MBSR Program

Stress happens! The response is yours.

Please sign-up here to get notified when dates are released and enrollment opens

What’s your relationship with stress today?

If you’re like most people, stress is a part of your daily life. Between family, work, finances, and—now—the global pandemic, it’s not a question of if you’ll encounter a stressful situation, but when. Stress is perfectly normal, even if we’d rather do without it! How you respond to stress is up to you. Which of the following responses best characterizes your own relationship with stress?

Make the most of “my now”

To get there, we use a simple acronym that our students find quite useful: MY NOW.

Healthy coping mechanisms

A series of deep breaths
Walking or bike riding
Getting enough sleep, nutrition, and exercise
Listening to music or reading
Going on a weekend trip or vacation
Asking for help, talk to someone

Maladaptive coping mechanisms

Getting angry and blaming others
“Doomscrolling” social media or spending too much time on your phone
Watching too much television
Eating unhealthy foods
Drinking alcohol or using other drugs

The consequences of an unhealthy relationship with stress

The problem is, most people lack the framework and tools not only to understand their relationship with stress, but to successfully deal with it on a day to day basis. As we see time and time again in the medical field, an unhealthy relationship with stress can have serious consequences, such as:

Burnout
Anxiety
Depression
Fatigue
Emotional exhaustion
Feelings of hopelessness
Physical illness
Poor relationships
Low productivity

MBSR: How to develop a healthier response to stress

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) is a set of principles and techniques designed to empower you to respond in healthier ways to stress and other challenges, such as chronic illness. While learning MBSR, you’ll reconnect with and strengthen your innate ability to pay attention to the present moment and see what unfolds—including your own behavior.

Say it with us, “Today is your greatest gift”

At its core, MBSR is about today, your NOW. If we can find ways to stay centered and avoid jumping to conclusions, or letting our minds wander and race toward the worst case scenario, we’re already putting stress at a disadvantage. That’s the power of an approach based on the belief that today is your greatest gift.

Join our transformative MBSR course

If you’re ready to find a new approach to stress and chronic illness, we invite you to join our transformative course in MBSR. This course is led by two physicians with deep experience both as medical professionals and MBSR instructors.

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction is an evidence-based course that encompasses practical and experiential methods, alongside group support, to be present, in control, and more capable of handling stress in healthy ways.

The tremendous benefits of MBSR

A more mindful approach to stress can lead to considerable physical, emotional, and spiritual benefits.

Good for your brain. MBSR has been shown to improve neuroplasticity and gray matter in sites of empathy and compassion.
Creates positive cognitive states that lead to improved meta-cognition and perceived control (vs. remaining fixated on perceived threats)
Creates positive arousal including the activation of the vagus nerve, which is responsible for human resting and digesting of the parasympathetic nervous system, which overall is good for your health.
Can be helpful for people with chronic conditions or illness, such as asthma and COPD, pain, cancer, arthritis, fibromyalgia, diabetes, chronic fatigue, addiction, depression, anxiety, and insomnia, with over 9000 articles published in the medical literature on the use of mindfulness.
Increases wellbeing by improving self-compassion, self-care, and empathy, while reducing perceived stress, emotional distress, anxiety and depression.

Want to attend but can’t afford it? Sliding registration is available!

Our mission is to make MBSR accessible to everyone. One of our goals is to support members of marginalized groups such as people of color, queer people, and those with disabilities as well as those in financial need. Please pay the highest tier if you are able to afford it.

Meet your instructor

Ni-Cheng Liang, MD, ATSF

Dr. Ni-Cheng Liang has dedicated her career to helping people get better. Dr. Liang specializes in pulmonary medicine, mindfulness teaching, physician wellness, and integrative medicine.

San Diego Top Doctor in 2017, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024.
Recognized as a one of the 10 Powerful Women of the Mindfulness Movement 2021 by Mindful magazine
Triple board certified integrative medicine with internal medicine and pulmonary medicine
Pulmonologist and the Director of Pulmonary Integrative Medicine at Coastal Pulmonary Associates affiliated with the Scripps Health Network in San Diego
Voluntary Assistant Professor of Medicine at the University of California San Diego School of Medicine volunteering for the Medical Student-Run Free Clinic for uninsured patients.
Doctor of Medicine (MD) from the University of Maryland School of Medicine.
2019 American Lung Association San Diego Lung Health Provider of the Year.

“As a wife and mother of two, cancer survivor, pulmonary physician, and mindfulness teacher, I strive to elevate health and wellness for myself and for those around me. My patients and peers, friends, family, colleagues, and community members—that’s what my career in medicine is all about.”

Don’t miss this life-changing opportunity

Stress is an inevitable part of life. How you respond makes all the difference. Register for our course in MBSR and give yourself the gift of here and now. Learn practical steps you can take to reduce stress and be more present from two mindfulness-trained medical professionals.

Prior cycles have sold out!

Testimonials

I must share since I’ve been doing my meditation and self love, I have been filled with joy and bliss. I do not have asthma attacks as severe. I can breathe so much better. “The fear is gone “ of the unknown. I live in the now, so I take it one step at a time.

Dr Liang, you’ve been an inspiration to me. Thank you!

-Former patient and MBSR participant

"This class has been life changing, coming at a time that I need to find a sense of peace amongst turmoil from covid-19, personal, and work stresses. I have learned the beginnings of what will become a life long practice of better understanding myself and my learned ways of dealing with the world. I am experiencing a sense of calm with mindfulness meditation that is helping me to respond and not react and communicate more clearly and thoughtfully. This is best class I have ever taken."

-July 2020 participant

"I have been trying to meditate for a long time (over a decade) and this course finally helped me see that a daily meditation practice is the right thing for me and I can also see it as possible. As a busy mom and physician, as well as budding academic this gave me an important tool in my toolbox. Thank you Dr. Liang and Dr. Schiff!"

- July 2020 MBSR participant

"Drs Schiff and Liang are masterful mindfulness teachers. What a life-changing class! Practice makes perfect and they are supportive mentors and instructors. Would highly recommend this course."

- Y Jockin MD

" I didn't know what to expect and I had no idea how you were going to keep us "busy" for 2 1/2 hours every week (AND, that doesn't even include the six-hour silent retreat!). The skillful manner in which you conducted the classes made it easy for me to stay engaged and participate in the discussions. Anyone looking to learn more about mindfulness and its ability to help regulate one's emotions and reactions will benefit from the class. The balance between activities was perfect... meditate, listen, share, repeat. Thank you SO much!!"