MBSR Foundation and Level 1 Teacher Development Programmes
Foundation + Level 1
Dates
Introduction
Welcome to the MBSR Teacher Training Programme that has evolved from the experience of previous courses delivered by the Institute in recent years.
Bridging the “traditional” with the “innovative”, this Programme aims to blend the standard and well-researched methods of teaching mindfulness with more recent perspectives derived from the need to adapt the material to diverse teaching contexts. Thus, the programme aims to support participants in bringing mindfulness to their chosen teaching context in a safe and ethical way, thus making mindfulness accessible to a wider audience.
The entire course is intended to offer the participants learning opportunities for developing solid mindfulness teaching skills, while giving equal attention to ability to self-reflect and group participation.
The blended live-online and online training can be completed in a 12 month period upon the successful completion of all training modules. It begins with the Foundation course followed by Level 1. Upon successful completion of the Foundation level, you will receive a Certificate of Competence to teach the meditation practices taught on this course. The Foundation level can be taken as a stand-alone training.
If you wish to teach the standard 8 week MBSR courses to groups you are welcome to sign up for the Level 1 of the Programme which begins in November 2022. Upon successful completion of Level 1, you will receive a Certificate of Competence to teach the 8 week MBSR courses.
To sign up for the Foundation course, please fill in the Application Form provided and return it to us. We will then contact you with a view to arrange a Skype/Zoom interview.
We are looking forward to hearing from you
Is there a demand for MBSR Teachers?
The World Health Organisation recently stated that by 2030, mental health issues will form the biggest burden on health care resources including heart conditions and cancer. Mindfulness-based approaches are recommended by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (Nice) for preventing relapse in patients with recurrent depression, and is successful in half of all cases. Such findings have been backed up by neuroscience.
Pre-requisites
- Professional qualification in a caring profession or equivalent life experience. Please contact us if unsure if your qualification is suitable.
- Completion of a live or online 8 Week MBSR course, or similar, in a group setting
- Attendance of at least 1 Teacher- led Mindfulness Retreat, preferably a 5 Day Retreat (or 2 shorter Retreats)
- Minimum of 6 months of daily formal mindfulness meditation practice.
- Familiarity with all practices taught on an 8 Week Mindfulness Programme
- Experience of yoga, tai chi, or other types of body work practice
- A sincere aspiration and commitment to expand your horizons as a Mindfulness practitioner
- Readiness to step into the role of the Mindfulness trainer, along with the responsibilities and challenges that it takes
Course Objectives
- Explore the relationship between mindfulness and recovery from stress
- Develop familiarity with the theory underpinning the mindfulness-based intervention
- Learn introductory teaching skills in the Foundation course
- Learn experientially how to teach short practices and the basic standard meditations including sitting, body scan, mindful movement and mindful walking.
- Develop a safe and effective mindfulness teaching practice
- Connect with others sharing an interest to teach mindfulness
- Lead guided practices and enquiry with fellow participants in a safe& supportive environment
- Practice giving and receiving feedback in your group with the support of the guiding tutor
- Expand on your teaching and inquiry skills and prepare teaching the 8 Week MBSR
- Explore and reflect on the necessary skills for developing safe and effective teaching methods
Other areas covered by the course:
- A template in digital format on how to record reflections on learning and experience of formal/informal practice will be provided
- Notes to support creating trainee’s own course manual
- The practice of Compassion in the context of Mindfulness training
- Differences between teaching MBSR and MBCT
- A self-assessment guide on teaching practice
- Online material to facilitate and guide trainees’ further development
- Input on working with groups
- Assessing client suitability for an MBSR/MBCT course
- An exploration of how mindfulness impacts on relationships
- Video/audio recording to facilitate individual/group learning
What to expect during the programme?
The main focus of this Programme will be on developing sound teaching skills in: teaching basic meditation practices in the Foundation Level, and teaching MBSR in Level 1. Both parts of the training will also focus on facilitating group inquiry and dialogue.
During the course you will intensively practice the main exercises of the programme, as well as self-reflecting on the meditation homework (e.g. body scan, mindful movement including gentle yoga/Qi Gong, sitting and walking meditation).
The live online training sessions are largely interactive and experiential, and you will be required to demonstrate teaching skills in small groups and discuss your experiences with one another.
This training programme will facilitate the deepening of your personal mindfulness practice. A teacher’s embodiment of mindfulness is integral to teaching a mindfulness-based approach and we focus on looking at and working with all the aspects of this.
