ETHOS MINDFULNESS- BASED STRESS REDUCTION (MBSR) PROGRAM
ONLINE, 8-WEEK COURSE
“MINDFULNESS IS PAYING ATTENTION IN A PARTICULAR WAY, ON PURPOSE, IN THE PRESENT MOMENT AND NON-JUDGMENTALLY.”
– Jon Kabat Zinn
Description:
Environmental stressors play an important role in governing relationships with others as well as the internal relationship with one’s self.
These stressors can range from watching the nightly news to forcing yourself to eat kale when you really wanted cake, to being provoked by an obnoxious colleague at work.
MBSR makes us aware of our emotions in real time. By being aware, or mindful of emotions, we are afforded the opportunity to change our responses to stressors so they are no longer reflexive, no longer reactive.
When consistent, such behavioral change forms the basis of healthful living. It allows people to fully immerse themselves in profound ways, in the seven lifestyle habits that form the basis of human health – whole plant food nutrition, fitness, social connection, emotional health, sleep, the avoidance of dangerous substances and connection to the natural world.
This is why the Ethos Primary Care practice is rooted in MBSR. We see it as an essential tool in building healthy lifestyle habits and achieving optimal health.
People come to Ethos Primary Care with a diverse range of health problems. They seek to get off medications and solve their problems in a “natural way” via consistency in the 7 lifestyle habits. Many people seek us out for assistance in reversing and preventing chronic illness. MBSR is applicable in both cases due to its broad and simple approach.
Our MBSR courses are held in Spring from mid or end of March to mid-May and Fall from the beginning to mid-October to the end of November. The classes are on Mondays from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm. Dates are published at least three months before the start of the course.
Foundation Course
Our educational MBSR course consists of 8 weekly, 2 to 2 1/2-hour classes and one full-day session.
Prior to the course there is a free, pre-requisite orientation session that provides an introduction to mindfulness and describes the course in greater detail.
Pre-Registration is required.
Participants in the MBSR program receive:
- Guided instruction in mindfulness meditation and mindful practices
- Suggestions that are tailored to you, individually
- Exercises to enhance awareness in your every-day life
- Methods to improve your interpersonal communications
- Daily assignments to reinforce the techniques we introduce in class
- Four recorded links for guided meditations and a weekly homework handout
Spring 2024 - Online Class Dates
Free Orientation: Monday, February 12, 2024, 6:30-8:30 pm
Week 1: Monday, March 11, 2024, 6:30-8:30 pm
Week 2: Monday, March 18, 2024, 6:30-8:30 pm
Week 3: Monday, March 25, 2024, 6:30-8:30 pm
Week 4: Monday, April 1, 2024, 6:30-8:30 pm
Week 5: Monday, April 8, 2024, 6:30-8:30 pm
Week 6: Monday, April 15, 2024, 6:30-8:30 pm
Full Day Retreat: Sunday, April 21, 2024, 9 am to 3 pm
Week 7: Monday, April 22, 2024, 6:30-8:30pm
Week 8: Monday, April 29, 2024, 6:30-8:30pm
The Program Fee is $500*
Fall 2024 - Online Class Dates
Free Orientation: Monday, September 9, 2024, 8:00-10:00 am
Week 1: Monday, October 7, 2024, 8:00-10:00 am
Week 2: Monday, October 14, 2024, 8:00-10:00 am
Week 3: Monday, October 21, 2024, 8:00-10:00 am
Week 4: Monday, October 28, 2024, 8:00-10:00 am
Week 5: Monday, November 4, 2024, 8:00-10:00 am
Week 6: Monday, November 11, 2024, 8:00-10:00 am
Full Day Retreat: Saturday, November 9, 2024, 9 am to 3 pm
Week 7: Monday, November 18, 2024, 8:00-10:00 am
Week 8: Monday, November 25, 2024, 8:00-10:00 am
The Program Fee is $500*
* Participants must attend a free orientation session before starting the 8-week program. The current course in progress cannot be joined.
LED BY ASHA GALA, LIFESTYLE CLINICAL DIRECTOR
A National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) teacher, Asha designs and teaches lifestyle medicine classes including MBSR, facilitates support groups for patients healing from chronic illness, and provides one-on-one lifestyle counseling sessions.
Click here to read more about Asha.
INTERVIEWS WITH ASHA
Overcoming Illness and Poor Health With a Natural Diet and Mindfulness, with Asha Gala
In this podcast, Asha discusses early influences in Mumbai on her dietary and lifestyle approach. Additional topics include moving outside of our wired way of life, obstacles to transforming our health, the role of compassion, the importance of readiness for change, the foundation of MBSR, and the role of awareness and the breath. Click here to listen to the podcast.
Mindful Based Stress Reduction Techniques, with Asha Gala
In this podcast interview with Plant Trainers, Asha discusses her personal experiences in using Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction to assist with lasting lifestyle transformation, and she discusses her family’s experiences in reversing chronic disease through eating a whole food plant-based diet. Click here to listen to the podcast.
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT MBSR
“Mindfulness-based stress reduction: a non-pharmacological approach for chronic illnesses” – North American Journal of Medical Sciences
“Effectiveness of mindfulness-based stress reduction program on quality of life in cardiovascular disease patients” – International Journal of Cardiology and Heart Vasculature
“8-week Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction induces brain changes similar to traditional long-term meditation practice” – Brain and Cognition
