MBSR 8-Week Certificate Course
Live Online Official Standard Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Course
The gold standard in mindfulness training, created by Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn at the UMASS Center for Mindfulness.
The most scientifically researched mindfulness training program
Reduce stress and live with greater ease through this tested and well-established mindfulness meditation program.
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Cultivate self-awareness
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Respond rather than react to stress
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Change habitual reactivity patterns
- Learn the most respected mindfulness based training program
- Earn your course certificate of completion and digital badge

We're offering the official standard 8-Week MBSR Training Course, as created by Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn, at the UMASS Center for Mindfulness
To help you deepen your practice and understanding of mindfulness through a rigorous and intense practice & community driven online course
- The most scientifically researched mindfulness program
- MBSR was created by Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn, at the University of Massachusetts Center for Mindfulness
- Taught by MBSR instructors trained at UMASS, Brown & USCD
- Follows the official MBSR Standards of Practice (PDF)
- Great for beginners and advanced meditators
- Prerequisite for MBSR Teacher Training
- Prerequisite for Workplace Mindfulness Facilitator Certification
- Practice focused with 45 minute long meditations

Expert Instruction
- Authorized MBSR Instructors
- Experienced teaching mindfulness
- Trained in Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn's MBSR methodology

Live Online (Zoom)
- Interactive online learning environment
- 8 weeks of live instructor-led sessions + Orientation
- Day-long at-home meditation retreat

Course Materials
- Guided body scan, sitting & mindful movement guided meditations
- Weekly PDF Lessons
- Additional supportive resources
Curriculum at a Glance
10 Live Instructor Zoom Video Sessions
2.5 hour Orientation, 8 weekly 2.5 hour Sessions, Plus Day-long (8 hour) at Home Retreat
(Attendance is mandatory for orientation, all sessions and retreat)
Orientation
- Intro & Program Overview
- Meet Instructor & Participants
- Q&A
WEEKS 1 & 2
- Mindful Movement
- Mindful Eating
- Body Scan Meditation
- Perception Didactic
- Awareness of Breathing
- Pleasant Events Calendar
WEEKS 3 & 4
- Walking Meditation
- Lying Down Mindful Movement
- Unpleasant Events Calendar
- The Stress Response
- Standing Mindful Movement
- Group Exploration of Stress
WEEKS 5 & 6
- Sitting and Standing Meditations
- Working with Difficulties
- Responding Instead of Reacting
- Choiceless Awareness Meditation
- Mindful Communications Discussion of Full Day
Full Day Retreat
- Morning Sessions
- Meal Break
- Afternoon Sessions
WEEKS 7 & 8
- Silent Meditations
- Loving Kindness Meditation
- Formal and Informal Practice
- Sustaining Your Practice
- Course End
What's Included in the Training
✔ 8 weeks of live instructor lead sessions + orientation
✔ Day-long at-home retreat
✔ Guided meditations & online course materials
✔ Certificate of MBSR training completion & digital badge
✔ 1 week unconditional refund guarantee AFTER the course starts
✔ Option to add 1 on 1 coaching with instructor
Who Should Enroll in the Training?
- Individuals exploring Self-Development
- Healthcare & Wellness Professionals
- Psychotherapist • Coaches • Mindfulness & Yoga Teachers
- HR Professionals • Leaders • Internal Champions of Mindfulness
(appropriate for beginners and advanced meditators)
Testimonials from MBSR participants
Eboni Webb
David Gaskin
Luci Benedict
Molly Engel
Julie Space Roehn
Cecelia Low Wang
Pricing: Sliding Scale, Based on Income
By offering a tiered sliding scale based on income we aspire to make this valuable training available to as many people as possible. For our scholarship tier, we use the honor system and do not require confirmation of eligibility. If your organization has the budget or you are able to pay a little more, please consider selecting the Supporter Tier and help make this MBSR training program accessible.
Select the tier, payment options, and optional coaching during the checkout process
SCHOLARSHIP TIER
$139
For students and retirees
BASE TIER
$197
Standard price for all participants
SUPPORTER TIER
$241
Support scholarships
COACHING (OPTIONAL)
$149
Add 45 minute 1 on 1 coaching
Mindful Leader is an accredited training provider through the International Accreditors of Continuing Education and Training (IACET) and adheres to IACET's internationally recognized ANSI/IACET Standard for Continuing Education and Training.
