Online MBSR Course Schedule at East Coast Mindfulness

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Online

Being mindful is the practice of being present—so simple, and so very difficult. While we want to be awake and aware in the moments of our life, too often we aren’t, and instead shift into autopilot, shut down emotionally (or become overwhelmed), or settle for simply getting through the day.

The practice of mindfulness calls on us to stop settling, and to wake up to exactly how things are right here, right now. This present moment awareness sometimes brings about relief and ease, and sometimes it doesn’t, but it always points us to a genuine experience of our own precious life.

The MBSR course is an evidence-based, intensive exploration of the practice of mindfulness, and what it means to practice mindfulness in your own life. This course is taught by Rebecca Eldridge or Margaret Fletcher, MBSR teachers who pioneered the online format at UMass Medical School’s Center for Mindfulness, or by experienced MBSR teachers certified to teach online MBSR. The online MBSR course provides all the instruction and materials you need to practice mindfulness weekly within a group, and daily on your own. You must supply the strong commitment to stick with the course and to practice every single day—when it’s pleasant, unpleasant, and neutral.

"Margaret and Rebecca, formerly of the Center for Mindfulness at UMass Medical, are expert online MBSR teachers and provide high level training for others to deliver the program with high integrity and depth.”

-Jon Kabat-Zinn
Founder of MBSR and author of Full Catastrophe Living

Course Details

We will practice mindfulness in many forms (sitting, moving, walking, scanning, and so on) in class, sometimes in silence, and there will be opportunity for small and whole group sharing, checking in, asking questions, and so on. You will receive audio to guide much of your daily, at home practice. Beyond the 8-week course, you will be provided a way to continue to connect with other course participants, if you choose.

We will convene using the Zoom™ video conference platform. It is imperative that you attend the classes, but classes will be recorded for you to review if you must miss one class (if you know that you will have to miss more than one class this cycle, you are invited to participate in a future cycle; participating live in the retreat class is a must).

People participate in the MBSR course for many reasons—to relieve stress of all kinds, to soothe emotional and physical pain, to live and love more fully, to establish a regular practice of mindfulness, and more.

Interested in teaching MBSR?

It’s important to take this course for your own learning and growth. Once you’ve completed the online MBSR course, you may wish to train to teach others. Completing our online MBSR course satisfies one of the requirements to enter the professional MBSR teacher training pathway through East Coast Mindfulness and other MBSR teacher training organizations.

What is required of you during the course:

Participate in the orientation, all eight classes, and the retreat class (all of these are online)

Practice daily for approximately one hour

Hold yourself and the other participants with respect and kind-heartedness

Stay curious about this live exploration

Be willing to be seen as human (imperfect and completely okay)

Stick with it for 8 weeks

What technology you will need:

High-speed internet connection

Laptop or desktop with speaker, microphone, and video capability: no phones, iPads or other tablets, please

Our classes are limited to 25 participants

Fall 2021: Wednesday mornings (US Eastern Time) beginning Sept. 15: Rebecca Eldridge

Note: all times shown are in US Eastern Time.

Dates	Times	Notes
Mandatory Orientation: Wednesday, Sept. 15	9:00-11:30AM	Attending orientation is mandatory. In some ways, this is the first class.
Class 1: Wednesday, Sept. 22	9:00AM-Noon	The first class is a half-hour longer than usual.
Class 2: Wednesday, Sept. 29	9:00-11:30AM
Class 3: Wednesday, Oct. 6	9:00-11:30AM
Class 4: Wednesday, Oct. 13	9:00-11:30AM
Class 5: Wednesday, Oct. 20	9:00-11:30AM
Class 6: Wednesday, Oct. 27	9:00-11:30AM
SUNDAY, OCT. 31	9:00AM-4:30PM	ONLINE RETREAT CLASS
Class 7: Wednesday, Nov. 3	9:00-11:30AM
Class 8: Wednesday, Nov 10	9:00AM-12:30PM	The last class is one hour longer than usual. Please note that U.S. clocks will be set forward by one hour at 2AM on Sunday, November 7.

This class is self-pay (not covered by insurance). For that reason we have created a sliding scale to accommodate more people. Generosity policy applies—to cover costs for our small business, to ensure adequate compensation for the instructors, and so that people with fewer financial resources can be accommodated, please pay at the highest level available to you.

TIER 1: $600 (~$19 per class hour)

TIER 2: $550 (~$18 per class hour)

TIER 3: $500 (~$16 per class hour)

TIER 4: $450 (~$15 per class hour)

REPEAT STUDENTS—all students who have previously completed the MBSR course live online or in-person with a certified MBSR teacher may retake the course for $350.

Deciding What to Pay?
Click Here

If Tier 4 is still financially prohibitive for you, please email us so we can find a way for you to participate.

Register for the Wednesday morning online MBSR course beginning on Sept. 15, 2021

From the pulldown menu, please select the level of payment that applies to your situation, and complete your registration using either a credit card, debit card, or PayPal account.

