Mindfulness-Based Workshop for

“Finding Balance and Happiness”

Amid Life’s Challenges

(Based on MBSR and MBCT)

September 9, 2008 -  October 28, 2008

Tuesday Evenings 7:00 - 9:00

333 Arthur Godfrey Road| Miami Beach, Florida

Enrollment Fee is $595.00

The Institute for Mindfulness Studies and The Sifre Center invite you to participate in a special Eight-Week Mindfulness-Based “Finding Happiness” Workshop that draws on the work of Mindful-Based  Stress Reduction (MBSR) and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT). 

MBSR is designed to work with people dealing with pain and stress while MBCT is designed to help people who suffer repeated bouts of depression and chronic unhappiness. They share the integration of meditative practices and attitudes based on the cultivation of mindful awareness.   Click here to learn more about MBCT.  Click here to learn more about MBSR. 

This Eight-Week Workshop is based on the MBSR program developed by Jon Kabat-Zinn and the MBCT program developed by Zindel Segal, Mark Williams, and John Teasdale. It includes instruction and training on simple breathing meditation and gentle stretches designed to help you become more aware of the present moment. The workshop includes basic education on anxiety, depression and exercises that demonstrate the links between thinking and feeling and ways to inoculate yourself and look after yourself when worry or depression threatens to overwhelm you.

Mindfulness-Based Exercises help you to see more clearly the arisings of your mind and to learn how to detect when your mood is beginning to drop.  These exercises can help break the link between negative mood and negative thinking that could lead to relapse. You will learn to mindfully observe distressing mood and negative thoughts without identifying as intently with them. You find that you can learn to stay in touch with the present moment without ruminating about the past or worrying about the future.

Workshop Facilitators

The workshop will be conducted by Scott Rogers, M.S., J.D., director of the Institute for Mindfulness Studies and Tammy Sifre, Ph.D., of the Sifre Center.   You can learn more about Scott Rogers by clicking here and about Tammy Sifre by clicking here.

Screening Process Prior to Registration

A screening interview is required of all potential participants to ensure a good fit with the program and to answer any questions you may have. Contact Tammy Sifre at 305-672-4403 to arrange a screening interview or click here.  Upon acceptance, you may register to reserve your place in this workshop.

As a participant you will learn exercises to help you:

•  Increase awareness of your thoughts and how they contribute to negative mood and downward spiraling.

• Become more compassionate and accepting of yourself and the world around you.

• Create a more open and less judgmental approach to living and interacting with others.

• Recognize when your own thinking is not helpful.

• Find ways to reduce the pressure you put on yourself and the high standards you try to meet.

Important Disclaimer -- This workshop is not therapy and is designed to complement, not compete with, whatever treatment or medication you may be receiving for depression. Please be sure to consult with your therapist before applying to participate in this workshop.