MBSR qualifies for 7.2 CEUs. Learn More
Incredible Value
Led by an expert MBSR instructor, you will get trained in MBSR, the most scientifically researched and established mindfulness program. You'll receive program orientation, 8 live sessions, a full day long retreat, a certificate of completion, digital credentials and course materials.
Upcoming MBSR Classes
Starts: January 18th
Wednesdays, 12:00PM - 2:30PM ET
Sessions: January 18th - March 15th
Retreat: Saturday, March 4th
Instructor: Cindy Gittleman
Closed
Starts: January 22nd
Sundays, 9:00AM - 11:30AM ET
Sessions: January 22nd - March 19th
Retreat: Saturday, March 18th
Instructor: Piero Falci
Closed
Starts: January 26th
Thursdays, 9:00PM - 11:30PM ET
Sessions: January 26th - March 23rd
Retreat: Sunday, March 12th
Instructor: Punita Jani-Thaker
Closed
Starts: January 27th
Fridays, 12:00PM - 2:30PM ET
Sessions: January 27th - March 24th
Retreat: Saturday, March 11th
Instructor: Scott May
Closed
Starts: January 30th
Mondays, 6:00PM - 8:30PM ET
Sessions: January 30th - March 27th
Retreat: Saturday, March 11th
Instructor: Lineliz Vassallo
Closed
Starts: February 4th
Saturdays, 9:00AM - 11:30AM ET
Sessions: February 4th - April 1st
Retreat: Sunday, March 19th
Instructor: Punita Jani-Thaker
Closing Soon
Starts: February 7th
Tuesdays, 6:00PM - 8:30PM ET
Sessions: February 7th - April 4th
Retreat: Sunday, March 26th
Instructor: Karen Jones
Starts: February 8th
Wednesdays, 9:00AM - 11:30AM ET
Sessions: February 8th - April 5th
Retreat: Sunday, March 26th
Instructor: Bill McCracken
Starts: February 12th
Sundays, 9:00AM - 11:30AM ET
Sessions: February 12th - April 9th
Retreat: Saturday, April 1st
Instructor: Dr. Gus Castellanos
Starts: February 16th
Thursdays, 12:00PM - 2:30PM ET
Sessions: February 16th - April 13th
Retreat: Sunday, March 26th
Instructor: Natalia Cepeda
Starts: February 22nd
Wednesdays, 6:00PM - 8:30PM ET
Sessions: February 22nd - April 19th
Retreat: Sunday, April 9th
Instructor: Piero Falci
Starts: February 24th
Fridays, 12:00PM - 2:30PM ET
Sessions: February 24th - April 21st
Retreat: Sunday, April 2nd
Instructor: Peter Calin
Starts: March 4th
Saturdays, 9:00AM - 11:30AM ET
Sessions: March 4th - April 29th
Retreat: Sunday, April 16th
Instructor: Dr. Siobhán Gibbons
Starts: March 6th
Mondays, 6:00PM - 8:30PM ET
Sessions: March 6th - May 1st
Retreat: Sunday, April 23rd
Instructor: Dr. Gus Castellanos
Starts: March 8th
Wednesdays, 9:00AM - 11:30AM ET
Sessions: March 8th - May 3rd
Retreat: Sunday, April 23rd
Instructor: Peter Calin
Starts: March 12th
Sundays, 9:00AM - 11:30AM ET
Sessions: March 12th - May 7th
Retreat: Saturday, April 29th
Instructor: Alisha Aum
We add new classes frequently. If you don’t see a class that fits your schedule, sign up for email notifications.
MBSR instructors have no interest in any other product, instrument, device, or materials required to be purchased for completion of the course.
We stand behind our work and unconditionally guarantee your satisfaction with your purchase. If you’re not 100% satisfied simply email us anytime up to class one for a full refund minus a $25 application fee. Once class one begins there are no refunds.
We are committed to serving our customers with care and integrity
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this course qualify as a prerequisite for MBSR Instructor Certification training?
This is the official standard 8 Week MBSR course, taught live & online by a authorized MBSR instructor. We follow the MBSR Standards of Practice. This training course qualifies as a prerequisite for MBSR Instructor Certification programs.
What can I do with my certificate of completion?
Your MBSR training certificate of completion certificate and badge can be shared on LinkedIn, on your website, or printed out. We use the Open Badge 2.0 credentialing framework. Your digital credentials are verifiable through www.credential.net and do not expire.
How much time is required to complete the course?
The training program is eight weeks long, meeting live online once a week for about 2 1/2 hours per session (sessions 1 and 8 may be a little longer), with a day-long retreat on the Saturday between sessions six and seven. There is also a mandatory orientation the week before our first session.
