Best Life Yet! Consulting will offer a course in Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) starting Oct. 1. Instructor Dr. Leslie A. Loubier, Psy.D., geared the eight-week program for anyone in the community who needs to reduce stress in their lives, and to address a wide range of health issues.

“MBSR integrates various mindfulness meditation practices and discussions, along with gentle yoga,” said Loubier. “Mindfulness works! MBSR provides many tools that can be used to maintain an overall sense of well being, even when we experience stress, pain and illness. Practicing mindfulness cultivates a different relationship with the things that challenge us in our lives. Mindfulness helps you access the ability to be less judgmental, more compassionate, patient, present and aware.”

The MBSR program at Best Life Yet! Consulting is based on the work of Jon Kabat-Zinn and is similar to MBSR programs offered at such prestigious institutions as the University of Massachusetts, Harvard, Stanford and Duke University, the MARC Institute at UCLA, Scripps Medical Center and over 300 hospitals nationwide. Best Life Yet! Consulting is pleased to offer this program to the foothill community.

“Most physicians are taught to focus only on the body, the physical part of the three-fold mind-body-spirit equation,” said Dr. Loubier. “MBSR, which also addresses the mind and spirit, has been shown by scientific research to greatly improve chronic physical conditions such as psoriasis, chronic pain syndromes and high blood pressure, to name a few.

“Mind/body therapies offer exciting new advances in healthcare. We are excited to offer expanded opportunities and integrative approaches, so urgently needed to address today‘s complex health issues.”

Dr. Loubier is a clinical health psychologist specializing in integrative medicine and Mindfulness training in Montrose. She received her training in mindfulness from the University of Massachusetts, Center for Mindfulness in Medicine, Health Care and Society under the direction of Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn and Dr. Saki Santorelli. Dr. Loubier has practiced mindfulness meditation since 1997 and has a regular yoga practice.

The eight-week course will be offered Sunday mornings from Oct. 1 through Nov. 19 from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Best Life Yet! Consulting, 2027 Montrose Avenue, Montrose.

For more information or to register online, visit MontroseMindfulness.com or DrLeslieLoubier.com, call (818) 249-4300, or email drloubier@gmail.com.