You do not need a PayPal account in order to use your credit card to make your payment (you may need to select the "Checkout as Guest" option to use a credit card).

You will be asked to provide your phone number during the payment process—this is so that we can contact you should there be any changes to the course schedule, etc.

If you receive the "Item Sold Out" message during registration, it means that the class is full. You may request to be placed on a waiting list by sending an email to info@eastcoastmindfulness.com (please include your name and phone number). You will be contacted if an opening becomes available and can register at that time.

Once you have paid, your slot is reserved, and you will be emailed an intake form to fill out and send back.

Do I need prior experience in mindfulness?

No. You need only be willing to show up for your life.

Will I be able to do the movement part?

Think gentle yoga. Participants are expected to honor their body’s abilities and limits. All movements can be adjusted or skipped, based on your own wisdom.

Is there a religious affiliation?

No, mindfulness is simply the practice of living with awareness in the present moment. People of all religions, beliefs, and lifestyles are welcome, supported, and respected in this course.

It is expected, and required, that all participants in a mindfulness class show respect and even appreciation for everyone else in the class.

What if I don’t have time to do the at-home work?

The practices outside of class—the ones done in your “real life”—are the most important part of the course, so it is imperative that you make a firm commitment to do them. This may mean getting up earlier in the morning, devoting your lunch hour to practice, or making other adjustments. Please consider taking the course at a later time if you know that you will not be able to devote the 45 minutes-1 hour needed for daily practice, 6 days/week. People surprise themselves by what they can do in this course and achieve a great deal of satisfaction in maintaining a high standard for themselves.

What if I have mental health issues?

A basic level of mental health is presumed. If you are actively experiencing clinical depression, or are facing a period of major upheaval, consider that it may make more sense to postpone taking the course. Do note, however, that the course is designed for people who want to deal more effectively with stress and anxiety in order to experience an improved overall wellness and an appreciation of self, others, and the world. You can talk to the instructor after the orientation if this is a concern.

Will I need to attend all classes?

Because of the participatory nature of the course, it is expected that you will attend all classes. Please do not miss more than one class, and, then, only if it can’t be helped. The online retreat class is a must.

Does completing the online MBSR course satisfy one of the requirements for entering an MBSR teacher professional training pathway?

Yes, participating in this course for personal growth meets the 8-week MBSR requirement for entering the MBSR teacher training pathway through East Coast Mindfulness and other MBSR teacher training organizations. Please check with your training organization to be sure.

Rebecca Eldridge

Rebecca Eldridge is an MBSR teacher and teacher trainer who was hired in 2016 by the Center for Mindfulness at UMass Medical School to train them to deliver their first online MBSR course in a way that is effective, interactive, and fun. She has taught mindfulness to cancer survivors, people in chronic pain, medical & mental health professionals, monastics, and others, and was featured giving meditation instruction in two courses taught by Pema Chödrön: Making Friends with Yourself and How to Live with Compassion and Courage. She holds degrees in Education, Literature, and Creative Writing. Rebecca co-founded East Coast Mindfulness in 2019.

Course Schedule

Fall 2021: Wednesday mornings (US Eastern Time) beginning Sept. 15: Rebecca Eldridge

Note: all times shown are in US Eastern Time.

Dates	Times	Notes
Mandatory Orientation: Wednesday, Sept. 15	9:00-11:30AM	Attending orientation is mandatory. In some ways, this is the first class.
Class 1: Wednesday, Sept. 22	9:00AM-Noon	The first class is a half-hour longer than usual.
Class 2: Wednesday, Sept. 29	9:00-11:30AM
Class 3: Wednesday, Oct. 6	9:00-11:30AM
Class 4: Wednesday, Oct. 13	9:00-11:30AM
Class 5: Wednesday, Oct. 20	9:00-11:30AM
Class 6: Wednesday, Oct. 27	9:00-11:30AM
SUNDAY, OCT. 31	9:00AM-4:30PM	ONLINE RETREAT CLASS
Class 7: Wednesday, Nov. 3	9:00-11:30AM
Class 8: Wednesday, Nov 10	9:00AM-12:30PM	The last class is one hour longer than usual. Please note that U.S. clocks will be set forward by one hour at 2AM on Sunday, November 7.

Course Cost
This class is self-pay (not covered by insurance). For that reason we have created a sliding scale to accommodate more people. Generosity policy applies—to cover costs for our small business, to ensure adequate compensation for the instructors, and so that people with fewer financial resources can be accommodated, please pay at the highest level available to you.

TIER 1: $600 (~$19 per class hour)

TIER 2: $550 (~$18 per class hour)

TIER 3: $500 (~$16 per class hour)

TIER 4: $450 (~$15 per class hour)

REPEAT STUDENTS—all students who have previously completed the MBSR course live online or in-person with a certified MBSR teacher may retake the course for $350.
Deciding What to Pay?
Click Here

Considerations Around Paying for Events Offered by East Coast Mindfulness

Your payment for courses and trainings at East Coast Mindfulness supports—
2 women working independently to do the heart work they’re trained and skilled at, without financial backing from, or healthcare covered by, an institution.