What are participants required to complete?
How much work is required outside of the weekly live sessions?
There is a minimum of 45 minutes to over an hour of formal and informal home practice every day during the eight weeks of the MBSR course. Much of this is meditation using the guided recordings provided for that week, in addition to some informal activities and reflections.
What is MBSR?
MBSR or Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction is a course developed by Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn. It features sitting meditation, walking meditation, eating meditation, gentle movement, body scan, stress reduction, and informal, everyday practices. You can learn more about MBSR here.
Can I switch teachers?
Yes, but you would need to do so during the refund period. You would have up until the start of class 1 to request a refund or switch to another class that has not started.
Is prior meditation or mindfulness training required?
No experience is needed to take MBSR. We'll guide you through every step of the journey you'll be taking with the other participants.
What should I do if I need to miss a live session?
You may miss up to 1 session during the course and still receive your certificate of competition. It may happen that circumstances create unplanned absences on top of planned missed sessions, so if you already know of conflicts, please be sure to let your instructor know during your pre-course introduction meetings.
How should I prepare for the Full Day Retreat?
The "All Day Silent Retreat" will take place over Zoom. Please join from a quiet area free from noise and distraction. Consider asking those who will be in the same space to give you the gift of time for this practice. Bring what you may need during the day, like water, medications, blankets, etc. to support your practice. Bring lunch since we will have an hour for a silent and mindful eating lunch practice. Wear comfortable clothing and know that you will be able to tend to personal needs throughout the day to visit the bathroom, take medications, or to drink water, etc.
How long is the full-day retreat?
The retreat is from 9:00 am - 4:30 pm ET.
Can I get a refund if I’m not satisfied? Even after the course starts?
What will this course offer for students who already have other meditation or mindfulness experience?
With the variety of meditation teachings and styles available in contemporary society, the MBSR course may have meditations and other practices even experienced students may not have previously encountered. There is a great deal of information about the scientific study of mindfulness, as well as new connections that form while learning with others, which can be helpful in sustaining a personal practice in mindfulness-based stress reduction. In addition, this is the full MBSR course, which is the first step for those who may be interested in pursuing an MBSR Instructor Certification.
What is the difference between instructors?
All our instructors are authorized to teach MBSR and have experience teaching mindfulness. All classes follow the official MBSR Standards of Practice. The main differences between the classes are the days and times when they will occur.
How do I schedule a coaching session?
If you purchased coaching, your instructor will reach out to you after class one to schedule with you. If you have not purchased coaching you can do so any time with this link.
I want to take this course with someone in my household. Can we join sessions from the same device?
We request that you participate as individuals, from two separate devices, and two separate rooms. During the sessions, we often break into small groups, and sometimes groups of only two people, so sharing a screen creates a challenge. It’s important to experience MBSR (Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction) individually for the best outcome and to have your own, unique experience.
Can I start teaching MBSR after completing the course?
No. It takes the average MBSR instructor about 2-3 years to become an instructor. There are multiple classes that are needed before you can become fully certified. Taking the 8-week MBSR course is the first step on the MBSR instructor path. You must first be a participant in the class before you can teach the class.
Here are some helpful articles and resources that map out the full path to becoming an MBSR instructor from different institutions: MBSR Teacher Training Guide
Final Note about Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction
MBSR (Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction) is the most tested and tried secular mindfulness program available. With the explosion in popularity of mindfulness and the lack of set standards, it's hard to know what programs to take. With our focus on mindfulness for the workplace we believe that MBSR training is one of the best options for individuals looking for a safe, reputable, and deep exploration into mindfulness and reduction of stress. The program has been structured the same way, with the same standards, as the in-person program as set forth by the MBSR Standards of Practice and created by Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn, in 1979 at the University of Massachusetts Center for Mindfulness. This includes 2.5 hour sessions each week for 8 weeks, a full day-long at home retreat, and daily practice. This is not easy. This is not a 5 minute meditation course on an app. This is an intense course for people who want to have more depth in practice and understanding through a trusted and thoroughly researched system. All sessions are live, online, and mandatory.
If you are willing to make the commitment to yourself, you will find the same numerous benefits and rewards that so many have before. If now isn't the right time, we understand - we plan to offer the course again in the near future. But if you know that the time for you is now, we are excited to have you join these courses - Get deeper benefits and understanding of mindful meditation through a standardized practice you can trust.
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