Many people know and practise the art of mindfulness, which is a mental state achieved by focussing one’s awareness on the present moment, whilst calmly acknowledging and accepting one’s thoughts, feelings and bodily sensations. It’s a great way to reconnect and gain new perspective.

However, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction is not as well known. This article will seek to shed some light on this subject.

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, or MBSR, is a programme which uses a combination of mindfulness meditation, body awareness and yoga to help people become more mindful.

MBSR has been described as “a group program that focuses upon the progressive acquisition of mindful awareness.” The programme is an eight-week workshop that entails weekly group meetings (two-hour classes) and a one-day retreat (five-hour mindfulness practice) between sessions six and seven. It can also include formal home practice (a minimum of 45 minutes daily meditation, six days a week), and coaching instruction in three formal techniques: mindfulness meditation, body scanning and simple yoga postures.

Body scanning is the first prolonged formal mindfulness technique taught during the first four weeks of the workshop and entails quietly lying on one’s back and focusing one’s attention on various regions of the body, starting with the toes and moving up slowly to the top of the head.

MBSR is based on the following tenets: non-judging, non-striving, acceptance, letting go, beginner’s mind, patience, trust, acceptance, and non-centering.

Barnes Class is delighted to host this 8-week programme with local expert Ali Gilling. For more than 20 years, Ali has been practicing and teaching yoga. She has travelled extensively pursing her own spiritual development and perfecting her teaching methods. Her relaxed and encouraging manner gives students the confidence to embark on their own journey of self discovery and personal development both on and off the mat.

If you’re in need of a reset and a practical guide to eliminating stress in your life, we welcome you to join this course. It begins 7th March and will be held in the peaceful and historic St. Mary’s Church in Barnes.

To learn more about the class and book your ticket, please click here.