1 meticulous meditating webmaster/videographer who keeps things rolling on the techno front at ECM.

Highly skilled adjunct mindfulness teachers and trainers we pay out-of-pocket to ensure that voices from across the world are heard.

Free Worldwide Sits we plan for, deliver live, and record every Thursday: the video of each session is posted on our site for on-demand access.

Small class sizes for all our courses and trainings, to allow for intimate, individualized attention for our students and trainees, whom we love.
Please pay at the highest tier available to you, while honoring your life situation. Any reduced rate we give is not funded by a scholarship fund; it’s an offering that comes directly from our earnings.

That said, if your situation makes it unrealistic for you to pay at our lowest tiered rates (for instance, you have lost your livelihood or live in a country whose exchange rate is very low relative to $US), please email us at info@eastcoastmindfulness.com.

Let us know the event you’re interested in registering for, as well as if splitting the lowest tier registration cost into multiple payments would allow you to participate. If a payment amount below the lowest tier is required to support your participation in an event, please let us know that, as well as the amount you’re able to pay. We want to meet you where you are, and also continue to offer our work in the world and support ourselves.
If Tier 4 is still financially prohibitive for you, please email us so we can find a way for you to participate.

Register

Register for the Wednesday morning online MBSR course beginning on Sept. 15, 2021

From the pulldown menu, please select the level of payment that applies to your situation, and complete your registration using either a credit card, debit card, or PayPal account.

You do not need a PayPal account in order to use your credit card to make your payment (you may need to select the "Checkout as Guest" option to use a credit card).

You will be asked to provide your phone number during the payment process—this is so that we can contact you should there be any changes to the course schedule, etc.

If you receive the "Item Sold Out" message during registration, it means that the class is full. You may request to be placed on a waiting list by sending an email to info@eastcoastmindfulness.com (please include your name and phone number). You will be contacted if an opening becomes available and can register at that time.

Once you have paid, your slot is reserved, and you will be emailed an intake form to fill out and send back.

Common Questions

Do I need prior experience in mindfulness?

No. You need only be willing to show up for your life.

Will I be able to do the movement part?

Think gentle yoga. Participants are expected to honor their body’s abilities and limits. All movements can be adjusted or skipped, based on your own wisdom.

Is there a religious affiliation?

No, mindfulness is simply the practice of living with awareness in the present moment. People of all religions, beliefs, and lifestyles are welcome, supported, and respected in this course.

It is expected, and required, that all participants in a mindfulness class show respect and even appreciation for everyone else in the class.

What if I don’t have time to do the at-home work?

The practices outside of class—the ones done in your “real life”—are the most important part of the course, so it is imperative that you make a firm commitment to do them. This may mean getting up earlier in the morning, devoting your lunch hour to practice, or making other adjustments. Please consider taking the course at a later time if you know that you will not be able to devote the 45 minutes-1 hour needed for daily practice, 6 days/week. People surprise themselves by what they can do in this course and achieve a great deal of satisfaction in maintaining a high standard for themselves.

What if I have mental health issues?

A basic level of mental health is presumed. If you are actively experiencing clinical depression, or are facing a period of major upheaval, consider that it may make more sense to postpone taking the course. Do note, however, that the course is designed for people who want to deal more effectively with stress and anxiety in order to experience an improved overall wellness and an appreciation of self, others, and the world. You can talk to the instructor after the orientation if this is a concern.

Will I need to attend all classes?

Because of the participatory nature of the course, it is expected that you will attend all classes. Please do not miss more than one class, and, then, only if it can’t be helped. The online retreat class is a must.

Does completing the online MBSR course satisfy one of the requirements for entering an MBSR teacher professional training pathway?

Yes, participating in this course for personal growth meets the 8-week MBSR requirement for entering the MBSR teacher training pathway through East Coast Mindfulness and other MBSR teacher training organizations. Please check with your training organization to be sure.
MBSR Teaching Faculty: Fall 2021

Rebecca Eldridge

Rebecca Eldridge is an MBSR teacher and teacher trainer who was hired in 2016 by the Center for Mindfulness at UMass Medical School to train them to deliver their first online MBSR course in a way that is effective, interactive, and fun. She has taught mindfulness to cancer survivors, people in chronic pain, medical & mental health professionals, monastics, and others, and was featured giving meditation instruction in two courses taught by Pema Chödrön: Making Friends with Yourself and How to Live with Compassion and Courage. She holds degrees in Education, Literature, and Creative Writing. Rebecca co-founded East Coast Mindfulness in 2019.

REFUND POLICY:
You may receive a full refund if you notify us via email (info@eastcoastmindfulness.com) at least 72 hours prior to the first class (this will give us time to notify anyone on the waitlist). No refunds will be granted thereafter.

Questions? Please email us at info@eastcoastmindfulness.com

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