Tom and Julie Chippendale offer introductory MBSR classes approximately three times per year (see offerings and schedule): Spring, Fall and Winter.
In addition, several other programs are available (see offerings).
What is MBSR? Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction is a structured 8 week course that nourishes the quality of present moment awareness through meditative disciplines. Meditation itself simply refers to the activity of paying attention on purpose. Many societies and traditions have recognized the value of such discipline of thought, and scientific inquiry has begun to validate some of the psychological and physiological benefits. In general, the thousands of meditative forms can be placed into one of two categories. The first includes “concentration” practices where the object of attention is fixed and specific, perhaps a single object, word or phrase. The second category emphasizes general awareness of the present moment, or “mindfulness”. In this practice it is possible to develop the capacity to see things as they really are in a non-judgmental open-hearted way, allowing for the capacity to live more fully, less “on automatic”, and with greater clarity and insight. Such a capacity, in turn, allows for the possibility of self regulatory behaviors, interrupting the cascade of physiological events that accompany physical and psychological stress. A large literature is developing to demonstrate the benefits of attention practice in the health care setting. These concepts will be explored, experienced and expanded in the basic 8 week course.