Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction

Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction (MBSR)
with David Patterson

MBSR is an 8-week evidence-based, experiential program designed to provide participants with intensive and systematic training in mindfulness meditation and movement practices, integrating into daily life what is discovered and learned through the process of participating in the program. For beginners and advanced meditators alike, this course offers practices that have consistent, research demonstrated, positive outcomes including increased self-awareness and growing capacity for present focused attention.

“In Asian languages, the word for mind and the word for heart are same. So if you’re not hearing mindfulness in some deep way as heartfulness, you’re not really understanding it. Compassion and kindness towards oneself are intrinsically woven into it. You could think of mindfulness as wise and affectionate attention.”

– Jon Kabat-Zinn –

First created in 1979, by Jon Kabat-Zinn, Ph.D., MBSR now has 40 years of outcomes research highlighting statistically significant reductions in symptoms for various physical and behavioral health conditions including anxiety, depression and chronic pain, along with positive changes in risk factors that may lead to more serious chronic ailments. The 8-week MBSR course integrates a range of meditation practices including body awareness and gentle yoga with the intention to aid participants in enhancing self-care and improved emotional and physical adaptations for healthier living. Participants will learn experientially and conceptually how and why this public health intervention that is “secular, scientific, evidence-based practice …has become an accepted part of mainstream medicine”^[1] and behavioral health.

 

Workshop Leader: David Patterson, Ph.D.

David is a professor emeritus of the University of Tennessee College of Social Work. He is a certified MBSR Teacher through the Brown University Mindfulness Center and has had a daily sitting practice for over three decades. He has trained a wide array of individuals and groups in mindfulness practices. For the past five years, he has taught the MBSR 8-week course to UT graduate students in social work, counseling, and psychology.

Essentials:

No prior meditation experience needed.

8 weeks of instructor lead sessions

Guided meditations & course materials include

Recorded and guided instruction in mindfulness meditation practices

Recording of the body scan, sitting meditation, and gentle mindful movement guided meditations

PDF Workbook provided

Easy instructor access via email

Interested in this workshop at the Meaningful Life Center? Register below.

Dates:  Required orientation class Wednesday October 16 at 6:00pm
Regular sessions: 8 Wednesdays beginning October 23
We will skip Wednesday, November 27 for Thanksgiving and resume on December 4
Day-Long Retreat Sunday, December 8 – 9:00am to 4:00pm

Time:  6:00pm to 8:30pm

Location: Meaningful Life Center
116 Carr St. Knoxville, TN 37919