MBSR 8-Week Mindfulness Training Certificate Course
Curriculum and FAQ
Curriculum at a Glance
2.5 hour Orientation, 8 weekly 2.5-hour Sessions, Plus Day-long (8 hour) at Home Retreat
(Attendance is mandatory for all sessions)
Orientation
- Intro & Program Overview
- Meet Instructor & Participants
- Q&A
WEEKS 1 & 2
Beginning with Awareness & Perception
- Body Scan and Awareness of Breath
- Mindful eating and everyday awareness
- Introduction to perception and habitual patterns
- Building a daily rhythm of practice
WEEKS 3 & 4
Embodied Awareness & Understanding Stress
- Mindful movement and walking meditation
- Exploring pleasant and unpleasant experience
- Stress physiology and reactivity patterns
- Learning to stay present with discomfort
WEEKS 5 & 6
Working with Difficulty & Communication
- Open awareness practice
- Responding instead of reacting
- Practicing presence in challenging situations
- Mindful communication and relationships
Full Day Retreat
Deepening Practice
- Extended periods of silent practice
- Sitting, walking, and mindful movement
- Mindful Meal
- Integrating awareness across the day
WEEKS 7 & 8
Integration & Carrying Practice Forward
- Self-guided, silent meditation
- Well-wishing and Dialectic Practice
- Integrating mindfulness into daily life
- Establishing continuity beyond the course
Testimonials from MBSR participants
Eboni Webb
David Gaskin
Luci Benedict
Molly Engel
Julie Space Roehn
Cecelia Low Wang
Frequently Asked Questions
These are some of the questions people most frequently ask us:
What is MBSR?
MBSR (Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction) is a program developed by Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn that includes sitting meditation, walking meditation, eating meditation, gentle movement, body scan, stress reduction, and informal, everyday practices. Learn more about MBSR here.
How is MBSR taught at Mindful Leader?
Mindful Leader teaches MBSR in alignment with the MBSR Standards of Practice, using the Open MBSR framework.
Open MBSR preserves the core structure and practices that make MBSR effective while updating how the program is taught for contemporary, secular, and workplace-relevant contexts.
The emphasis is on:
- Live, cohort-based learning
- Developing a self-directed meditation practice
- Clear, practical instruction without spiritual framing
- A participant-centered, inquiry-based learning environment
Is prior meditation or mindfulness experience required?
No. This course is designed for both beginners and experienced practitioners. Instruction is progressive and supported through live teaching, guided practice, and group dialogue.
Is this course appropriate for experienced practitioners?
Yes. Experienced practitioners often value the structure, inquiry, and disciplined progression of MBSR, as well as the opportunity to engage with the Open MBSR framework.
The course offers a secular, participant-focused, and workplace-appropriate approach to mindfulness that supports both deepening personal practice and clarifying how mindfulness can be taught and applied responsibly in real-world contexts.
What is the time commitment?
The program includes:
- A mandatory 2.5-hour orientation
- Eight weekly live online sessions (2.5 hours each)
- One full-day at-home silent retreat (approximately 8 hours)
Outside of class, participants are expected to engage in daily meditation and informal practice averaging 20–30 minutes per day, five days per week.
The emphasis is on consistency and developing a sustainable, independent practice.
What are the participation requirements?
To receive a certificate of completion, participants are expected to:
- Attend live sessions, including orientation and the full-day retreat
- Maintain a regular meditation practice using course materials
- Participate respectfully in group inquiry and dialogue
What is the full-day retreat, and how does it work online?
The full-day retreat is a core element of the MBSR curriculum and takes place live over Zoom. It includes extended periods of silent practice—sitting, walking, mindful movement, and a mindful meal.
Participants should plan to attend from a quiet, uninterrupted space. Detailed guidance is provided in advance.
If you have a scheduling conflict, you may request to attend an alternative retreat date.
What will I receive upon completion?
Participants who complete the course receive:
- A certificate of completion for the 8-week MBSR training
- A verifiable digital badge issued under the Open Badges 2.0 standard
Credentials are shareable and do not expire.
Does this course qualify as a prerequisite for MBSR teacher training?
This course is taught in alignment with the MBSR Standards of Practice, using the Open MBSR framework.
Completion of the course qualifies as a prerequisite for MBSR teacher training programs that recognize standards-aligned 8-week MBSR participation.
Can I teach MBSR after completing this course?
No. Completing the 8-week course is the first step in a longer pathway. Becoming a certified MBSR instructor typically requires additional training, supervised teaching, and several years of practice.
Where can I find information on the path to becoming an MBSR instructor?
Various institutions offer helpful articles and resources that outline the full path to becoming an MBSR instructor. Please refer to our MBSR Teacher Training Guide. If your goal is to facilitate mindfulness within an organization, consider our Certified Workplace Mindfulness Facilitator (CWMF) program.
Is the course accredited?
Yes. Mindful Leader is an accredited training provider through the International Accreditors of Continuing Education and Training (IACET) and adheres to ANSI standards.
This course qualifies for 7.2 Continuing Education Units (CEUs).
What is your refund and change policy?
If you are not satisfied, you may request a full refund (minus a $25 application fee) within seven days of orientation. Once the first class session begins, refunds are no longer available.
Requests to change classes or instructors must be made within the same timeframe.
Do you offer group discounts?
We do not offer discounts for public courses. Private MBSR programs for organizations and institutions are available upon request.