This introductory session will acquaint us with the practice of mindfulness as taught at the Center for Mindfulness in Medicine, Health Care, and Society at the University of Massachusetts Medical School and Brown University. We will learn how this scientific, evidence-based practice has become a complimentary part of mainstream medicine, and discover how it can positively affect the quality of our everyday life. We will have the opportunity to learn more about the structure of the program, practice on a short mindfulness exercise and ask questions to determine whether this program is a good fit. At the end of the orientation session, there can be a short personal meeting with the instructor, based on the information you have provided on the Application Form. Attending the orientation session is mandatory.

In this session we will cover an overview of the course and establish the learning context for the rest of our experience. We will learn the theory and evidence of mind-body medicine and how to apply it in our life, as well as learn more about the participatory healing approach. We’ll be experientially introduced to mindful eating, mindful breathing, and the body scan method, with a special emphasis on what it means to be fully engaged in the present moment.

Perception is key in mindfulness—how we see things (or don't see them) will determine how we respond. This week's session and practices will invite us to examine our perceptions, assumptions and the way we view the world. We will learn to use the body scan practice to cultivate greater awareness of how we react to stressful situations. Changing the way we perceive and respond to difficulties and challenges will impact the short- and long-term effects of stress on our mind and body.

In this session, we will practice several distinct yet interrelated mindfulness practices - mindful hatha yoga, sitting meditation, and walking meditation. We will begin to realize that there is both pleasure and power in being present. We will directly attend to and investigate the ways in which our experiences create reactions such as pleasure or discomfort in the mind and body.

By practicing mindfulness, we cultivate curiosity and openness to the full range of our experience and through this process our ability to pay attention becomes more flexible. This week, our practice will focus on developing our ability to concentrate and systematically expand our field of awareness. We will learn about the physiological and psychological elements of stress reactivity and learn mindful strategies for responding to stressful situations in positive, proactive ways.

Halfway through the program, we should be familiar with the foundations of mindfulness and able to focus on applying it more rapidly and effectively in our everyday life. This week we will focus on the occasions where we may still feel stuck in regards to unhealthy automatic behaviors and learn to apply more mindfulness when experiencing an unpleasant physical sensation or an intense emotion or thought.

This all-day session of intensive practice takes place in silence and is intended to help us deepen our practice and assist us in firmly and effectively establishing the use of MBSR skills across multiple situations in our life, while simultaneously preparing us to utilize these methods far beyond the conclusion of the program.

Resilience or “stress hardiness” is our ability to return to equilibrium after stressful situations. This week, we will focus on transformational coping strategies to broaden our inner resources and enhance our resilience through our mindfulness practice. We will also explore the interpersonal application of mindfulness in regards to communicating with other people, especially when that becomes hard.

Mindfulness is most effective when it is a lifetime commitment. This week, we will explore the many ways that we can integrate mindfulness more fully and authentically into our life. While having a dedicated regular practice for mindfulness meditation is important and beneficial, it is just as important to bring a broader sense of awareness and presence to every moment in our life and to use non-judgmental awareness in our self-reflection and decision-making processes. We will learn how to maintain the discipline and flexibility of daily practice as circumstances change over the course of our life.

In the final week of the program, we will have a complete review of everything we’ve learned over the course, with an emphasis on carrying the momentum we’ve built forward into the coming months and years. We will learn about resources available to us to pursue mindfulness in new directions as our life and practice evolve, as well as the support systems that exist to help us continue to integrate, learn, and grow. The final lesson creates a satisfying closure by honoring both the end of this program and the beginning of the rest of our life.

The best way to become familiar with mindfulness practice and decide whether this program is a good fit for you, is to attend the orientation session which is open to everyone and takes place before every scheduled MBSR program cycle. You can check out our YouTube channel for mindfulness practices and videos.

Our MBSR program is taught by Myrto Legaki, certified instructor of the Mindfulness Center of the University of Massachusetts and Brown University in the USA, the two leading and world renowned Universities for training and certification in this field. The certificate of attendance that our center provides to participants that have attended the entirety of the program, is the first step for any further professional training in mindfulness teaching available abroad. Please note that attending the MBSR program is not a professional education and does not prepare nor certifies attendees to teach the MBSR program to others.

After the orientation session and before the first meeting, you can cancel your enrollment and receive a 100% refund. After the first meeting, it is not possible for a refund to be issued.

We urge you to sign up for the Wellbeing Together online platform, which is an easy and accessible way to begin practicing meditation and improving your life. You can alternatively ask us about our Personal Mentoring sessions.

Yes. In fact, often mindfulness works as a complimentary healing method to pharmaceutical treatments. If you are currently experiencing intense symptoms, we advise you to inform your attending physician before starting the program and also inform us about your condition or concerns. We often work in collaboration with doctors and psychologists/psychiatrists, so that we may offer the best possible support.

No previous experience in meditation, yoga or other mindfulness practices is required. Our programs are designed carefully with supporting guidance, so that they are accessible to all.

Of course! The course can be adjusted depending on the difficulties each participant is facing, so there is no restriction. After all, the Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction program was designed for patients facing chronic illnesses and physical pain. Part of this course is about helping every attendee modify the practice to their own needs and their own limitations, with respect, understanding and kindness. If you have any doubts, please reach out to us at info@onebreath.eu.

This is a group program, but it is not mandatory for anyone to share with the group if they don’t want to! If you feel the need to talk, you can do so. If on the other hand you feel that it is difficult for you, there is no problem whatsoever.