Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Classes

MBSR Classes for MU Faculty, Staff, Retirees (& Spouses/Partners)

Helping employees manage stress effectively is a key goal of Healthy for Life, the Thomas E. Atkins Wellness Program. The health system offers eight-week mindfulness-based stress reduction classes at minimal cost to employees looking to manage today’s busy lifestyles in a healthy way.

Contact: Lynn Rossy, Ph.D.at RossyL@umsystem.edu.

Summer 2013 (MU Faculty & Staff) – Columbia Campus

Orientation: Wednesday, June 5, at 5:00 p.m.
Classes: Wednesdays, June 12 – July 31, 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. (except June 26 from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Full Day Retreat: Saturday, July 20, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Contact: Craig Deken at csdk89@mail.missouri.edu for enrollment information
Cost: $40 for faculty/staff or retiree (and spouse/partner) of the University of Missouri ($20 refunded if attend 7 of 8 classes)
(If you attend with your spouse/partner you only pay $40 for both of you.)

Fall 2013 (MU Faculty & Staff) – Columbia Campus

Orientation: Wednesday, September 25, at 5:30 p.m.
Classes: Wednesdays, October 2 – November 20, 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. (except October 23, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.)
Full Day Retreat: Saturday, November 16, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Contact: Lynn Rossy, Ph.D. at RossyL@umsystem.edu
Cost: $40 for faculty/staff or retiree (and spouse/partner) of the University of Missouri ($20 refunded if attend 7 of 8 classes)
(If you attend with your spouse/partner you only pay $40 for both of you.)

Fall 2013 (MU Faculty & Staff) – Kansas City Campus

Orientation: Wednesday, September 25, at 5:30 p.m.
Classes: Wednesdays, October 2 – November 20, 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Full Day Retreat: Sunday, November 17, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Contact: Lisa Pinsker at lisa@mindfulness-matters.com
Cost: $40 for faculty/staff or retiree (and spouse/partner) of the University of Missouri ($20 refunded if attend 7 of 8 classes)
(If you attend with your spouse/partner you only pay $40 for both of you.)

Winter 2014 (MU Faculty & Staff) – Columbia Campus

Orientation: Wednesday, January 22, at 5:30 p.m.
Classes: Wednesdays, January 29 – March 19, 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Full Day Retreat: Saturday, March 8, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Contact: Lynn Rossy, Ph.D. at RossyL@umsystem.edu
Cost: $40 for faculty/staff or retiree (and spouse/partner) of the University of Missouri ($20 refunded if attend 7 of 8 classes)
(If you attend with your spouse/partner you only pay $40 for both of you.)

Winter 2014 (MU Faculty & Staff) – St. Louis Campus

Orientation: Thursday, January 23, at 5:15 p.m.
Classes: Thursdays, January 30 – March 20, 5:15 p.m. – 7:15 p.m.
Contact: Bridget Rolens Bridget@pathwaystomindfulness.com
Cost: $40 for faculty/staff or retiree (and spouse/partner) of the University of Missouri ($20 refunded if attend 7 of 8 classes)
(If you attend with your spouse/partner you only pay $40 for both of you.)

Winter 2014 (MU Faculty & Staff) – MS&T Campus

Orientation: TBA
Classes:  TBA
Contact: Maureen Hall Maureenhal@gmail.com
Cost: $40 for faculty/staff or retiree (and spouse/partner) of the University of Missouri ($20 refunded if attend 7 of 8 classes)
(If you attend with your spouse/partner you only pay $40 for both of you.)

MBSR Classes for MU Students:

For more information on classes for students please contact Terry Wilson at WilsonT@health.missouri.edu. Can be taken for credit or as an extracurricular class.

NOTE: These programs are appropriate for anyone wanting to learn how to respond better to the stress in their lives. Over twenty-five years of research have demonstrated the program's success at reducing psychological and physical symptoms associated with stress and helping people with problems such as depression, anxiety/worry, concentration, sleep disturbances, fatigue, headaches, and gastrointestinal distress.

