Atlanta Mindfulness Institute
Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction
& Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy
(MBSR & MBCT) Training
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Welcome - Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) & Mindfuless Based Cognititve Therapy (MBCT)
In 1979 Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn and the Center for Mindfulness at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center introduced mindfulness meditation into mainstream medicine. Mindfulness was taught through an eight week program, where participants met for 2.5 hours weekly for 8 weeks, plus an all day silent retreat. This program, called Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, has been taught to over 18,000 people in the United States and thousands more in numerous countries throughout the world.
Since 1979 Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) has been widely hailed as the premiere complimentary health intervention for a variety of physical and psychological problems. Research has shown that MBSR has been a helpful and effective intervention for chronic pain, coping with cancer, insomnia, auto immune disorders, irritable bowel syndrome, headaches, high blood pressure, and heart disease. MBSR and a related 8 week program, Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT), have proven to be effective interventions for mental health problems such as anxiety, depression and family stress. The 8 week MBSR class has taught people, throughout the world, to incorporate Mindfulness Meditation into their daily routine and enhance their personal lives, their work, and their ability to relate to others.
Broadly defined, mindfulness means paying attention on purpose to present experience, without judgment. By slowing down, being fully present, and examining the mind and emotions with acceptance, the mindfulness practitioner can find freedom from suffering. During the MBSR program, participants learn and practice meditation, gentle yoga, mind-body integration practices, and mindful communication skills. These are skills they use for the rest of their lives to enhance sustained attention, mental clarity, insight, compassion and wise action.
In addition to offering several Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction programs each year, the Atlanta Mindfulness Institute also offers specialized programs for professional groups in both the practice and the application of mindfulness and Mindfulness Meditation as it relates to their profession. Research on MBSR has repeatedly shown it to be an important tool for professionals in medical care, mental health, education, and business, to enhance their ability to relate to patients, students, clients and co-workers. These specialized classes provide networking as well as training opportunities.