We support you in sharing your experiences with your colleagues online once the training program is finished because this can be an important resource for you to discuss your future work as a teacher.
This Teacher Training Programme – Foundation& Level 1 together – will fully prepare you to teach MBSR. The practically oriented online learning modules, combined with the live-online mentoring by an experienced teacher, as well as the nurturing of one’s own meditation practice, build an approach that has been shown to be highly effective and supportive for trainee teachers.”
Why are we different?
The reason our training programme is so successful is because we have responded to people’s requirements to have a flexible, convenient and cost effective MBSR training programme while not compromising on teaching and support. Our world class learning management system facilitates the teaching of this programme in a highly effective way through the live-online format with experienced and inspiring Mindfulness trainers. Embarking on this course, you will achieve positive transformation in your life and that of your patients/clients.
Our trainers adhere to the Good Practice Guidelines for Trainers and we encourage the teachers we train to adhere to the Good Practice Guidelines for Teachers.
Fee
Foundation Course Fee: $ 2247
A non refundable deposit of $ 865 is payable on acceptance onto the training. The balance can be paid in full before the start of the training. Payment can also be made in two remaining installments prior to the start date of the course.
Application Process
The number of students on this course is restricted to 12 to ensure best results. Course applications are welcomed through the completion of the online application form below. On receipt of this application form a screening process will take place. If successful at this stage, applicants will be invited to attend a Skype interview. Attendance at interview does not imply acceptance on the course. Apply early to avoid disappointment.
ONLY THOSE WHO SATISFY THE PRE-REQUISITES OF THE PROGRAMME WILL BE CONSIDERED.
Level 1 Programme
Level 1 is highly experiential and intended to equip the participants with the up to date theory and practical skills necessary for their development as mindfulness trainers. The teaching modules follow the standard 8 week MBSR Curriculum. There is a strong focus on the participants developing practical and hands-on experience in delivering meditation practices and inquiry through small group practices, mindful feedback, and reflection.
The participants will have opportunities to experience how deepening of one’s meditation practice adds to the foundation for teaching others and the necessity of creating a safe and ethical teaching context.
Another important aspect covered by the Programme will be “Sitting in the participant’s seat”, developing perspectives on how your course participants might experience the teaching.
Therefore it is essential that the participants maintain a regular meditation practice throughout the programme and embody mindfulness and compassion so that they practice what they teach. An appreciation of the self-directed and shared learning on an online teaching environment is important.
Fee
Level 1 Course Fee: $2939
A non refundable deposit of $ 865 is payable on acceptance onto the training. The balance can be paid in full before the start of the training. Payment can also be made in two remaining installments prior to the start date of the course.
Testimonials
MSBR helped me learn how to bring space and flow to my life. We were taught the tools of meditation and simple yoga skills which helps you ‘check-in’ with how your body, mind and heart are doing. Before attending the course I felt as though I was on a constant treadmill, as you can imagine this feeling made it very difficult for me to relax. The course helped me to slow things right down and really start getting in touch with the people, things and environments that supported and nurtured my soul. Funnily enough, once I started doing this, it opened up a place for situations/opportunities to come towards me! I could begin to be playful. It helped lessen all the reaching and stretching and wanting, and while that is naturally still there, I am much more aware of my tendencies and personality type. I know how to care for this one and very precious body. The course taught me to respect my life and to trust in a natural ebb and flow and to jump off the treadmill! The course was delivered with passion, consideration and much-needed humour! Luminita had a strictness about her, but it’s much more Zen-Master than Hard Task-Master, it stems I think from her understanding and experience of how important this work can be; because it can make a real difference to life. The group dynamic is also very helpful, you may have something you want to say but somehow can’t express it or say the words, invariably one of your fellow classmates will voice something similar, it’s a freeing feeling. MSBR was for me quite simply, life changing and I recommend it and Luminita’s careful facilitation whole heartedly.
Being on the course, reminded me to be kind to myself and it was a nourishing experience. I hope to incorporate this training into my work as a therapist and for myself.
The course was well rounded including actual meditation practices with practical advice on how to apply to context. It was very much interactive and got to the core what mindfulness is about. I honestly think it was very well delivered, fully inspirational and I would quite happily attend more training in future. As a therapist, I hope to introduce my clients to Mindfulness and support them on their journey.
