MBSR has been described as “a group program that focuses upon the progressive acquisition of mindful awareness.”^[1] The MBSR program is an eight-week workshop taught by certified trainers that entails weekly group meetings (two-hour classes) and a one-day retreat (six-hour mindfulness practice) between sessions six and seven, formal home practice (a minimum of 45 minutes daily meditation, six days a week),^[9] and instruction in three formal techniques: mindfulness meditation, body scanning and simple yoga postures.^[1] 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

According to Kabat-Zinn, mindfulness can be considered a universal human capacity that can foster clear thinking and openheartedness, and the goal of mindfulness is to maintain awareness moment by moment, disengaging oneself from strong attachment to beliefs, thoughts, or emotions, thereby developing a greater sense of emotional balance and well-being.^[5] Engaging in mindfulness prevents one from self-criticism, ruminating about the past, or worrying about the future.^[11]

In order to become a Center for Mindfulness Certified MBSR teacher, one must complete a 7-day course at the Center. For full MBSR teacher certification, teachers must complete 6 courses through the Center within a 36-month period. [1]