Details of the Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction Program at MU

The program consists of a series of classes that meet for two hours each week. Classes include instruction in formal mindfulness practices (sitting meditation, body scan, mindful yoga, and walking meditation). Group discussions address the experiential component of the classes and didactic components emphasize the application of mindfulness in dealing with stress. Weekly practice assignments to do at home help you develop mindfulness skills and help you take mindfulness into your everyday life. Regular class attendance and a commitment of 30-45 minutes of practice per day for the entire duration of the course are required. CDs of the body scan, sitting meditation, and yoga and weekly handouts will be provided as learning aids. There will be a full-day retreat (9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.) each Fall and Winter Semester for anyone going through or having completed a Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction Program.

Our program is modeled after the highly successful Stress Reduction Program founded by Jon Kabat-Zinn in 1979 at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center. This program is described in Jon Kabat-Zinn’s best selling book, Full Catastrophe Living, and is featured in the Bill Moyers’ PBS documentary Healing and the Mind . Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy for Depression (by Segal, Williams, & Teasdale) is also incorporated into our program. Since its inception, Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction Programs have been used with groups around the world as diverse as corporate employees, CEOs, educators, students (grade school through college), attorneys, judges, correctional staff, prison inmates, health care professionals, members of the clergy, and Olympic and professional athletes - including the world champion Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers basketball teams.

Who should enroll in the program?

Anyone who would like to respond with more skill and creativity to the stress in his/her life and is willing to make a commitment to regular practice and class attendance is welcome to participate.

What are the benefits I can expect?

People who have completed the program comment that they now have the skills to negotiate stressful situations more effectively and are living more balanced lives. Instead of reacting to stress in habitual ways, they respond to stress with new and creative solutions. Research has demonstrated that people who meditate recover more quickly from stressful events, resulting in numerous emotional and physical health benefits. The regular practice of mindfulness meditation can improve concentration and focus, increase the ability to relax, improve self-esteem, improve work performance, and increase energy and enthusiasm for life. In addition, this type of program has been shown to be effective at helping individuals cope with a variety of conditions including anxiety, depression, insomnia, chronic pain, stress associated with ongoing physical illness, or a particularly demanding work or life situation.

Orientation Meeting

At start of each MBSR program there will be an orientation meeting where you will be provided with information regarding the program, get your questions answered, and have the opportunity to commitment to taking the program. This is an important meeting and should be considered a part of the program.

Who should enroll in the program?

Anyone who would like to respond with more skill and creativity to the stress in his/her life and is willing to make a commitment to regular practice and class attendance is welcome to participate.

What are the benefits I can expect?

People who have completed the mindfulness program comment that they now have the skills to negotiate stressful situations more effectively and are living more balanced lives. Instead of reacting to stress in habitual ways, they respond to stress with new and creative solutions. Research has demonstrated that people who meditate recover more quickly from stressful events, resulting in numerous emotional and physical health benefits. The regular practice of mindfulness meditation can improve concentration and focus, increase the ability to relax, improve self-esteem, improve work performance, and increase energy and enthusiasm for life. In addition, this type of program has been shown to be effective at helping individuals cope with a variety of conditions including anxiety, depression, insomnia, chronic pain, stress associated with ongoing physical illness, or a particularly demanding work or life situation.

What is the cost?

The cost of this program is between $300 and $650 in the community. However, the wellness program has chosen to offer this program as a benefit to faculty and staff and is only charging $40 which covers the cost of materials, rentals, and supplies. Additionally, because we know the value of regular attendance, we will refund $20 if you attend 7 of the 8 classes.

Community members may be given the opportunity to enroll based on space for the cost of $180.00 with no refund for attendance.

For more information or to enroll in the next MBSR Program, please contact Lynn Rossy, Ph.D. , Health Psychologist for the T.E. Atkins Wellness Program, at RossyL@umsystem.edu.