Mindfulness Programming

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? The Institute is interested in collaborating with on campus and off-campus partners on expanding the capacity to lead mindfulness practice including MBSR. Various ideas for initiatives and grants are in development—please contact us if there is an interest in collaborating.  

The Institute is committed to supporting opportunities for mindfulness on campus and in the community. Mental health statistics continue to show high levels of stress in the population. Mindfulness is one approach that individuals can cultivate to reduce stress and bring health and wellbeing to their life. 

Sangha at CSUN

The Institute recognizes the need for stress reduction efforts in our busy lives. The drop in mindfulness program--Sangha at CSUN--is a collaboration brought forth through.

The Institute has worked with faculty members Dena Herman (faculty in FCS) and Nancy Miodrag (faculty in CADV) to bring Sangha @ CSUN in Fall 2024. The Faculty Development office has been supportive and offered the new FacDev commons room for hosting the Sangha Tuesdays 8:30am-9:30am. Various campus and community partners have assisted in facilitating such as alumna Briana Walden (mindfulness and creativity), Steven Wang (UCS), Allison Begley (UCS), and Joo Kim (HSCI department and Klotz Health Center). Mirna has also facilitated MBSR practices and Dena has brought relational mindfulness practices to the group.  

Join the Sangha at CSUN for weekly group mindfulness practice sessions led by trained facilitators. The aim of this group is to provide a communal space for CSUN students, faculty, staff, administration, and external community members to engage in meditation and mindfulness practices together.

Fall 2024

September 3 to December 10
Tuesdays 8:30AM to 9:30AM @ Garden Level of University Library in Room 3 (Facedev Commons)

• View the Sangha at CSUN Flyer (PDF)

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Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction Program

Coming Soon via CSUN

Winter/Spring Jan. 10 to March 14, 2025 (orientation on Jan. 7 via Zoom)
Spring/Summer April 25 to June 13, 2025 (orientation on April 8 via Zoom)
Summer/Fall August 15 to Oct. 17, 2025 (orientation on Aug. 12 via Zoom)

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The Institute’s Director—Mirna Sawyer—as a newly qualified level 1 Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) teacher is offering three cycles of the 8-week MBSR course in 2025. The Winter/Spring course will go from Jan. 24-March 14, 2025. The late Spring course will run from April 25-June 13, 2025. The Fall course will run from Aug. 29-Oct. 17, 2025.

What is MBSR? Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) is an effective, scientifically researched method for reducing physical and psychological suffering while building resilience, balance, and peace of mind. The 8-week course consists of practicing mindfulness movement, meditation, and bringing mindfulness into everyday life. Since 1979 more than 25,000 people have completed this evidence-based training. MBSR if 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. 

Some of the benefits of MBSR:

• Approach your life with more self-control, 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 

• Get better at handling and lowering your pain. 

• Improve your focus, resilience, and capacity to recover more quickly from challenging events 

• Boost your focus, bounce back faster, and handle tough situations better. 

• Learn how to access and develop a natural capacity to actively engage in caring for yourself and find greater balance, ease, and peace of mind 

• Discover how to tap into your natural ability to take care of yourself and find more balance, ease, and peace of mind. 

 

Instructor & Workshop Facilitator: Mirna Troncoso Sawyer, PhD, MPH

The MBSR program meets in-person for 2.5 hour weekly class sessions.  Home assignments and guided meditation audio files are all available online. Throughout the program you will be using the practices you will learn in the course to work with the challenges and demands of your everyday life. Our trained and certified instructor will create a safe and supportive environment for this work and learning through:

• In person class sessions
• Instruction in formal and informal MBSR meditation practices, including guided instruction and recordings to practice with at home
• Gentle stretching and mindful movement (yoga)
• Group dialogue, with discussions offered to enhance awareness in everyday life
• The opportunity to meet with the instructor throughout the course
• Online resource materials and opportunities for feedback

Class sizes are limited to facilitate group connection and conversation.

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8-week Course Outline

MBSR Registration

Registration Home 

Winter/Spring 2025

Register for Winter/Spring 2025 Here

Spring/Summer 2025

Register for Spring/Summer 2025 Here

Summer/Fall 2025

Register for Summer/Fall 2025 Here

• View the MBSR Program Flyer (PDF)

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Workshop Resources and Class Information

“How Practicing Mindfulness Can Change our Relationship to Stress”

Recordings
3 minute focused attention meditation practice here
3 mindful movement practice (yoga) here

Other Resources

• Insight Timer (APP) - free meditations
• Full Catastrophe Living - by Jon Kabat-Zinn (book about Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction with practice guidance)
• Window of Tolerance
• For CSUN students only: The Oasis
• For everyone–staff, faculty, students, and community members: in person mindfulness practice group “Sangha at CSUN”