Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Online

Next sessions:
Wednesdays Noon-2:30PM US Eastern beginning May 28, 2025
Mondays 6-8:30PM US Eastern beginning Oct 6, 2025

"East Coast Mindfulness provides expert online MBSR teaching and high level training for others to teach the MBSR course with high integrity and depth.”

Jon Kabat-Zinn, Founder of MBSR and author of Full Catastrophe Living

East Coast Mindfulness is proud to be listed as one of Jon Kabat-Zinn’s Mindfulness Connections for MBSR Training.

Mindfulness begins by being present—so simple and so very difficult. While we want to be awake and aware in the moments of our life, too often we aren’t, and instead shift into autopilot, shut down emotionally (or become overwhelmed), or settle for simply getting through the day.

The practice of mindfulness calls on us to stop settling, and to wake up to exactly how things are right here, right now. This present moment awareness sometimes brings about relief and ease, and sometimes it doesn’t, but it always points us to a genuine experience of our own precious life.

The MBSR course is an evidence-based, intensive exploration of the practice of mindfulness, and what it means to practice mindfulness in your own life. This course is taught by Rebecca Eldridge, who created an online interactive MBSR course and trained faculty at the UMass Medical School’s Center for Mindfulness to teach MBSR online, or by experienced MBSR teachers certified to teach online MBSR. The online MBSR course provides all the instruction and materials you need to practice mindfulness weekly within a group, and daily on your own. You must supply the strong commitment to stick with the course and to practice every single day—when it’s pleasant, unpleasant, and neutral.

Course Details

We will practice mindfulness in many forms in class, sometimes in silence, and there will be opportunity for small and whole group sharing, checking in, asking questions, and so on. You will receive audio to guide much of your daily, at home practice. Beyond the 8-week course, you will be provided a way to continue to connect with other course participants, if you choose.

It is imperative that you attend the classes, but classes will be recorded for you to review if you must miss one class (if you know that you will have to miss more than one class this cycle, you are invited to participate in a future cycle; participating live in the retreat class is a must).

People participate in the MBSR course for many reasons—to relieve stress of all kinds, to soothe emotional and physical pain, to live and love more fully, to establish a regular practice of mindfulness, and more.

What is required of you during the course:

  • Participate in the orientation, all eight classes, and the retreat class (all of these are online)
  • Practice daily for approximately one hour
  • Hold yourself and the other participants with respect and kind-heartedness
  • Stay curious about this live exploration
  • Be willing to be seen as human (imperfect and completely okay)
  • Stick with it for 8 weeks

What technology you will need:

  • High-speed internet connection

  • Please, no phones

  • Use a computer 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

See the MBSR Course Info Sheet to learn more about:
• The historical context of the MBSR program
• The MBSR course logistics
• What Mindfulness is and how it works
• Contraindications for the MBSR program
• Week-by-week content of the MBSR course

Interested in teaching MBSR?

It’s important to take this course for your own learning and growth. Once you’ve completed the online MBSR course, you may wish to train to teach others. Completing our online MBSR course satisfies one of the requirements to enter the professional MBSR teacher training pathway through East Coast Mindfulness and other MBSR teacher training organizations.

Our classes are limited to 25 participants

Course Schedule Course Cost Register Common Questions MBSR Teaching Faculty: March 2025 (Wednesday sessions) MBSR Teaching Faculty: May 2025 (Wednesday sessions) MBSR Teaching Faculty: Oct 2025 (Monday sessions)

We have created a sliding scale to accommodate people in various financial situations. Generosity policy applies—to cover costs for our small business, to ensure adequate compensation for the instructors, and so that people with fewer financial resources can be accommodated, please pay at the highest level available to you.

NOTE: the East Coast Mindfulness MBSR course may be eligible for FSA/HSA reimbursement—a smart way to use your pre-tax dollars to invest in health and well-being. Most FSA/HSA providers will accept a letter of medical necessity from your physician, such as the sample form here. Please check with your FSA/HSA provider to be sure.

TIER 1: $600: Subsidizes Tiers 3 & 4
($40 Orientation + $560 Course)

TIER 2: $550: Covers our cost
($40 Orientation + $510 Course)

TIER 3: $500: Subsidized rate
($40 Orientation + $460 Course)

TIER 4: $450: Subsidized rate
($40 Orientation + $410 Course)

REPEAT STUDENTS—all students who have previously completed the MBSR course live online or in-person with a certified MBSR teacher may retake the course for $350
($40 Orientation + $310 Course)

Deciding What to Pay?
Click Here

If Tier 4 is still financially prohibitive for you, please email us so we can find a way for you to participate.

Registration for the course beginning March 19, 2025, Wednesdays 6-8:30PM US Eastern, with Margaret Fletcher, is now closed.

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Margaret Fletcher

Margaret Fletcher is an MBSR teacher and teacher trainer who holds an M.A. in Mindfulness Studies. She has taught mindfulness for various businesses, in healthcare, for government entities and for her own church community. She taught classes and trained MBSR teachers at the UMass Center for Mindfulness. Margaret co-founded East Coast Mindfulness in 2019.

