ECM Teacher Training Pathway: Fundamentals in Teaching MBSR

Fundamentals in Teaching MBSR

Program Overview

Fundamentals in Teaching MBSR is delivered live online. It is designed for people with an established personal mindfulness practice who desire to teach the 8-week MBSR course. Trainees must be willing to show up authentically within the training group, and to bring their unique wisdom as well as their full humanness to bear in learning to teach MBSR.

During this program, trainees with explore the ethos, underpinnings, mindfulness practices, and attitudes that are the basis of MBSR. Language, pedagogical methods, and skills for engaging participants, and more will be investigated and practiced.

The training has 2 components:

MBSR Course: Participation in an 8-week course taught by your mentor. NOTE: Trainees will have graduated from an 8-week MBSR course prior to participation in this MBSR course, which will be taught by their MBSR mentor. During this second experience of MBSR, they will participate fully again for their own personal growth, as well as to experience the course from the vantage point of being a future MBSR teacher.

Weekly Cohort Training Sessions: Participation in an additional 6.5-hour session each week with only your mentor and your small cohort of fellow teacher trainees.

This course will be taught by a Senior MBSR Teacher/Teacher Trainer.

Training Goals

During this training you will—

Participate fully in an 8-week online MBSR course taught by your mentor

Study the MBSR Curriculum, Protocols, and Program Standards

Guide other trainees in standard MBSR meditation practices

Practice-teach components of the MBSR course curriculum to your fellow trainees

Become familiar with the MBI:TAC rubric for assessing MBSR teaching

Give and receive feedback to yourself and other trainees

Investigate the ethos of teaching MBSR

Explore your personal practice of mindfulness and how practice impacts your teaching

Explore principles of trauma sensitivity in the practice and teaching of mindfulness

Familiarize yourself with some of the science of mindfulness

Explore best methods for engaging, honoring, and teaching diverse groups of students

Prerequisites and Requirements

Completion of at least one in person or live online 8-Week MBSR course:

MBSR course was taught live by a certified MBSR teacher
MBSR was taken for your own growth
MBSR course consisted of an orientation, 8 classes of at least 2.5 hours, and an all day (retreat class) of at least 7 hours

Consistent personal mindfulness meditation practice of at least the past 2 years

Strong relationship with a meditation teacher (or teachers), either living or no longer living. Ideally this will be a one-to-one relationship with a live meditation teacher, but might also be met through a connection through teachings (even ancient teachings) of a teacher or teachers.

Personal practice of mindful movement (for example, yoga, tai chi, chi gong) for at least a year

Minimum of one mindfulness retreat of at least 5 days completed within the past 2 years:

Retreat was led by a teacher either in person or live online (no recorded retreats, solo retreats, or retreats that rely on recordings of teachers instead of live interaction with a teacher or teachers).
Retreat was in a tradition that aligns with the practices and attitudes of MBSR.

Regular participation in some form of personal development, such as counseling, coaching, spiritual advising, or so on, with a professional

Work/Education experience:

A university degree (or equivalent life experience)
Experience working in or with groups

Willingness to work hard. ECM's training pathway requires efforts such as—

Staying in good, consistent communication with your mentor
Developing and revising materials, such as class plans, meditation guidance audios, and so on, based on feedback and ongoing growth
Submitting all materials on time
Participating fully in all trainings, including completion of all preparatory work prior to trainings and all follow-on work after trainings.

Willingness to be in collegial relationship with trainee cohort. ECM’s training pathway is designed for small trainee cohorts. These cohorts participate together in trainings throughout the years while in the training pathway, supporting each other throughout.

Ability to gather students for your MBSR courses. Gathering enough participants for an MBSR course is challenging for most. Ideal candidates for the ECM teacher training pathway have in place a means to gather at least 8 participants for their MBSR courses (such as within an organization where they work or an organization with which they are associated, and so on).

What Technology You Will Need

High-speed internet connection

Please, no phones

Join on a computer that has a full-sized screen on which you can see at least 25 Zoom participants, without having to scroll

Ensure that your computer is situated on a stable surface (instead of resting on your lap, etc.)

Video and microphone capability (so that you can be seen and heard)

A place for practice that allows for being undisturbed

Current version of Zoom installed

This program is limited to no more than 4 MBSR teacher trainees

Fall 2024: Program beginning in September

Note: all times shown are in US Eastern Time.

