10-Week Online MBSR Foundations Training with
Eight-Week MBSR program
October 13 to December 15th, 2021
(Apply here - registration OPEN)
Fully Recognized by the Mindfulness Center at Brown University and Global Mindfulness Collaborative (GMC).
MBSR Foundations Training Recognition
We use the MBSR teacher training curriculum developed by the Mindfulness
Center at Brown University, for which we have a collaborative licensing
agreement.
This 10-Week Online MBSR Foundations Training is organized by our Centre For Mindfulness Canada, in North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The successful completion of this MBSR Foundations Training is fully recognized and acknowledged by the Mindfulness Center, School of Public Health, at Brown University.
The diagram on the left is taken from the Mindfulness Centre at Brown University. It outlines the sequence of requirements under the MBSR Teacher Training Level 1.
After the successful completion of MBSR Foundations, trainees will be able to offer short introductory programs or workshops based on the MBSR curriculum. These offerings will be part of the requirement for MBSR Teacher Advancement Intensive (TAI), which is second step of the formal training for teaching MBSR.
After the completion of all the parts listed under MBSR Teacher Training Level 1 (i.e., column on the left), your name will be listed on the Brown University Mindfulness Center website, in the MBSR Teacher Registry as having completed: “MBSR Teacher – Training Level 1”. The 10-Week Online MBSR Foundations only fulfills one part within the "MBSR Teacher Training Level 1". These training steps and requirements are set by the Mindfulness Center at Brown University and are subject to change.
Please note, you will not be able to teach the eight-week MBSR program after completing MBSR Foundations alone. You can only begin to teach the eight-week MBSR program after you complete the entire MBSR Teacher Training Level 1, and then can start your MBSR Teacher Training Level 2 (which has group and individual mentorship).
For an overview of the MBSR and MBSR Teacher Training journey, you can watch this interview by Dr. Kasim Al-Mashat with Florence Meleo-Meyer.
“I really like how everyone came together and how it was a safe, nurturing environment, were we could have discussions. I like how this training was designed with medical and scientific research that's backing MBSR. This made my practice grow deeper.” Graduate of the 10-Week Foundations Program (2021)
“I appreciated the richness and depth of the teachings, structure of the program, thoughtful reflections/readings/assignments, inclusive and safe environment.” Graduate of the 10-Week Foundations Program (2020)
For a complete view of the entire Teacher Training Pathway and other Levels of Training, please click on the button below.
“I very much enjoyed the training and am looking forward to continuing in this journey. I learned SO MUCH in the Foundations program & MBSR and will need time to consolidate my learning as it was SO RICH! Deep gratitude to you for your teachings and inclusive and safe learning environment. I miss the class already!” Graduate of the 10-Week Foundations Program (2020)
Format for the 10-Week Online MBSR Foundations Training
The format for the 10-Week Online Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Foundations Training program combines concurrent required participating in an eight-week MBSR program (including an information session) as well as engaging in the 10-Week Foundations Seminar.
The required concurrent participation in the eight-week MBSR class will allow the participant-trainees to engage in formal MBSR mindfulness meditation practices, as well as investigation of themes of perception, automatic, habitual stress reactivity, mindfulness-mediated stress response and interpersonal communication.
If you have not taken the eight-week MBSR program as a participant prior to your application to this Training, you will not be able to take this MBSR Foundations program. Taking the MBSR program for the first time with Foundations does not fulfill the pre-requisite requirement.
MBSR Foundations involves meeting twice each week (Tuesday and Wednesday nights) over a 10-week period, in addition to the MBSR All-Day (see below for detailed schedule). If your application for 10-Week Online MBSR Foundations Training is accepted, you will be automatically registered in both the eight-week MBSR program and MBSR Foundations Seminar. There is no extra application nor any extra fees required for the automatic required enrolment in the eight-week MBSR program. Please note again, the automatic enrolment in the eight-week MBSR program does not fulfill the prerequisite for having taken the eight-week MBSR program prior to this Training.
