Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction – MBSR

“As a fellow at the University of Arizona’s Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine, I learned a bit about Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and the profound effect mindfulness can have on health and healing but never had the opportunity to experience the class itself. As 19 others and myself gathered for our first class there was a clear sense of anxiety in the air. “Is this right for me?”, “I feel so anxious.”, “How can I sit quietly for 20 minutes?”, “Will this really impact my life?” Fast-forward 8 weeks and the feelings are totally different. There is a palpable sense of collective calm and a completely different perspective on the true meaning of living. No longer are the people in the class constrained by their self-defeating thoughts and beliefs. They now exude a sense of calm, peace and control of their lives. They now understand how to turn stress from a threat to their lives into a challenge to be embraced. This course is a must for anyone who wishes to reframe how he or she thinks about themselves as well as the world around them. Truly life changing.”  – Dr. Andrew Nish, Medical Director of the John Stoddard Cancer Center (Winter 2020 MBSR graduate)

“Allison has found her calling. She is so gifted as a gentle guide/teacher, and has such a beautiful, welcoming and inclusive presence. It is so obvious that she completely believes in what she is doing and teaching, and how excited she is about the possibilities for her students that she just wants everyone to have this gift. Thank you, Allison, for sharing your knowledge, your stories, your deep wisdom. I feel more hopeful about my life, and life in our world in general.”  – C.M. (Summer 2021 MBSR graduate)

“No mud, no lotus.” Thich Nhat Hanh

Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction  8-Week Course
Although stress is at the cause of many physical illnesses and psychological disorders, it is not often diagnosed or treated at the root level. There are very few resources that effectively treat stress as a condition. MBSR is an 8-week intensive course, backed by 40 years of research, proven to reduce the symptoms of stress and anxiety. Utilizing curriculum developed by Jon Kabat-Zinn, PhD at UMASS Center for Mindfulness, this non-clinical (i.e. not group therapy) course is designed to teach mind-body awareness, recognize and put to use our inner psychological resources to respond to toxic stress, increase stress hardiness, focus, creativity, regulate emotions, and allow a greater sense of self-care and well-being.  { Read: “What is MBSR?” by Allison Peet }  No prior mindfulness/meditation experience necessary. Open to adults, 18 and over, who are committed to self-exploration and self-care.

Why do adults take this course? 
Some of the major reasons why people take the MBSR course are job, school or family stress, chronic pain, sleeplessness, mild depression and anxiety, anger issues, or grief. The class is also very effective in helping to establish a personal mindfulness meditation practice to simply take a more proactive role in greater overall health and well-being.

Course Objectives
– How to stabilize and focus attention to use internal psychological resources for greater self-care.
– Identify Automatic Habitual Stress Reactivity and Mindfulness Mediated Stress Response, and respond more wisely to stressful events.
– How to work skillfully with difficult emotions, thoughts, and unpleasant physical sensations.
-Techniques to respond more wisely to stressful events and difficult communication.
– Recognize judgement, bias, negative thought patterns and reactivity in a more non-judgmental, engaged manner by cultivating self-compassion, embodied presence, empathy and acceptance.
-Create a personal, on-going mindfulness meditation practice.

Class Structure
Classes focus on the experiential cultivation of both “formal” and “informal” mindfulness practices such as gentle yoga, mindful movement, and meditation as a foundation for the cultivation of psychological and emotional resilience that can be effectively utilized across the adult life span. The group meets once per week for 8 weeks for 2.5 hours.  Each participant is expected to complete assigned home practice on their own, such as meditation, body scan, gentle yoga, the other 6 days per week for about 30-45 minutes per day. Attendance is required and is taken each class meeting.

One teacher lead, silent Day of Mindfulness retreat experience is included to deepen the practice of seamless, meditative awareness (approx. 6 hours: 9am-3pm). This is held on a weekend day following week 5 or 6 class.

Continuing Education Opportunities:

Teachers, Educators in Iowa: 15 Contact hours- 1 License Renewal Credit through Heartland AEA
Mental Health Professionals: 20 Contact hours- 20 CEUs
Clergy and Spiritual Directors: 20 Contact hours- 2 CEUs

Cancellation and Refund Policy:

– Cancellations made 7 or more days prior to date of first class: Full fee is transferable for use within 6 months from session start date.
– Cancellations made 24 to 72 hours prior to date of first class: 50% of full fee is transferable for use within 6 months from session start date.
– Less than 24 hours notice prior to date of first class, no shows, and withdrawing mid-class: Full fee is forfeited.
– If you pay via the online credit card system through WePay on Constant Contact and you request a refund, The Center will refund you the total amount less a 5% surcharge fee for credit card processing.

Mask safety guidelines for groups and classes at the Center:

• Wearing masks, covering the mouth and nose, are required in the hallways and waiting areas.
• Masks and other mitigation strategies are optional and up to each person’s discretion and comfort level while attending group sessions and classes in the building during your program.
• Proper hand washing and good personal hygiene is highly recommended while attending group classes in the Center. Hand sanitizer and antibacterial wipes are available for your use.
• Your instructor may require the use of masks and other mitigation strategies due to changes in CDC guidelines or other health concerns related to the work of the Center.

For more information:

Contact the facilitator, Allison Peet:

Allison Peet is a certified Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Instructor trained at UMass Center for Mindfulness, founded by Jon Kabat-Zinn, PhD and the Mindfulness Center at Brown University. She is trained through Mindful Schools and is a certified Buteyko Breathing Method coach and registered yoga instructor (RYT200). She’s taught since 2015 and hundreds have graduated from her MBSR program. Based on a pre and post self-evaluation, 84% of grads lowered their perceived stress, and reduced stress levels an average of 35%. Allison completes multiple week-long silent meditation retreats and has a regular practice. The cultivation of mindfulness transformed her relationship with stress and anxiety which motivated her to start her own business in 2015, From Within Wellness, to benefit others. She is committed to creating a more mindful community by helping people develop pragmatic life skills in attentional strength, present moment awareness, self-compassion, and stress resiliency.

READ: “What is MBSR?” by Allison Peet 

To learn more about Allison, click HERE.