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 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.

We also offer the 8 week MBSR course in a 5 day condensed format that is idea for those who would prefer to immerse themselves in the practices, whilst at the same time having free time to relax in the wonderful mediterranean coastal town of Altea, Costa Blanca, Spain. Dates for 2019 are 27th September to 1st October. You can stay at the small family run Hotel Tossa d' Altea, the 4 star venue and 300 year old converted Olive Mill, or find accommodation locally to suit your requirements. With easy access from the International airport at Alicante, Altea has a range of Hotels, Apartments and of course AirBnB so there will be something to suit everyone. 

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. 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.

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 (1.5hr 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
• Making notes of your direct experience
• Include some informal mindfulness practices in your daily life

Session 1 - Exploring Mindfulness

Session 2 - Exploring our perceptions, relationship and creative responding to the challenges and stressor in our lives

Session 3 - The Power of being present: Living all your moments

Session 4 - Cultivating Curiosity and Openness to the whole of my experience

Session 5 - Building on our Foundation of Mindfulness, paying attention to our capacity to respond rather than react to challenges and stressors

Session 6 - Interpersonal Mindfulness and building Resilience

Session 7 - Integrating Mindfulness, reflecting on life-style choices - How can I best take care of myself?

Session 8 - A Mindful Life, keeping up Momentum

• The aim of the 8 week Mindfulness MBSR Course is to learn new ways to be with our body sensations, thoughts and emotions.
• The course shows us ways to be kind to ourselves so that we are able to live our lives in a fuller and healthier way.
• It promotes a way of being that helps us to tackle life problems - physical, mental, social and emotional, you could call it a way of finding balance.
• The focus of the Mindfulness practice is to learn to ground ourselves in what is happening in the world around using the senses, to become aware of the small changes in the physical sensations in the body, to practice looking at thoughts, rather than from thoughts and to cultivate a new way of being with our emotions.
• During the course, we will learn about the power of an intention, how to notice what is going on for us right now in the present moment, how to gently turn towards our experience be it pleasant or unpleasant and how to be kind to ourselves. In this way we learn how to respond more skillfully to situations, rather than simply reacting automatically.
• Overall, the course is often helpful in dealing with an ongoing difficulty what ever that may be - the problem may not change however studies show that the way we can learn to relate to it most likely will. 

Whilst taking part in the course it is important to remember that finding the time to practice involves a shift in our normal daily routine. We find it helps to think of building the time in during the 8 weeks, rather than trying to fit it into our busy schedules. As we practice, things may appear to be feeling more intense and challenging, and the course encourages us to bring a high degree of attention to everything, even the unpleasant or difficult. This forms an important part of the experiential learning - to stay and be with the unpleasant and difficult with kindness, rather than turn away pretending it is not there or avoiding them. You may have found already that that simply does not work! Of course we will also learn when it is right to turn away and anchor with the breath or feet on the floor.

Please note there is little opportunity or time in either the group or 1-1 option to discuss any current or past personal problems not related to the practices. If necessary these should be pursued through individual work with a counselor or other appropriate support.  

• Initial orientation call with Kathy Ward to answer any questions you may have, and discuss if this is the right time for you to take the course (approximately 30 minutes)
• 8 x 2.5hr group OR
• 8 x individual 1.5hr live online Sessions OR
• 8 x individual 1 hour live online sessions
• Support via email between Sessions
• MP3 recordings to support your Home Practice
• Extensive Participants Workbook

Group cost: 1 x orientation call, email support and 8 x 2.5hr sessions 350 euros

Private Course for Two people: 1 x orientation per person, email support and 8 x 90 minute sessions for two 700 euros

Private Individual course: 1 x orientation, email support and 8 x 1 hour sessions 550 euros

Special Offer: For those applying for a space on the Mindfulness Teacher Training Level Course, there is a 150 euros discount when you book and pay for the courses at the same time.

Individual 8 week MBSR course dates and times vary depending on both your and Kathys' availability, please send us an email to [email protected] to find dates and times to suit your schedule. 

Many people chose the online group course as they are unable to physically attend, others chose the 1-1 option for its individual nature and it is also ideal for people who have already experienced the traditional 8 week course as a way to revist their practice with personal support. 

In both cases, to ensure the best possible experience for all participants, the course relies on video conferencing which has minimum requirements to work properly. That includes having a computer with speakers or headphones, microphone, video capabilities and a high speed internet connection. We do not recommend wifi. We recommend that you watch this video tuturial on YouTube called Joining a Meeting with Zoom www.youtube.com

We are also running a 5 day Condensed course at the Hotel Tossa d' Altea from Friday 27th September to Tuesday 1st October. Full details coming soon.

If you would like to apply for a space, download the application form below and email to [email protected] We will send you the first part of the Participants Workbook called 'Arriving at your Own Door' which covers lots of frequently asked questions. We will then contact you to arrange a mutually convenient time for the Orientation call which usually last a maximum of 30 minutes. Of course, please contact us by email with any initial questions you may have.