The program begins with a “Foundations Opening”. This will be a week prior to session one of the eight-week MBSR program. The program ends with "Foundations Closure". Please see details below under Dates/Times.
Participant-Trainee Role
The importance of directly experiencing the dynamics, rigor, structure and fluidity of the MBSR curriculum,
personally, cannot be over emphasized. Through a trainee’s own direct experience of the eight-week MBSR program, the personal and multi-faceted nature of the MBSR program is revealed. This personal experience directly fosters the early learning of the participant-trainee. The experiential in vivo nature of the program is enhanced and supported by cognitive frames that help deepen understanding and integrate learning.
Reflection and investigation in the MBSR Foundations seminar is supported with reflective writing, group
dialogue, readings, written assignments, and a variety of individual and group learning activities.
Participant-trainees will begin to apply their learning by guiding peers in a short meditation practice
sessions and to express, creatively, how the required readings are integrated into their experience of the
eight-week MBSR program.
Between sessions, you can anticipate an additional 4-6 hours for readings, preparation, reflection and assignments. This does not include the daily home mindfulness practices that are part of the eight-week MBSR program (i.e., 40-60 minutes daily).
The format for the 10-Week Online Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Foundations Training program combines concurrent required participating in an eight-week MBSR program (including an information session) as well as engaging in the 10-Week Foundations Seminar.
The required concurrent participation in the eight-week MBSR class will allow the participant-trainees to engage in formal MBSR mindfulness meditation practices, as well as investigation of themes of perception, automatic, habitual stress reactivity, mindfulness-mediated stress response and interpersonal communication.
If you have not taken the eight-week MBSR program as a participant prior to your application to this Training, you will not be able to take this MBSR Foundations program. Taking the MBSR program for the first time with Foundations does not fulfill the pre-requisite requirement.
MBSR Foundations involves meeting twice each week (Tuesday and Wednesday nights) over a 10-week period, in addition to the MBSR All-Day (see below for detailed schedule). If your application for 10-Week Online MBSR Foundations Training is accepted, you will be automatically registered in both the eight-week MBSR program and MBSR Foundations Seminar. There is no extra application nor any extra fees required for the automatic required enrolment in the eight-week MBSR program. Please note again, the automatic enrolment in the eight-week MBSR program does not fulfill the prerequisite for having taken the eight-week MBSR program prior to this Training.
The program begins with a “Foundations Opening”. This will be a week prior to session one of the eight-week MBSR program. The program ends with "Foundations Closure". Please see details below under Dates/Times.
Participant-Trainee Role
The importance of directly experiencing the dynamics, rigor, structure and fluidity of the MBSR curriculum,
personally, cannot be over emphasized. Through a trainee’s own direct experience of the eight-week MBSR program, the personal and multi-faceted nature of the MBSR program is revealed. This personal experience directly fosters the early learning of the participant-trainee. The experiential in vivo nature of the program is enhanced and supported by cognitive frames that help deepen understanding and integrate learning.
Reflection and investigation in the MBSR Foundations seminar is supported with reflective writing, group
dialogue, readings, written assignments, and a variety of individual and group learning activities.
Participant-trainees will begin to apply their learning by guiding peers in a short meditation practice
sessions and to express, creatively, how the required readings are integrated into their experience of the
eight-week MBSR program.
Between sessions, you can anticipate an additional 4-6 hours for readings, preparation, reflection and assignments. This does not include the daily home mindfulness practices that are part of the eight-week MBSR program (i.e., 40-60 minutes daily).
Dates/Times
The 10-Week Online MBSR Foundations Training with Eight-Week MBSR program involves 65 session hours (see detailed Foundations Schedule below), which includes attending one of the upcoming eight-week MBSR information/orientation session.
All MBSR participants are required to attend one information/orientation session prior to the start of the program unless you have attended one through our Centre within six months of the October program.
