In-Person: Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Course

In-Person: Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Course

with Margrit Pittman-Polletta

In-Person Orientation: Monday, April 13th, 2026 | 6:30pm – 9:00pm
In-Person Course: Mondays, April 20th – June 15th (skips June 1st), 2026 | 6:30pm – 9:00pm
In-Person Daylong: Saturday, May 16th, 2026 | 9:30am – 5:00pm

Location: New York Insight at 115 West 29th Street on the 12th Floor

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, mindful yoga, and inquiry/discussion as a way of exploring the habits of the mind to discover how these patterns of reactivity become a major cause of stress and where we could intervene to change them. MBSR helps participants learn to alter their relationship with each moment of their lives and through it derive more clarity, joy, fulfillment, and meaning from their lives. Classes usually have 25-30 participants but may be smaller. 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 for students to feel connected and be inspired. Participants are supported by recorded guided meditations and are expected to practice 45-60 minutes of daily formal meditation as well as various informal practices.

Benefits of MBSR:
Research over the past 46 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
• Techniques 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 life with greater ease
• Greater ability to decrease the physical, mental and emotional effects of the societal stressors of sexism, racism, homophobia, xenophobia and gender inequity among many other challenges

Course Dates:

Free Orientation (required): Monday, April 13th, 2026 | 6:30pm – 9:00pm
Course: Mondays, April 20 – June 15 (skips June 1), 2026 | 6:30pm – 9:00pm
Daylong: Saturday, May 16, 2026 | 9:30am – 5:00pm

Sliding Scale Course Fee: Sustaining $715 – Base $420

Please choose your rate mindfully and be as generous as possible so that NYI can continue to offer financial assistance to those in need of other NYI offerings.

If you need financial assistance, we have a limited amount of partial scholarships available. Email [email protected] for more info.

Participants may register after the orientation for this class takes place, but must still view a recorded orientation, complete the pre-class questionnaire and arrange a pre-class interview with the teacher. If would like to register for this course but are not able to make it to the orientation, please email us at [email protected] so we can make the necessary arrangements with the teacher.

Sign up for the free orientation on April 13th here.

Register for the MBSR Course:

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