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Rebecca Eldridge

Rebecca is a Certified Trauma-Sensitive Mindfulness Practitioner who served as an MBSR Teacher and MBSR Teacher Trainer at the Center for Mindfulness at UMass Medical School, creating and training their teaching faculty to deliver their first online MBSR course in 2016. She is 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. Beyond teaching MBSR and training MBSR teachers, Rebecca works with organizations to develop and deliver mindfulness programs for living with more authenticity, resilience, and joy; and meditation guidance for promoting restorative rest and sleep. Her personal practice is guided by her teacher, Pema Chödrön, and she was featured giving meditation instruction in two courses taught by Pema Chödrön: Making Friends with Yourself and How to Live with Compassion and Courage. She also loves growing things—from fruits, vegetables, and flowers; to a personal meditation practice that doesn’t fizzle out; to communities that welcome and encourage people as they are.

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Laura Smallwood

Laura began her training to teach MBSR with the Center for Mindfulness at UMass Medical School and completed her MBSR teaching certification through East Coast Mindfulness. In addition to teaching MBSR, Laura teaches mindfulness for veterinary workers and is also a regular guest on The Cairn Veterinary Podcast. Her interests include stress physiology, mindful communication, and the role that kindness and compassion practices can play in reducing empathic fatigue and burnout. Her personal practice is influenced by Pema Chödrön and Sharon Salzberg, among others. Yoga is also an important part of her daily practice. Laura’s joys include dancing, cooking, birdwatching, paddling, and spending time with her family.

  • Course Schedule
  • Course Cost

    We have created a sliding scale to accommodate people in various financial situations. Generosity policy applies—to cover costs for our small business, to ensure adequate compensation for the instructors, and so that people with fewer financial resources can be accommodated, please pay at the highest level available to you.

    NOTE: the East Coast Mindfulness MBSR course may be eligible for FSA/HSA reimbursement—a smart way to use your pre-tax dollars to invest in health and well-being. Most FSA/HSA providers will accept a letter of medical necessity from your physician, such as the sample form here. Please check with your FSA/HSA provider to be sure.

    TIER 1: $600: Subsidizes Tiers 3 & 4
    ($40 Orientation + $560 Course)

    TIER 2: $550: Covers our cost
    ($40 Orientation + $510 Course)

    TIER 3: $500: Subsidized rate
    ($40 Orientation + $460 Course)

    TIER 4: $450: Subsidized rate
    ($40 Orientation + $410 Course)

    REPEAT STUDENTS—all students who have previously completed the MBSR course live online or in-person with a certified MBSR teacher may retake the course for $350
    ($40 Orientation + $310 Course)

    Deciding What to Pay?
    Click Here

    If Tier 4 is still financially prohibitive for you, please email us so we can find a way for you to participate.

  • Register

    Registration for the course beginning March 19, 2025, Wednesdays 6-8:30PM US Eastern, with Margaret Fletcher, is now closed.

  • Common Questions
  • MBSR Teaching Faculty: March 2025 (Wednesday sessions)
    Stacks Image 4512751
    Margaret Fletcher

    Margaret Fletcher is an MBSR teacher and teacher trainer who holds an M.A. in Mindfulness Studies. She has taught mindfulness for various businesses, in healthcare, for government entities and for her own church community. She taught classes and trained MBSR teachers at the UMass Center for Mindfulness. Margaret co-founded East Coast Mindfulness in 2019.

  • MBSR Teaching Faculty: May 2025 (Wednesday sessions)
    Stacks Image 4513130
    Rebecca Eldridge

    Rebecca is a Certified Trauma-Sensitive Mindfulness Practitioner who served as an MBSR Teacher and MBSR Teacher Trainer at the Center for Mindfulness at UMass Medical School, creating and training their teaching faculty to deliver their first online MBSR course in 2016. She is 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. Beyond teaching MBSR and training MBSR teachers, Rebecca works with organizations to develop and deliver mindfulness programs for living with more authenticity, resilience, and joy; and meditation guidance for promoting restorative rest and sleep. Her personal practice is guided by her teacher, Pema Chödrön, and she was featured giving meditation instruction in two courses taught by Pema Chödrön: Making Friends with Yourself and How to Live with Compassion and Courage. She also loves growing things—from fruits, vegetables, and flowers; to a personal meditation practice that doesn’t fizzle out; to communities that welcome and encourage people as they are.

  • MBSR Teaching Faculty: Oct 2025 (Monday sessions)
    Stacks Image 4513531
    Laura Smallwood

    Laura began her training to teach MBSR with the Center for Mindfulness at UMass Medical School and completed her MBSR teaching certification through East Coast Mindfulness. In addition to teaching MBSR, Laura teaches mindfulness for veterinary workers and is also a regular guest on The Cairn Veterinary Podcast. Her interests include stress physiology, mindful communication, and the role that kindness and compassion practices can play in reducing empathic fatigue and burnout. Her personal practice is influenced by Pema Chödrön and Sharon Salzberg, among others. Yoga is also an important part of her daily practice. Laura’s joys include dancing, cooking, birdwatching, paddling, and spending time with her family.

REFUND POLICY:
No refunds for the Course Cost will be granted once Class 1 is underway.

Questions? Please email us at info@eastcoastmindfulness.com

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© 2025 East Coast Mindfulness

Questions? Contact us!