the heart of the practice
Below you’ll find reflections and practical information on the foundations of MBSR and mindfulness.
Whether you’re just starting out or exploring more deeply, this page is here to support your journey.
WHAT IS MBSR
In the 1960s, while studying Molecular Biology at MIT, Jon Kabat-Zinn was introduced to meditation and yoga — and he was hooked. His personal practice continued alongside his professional work at the University of Massachusetts Medical School.
There, he began to wonder if these practices could help patients who were living with pain that conventional medicine couldn’t fully relieve. When he asked his colleagues if they had such patients, the answer was a resounding yes. “Send them to me,” he said.
In the basement of the hospital, he developed an 8-week program combining mindfulness meditation, gentle yoga, body awareness practices, group interaction, and mindful communication exercises. Over time, the program expanded to help not only those in physical pain, but also those facing mental and emotional challenges — in other words, stress.
Today, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) helps people learn to access their own inner resources to respond more skillfully to:
Chronic pain and illness
Anxiety, depression, and burnout
Sleep disturbances, headaches, and high blood pressure
The everyday stresses of life
MBSR is now the most widely researched and utilized mindfulness program in the world.
My courses are taught in English, in a friendly, safe, and supportive environment.
WHY MINDFULNESS?
Mindfulness is the capacity to notice what’s happening, as it’s happening, with curiosity and kindness. It gives us space to respond more skillfully — whether we’re facing conflict, overwhelm, or simply everyday busyness.
In MBSR, mindfulness becomes a doorway to insight, steadiness, and compassionate presence.
WHO IS THIS FOR?
MBSR is for anyone navigating stress, anxiety, pain, burnout, or simply wanting to live more fully. No prior experience with meditation or yoga is required — just a willingness to show up.
I offer this course in English, in Ulm, to create an inclusive and accessible space for both local and international participants.
BODY AWARENESS
The body is our anchor to the present moment. Through practices like the body scan and mindful movement, we reconnect with sensing, breathing, and being — not just thinking.
This embodied awareness helps us soften tension, improve resilience, and come home to ourselves.
HANDLING STRESS
Stress is part of life — but our relationship to it can change. In MBSR, we learn to recognize early signs of stress and shift out of habitual reactivity.
We explore how thoughts, emotions, and sensations interact — and how mindfulness helps create choice and compassion in difficult moments.
JOIN AN ORIENTATION
Curious but not sure if it’s for you? I regularly offer free online orientation sessions.
It’s a chance to experience a short practice, learn more about the course, and ask any questions you may have — with no pressure to commit.