Getting started

Oasis Institute OASIS training and certification
#1

Hi all,
Just getting started and would love some guidance on the best way to start. For example, it appears from the website that I have to start with the five day mindfulness tools and the online course (if i can’t take 8 week course in MA). But then heard that I could maybe just do the full nine day course (five day tools plus four days of review). any thoughts? thanks :)

Can I use and combine MBSR teacher training received through UCSD and UMass?
#2

I live in Oregon and am in the process but a bit further along. I remember my own confusion. Maybe I can help a bit from my experience.
As the website says, you either have to take an in-person MBSR class, or the online class plus the five-day tools.

Here are two things that I didn’t understand that I wish I had! One is that there are in-person MBSR classes offered all over the country! Look around carefully before you give up on your area.
Second, there is one version of an online class that actually qualifies as an in-person MBSR class. It is through mindful living program out of California. The instructor is Steve Flowers. It is live streaming, so it does count as an in-person class.
Hope that helps!
Audrey Perkins in Oregon

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#3

Hi Audrey
Thank you so much. I appreciate being able to ask and get some guidance. I hope it’s ok that I have a few more: in order to start the process is there any paperwork that needs to be submitted? Or do I just sign up for the various parts and go from there?
Hope we can stay in touch!
Warmly

#4

Hi Jennifer. Happy to help! I assume that you are referring to your intention to become an MBSR teacher. If so, you don’t need to fill out any paperwork or apply in anyway yet. The first time that you will do that will be when you apply to take the practicum, which will be next after you fulfill the requirement to take the class, as I described in the last entry. I just finished the practicum. I think that each step from here forth we will apply each time. But for now, you just take the MBSR class. Later they will verify that you took it.
Hope that helps!
Warmly,
Audrey

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#5

HI Jennifer, HI, I am a teacher and when I started out i did both distance and live classes as a participant. The live eight- week class is the " gold standard " with a well trained teacher. This can give you a real leg up in your practice and essential foundation later in teaching (along with all the other requirements) if that is where you want to go. There are MBSR classes all over the country. Enjoy your process :-)

#6

I’m sorry to jump in on this, but I have a similar question. I’m interested in the practicum, as well. I’ve been practicing independently for 8 years. I live in Scottsdale, AZ and there is an MBSR class offered in Tucson. How do I know if that program qualifies as the first step? Similarly, how do I find out which silent retreats qualify, and lastly, is the practicum only offered in Massachusetts? Thanks . . .

#7

Hi Joan. In order to qualify for the Practicum, the MBSR class must use the official MBSR curriculum from the Center for Mindfulness, have classes of 2.5 hours in length and an all day silent retreat between classes 6 and 7. You should check with the teacher and make sure that it satisfies these requirements. It also wouldn’t hurt to find out where the teacher did his or her training to see how far along on the training path the teacher has gone.

In terms of silent retreats. As long as it is a teacher led, silent retreat of between 5 - 10 days it should suffice. If you are unsure of a particular retreat, feel free to post a question about it and we will get back to you.

#8

Practicums are offered in many different locations. Check the Center for Mindfulness website under professional education. Here is a link:

http://www.umassmed.edu/cfm/training/programs-at-a-glance/

#9

I am new to MBSR and I want to know…I am interested in introductory retreat/training. I am a yoga teacher and want to incorporate this into my practice. Many of my students are “stressed” and want to add mindfulness/meditation. I personally find that mindfulness is a way of life that my students/community will benefit from. What do you suggest? Certification or training so I can lead students to a richer experience on and off the mat. Thank you in advance.

#10

hi audrey.
do you know if the steve flowers live course can be taken in place of all the live courses? would it be the steve flowers live course + the sounds true online course + silent retreat to fulfill the prerequisites?
thanks for your help!
another question: after you completed the years of teacher training, how difficult was it to find students and being teaching? does oasis help with that?
thanks again!
annie

#11

Hi Audrey,

I took Steve Flowers course and loved it in 2013. I still refer to it. He is an awesome teacher. It did not count for my training. Taking the Mindfulness Tools course was a very important part of my development. Don’t miss it. I suggest that you contact the Center directly to get the most accurate information.

#12

Hi Annie,
The Steve Flowers’ online class DOES count as if it’s live class–it’s because it’s live, interact streaming. It’s the only online class that counts like a live class. If you take that, you DO NOT need to take the 5-day Mindfulness Tools, nor do you need to take the Sounds True course. SO, to be clear, here is a possible path:
Steve Flowers’ online streaming class
+
Silent retreat

#13

Funny that our posts crossed in response to Annie. Hope my post made sense.
I agree that the Center is the ultimate place to get questions answered. I suppose I am just amending Annie’s impression with my impression, but, yes, check with the Center! From my own experience that there has been confusion in the past about the Steve Flowers’ course counting or not, and since I just went through this with them, my confidence is boosted into thinking I know what they DO count it as a live class. Check with Lynn Koerbel, if you can, about this. I’m so glad that the Mindfulness Tools course was wonderful for you! I guess I feel that way about every MBSR training I do, so I keep feeling like, the more the better! And, yes, they also keep telling me to focus on deepening my own practice–as well as to trust myself.
All true! Here is a link to the CFM’s website on the training path, which I"m sure you all have visited many times! http://www.umassmed.edu/cfm/training/detailed-training-information/
Warmly,
Audrey

#14

thanks so much for clearing it up for me! another question. did it take you three years to complete the training and was it difficult finding students? did cfm help in some way with mentoring? thanks again!
annie