MBSR Teacher Training

One of my greatest joys is to offer training and development for those who are called to teach MBSR.

In most cases I do this with colleagues through The Mindfulness Teacher Training Alliance.

Programs of the MTTA are recognized by all partners of the Global Mindfulness Collaborative (GMC) in more than 13 countries, including Mindfulness @ Brown University in the USA.

Originally incepted under the leadership of the Center for Mindfulness at the University of Massachusettes, the GMC is one of the most longstanding and established network of mindfulness teacher training institutions. I serve on the Board of the GMC.

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How I train MBSR Teachers

 
 

What to expect

  • A friendly and encouraging approach with regular feedback

  • Exploring teaching MBSR as a practice in itself

For MBSR Teachers in Training

  • MBSR Essentials is the first step, running alongside an actual live MBSR course in which you are a participant observer

  • MBSR Intensive Practice and Teaching (IPT) is the second formal training on the pathway to teach, providing a deeper dive into the MBSR curriculum’s form and essence and greater clarity to its intention, content and flow.

  • The Group Practice and Teaching (GPT) training marks the entry into Level 2 of the MBSR Teacher Training program and is designed to support your continuing development and refinement as an MBSR teacher.

For experienced MBSR Teachers

  • Ad hoc mentoring on challenges arising in an MBSR cycle

  • Focus on developing certain capacities, such as inquiry or trauma sensitivity

  • Clarity on Buddhist underpinnings of the curriculum to deepen understanding

  • Guidance for future development and resources

Book an exploratory conversation

Kind Words

“I asked Jon to mentor me when I taught my first two MBSR classes in Japan. Jon is an experienced and caring mentor, and created a safe and trusting atmosphere which helped me to develop confidence as a teacher.”
— Tazuko Shibusawa, MBSR Teacher in Tokyo, Japan
“Jon Aaron is the complete package for MBSR teacher mentoring: as deeply practiced as he is knowledgeable, combining the heart and soul of an artist with the street-wise realism of a veteran New Yorker. Like other great teachers, he elevates the seemingly mundane and normalizes the extraordinary. There were so many moments when I thought, ‘Oh, another keeper. I’ve got to write that down.’ Studying with him, I felt companioned, yet nudged to spread my wings and fly under my own power. Thoroughly enjoyable and utterly valuable.”
— Josh Wright, MBSR Teacher, Brooklyn , New York
“Jon is not only an excellent MBSR instructor, but he is also a deep meditation and dharma practitioner, who has done the hard work, and continues to seek out deep training and practice opportunities and challenges. This depth is reflected in his teaching and in his mentorship of other instructors. As an MBSR instructor I’ve turned to Jon for his deep and nuanced understanding of daily practice and deep dharma, as well as his well-honed gifts of clear, direct, and simple communication. He has helped me, time and time again, and gently but firmly challenged me to improve as a practitioner and instructor, and I have sent many students over the years to work with and learn from him, and will continue to do so. I feel incredibly fortunate to hold him as one of my mentors and guides in this work.”
— Robert Bonazoli, LICSW, Boston

FAQs

 

Do I need to be delivering an MBSR course in order to work with you?

Ideally yes! I generally meet with mentees between classes to speak about what happened in the last class and what concerns are present for the class coming up. Generally I ask that classes be video recorded and that specific excerpts be highlighted for me to view prior to a session. The exception would be if a mentee has a specific aspect of teaching they want to address and has videos of a prior course to observe.

Can you help me with marketing my courses?

I can make suggestions, but I’m not a marketing person. I will offer what advice I can as part of an initial consult.

What are your fees?

For a full 8-week course mentoring I charge $1,800.00 for 10 sessions.

What is your coaching / mentoring style?

I’m direct and relaxed. Much of the mentoring process is one of inquiry. I want to know why you made certain choices, or what you were hoping to communicate. I try to push enough so that you will have clear intention throughout your teaching.

Can you recommend me for certification?

I am authorized to recommend for certification through the Global Mindfulness Collaborative.