Mindfulness Programming

mindfulness class 900 x 900

What is Mindfulness? One definition: “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 to expand 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. Sangha at CSUN is one place where you can cultivate peace, kindness, and compassion for yourself and others! Join us!

The drop in mindfulness program--Sangha at CSUN--is a collaboration brought forth by Mirna Sawyer (Director of the Institute), Dena Herman (faculty in FCS) and Nancy Miodrag (faculty in CADV). Sangha @ CSUN began in Fall 2024. The Faculty Development office has been supportive and offered the new FacDev Commons room for our sessions. In Fall 2024 Sangha@ CSUN was held Tuesdays 8:30am-9:30am and in Spring 2025 on somes Tuesdays at 8:30am. Our facilitators have included 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.

Sangha at CSUN in Fall 2025 - Dates TBD

We are currently working out a schedule.

 

Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction Program - 2025 Dates

 

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:

About the MBSR class and course structure

​​​Instructor & Workshop Facilitator

Next course dates: 

Fall 2025 Tues Sept. 16 to Nov. 4, 2025 4:30-7pm in the FacDev Commons Room, in the University Library Garden Level (orientation on Sep. 11 via Zoom)

 

 

8-week Course Outline

  • Intro and program overview
  • Meet instructor and participants
  • Guidelines
  • Q and A

 

Theme: Wholeness and capability, mindfulness definitions

  • Welcome and overview
  • Mindful eating
  • Body scan

Theme: Perception and creative responding

  • Body scan 
  • Mindful movement/yoga
  • Preparation for sitting meditation
  • Pleasant events calendar

Theme: The power of being present

  • Lying down mindful movement/yoga
  • Review pleasant events calendar
  • Unpleasant events calendar
     

Theme: Working with the unwanted/unpleasant

  • Sitting meditation with options to meet the unwanted
  • Standing mindful movement/yoga
  • Review unpleasant events calendar
  • Stress reactivity

Theme: Awareness of automatic, habitual, conditioned patterns, and
how mindfulness can act as a mediator

  • Sitting meditation with anchoring in body, breath, sound, mental events, and choiceless awareness
  • The stress response

9AM to 5PM (Saturday or Sunday)

  • Morning sessions
  • Mountain meditation
  • Meal Break
  • Afternoon sessions
  • Lovingkindness meditation
  • Walking meditation

Theme: Communication and interpersonal relating

 

  • Continuing learning from classes 4 and 5
  • Standing mindful movement/yoga
  • Sitting meditation with anchoring in body, breath, sound, mental events, and choiceless awareness
  • Discuss all-day class

 

Theme: Cultivating practice in all of life’s moments

  • Silent meditation, choice
  • Movement practice

Theme: Cultivating practice in all of life’s moments

  • Closing circle
  • Course end

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”