Dates	Times	Notes
Fundamentals Session 1: Sunday, September 15	10AM-4:30PM	NOTE: There are 2 weeks between this and the 2nd Fundamentals session.
MBSR Orientation: Wednesday, September 25	6:00-8:30PM
Fundamentals Session 2: Sunday, September 29	10AM-4:30PM
MBSR Class 1: Wednesday, October 2	6:00-9:00PM	The first MBSR class is a half-hour longer than usual.
Fundamentals Session 3: Sunday, October 6	10AM-4:30PM	This session will be held on Saturday instead of Sunday.
MBSR Class 2: Wednesday, October 9	6:00-8:30PM
Fundamentals Session 4: Sunday, October 13	10AM-4:30PM
MBSR Class 3: Wednesday, October 16	6:00-8:30PM
Fundamentals Session 5: Sunday, October 20	10AM-4:30PM
MBSR Class 4: Wednesday, October 23	6:00-8:30PM
Fundamentals Session 6: Sunday, October 27	10AM-4:30PM	NOTE: For next week’s session (Sun, Nov 3), note that clocks move back one hour at 2AM on Sun, Nov 3 in the US.
MBSR Class 5: Wednesday, October 30	6:00-8:30PM
Fundamentals Session 7: Sunday, November 3	10AM-4:30PM
MBSR Class 6: Wednesday, November 6	6:00-8:30PM
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 9	9:00AM-4:30PM	MBSR ONLINE RETREAT CLASS
Fundamentals Session 8: Sunday, November 10	10AM-4:30PM
MBSR Class 7: Wednesday, November 13	6:00-8:30PM
Fundamentals Session 9: Sunday, November 17	10AM-4:30PM	Note: this is Mother’s Day.
MBSR Class 8: Wednesday, November 20	6:00-9:30PM	The last MBSR class is one hour longer than usual.
Fundamentals Session 10: Sunday, November 24	10AM-4:30PM

The cost of this program is US$3000 (this includes a seat in the MBSR course).

Please review the information below regarding the dates for application submission, and so on. The button below takes you to a secure online application for the program.

Application timeline for the Fall 2024 program beginning in September:

Submit application online by Tuesday, August 6, 2024. You will receive an automated response that your application has been received.

NOTE: To ensure that the program is a good fit at this time, the most qualified applicants will be contacted to set up a time to meet by Zoom with the trainer before final acceptance. If 4 applicants are accepted before August 6, the application process will be closed.
Receive email from East Coast Mindfulness by Wednesday, August 14, 2024, with acceptance status.

NOTE: All applicants will receive notification with acceptance status.
If accepted, you will be asked to confirm your spot and submit payment by Friday, August 30, 2024.
Once your spot is confirmed, you will receive more information about the program.

Click here to complete
the Application Form

If you have questions, please email info@eastcoastmindfulness.com.

What can I say after I complete the training?

You can say:

that you have trained directly with [Name of your Trainer], senior teacher trainer in MBSR

that you can teach MBSR under mentorship with [Name of your Trainer], senior teacher trainer in MBSR

What is the time commitment for participating in Fundamentals in Teaching MBSR?

You should be prepared to spend between 3 - 5 hours per week, beyond the 10 MBSR classes and the 10 cohort training sessions.

Since this training is conducted online, will I be able to attend to home and family during the program?

This is an intensive course and requires your full attention throughout. There will be appropriate times set aside for meals and rest; please ensure that other matters, such as child or elder care, or significant pet care, are managed by others during the program.

What if I have to miss a session?

Because of the participatory nature of this training, it is imperative that you be present for all of it. Of course, life situations arise, but as you enter the training, please ensure that you have cleared your schedule so you can participate fully in all 20 sessions: 10 sessions of the MBSR course and 10 sessions of the Cohort Training.

What if I’m not technologically savvy?

You do not have to be a technology whiz to participate; however, a certain level of technology know-how is assumed (for instance, it is assumed that you have a modern desktop or laptop and stable internet connection, and that you know how to work on the computer you will be using during the training).

Are continuing credits available for this training?

There are currently no credits available for this training.

Rebecca Eldridge

Rebecca Eldridge studies, practices meditation, and teaches under the guidance, deep caring, and encouragement of her teacher, Pema Chödrön. She completed her MBSR teacher training through the Center for Mindfulness (CFM) at UMass Medical School, where she also served as an MBSR teacher and teacher trainer, designing and teaching the CFM’s first online Fundamentals training for MBSR teachers-in-training. She served as a one-to-one mentor for MBSR teacher trainees at the CFM and performed certification reviews at the conclusion of an MBSR teacher’s formal training.

Rebecca is one of a limited number of MBSR teacher trainers certified as a calibrated rater for assessing MBSR teaching, and is a member of the International Mindfulness Integrity Network, a worldwide group of teacher trainers exploring ethics and standards of mindfulness training programs.

Program Schedule

Fall 2024: Program beginning in September

Note: all times shown are in US Eastern Time.

