with Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn in the early days, teaching classes and creating programs together.
Since Christiane and Trudy co-founded the InsightLA MBSR program in 2005, more than1,500 participants have successfully completed the program.
We are proud to get most of our referrals by word of mouth from previous participants.
Benefits
Two decades of published research indicate that the majority of people who complete the eight-week program report greater ability to cope more effectively with both short- and long-term stressful situations.
By learning to actively participate in the management of health and well being, many participants report they are better able to manage stress, fear, anger, anxiety and depression both at home and in the workplace.
Participants have stated that they feel less judgmental and critical of themselves, and subsequently of others. Many also report a decrease of the frequency and length of medical visits to hospitals and other professional health-care providers. There has also been a noticeable decrease in the use of prescription and non-prescription medications among students of MBSR.
People taking the MBSR class come from all walks of life, but they share one thing in common: the desire to find more balance, peace and happiness in their lives. If you share these aspirations, MBSR can be a valuable resource for you.Here is an article from O Magazine that also explains the benefits of MBSR.
Class Structure
The Mindfulness–Based Stress Reduction Program is an intensive eight-week training to empower participants to take an active role in the management of their health and wellness. The classes meet weekly for 2.5 hours each class and there is an all-day session, usually in the sixth week on a Saturday or Sunday. Participants are asked to practice mindfulness meditation and/or mindful movement for 30-45 minutes a day with instructional audios. An intensive teacher-participant relationship helps the participant integrate the teaching into her or his specific life situations and so really make the practice his or her own.
Other Classes
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy is based on the MBSR program. The MBCT program is designed specifically for people who suffer from depressed mood and was created to help prevent relapse into depression. In this program, people learn how to use different skills: Cognitive therapy teaches how to be aware of distortions in thinking, and mindfulness teaches how to ground into the present moment and see thoughts and feelings as simply mental events in the mind that come and go.
Becoming an MBSR Teacher
If you are interested in becoming an MBSR teacher yourself, please read the requirements of the Oasis institute at the Center For Mindfulness at the University of Massachusetts Medical School: www.umassmed.edu/cfm/oasis/index.aspx
InsightLA is accredited to offer the 10-week Practicum in MBSR as well as the 10-week individual supervision for people interested in certification or just for support for their emerging teaching. Please also check the above website for prerequsites.
InsightLA Research
We are regularly collaborating in research projects with different organizations.
MBSR Cancellation Policy for 8-Week Class
Cancellations: We will refund the full fee minus a $30 administration fee if the cancellation is made at least seven days before the first class.
Once the class has begun, we will issue a refund for:
• 75% of the fee if notice is given after the first class
• 50% of the fee if notice is given after the second class
No refunds will be issued after the third class.
Missing one or two classes: Attendance at a minimum of six classes is required to graduate from the MBSR program. Up to two classes can be made up for no extra cost during one of the following MBSR cycles.
Missing more than two classes: We know that unexpected situations happen. If you have to miss more than twoclasses we recommend that you sign up again for a later class and start with the new group from the beginning. A lot of the positive effects of the class happen through the support and community with your fellow classmates.
Daylongs: There is no fee for MBSR graduates to attend future MBSR daylong classes. There will be an opportunity to make a donation to the MBSR scholarship fund at each class. The normal fee applies for regular InsightLA daylongs.
