PROGRAM LEADER:
Kate Kitchen, MSW RSW

SPONSORED BY:
Health and Well-being Programs and Services,
University of Toronto

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) is a program that teaches how to use meditation to work with the stress in your life. The goal is to improve management of stress, quality of life and ability to notice the positive in one's day-to-day environment while coping with the challenges of life.

This stress can come from physical pain and illness, worry and anxiety, difficulty in relationships and work-related stress; the stresses that are a part of everyday life.

MBSR was first developed in 1979 at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center. Since then it has been adapted and researched extensively.

Some of the positive comments about the effectiveness of mindfulness include:

• Less attached to problems
• Gentle and kinder with self - less stress
• Less overwhelmed
• Calmer
• Able to look at things more clearly

MBSR is not therapy and does not require previous experience meditating. It is taught in a class format, with the focus on learning mindfulness meditation skills and practicing them in daily homework using CDs. Because you are learning new skills, it will be important to make a commitment to this daily homework, and in order to continue to experience the benefits of the course, you will need to continue this daily meditation practice after the class has ended.

Program Details

This 8 week group program is being offered to employees of the University of Toronto. The program includes 8 - 2 ½ hour group sessions and 1 – 6 hr group retreat on a Saturday.

Limited telephone support will be available between sessions.

Participants will be asked to meet with the program leader for an initial individual orientation to ensure understanding of the program goals, activities and structure.

Commitment: During the 8 week program, participants will be encouraged to practice up to one hour of mindfulness exercises at home every day. CDs will be provided to help guide the daily practice. This daily practice is critical to benefiting fully from the program. Individuals who are unable to make this commitment, are discouraged to enroll.

Fee: $100.00 (Subsidized by Health and Well-being Programs and Services)

Information Session: Friday March 12, 12:00 – 1:30 p.m.
155 College St. Room 108

This information session is required of all participants before beginning the program. During this session you will have the opportunity to:

• Meet the program leader
• Learn about the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Program and decide whether it is right for you
• Participate in a brief mindfulness exercise to familiarize yourself with the methods and approaches you will learn in the program
• Ask questions that you may have before deciding to enroll.

To register: for the Information Session, please e-mail Myra.Lefkowitz@utoronto.ca