Dates	Times	Notes
Fundamentals Session 1: Sunday, September 15	10AM-4:30PM	NOTE: There are 2 weeks between this and the 2nd Fundamentals session.
MBSR Orientation: Wednesday, September 25	6:00-8:30PM
Fundamentals Session 2: Sunday, September 29	10AM-4:30PM
MBSR Class 1: Wednesday, October 2	6:00-9:00PM	The first MBSR class is a half-hour longer than usual.
Fundamentals Session 3: Sunday, October 6	10AM-4:30PM	This session will be held on Saturday instead of Sunday.
MBSR Class 2: Wednesday, October 9	6:00-8:30PM
Fundamentals Session 4: Sunday, October 13	10AM-4:30PM
MBSR Class 3: Wednesday, October 16	6:00-8:30PM
Fundamentals Session 5: Sunday, October 20	10AM-4:30PM
MBSR Class 4: Wednesday, October 23	6:00-8:30PM
Fundamentals Session 6: Sunday, October 27	10AM-4:30PM	NOTE: For next week’s session (Sun, Nov 3), note that clocks move back one hour at 2AM on Sun, Nov 3 in the US.
MBSR Class 5: Wednesday, October 30	6:00-8:30PM
Fundamentals Session 7: Sunday, November 3	10AM-4:30PM
MBSR Class 6: Wednesday, November 6	6:00-8:30PM
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 9	9:00AM-4:30PM	MBSR ONLINE RETREAT CLASS
Fundamentals Session 8: Sunday, November 10	10AM-4:30PM
MBSR Class 7: Wednesday, November 13	6:00-8:30PM
Fundamentals Session 9: Sunday, November 17	10AM-4:30PM	Note: this is Mother’s Day.
MBSR Class 8: Wednesday, November 20	6:00-9:30PM	The last MBSR class is one hour longer than usual.
Fundamentals Session 10: Sunday, November 24	10AM-4:30PM

Program Cost

The cost of this program is US$3000 (this includes a seat in the MBSR course).
Apply
Please review the information below regarding the dates for application submission, and so on. The button below takes you to a secure online application for the program.

Application timeline for the Fall 2024 program beginning in September:

Submit application online by Tuesday, August 6, 2024. You will receive an automated response that your application has been received.

NOTE: To ensure that the program is a good fit at this time, the most qualified applicants will be contacted to set up a time to meet by Zoom with the trainer before final acceptance. If 4 applicants are accepted before August 6, the application process will be closed.
Receive email from East Coast Mindfulness by Wednesday, August 14, 2024, with acceptance status.

NOTE: All applicants will receive notification with acceptance status.
If accepted, you will be asked to confirm your spot and submit payment by Friday, August 30, 2024.
Once your spot is confirmed, you will receive more information about the program.

Click here to complete
the Application Form

If you have questions, please email info@eastcoastmindfulness.com.
Common Questions
What can I say after I complete the training?

You can say:

that you have trained directly with [Name of your Trainer], senior teacher trainer in MBSR

that you can teach MBSR under mentorship with [Name of your Trainer], senior teacher trainer in MBSR

What is the time commitment for participating in Fundamentals in Teaching MBSR?

You should be prepared to spend between 3 - 5 hours per week, beyond the 10 MBSR classes and the 10 cohort training sessions.

Since this training is conducted online, will I be able to attend to home and family during the program?

This is an intensive course and requires your full attention throughout. There will be appropriate times set aside for meals and rest; please ensure that other matters, such as child or elder care, or significant pet care, are managed by others during the program.

What if I have to miss a session?

Because of the participatory nature of this training, it is imperative that you be present for all of it. Of course, life situations arise, but as you enter the training, please ensure that you have cleared your schedule so you can participate fully in all 20 sessions: 10 sessions of the MBSR course and 10 sessions of the Cohort Training.

What if I’m not technologically savvy?

You do not have to be a technology whiz to participate; however, a certain level of technology know-how is assumed (for instance, it is assumed that you have a modern desktop or laptop and stable internet connection, and that you know how to work on the computer you will be using during the training).

Are continuing credits available for this training?

There are currently no credits available for this training.
Teaching Faculty: Fall 2024

Rebecca Eldridge

Rebecca Eldridge studies, practices meditation, and teaches under the guidance, deep caring, and encouragement of her teacher, Pema Chödrön. She completed her MBSR teacher training through the Center for Mindfulness (CFM) at UMass Medical School, where she also served as an MBSR teacher and teacher trainer, designing and teaching the CFM’s first online Fundamentals training for MBSR teachers-in-training. She served as a one-to-one mentor for MBSR teacher trainees at the CFM and performed certification reviews at the conclusion of an MBSR teacher’s formal training.

Rebecca is one of a limited number of MBSR teacher trainers certified as a calibrated rater for assessing MBSR teaching, and is a member of the International Mindfulness Integrity Network, a worldwide group of teacher trainers exploring ethics and standards of mindfulness training programs.

REFUND POLICY:
You may receive a refund less $100 if you notify us via email (info@eastcoastmindfulness.com) at least 7 days prior to the first session of Fundamentals. No refunds will be granted thereafter.

Questions? Please email us at info@eastcoastmindfulness.com

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