Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)

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Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) is an eight-week program that introduces mindfulness practices in the form of sitting meditation, body awareness, and mindful movement, modeled by Jon Kabat-Zinn, PhD. This program can help if stress is having a negative impact on your life, if you are experiencing chronic physical or mental distress, or if you are simply interested in learning ways to maintain health and well-being. Over 6,000 research papers have published findings on MBSR including decreased depression, pain, and distress, and increased attention, concentration, performance, and quality of life. 

The MBSR program is comprised of the Orientation and Introduction to Mindfulness, a 30-minute private interview with the instructor before the first class, 8 weekly sessions, and one daylong session on a Saturday or Sunday.

The Orientation and Introduction to Mindfulness session consists of meeting the instructor and other participants; an introduction to what participation in the class entails; a talk about the impact of stress and mindfulness on health, the history of MBSR, and research on the MBSR model; and instruction in and practice of introductory mindfulness techniques. 

If you are interested in attending the Orientation and Introduction to Mindfulness, but you are not ready to register for the class, please email [email protected] for information on how to join. Note that classes do tend to fill and develop a waitlist, so if you don't register for the full class, there may not be a space available for you. 

Fee: $395 
UCSF faculty, staff, and students are eligible for a $35 discount and will be charged $360. Email [email protected] before registering to receive the discount. 

Read our Transfer and Refund Policy here. 

Please note that you will need to individually purchase a copy of Full Catastrophe Living (Revised and Updated Edition, 2013) by Jon Kabat-Zinn, PhD. The book is available in hard copy, electronic, and audio formats from most public libraries and major booksellers. 

Due to program capacity, students can participate in up to three MBSR courses.

If you have any questions or need accommodation in order to participate, please contact [email protected] or 415-353-7718.

2021 Class Dates

All class activities are online including the retreat

    September-November Monday Evenings

    This class and waitlist are currently full. Please enroll in a different class.

    6:00 – 8:30 pm (First and last class may be up to 3 hours)

    • Orientation: September 13
    • Class Dates: September 27 to November 15
    • Retreat: Saturday, November 6, 9:30 am – 4:30 pm 
    • Instructor: Jane Baraz

    September-November Thursday Afternoons

    This class and waitlist are currently full. Please enroll in a different class.

    2:45 – 5:15 pm (First and last class may be up to 3 hours)

    • Orientation: September 16
    • Class Dates: September 30 to November 18
    • Retreat: Sunday, November 7, 9:30 am – 4:30 pm 
    • Instructor: James Mitchell, PhD

    September-November Tuesday Evenings

    This class and waitlist are currently full. Please enroll in a different class.

    6:00 – 8:30 pm (First and last class may be up to 3 hours)

    • Orientation: September 28
    • Class Dates: October 12 to November 30
    • Retreat: Saturday, November 20 10:00 am – 5:00 pm 
    • Instructor: Nichole Proffitt

    October-December Monday Afternoons

    This class and waitlist are currently full. Please enroll in a different class.

    1:00-3:30 pm (First and last class may be up to 3 hours)

    • Orientation: October 18
    • Class Dates: October 25 to December 13
    • Retreat: Saturday, December 4, 9:30 am-4:30 pm
    • Instructor: Bonnie O'Brien Jonsson

    2022 Schedule (Dates subject to change) 

    All class activities are online including the retreat. Registration opens two months prior to the Orientation Class. 

    January-March Thursday Evenings 

    This class is full. Please add your name to the waitlist.

    Register here

    • Orientation: January 6, 7:00-9:30 pm 
    • Class Dates: January 20-March 10, 7:00-9:30 pm 
    • Retreat: Sunday, February 27, 9:30 am-4:30 pm 
    • Instructor: James Mitchell

    January-March Monday Afternoons

    This class is full. Please add your name to the waitlist.