You can choose one of the following upcoming MBSR program info session:
Upcoming Online MBSR Info sessions (choose one) |
Time |
Registration |
May 4, 2021 (Tuesday) |
6:00 PM to 7:30 PM PDT |
Closed |
June 15, 2021 (Tuesday) |
6:00 PM to 7:30 PM PDT |
Closed |
July 28, 2021 (Wednesday) |
6:00 PM to 7:30 PM PDT |
Closed |
September 14, 2021 (Tuesday) |
6:00 PM to 7:30 PM PDT |
Closed |
October 12, 2021 (Tuesday) |
6:00 PM to 7:30 PM PDT |
Closed |
“I appreciated the wonderful and inspiring teachers, their wisdom and that of the community, feeling deeply connected to others and a strong sense of belonging”. Graduate of the 10-Week Foundations Program (2020)
Detailed Schedule for Spring Foundations (October 13 to December 15, 2021)
MBSR Foundations involves meetings weekly on both Wednesdays (MBSR Session) and Thursdays (MBSR Foundations Seminar), in addition to attending one MBSR info session (listed above), and one MBSR All-Day session listed below (i.e., Saturday, November 27). Here is the breakdown of the sessions:
- Eight-Week MBSR program on Tuesdays starting at 5:30 pm Pacific Daylight Time (PDT). The weekly MBSR program is 2.5 hours long with exception to first and last sessions, which are 3 hours long, plus, a 7.5 hour all day on a Saturday.
- Foundations Seminar will be on Wednesdays starting at 4:30 pm Pacific Daylight Time (PDT). The weekly Seminar is 3.5 hours.
Please note, all times are in Pacific Standard Time (PST). The Pacific time zone encompasses western Canada, western United States, and western Mexico. To calculate your specific times zone, you can use this link.
Date |
Session |
Time |
Hours |
|
Week 1: |
Wednesday, October 13 |
Foundations Opening Session |
4:30 PM to 8:00 pm (PST) |
3.50 hrs |
Week 2: |
Tuesday, October 19 |
MBSR Class 1 |
5:30 PM to 8:30 pm (PST) |
3.00 hrs |
Wednesday, October 20 |
Foundations Seminar 1 |
4:30 PM to 8:00 pm (PST) |
3.50 hrs |
|
Week 3: |
Tuesday, October 26 |
MBSR Class 2 |
5:30 PM to 8:00 pm (PST) |
2.50 hr |
Wednesday, October 27 |
Foundations Seminar 2 |
4:30 PM to 8:00 pm (PST) |
3.50 hrs |
|
Week 4: |
Tuesday, November 2 |
MBSR Class 3 |
5:30 PM to 8:00 pm (PST) |
2.50 hrs |
Wednesday, November 3 |
Foundations Seminar 3 |
4:30 PM to 8:00 pm (PST) |
3.50 hrs |
|
Week 5: |
Tuesday, November 9 |
MBSR Class 4 |
5:30 PM to 8:00 pm (PST) |
2.50 hrs |
Wednesday, November 10 |
Foundations Seminar 4 |
4:30 PM to 8:00 pm (PST) |
3.50 hrs |
|
Week 6: |
Tuesday, November 16 |
MBSR Class 5 |
5:30 PM to 8:00 pm (PST) |
2.50 hrs |
Wednesday, November 17 |
Foundations Seminar 5 |
4:30 PM to 8:00 pm (PST) |
3.50 hrs |
|
Week 7: |
Tuesday, November 23 |
MBSR Class 6 |
5:30 PM to 8:00 pm (PST) |
2.50 hrs |
Wednesday, November 24 |
Foundations Seminar 6 |
4:30 PM to 8:00 pm (PST) |
3.50 hrs |
|
Saturday, November 27 |
MBSR All-Day |
9:00 AM to 4:30 pm (PST) |
7.50 hrs |
|
Week 8: |
Tuesday, November 30 |
MBSR Class 7 |
5:30 PM to 8:00 pm (PST) |
2.50 hrs |
Wednesday, December 1 |
Foundations Seminar 7 |
4:30 PM to 8:00 pm (PST) |
3.50 hrs |
|
Week 9: |
Tuesday, December 7 |
MBSR Class 8 |
5:30 PM to 8:30 pm (PST) |
3.0 hrs |
Wednesday, December 8 |
Foundations Seminar 8 |
4:30 PM to 8:00 pm (PST) |
3.50 hrs |
|
Week 10: |
Wednesday, December 15 |
Foundations Closing Session |
4:30 PM to 8:00 pm (PST) |
3.50 hrs |
Note: You will receive a one page document with this detailed schedule upon your acceptance into the program.
