For our teacher training programs, faculty members express dedication by following various pathways of study and personal development which are regarded as essential for effective teaching. These standards apply equally to all the MBSR teachers and teacher trainees which are associated with the Institute.

We believe that teacher formation requires your ongoing commitment to learning as much as possible about your own personality and patterns of relating. Such knowledge requires ongoing self-inquiry and inner work such as psychotherapy or counseling, ongoing coaching or supervision.

With respect to your practice of mindfulness meditation we expect all teachers and potential trainees to have a daily practice and to attend regular silent, teacher-led, retreats.  Your ongoing and consistent engagement in a personal daily practice of mindfulness meditation, as well as silent, teacher-led mindfulness meditation retreats will deepen your understanding of what it means to be a fully prepared and qualified MBSR teacher.

Recognition of the body as a vehicle for understanding mindfulness is essential.  We recommend that you train in mindful hatha yoga and in other forms of body-centered awareness practice.

Completion or pursuit of a professional graduate degree or equivalent professional experience is strongly advised. Teaching MBSR requires an intellectual understanding of the scientific, medical, and educational roots of MBSR, and the capacity to articulate these essential aspects of the teaching.  For that reason, it is important to pursue studies in a field connected to MBSR.  Such domains as psychology, education, and medicine are typical fields of study, but any program that emphasizes an understanding of mind and body, and includes service as a component, may be acceptable.  Failing this, being involved in a profession where it is required to have an an in depth knowledge of behaviour may be acceptable.