    Register here

    • Orientation: January 17, 2:45-5:15 pm 
    • Class Dates: January 31-March 21, 2:45-5:15 pm
    • Retreat: Saturday, March 12, 9:30 am-4:30 pm 
    • Instructor: Bonnie O’Brien Jonsson

    March-May Tuesday Evenings

    Register here

    • Orientation: March 1, 6:00-8:30 pm 
    • Class Dates: March 15-May 3, 6:00-8:30 pm 
    • Retreat: Saturday, April 23, 9:30 am-4:30 pm 
    • Instructor: Nichole Proffitt

    March-May Monday Afternoons

    Register here

    • Orientation: March 28, 2:45-5:15 pm
    • Class Dates: April 11-June 6, 2:45-5:15 pm. *No class on May 30 due to Memorial Day 
    • Retreat: Saturday, May 21, 9:30 am-4:30 pm 
    • Instructor: Bonnie O’Brien Jonsson

    April-June Tuesday Evenings

    Register here

    • Orientation: April 12, 6:00-8:30 pm 
    • Class Dates: April 26-June 14, 6:00-8:30 pm 
    • Retreat: Saturday, June 4, 9:30 am-4:30 pm 
    • Instructor: Jane Baraz

    May-July Wednesday Evenings

    Register here

    • Orientation: May 25, 6:30-9:00 pm 
    • Class Dates: June 8-July 27, 6:30-9:00 pm 
    • Retreat: Saturday, July 16, 9:30 am-4:30 pm 
    • Instructor: James Mitchell

    June-August Wednesday Evenings

    Register here

    • Orientation: June 22, 6:30-9:00 pm 
    • Class Dates: July 6-August 24, 6:30-9:00 pm 
    • Retreat: Saturday, August 13, 9:30 am-4:30 pm 
    • Instructor: James Mitchell

    July-September Monday Afternoons 

    Register here

    • Orientation: July 18, 1:00-3:30 pm   
    • Class Dates: August 1-September 26, 1:00-3:30 pm. *No class on September 5 due to Labor Day 
    • Retreat: Saturday, September 17, 9:30 am-4:30 pm   
    • Instructor: Nichole Proffitt

    August-October Tuesday Evenings

    Register here

    • Orientation: August 2, 6:00-8:30 pm 
    • Class Dates: August 16-October 4, 6:00-8:30 pm 
    • Retreat: Saturday, September 24, 9:30 am-4:30 pm 
    • Instructor: Nichole Proffitt

    September-November Tuesday Evenings

    Register here

    • Orientation: September 8, 6:00-8:30 pm 
    • Class Dates: September 22-November 10, 6:00-8:30 pm 
    • Retreat: Saturday, October 29, 9:30 am-4:30 pm 
    • Instructor: Jane Baraz

    September-November Thursday Afternoons

    Register here

    • Orientation: September 15, 2:45-5:15 pm
    • Class Dates: September 29-November 17, 2:45-5:15 pm
    • Retreat: Saturday, November 5, 9:30 am-4:30 pm 
    • Instructor: James Mitchell

    October-December Tuesday Evenings

    Register here

    • Orientation: October 11, 6:00-8:30 pm 
    • Class Dates: October 25-December 13, 6:00-8:30 pm 
    • Retreat: Saturday, December 3, 9:30 am-4:30 pm 
    • Instructor: Nichole Proffitt

    October-December Monday Evenings

    Register here

    • Orientation: October 17, 6:00-8:30 pm 
    • Class Dates: October 31-December 19, 6:00-8:30 pm 
    • Retreat: Saturday, December 10, 9:30 am-4:30 pm 
    • Instructor: Bonnie O’Brien Jonsson

    Ready to register?

    Click here to register for an 8-week MBSR class. Note that registration opens approximately two months before a class starts. 

    Upcoming MBSR Classes

    If you are interested in attending the Orientation and Introduction to Mindfulness, but you are not ready to register for the class, please email [email protected] for information on how to join. Note that classes do tend to fill and develop a waitlist, so if you don't register for the full class, there may not be a space available for you. 

    View all upcoming MBSR orientation sessions

    Instructors

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