In-Person: Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Course
with Tushar D. Bhagat
In-Person Course: Thursdays, June 6th – August 1st, 2024 | 10:00am – 12:30pm ET
In-Person Daylong: Saturday, July 13th, 2024 | 9:30am – 5:00pm ET
Course Location: Still Mind Zendo at 34 W. 15th Street, 3rd Floor New York, NY 10011
Course Description:
New York Insight offers ongoing 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.
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 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 30-45 minutes of daily formal meditation 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.
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
Sliding Scale Course Fee:
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. 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. We currently don’t have any MBSR financial assistance at this time.
Please Note: The MBSR orientation is an integral part of the course and is a required element of the course.
Participants may register after the orientation for this class but must still view a recorded orientation, complete the pre-class questionnaire and arrange a pre-class interview with the teacher. Once you have registered, the teacher will contact you to make these arrangements.
Free Online Intro Session:
Thursday, May 23rd, 2024 | 6:30pm – 9:00pm
Free In-Person Intro Session:
Thursday, May 30th, 2024 | 10:00am – 12:30pm
Free Online Intro Session:
Thursday, May 30th, 2024 | 7:00pm – 8:30pm
In-Person Course Sessions:
Thursdays, June 6th – August 1st, 2024 | 10:00am – 12:30pm ET
In-Person Daylong Session:
Saturday, July 13th, 2024 | 9:30am – 5:00pm ET
Course Registration:
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Please contact registration@nyimc.org if you need assistance.
Teacher(s)
Tushar D. Bhagat
Growing up in a household with a strong yoga and mindfulness practice for over 30 years, Dr. Bhagat received early yoga and meditation training from his parents. He began formal training in meditation during middle school while attending and serving 10 day silent Vipassana meditation retreats near Mumbai, India during high school. Over the past several years Dr. Bhagat has been practicing with and facilitating multiple meditation groups in the Zen-Thich Nhat Hanh tradition around the New York City area. He is formally trained as a mindfulness based stress reduction (MBSR) teacher through University of Massachusetts Medical Center and Brown University.
An accomplished Biomedical scientist and a commended medical school faculty by day, Dr. Bhagat teaches MBSR and other stress reduction programs at his Medical School and Cancer Research Institute to Cancer patients, Graduate and Medical Students, Medical Residents and Fellows, in addition to Medical Doctors, Therapists, Scientists and staff in his academic institution. Aside from doing translational cancer research, he is pursuing research on mindfulness-based well-being programs for professionals.
Dr. Bhagat firmly believes in the potential of science based mindfulness practices in reducing stress and increasing well-being. He embodies a deep commitment towards teaching mindfulness to open, willing participants and helping them integrate, apply practical skills in their regular life to create conditions for a happier, content and meaningful life.