Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Course
with Jon Aaron
Thursdays, September 6th- November 1st, 2018 | 6:30pm-9:00pm
This course has reached capacity. There is another MBSR course beginning September 14th, 2018. Click here for more info.
New York Insight offers on-going classes in Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), the ground-breaking and time-tested, scientifically researched program developed by Jon Kabat-Zinn in 1979 for the University of Massachusetts Medical School. This transformative course is suited for those coming to meditation for the first time or for experienced meditators who realize they have not yet integrated these practices fully into their lives.
The teaching of MBSR at NY Insight is offered by seasoned MBSR teachers, most of whom are certified by the University of Massachusetts Center for Mindfulness. All of our teachers have decades of meditation practice and study and between them have taught well over 200 cycles of this seminal 8-Week curriculum.
In addition, New York Insight is committed to providing support for alumni of MBSR Programs in the form of follow-up courses, access to teachers and sitting groups.
Benefits of MBSR
Research over the past 38 years indicates that a majority of people who complete this program report a greater ability to cope more effectively with short and long term stressful situations; an increased ability to relax, lasting decreases in physical and psychological symptoms; reduction in pain levels and enhanced ability to cope with chronic pain and most importantly a greater energy and enthusiasm for life.
Some of the Skills People Learn in MBSR Courses
- Practical coping skills to improve the ability to handle stressful situations
- Methods for being physically and mentally relaxed and at ease
- Gentle full body conditioning exercises to strengthen the body and release muscular tension
- The ability to be increasingly aware of the interplay of mind and body in health and illness
- The ability to face change and difficult times in your life with greater ease
- Greater ability to decrease the physical, mental and emotional effects of the societal stressors of sexism, racism, homophobia
What to Expect
MBSR uses meditation, yoga and inquiry as a way of training people to relate differently to stresses in their lives and in fact, relate differently to each moment of their lives
This class is in 8 weekly 2 ½ hour sessions. Between classes 5 and 7 there is a full day of practice on a weekend day. Each class includes various “formal” meditation practices, mindful movement and discussion/inquiry exploring the habits of the mind to discover how these patterns of reactivity become a major cause of stress.
Class size ranges from 15 – 30 participants. The course is experiential: by paying attention to what arises in daily and class practice, and through exploring the challenges that arise and how these are met, a supportive and safe container is created.
Participants are supported by recorded guided meditations and are expected to practice 30-45 minutes of formal meditation daily as well as various informal practices.
Course Fee & Requirements
- Sliding scale: Base $450/ Sustaining $600 (* By paying the higher rate, you help to support the scholarship fund.)
- Please choose your rate mindfully and be as generous as possible so that NYI can continue to offer financial assistance to those in need.
- It is important when considering this class to make sure your schedule allows you to attend all 8 sessions, though if a class is missed there are usually concurrent classes which allow for make-up sessions.
(*) The NYI Scholarship Fund allows NYI to offer partial scholarships to those who may not be able to afford registration costs.
Update on 8/10/18: We currently do not have any MBSR financial assistance at this time. There is a long waiting list of applicants who will be contacted towards the end of August if financial assistance is available.
Orientation Session:
Thursday, September 6, 6:30pm-9pm
Orientation Location: NYIMC 28 West 27th Street, 10th Floor
Please note that attendance is required at the orientation session. If this is not possible, you must arrange to speak with the instructor before the first class.
Evening Sessions:
8 Thursdays, 6:30pm-9pm
September 13, 20, 27, October 4, 11, 18, 25, and Nov. 1
Course Location: NYIMC 28 West 27th Street, 10th Floor
Daylong Session:
Saturday, October 13, 9:30am-5pm
Daylong Location: NYIMC 28 West 27th Street, 10th Floor
Teacher(s)
Jon Aaron
Jon Aaron is a Dharma and mindfulness teacher based in New York and Chicago. Since 2006, he has taught at the New York Insight Meditation Center, offering Dharma and MBSR classes. He regularly leads retreats around the U.S. He is primarily grounded in the Theravāda tradition, alongside non-dual and Mahayana approaches. His teaching emphasizes integrating Dharma and mindfulness into daily life to foster clarity in addressing personal and social challenges. His teachers include Matthew Flickstein and, more recently, Kittisaro and Thanissara through their Dharmapala program. Jon also studied contemplative care at the Zen Center for Contemplative Care and completed the Integrated Study and Practice program at the Barre Center for Buddhist Studies. He is a certified MBSR teacher and teacher trainer and a Somatic Experience Practitioner®. In response to the pandemic, he and his partner, Upayadhi, launched the Space2Meditate community, offering daily meditation since March 2020. Additionally, he co-hosts the podcast Diggin’ the Dharma with scholar Doug Smith, now in its third season. JonAaron.net