Course Goals/Learning Objectives
The goals/learning objectives for MBSR Foundations trainees, as outlined by the Mindfulness Center at Brown University, are:
The goals/learning objectives for MBSR Foundations trainees, as outlined by the Mindfulness Center at Brown University, are:
- Characterize and articulate the personal and collective key learnings made available through the 8-week MBSR curriculum;
- Express, through personally honed language, the effects and impact of both formal and informal MBSR practices on oneself as well as others in the program;
- Identify and analyze the critical nature of the relational field and dialogue and inquiry as it shows up in the MBSR classroom, as a specific strength of the program;
- Offer short introductory programs based on elements of the MBSR curriculum;
- Ascertain one’s own strengths, personal patterns and responses, and areas of development as a critical component for skill in teaching.
Requirements For the 10-Week Online MBSR Foundations
- Successful completion of a live (online or in-person) 8-week MBSR program (including eight, 2.5 hour classes, an all-day class, and daily home practice)
- Consistent daily meditation practice (two years preferred)
- Consistent body awareness movement, preferably yoga (two years preferred)
- Participation in a 5-7 day silent (live online or in-person), teacher-led mindfulness retreat within the last three years. If you would like a list of possible retreat locations that could meet this requirement, you can email us at info@drkasimalmashat.com.
- Graduate degree or equivalent background experience in healthcare, public health, medicine, or education. Graduate level work in other disciplines will be considered, including business and law. This will be addressed case by case.
Continuing Education
This 10-Week Online Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Foundations Training program, offered through the Centre For Mindfulness Canada, has 63.50 CE credit hours approved by the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA). The Centre For Mindfulness Canada maintains responsibility for the program.
Fees
The fees are all in Canadian Dollars for the 10-Week Online MBSR Foundations Training with
Eight-week MBSR program.
The fees are all in Canadian Dollars for the 10-Week Online MBSR Foundations Training with
Eight-week MBSR program.
Early Bird Fee Extension (By September 30, 2021) |
Regular Fee (After September 30, 2021) |
|
10-Week Online MBSR Foundations Training with Eight-Week MBSR Program |
$2,500 CAD Total |
$2,800 CAD Total |
Refund Policy
A refund, less a $100 processing fee, will be offered for cancellations made up to two weeks prior to the program start date (i.e., for cancellations made by September 29, 2021). After that, refunds or credit will only be offered for cancellations made due to an emergency or due to extenuating circumstances.
Payment Options
- Interact e-transfer (within Canada), wire transfer, money order, or check.
- Credit card payments available via Square invoicing (with additional $75 CAD processing fee)
- Please do not send any payment until your application has been accepted.
- Do you have questions? Please contact us at info@drkasimalmashat.com for questions or instructions on how to send the interact e-transfer or where to mail the check to.
About the Instructor
|
The 10-Week Online MBSR Foundations Training with Eight-week MBSR program will be facilitated by Dr. Kasim Al-Mashat. He is a Registered Psychologist and Certified MBSR Teacher and authorized Teacher Trainer by the Mindfulness Center at Brown University. He is the founder of Center For Mindfulness Canada. Kasim has also completed a six-month meditation retreat in silence in Southeast Asia and presented a TEDx about mindfulness. For a full bio - click here. |
|
How to Apply
MBSR Foundations trainings tend to fill up. To apply for the program, please fill the application below.
Processing Time: Applications filled this month will be processed on the first week on the following month. If you don't hear from us by then, please contact us at info@drkasimalmshat.com.
Application Process: If your application meets the requirements for the program, an initial Zoom meeting will be set-up to go over your submitted application.
The information below is treated with utmost confidentiality. As a Registered Psychologist, Dr. Kasim Al-Mashat adheres to the highest standards of practice.
Application