Program Description
A Brief History and Overview
The “Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction” Program (MBSR) is a well regarded
mind/body skills training protocol that has been used successfully for over 30
years to help people deal with stress, pain, and illness.
Pioneered by Jon Kabat-Zinn at the University of Massachusetts Medical
Center, what was once a small clinic has become the “Center for Mindfulness in
Medicine, Health Care, and Society”. In addition to qraduatinq over 15,000
people from their program with many successful results, the Center provides
professional training and conducts research. Their training programs have
helped make MBSR available throughout the US and internationally; and, their
research initiatives have helped create a body of evidence regarding the
efficacy of MBSR for a variety of health conditions, as well as interest in its
application beyond health care.
What is unique about MBSR is of course the emphasis on “mindfulness”- which
can simply be defined as non-judgmental, present moment awareness. As true
mindfulness can only be experienced, the program emphasizes experiential
practices- both within the classroom and at home, for the duration of the course.
It is through these practices that participants learn to harness the power selfawareness
and skills of self-regulation. Experiential practice, a strong didactic
foundation, and a highly supportive environment are the 3 pillars of MBSR. For
many participants, it is a unique and life-affirming educational experience that
has enormous practical value.
More’ about Mindfulness and the Stress Phenomena
Mindfulness simply means present moment awareness. When we are being
mindful, we are aware of what is happening in the present moment. Likewise,
when we are mindless, we are not aware of what is happening in the present
moment because our thoughts and attention are somewhere else.
The term “mindless” is problematic because it seems to imply that we are being
stupid. Really, mindlessness is more a state of mental agitation. Our attention
and awareness is moving around haphazardly and without realizing it, our
thoughts and feelings ignite stress physiology. Our system then prepares itself
for imminent danger- our heart rate will elevate, blood sugar levels will
increase, the breath will get faster and shorter, our body will tense, our
perception will narrow. We are unconsciously preparing ourselves to fight, flee,
or freeze. This innate ability to deal with danger is a sign of health, but if it is
chronically activated and repeatedly inhibited, it results in many of the
symptoms we associate with stress: high blood pressure, anxiety, moodiness
and irritability, body tension, aches and pain, isolation and emotional