We are very keen to provide accessible ways of supporting you to experience the 8-Week MBSR Course, and in response to requests from people who may not have access to a mindfulness-based course in their home location, we are pleased to offer the accredited Mindful Academy International live online Mindfulness MBSR Course from your own home using video conferencing or for those without stable internet, via the telephone (1-1 only) with Kathy Ward, Director of Training and Senior International MBSR/MBCT Teacher, Trainer and Supervisor.
Mindful Academy International CPD accredited Mindfulness 8-week MBSR courses are also available through our training team in the USA with Tina Romenesko Hungary with Andras Barta, Ireland and Europe with Fiona McMahon, Sierra Leone with Julia Emes and Romania with Dr. Hedi Hoka.
The MBSR course is based on the original work of Jon Kabat-Zinn’s highly acclaimed Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction (MBSR) programme and the current programmes taught at the University of Massachusetts Medical Centre, Bangor University Centre for Mindfulness Research and Practice (CMRP) in the UK and around the world. On successful graduation, formal CPD Standards certificates are issued and accepted in a multitude of countries and across all professional sectors. Please check with your local licensing board to determine if the accreditation meets their requirements.
Here is what a recent graduate had to say:
Coming to this MBSR course with an existing but slightly erratic, meditation practice, I was eager to explore but slightly sceptical about how much I would learn. Not only did I embed various techniques in my practice, developing a “tool box” of techniques to dip into, I learned so much about myself. The course made the benefit of a daily meditation practice abundantly clear, and showed me the difference which practising daily, versus a couple of times per week, can bring to my life. When I reflect on my development through this course I feel truly emotional about everything I have gained from this course; the opportunity for self-exploration and the insight it gave me into myself is absolutely precious. Kathy’s support and guidance is given in such a kind, understanding and gentle manner, both during the calls but also unfailingly being available on email to answer questions and worries. I genuinely feel like a more balanced, self-aware and open person as a direct result of this course. I cannot recommend Kathy Ward as a teacher, or Kathy’s 8 week MBSR course, more highly. I would love to work with Kathy again in the future.
Is a Mindfulness 8-week course right for me?
Mindfulness practice presents its own set of challenges, so it is important for your to discuss any concerns you may have with your MBSR Mindfulness Teacher, Doctor and/or Therapist before signing up for the course. Mindfulness may be everywhere you look, but it is not suitable for everyone which is why we ask detailed questions on the application form. Please also review the suggested exclusion criteria for general mindfulness groups below. This list is subject to the experience of the Mindfulness MBSR Teacher and any supporting staff. If in doubt please ask.
- Severe problems or vulnerabilities
- Active or recent physical addiction to alcohol or drugs. Mindfulness-based Relapse Prevention has been developed specifically for people who are working with the tendencies to misuse substances.
- Suicidality
- Psychosis
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: It is essential that you discuss this with your Mindfulness MBSR Teacher to understand if they have the required Professional skills such as Psychotherapy and/or a support team that will be present during the sessions. You also need to understand what the course involves, and know that it is OK (and give yourself permission) to drop out of the course if you find it unhelpful
- Acute depression
- Severe social anxiety which would make attending a class very stressful
- Acute illness (or even acute attack of existing illness) If you are dealing with high levels of stress, and getting used to dealing with a new and different way of being, it is generally not a good time to learn mindfulness practice
- Life crisis: Recent severe loss such as bereavement, divorce, cancer or other major diagnosis. At these times it is our experience that people are in too raw a state of distress to find a course helpful, it is usually not a good time to take a mindfulness course. Pre-existing mindfulness practice is very helpful in dealing with strong, raw feelings such as grief, shock and anger, but these are usually too overwhelming for participants to learn how to meditate while dealing with them. The recommendation here is that you would be well advised to wait till you have worked through the acute stage of the grieving process and are more settled with the loss or diagnosis
- Psychosis, schizophrenia etc. mindfulness is unlikely to help, and may cause harm
- Early trauma, past abuse and dissociative disorders: These are indication to move into mindfulness training with great care. You should ensure that your Mindfulness MBSR Teacher also has relevant Professional training such as Psychotherapy.
As you can see, there are times in our lives when it would be better to find alternative support. Once you have completed the application form, the free pre-course meeting is the ideal time to discuss any concerns you have with your Mindfulness MBSR Teacher so together you can decide if it is the right time for you to take a course.
Our Live online course is an enriching way to experience an 8 week Mindfulness-based course,
You can apply to take this MBSR course either as a first experience of Mindfulness, as a refresher, as an opportunity to deepen an existing mindfulness practice, or as a way to prepare for your MBSR Teacher Training course. Graduates share that the experience of working closely with a Senior International MBSR Teacher in this way can lead to profound understandings and changes in one's life. Many online MBSR course students have been surprised at the depth of practice, sense of connection and ease of learning during the online course, and often go on to further engagement with mindfulness in various ways.
When we offer this MBSR course in an in-person format, participants travel to the course location for one session of 150 minutes a week for the 8 weeks. They then return home and practice the home assignments throughout the week. In this live online learning format, you have the choice of either a small group or, if you prefer you can also book a private 1-1 course (or 1-2 option with a friend)
In both cases, we will deliver the content in a similar manner to the in-person format, and the home practice assignments are exactly the same. Due to the personal nature of the 1-1 sessions, the call duration is shorter.
Each week you will take part in either a group 2.5hr session (1 hr for 1-1) via Zoom or Skype with Kathy Ward, Senior International MBSR Teacher and Training. Kathy is the Director of Training and founder of Mindful Academy International a dedicated International Mindfulness MBSR Teacher Training Academy. Kathy will guide and support you through the learning of the 8 week course. Practice mp3's and our extensive Participants Handbook will be emailed to you. Like most things in life, you get out what you put in and home practice forms a large part of the course and you will need to commit yourself to spending upto one hour 6 out of 7 days a week for the duration of the course. This includes -
- Listening and practicing useing the supplied mp3 recordings
- Reading the Participants Workbook
- Making notes of your direct experience
- Include some informal mindfulness practices in your daily life