Janine Kirby and Barbara Gerber have been teaching the Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction Programme (MBSR) in East London, South Africa since 2010. This is a participant-centred approach developed 40 years ago at the University of Massachusetts Medical Centre by Jon Kabat-Zinn. It is grounded in ancient contemplative traditions that have been informed by latest findings in the medical, psychological, educational and business fields. It is the longest standing, most successful and well-researched stress reduction programme worldwide. The course is grounding and life-affirming. The teachers are accomplished and skilled at creating a safe, supportive, and deeply engaging learning environment.
Experience Mindfulness
Meet the Facilitators
Dr Janine Kirby is qualified as both a specialist family practitioner and a homeopath. She has a passion for integrative medicine, helping her patients understand the intimate connection between physical sensations, thoughts and emotions. Janine is a director of IMISA
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Barbara Gerber is a registered counselling psychologist. At the heart of her therapeutic practice is the creation of a safe space, honouring each person’s inherent wisdom. Barbara is on the teaching staff for the certificate programme in mindfulness through Stellenbosch University.
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Wake Up To Your Life
``Mindfulness as a Love Affair with Life`` An Interview with Jon Kabat Zinn
Teaching
Barbara and Janine have been facilitating the 8 week Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction programme (MBSR) since 2010. The MBSR originated at the University of Massachusetts medical school in 1979. Thousands of participants globally have benefited since its inception.
Widening
Janine and Barbara are both involved with supervising mindfulness facilitators. Barbara is part of the teaching team for the post-graduate certificate programme in mindfulness offered through the University of Stellenbosch. Janine is a director of the Institute of Mindfulness SA
Deepening
Barbara and Janine are committed to supporting participants in deepening their practice through: Wednesday meditations at Nahoon Mouth Bowling Club from 07h30-08h15 during term times followed by qigong (mindful movement) from 08h20-09h00; a library of Mindfulness books at Janine’s practice; a monthly CPD-accredited reading group for health care practitioners.
What is mindfulness?
Learn how to ease your distress with MBSR.
Jon Kabat-Zinn developed the Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction Program (MBSR) in 1979. His definition of mindfulness is “the awareness that arises from the practice of paying attention on purpose, in the present moment non-judgmentally in the service of self-understanding and wisdom”. The meditative cultivation of mindfulness, whether formally or informally, involves intentionally, as best we can, bringing an openhearted and affectionate attention to our experience.
The 8 week programme is taught globally and has been validated by an increasing number of studies showing its benefits in diverse areas, from lessening of physical complaints, to easing of psychological distress, to deepening compassion and wisdom.
Enhancing well-being
There are many scientifically proven benefits to the practice of Mindfulness, including:
Reducing stress
Do you suffer from any of the following symptoms?
The practice of mindfulness reduces stress in part by helping people to tune into and care for their experiences and painful emotions, rather than ignore or push them away.
It works well together with psychotherapy, as this helps people get perspective on difficult situations and self-defeating thoughts. New, compassionate, more adaptive and creative ways of responding to stressful situations can then be cultivated.