Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Course
with Jon Aaron and Upayadhi (Savanna Jo) Luraschi
Required Free Orientation: Wednesday, October 2nd, 2019 | 6:30pm-9:00pm
8 Week Course: Wednesdays, October 16th – December 4th, 2019 | 6:30pm – 9:00pm
Daylong Session: Sunday, November 24th, 2019 | 9:30am – 5:00pm
Please Note: The Wednesday, Nov 27th class will be held in Tuesday Nov 26th to accommodate holiday travel plans.
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) is 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.
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. 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.
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
Sliding Scale Course Fee: Sustaining $600 – Base $450
Please choose your rate mindfully and be as generous as possible so that NYI can continue to offer financial assistance to those in need for other NYI offerings. 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.
Orientation Session:
Required Free Orientation: Wednesday, October 2nd, 2019 | 6:30pm-9:00pm
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:
Wednesdays, October 16th – December 4th, 2019 | 6:30pm – 9:00pm
Course Location: NYIMC 28 West 27th Street, 10th Floor
Daylong Session:
Sunday, November 24th, 2019 | 9:30am – 5:00pm
Daylong Location: NYIMC 28 West 27th Street, 10th Floor
Registration:
The course is currently full. Please sign up for the wait list below. Any spots that become available will be offered to those who are both at the top of the wait list and attend the orientation on 10/2.
Anyone who is interested in the orientation on 10/2 is still welcome to attend. Once you attend an orientation, you do not need to attend another one in order to register for a future MBSR course at NYI.
Registration ended.
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
Upayadhi (Savanna Jo) Luraschi
Upayadhi (Savanna Jo) Luraschi discovered meditation in 2004, living in London and coming across the London Buddhist Center in Bethnal Green. She immediately started sitting meditation retreats several times a year, a commitment that endures. Her explorations have brought her to study with a variety of teachers in several contexts in Europe and the US. After having herself experienced the benefits of an 8-week MBSR cycle in 2009, Upayadhi trained to become a qualified MBSR teacher with the Center for Mindfulness at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. She is in the process of pursuing full MBSR certification, and is particularly interested in mitigating the individual and collective cost of stress and burnout of working professionals. She has more than 20 years of business experience in four different countries (USA/UK/France/India), both in the Luxury and Consumer Electronics industries. More recently, she has been training as a coach, and is pursuing a Masters of Divinity at Union Theological Seminary, with a concentration in Buddhist studies. Upayadhi was ordained into the Triratna Buddhist Order in 2018. Born in France, she speaks both French and English fluently.