Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction
Experience the 8-Week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program
developed by Jon Kabat-Zinn, facilitated at PiP by Katie Stoeckeler, M.Ed, E-RYT, level-2 MBSR instructor.
Since 1979 more than 25,000 people have completed this evidence-based training.
Approach your life with more composure, energy, understanding, and enthusiasm
Develop the ability to cope more effectively with both short-term and long-term stressful situations, gaining insight into response rather than reaction
Enhance your ability to manage and reduce pain levels
Improve your focus, resilience, and capacity to recover more quickly from challenging events
Learn how to access and cultivate a natural capacity to actively engage in caring for yourself and find greater balance, ease, and peace of mind
What is Mindfulness?
One definition might be “The awareness that arises from paying attention, on purpose, in the present moment and non-judgmentally.” How might you define mindfulness for yourself?
Offered as a complement to traditional medical and psychological treatments, not as a replacement, MBSR has proven to be effective in helping to treat a wide variety of medical conditions.
What is the MBSR 8-Week Program?
The MBSR program allows you to engage with the teacher and interact with other participants during weekly class sessions. Home assignments and guided meditation audio files are all available online.
Throughout the program, you will be consciously and systematically working with the challenges and demands of your everyday life. Katie will create a safe and supportive environment for this work and learning through:
Live class sessions at Peace in Piermont OR using simple online meeting technology that is rich in experience and connection
Systematic instruction in formal and informal MBSR meditation practices, including guided instruction and recordings to practice with at home
Gentle stretching and mindful yoga
Group dialogue, with discussions, offered to enhance awareness in everyday life
The opportunity for one-on-one check-ins with instructors throughout the course
Online resource materials, dedicated technical support, and opportunities for feedback
Class sizes are limited to facilitate group connection and conversation. A computer and high-speed internet connection are required for participants. Mobile devices such as phones and tablets are not recommended.
Winter 2025 MBSR Schedule
Orientations Sessions: Wednesday, December 18 7:30-9pm OR Sunday, January 5 from 6:00-7:30pm.
You must attend if you have not taken the course before.
Weekly Sessions: Mondays, January 6 - February 24, 2025 from 7:30 PM - 10:00 PM*
All Day Session: February 8, 2025 from 8:45 AM - 4:30 PM*
*All MBSR sessions will be virtual; we will meet using Zoom.
Program Fee: $666 includes over 31 hours of direct instruction
Sliding Scale “pay what you can“ pricing is available. Full scholarships are available to anyone in need. Email us to inquire.
Please pay more, if you can, to help support those less able to pay.
What is the course structure and commitment?
The MBSR program consists of:
Orientation (2 to 2 ½ hrs, required for enrollment), scheduled for one or two weeks before your class
Eight weekly classes, 2 ½ hrs each (31 hours of direct instruction)
One All-Day class on a Saturday or Sunday
Daily home practice assignments for 45-60 minutes each day
You must be willing to make a strong commitment to attend all classes and to practice daily home assignments for eight weeks. If you are unable to attend your regularly scheduled class, we encourage you to make up the class by attending a different class that same week
In order to receive a completion letter for the course, you may not miss more than two classes, and you must attend the All Day session. If you cannot attend the All Day session during your course, you may make it up at a later time and receive completion status.
(content from this page was pulled from https://www.ummhealth.org)
“The introduction to Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), arranged by my dear friend, was truly transformative. Katie Stoeckeler’s leadership was remarkable—she was graceful, steady, understanding, and incredibly inspiring. I had been feeling overwhelmed and facing numerous challenges ahead. It was difficult to determine whether I had the energy to commit to myself and the program. Yet, I felt the need to try something new. The structured sessions and home practices proved to be quite beneficial. I quickly realized that my responsibility extended beyond just showing up. As the weeks went by, I grew stronger and more knowledgeable, learning techniques to shed the burdens I had been carrying. Along the way, I began to rediscover parts of myself, while also accepting that I could never revert to who I once was. I have transformed into someone different—stronger and more resilient. Each challenge I faced shaped me in new ways, adding depth and understanding that I previously lacked. This program has greatly helped me approach life with renewed confidence and clarity. I am deeply grateful for the positive changes that have come from this experience.”
“My review is for the Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction course! I started this for my need to connect my mind with my heart and ease my anxiety. I wanted to feel more aligned emotionally. I was diagnosed with lupus and fibromyalgia last year and with all of the physical pain and severe anxiety my doctor recomnended trying this and I’m so happy that he did. Katie, the instructor, is a beautiful human being. She has this light that shines out of her that makes you feel so comfortable and welcomed. She genuinely cares and you can feel that. Her vibe just truly makes you feel safe and willing (which is typically my biggest hurdle when starting something new) I’ve always been terrrrrible at meditation. It makes me uncomfortable and anxious and frankly overwhelmed with thoughts but Katie really guides you in a way that helps you succeed and by the end of just the second class I truly felt calm and more at peace from the meditation body scan! This was huge for me! I was able to take this practice into my daily life when my insomnia acts up and the anxious thoughts arise. I remember key things that she has said that guide me through the meditation that make it less intimidating and more helpful. There are many lessons in the course that help me choose joy and positivity over sadness and negative thoughts. I have much more to learn but I’m excited to learn it at Peace in Piermont! I will definitely be joining the second cycle in March to continue my journey of self development. You can’t feel better unless you put in the work and it can be uncomfortable to change how your brain operates but this course is for sure leading me on the right direction! Thank you so much Katie!”
“I have been taking the Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction course at Peace in Piermont and am SO grateful I decided to do this for myself! I am a stay at home mom with a young baby and a kindergartner who has not slept much in months and has been losing my patience constantly. I really started feeling like I needed something for myself…some self care so that I can fill up my own cup and have more to pour into my kids’. Into the second week of the course I realized I hadn’t raised my voice in days. I felt calmer and much more capable of handling life. I also found myself being way more present and enjoying the moment often throughout the day. Since the course has continued, I’ve been feeling so much joy and contentment in my life. I have been way more mindful of when I do get stressed and am beginning to notice it and see my reaction as it is happening. All of this is really amazing to feel, as I’ve never been able to do this very well before. I’ve also truly enjoyed the practices and connection with others through this course and Katie is just amazing at leading it! Another huge help is that the body scans we do in the course quiet my mind in minutes and have me falling asleep SO easily instead of lying awake thinking for hours. I truly look forward to seeing how the remainder of the course changes my life. I now consider myself a meditator…something I always dabbled in and knew I “should” do but could never really see the effects of until now. I strongly recommend this to anyone who feels stressed and wants to give themselves something wonderful. Thank you, Katie!”
“Loved the MBSR course led by Katie! I am always thinking ahead of all the things I “need” to do or ruminating about the past and have trouble just staying in the moment. MBSR taught me to “just be” which has been a blessing. After MBSR, I find myself taking “mini” meditations during the day. Instead of talking on the phone or listening to the radio while driving to work, I just drive. The bumps in the road, the noise of the tires, the reflection of the sun all keep me focused on staying in the moment. The total body scan is one of my favorites and is a wonderful way to relax. Many of the women in my class took MBSR more than once with Katie and I can see why. MBSR is a wonderful journey and Katie is a terrific teacher. I highly recommend you invest in yourself and take this course.”