The program has grown from its initial offering of the eight-week Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction (MBSR) course to a multi-faceted program with a wide range of offerings that complement MBSR.
Other program offerings now include Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC), Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction for BIPOC, Mindfulness-based Childbirth and Parenting (MBCP) for expectant families and mindfulness training for middle and high school students, among others.
At the core of these and all our programs is mindfulness, because of its ability to strengthen:
Attention
Resilience
Effectiveness
Well-being
Compassion for ourselves and others
Fuller participation and engagement in life
Mindful awareness is essential to overall health and well-being.
Our mission is to foster healing and wholeness through our:
Instructors: Offering highly qualified and caring teachers
Programs: Learning, teaching, practicing mindful awareness and compassion
Partnerships: Engaging in meaningful collaboration and research partnerships
Through our classes, retreats and free practice sessions, our highly trained and caring instructors have impacted the lives of thousands of people seeking support for a specific health condition, grief or loss, personal or professional challenges, family transitions or a greater sense of ease in life.
What to expect
At UW Health Mindfulness, we welcome all people to learn how to be more present with their lives. Mindfulness is paying attention in a particular way, with kindness and curiosity to whatever arises.
Our classes are experiential and provide real-time practice of mindfulness meditation, as well as time for reflection and dialogue in a supportive and relaxed environment.
Participants are encouraged to experiment with the practices at their own comfort level. Modifications to meet the needs of mind and body are always available. Most critical to a positive experience is a willingness and commitment to take time for yourself each day through a home practice of meditation and its application in daily life.
Those who actively participate in our classes often report experiencing a range of benefits, including:
A greater appreciation for life and an increased ability to cope effectively with challenges
A greater ability to manage pain levels
Improvement in energy and enthusiasm for life
Increased confidence and ability to cope more effectively with stressful conditions
Decrease in both physical and psychological symptoms
Online and in-person offerings
Mindfulness programs and classes are offered both in-person in Madison, Wis., and online via Zoom.
Online programs facilitate participation throughout Wisconsin and around the country. In-person classes are usually held at UW Health Science Dr Medical Center or UW Health East Madison Hospital.
Contact us
Science Dr Medical Center — Mindfulness Program: (608) 265-8325
East Madison Hospital — Mindfulness Program: (608) 265-8325
Email: uwhealthmindful@uwhealth.org
Guided meditationsAudio and video recordings
A library of audio and video recorded guided meditations to support you and your mindfulness practice.
Our skilled mindfulness instructors are trained in mindfulness-based practices, including meditation, guided imagery and mindful movement techniques. They help participants employ these methods to manage chronic pain, cope with chronic illness, reduce stress and develop greater balance, ease and fuller participation in their lives.
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Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction class participant
“I recover from stressful events much more quickly than I used to. I tell people that taking the eight-week Mindfulness class at UW Health was the one thing I have done in my adult life that has been life altering and lasting. I have learned tools and techniques for stress management but also for self-growth and discovery.”
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for People of Color class participant
“Having the opportunity to practice together is very empowering. I would recommend this program to anyone that wants to bring a heightened awareness into their everyday work and life.”
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction class participant
“It is wonderful to experience improvements in my physical and mental health as a result of regular mindfulness practice.”
Partnerships
The UW Health Mindfulness Program is a proud partner with the Kataly Foundation. The Kataly Mindfulness and Healing Justice program centers the power of internal and external awareness in the service of collective transformation, social justice and racial equity.
We value local community partners such as the Mindfulness for All Collective, the UW Center for Healthy Minds, the YWCA Madison Race and Gender Equity Department, the Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) Core Mindfulness Team, Primordial Multicultural Healing Community and the Osher Center for Integrative Health at UW–Madison.
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Learn about new opportunities and be among the first to sign up for classes when you subscribe to Mindfulness Updates from UW Health's Mindfulness Program.
Help bring mindfulness to others
When you donate to support the Mindfulness program, you help to make the programs more accessible to all.