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
The MBSR classes at InsightLA are taught by Christiane Wolf - the only fully certified MBSR teacher in Los Angeles County (there are only 25 certified teachers in the world) - Trudy Goodman, who worked closely with Dr. Kabat-Zinn in the early days, teaching classes and creating programs together, and Lisa Kring. Trudy Goodman directed one of the first Stress Reduction Clinic Internship Programs at the University of Massachusetts Medical School in Worcester. Over 700 students have taken the InsightLA MBSR class.
Benefits
Two decades of published research -- and more than 18,000 participants -- indicate that the majority of people who complete the 8-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 to others. Many also report a decrease of the frequency and length of medical visits to hospitals, emergency rooms, and health care professional offices. There has also been a noticeable decrease in the use of prescription and non-prescription medications.
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 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 CD's. An intensive teacher – participant relationship helps the participant to integrate the teaching into his/her specific life situations and so really make the practice his/her own.
MBSR Graduates
Graduates of our MBSR program are invited to join us for all future MBSR all-day sessions for free. There is a chance to make a donation for the MBSR scholarship fund at the end.
We are also offering class series for graduates of the program.
Our regular drop-in sitting groups are also a great resource after completion of the class to help keep the practice strong and alive.
New Classes
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT)
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 thought and feelings as simply mental events in the mind that come and go.
Mindfulness-Based Childbirth and Parenting (MBCP)
We have added the MBCP class to our program.
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 7 days before the first class. There is also an option to apply the fee as a credit towards a future class.
Once the class has begun, we will issue a refund for:
- 75% of the fee if notice is given after the 1st class
- 50% of the fee if notice is given after the 2nd class
No refunds will be issued after the third class.
Extra Workbook and CDs:
The first copy of the workbook and the two CDs are included in the price of the course. If you need additional copies, there is a $15 charge for each workbook and $10 charge per CD.
Missed 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 the following MBSR cycle. If you miss three or more classes, we will prorate a portion of the fee towards the next class cycle and you can come to the last three or four classes, including the daylong class.
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 teachers and the MBSR scholarship fund at the class.
