This 6-week experiential class series is based on Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), a course on mindfulness practice and stress reduction developed by Jon Kabat-Zinn at the UMass Medical School in 1979. It is the oldest and most studied mindfulness curriculum for general improvements in health and well-being. The technique was originally developed for use in hospitals with patients suffering from painful, chronic, or disabling conditions. It was found that following participation in an MBSR program, participants’ levels of anxiety and depression decreased and their sense of well-being increased. Extensive research has shown that the Stress Reduction Program can be beneficial for anyone, regardless of state of health. It is a course that helps participants draw on their own inner resources and actively engage in caring for themselves and finding greater balance, ease, and peace of mind.
This course contributes to:
1. Reduced negative emotions, reactivity to stress and chronic pain
2. Improved mood
3. Overcoming sleep problems
4. Decreased anxiety
5. Increased immunity
6. Enhanced resilience, joy, and compassion
7. Healthy aging
This 6-week highly participatory, practical course consists of weekly classes, and home practices. Participants will learn exercises to:
1. Increase awareness of body sensations (body scan)
2. Mindful movement and stretching (yoga)
3. Awareness of pleasant and unpleasant experiences
4. Awareness of thoughts and emotions
5. Increase compassion for ourselves and others
6. Latest research on mind-body response to stress and change
7. Practices to cultivate mindfulness throughout the day, living each moment to its fullest
Course Dates
6-week course, Sunday Evenings for 2 hours
September 22 – October 27, 2019 | 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Cost: $240
MBSR is truly experiential education. By spending a significant amount of time in class and at home it’s truly possible to change patterns of reactivity and stress. New ways of relating to life that are less reactive and more healthy often result. The power of this investigation into moment-to-moment living offered by MBSR can change your relationship to your own experience and this carries forward into relationships and attitudes of all kinds. To receive the most benefits from this course, participants must be committed to putting in the time in practice and study, which includes: 6 weekly classes and daily practice at home for (ideally) 30-45 min. If you have questions before registering for this course, feel free to contact the facilitator, Marcie Hamrick.
About the instructor:
Marcie Hamrick, MD is a family medicine physician and adjunct professor at the UW School of Medicine. She has 20 years of experience as a physician in a variety of settings including an integrative medicine practice. She has trained with Jon Kabat-Zinn and Saki Santorelli through the UMass Medical School and its training in MBSR and has been a meditation student in the practices of Zen and Vippassana since 2007. She has been a student of yoga since 1995, a yoga instructor since 2006, a facilitator at UW of Mind-Body Medicine, a supervisor at Bastyr Center for Natural Health, and a faculty member at the Seattle Institute of Oriental Medicine. She is currently Lead Provider at Vera Whole Health clinic.