Join Kimberly Kwa and Tan York Cheng from In Mindful Company in this Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) course, an evidence-based, 8-week programme developed in 1979 by Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center.
Originally created to support patients coping with chronic pain and illness, MBSR is practised all over the world and in Singapore to help people from all walks of life manage stress and enhance well-being.
Grounded in mindfulness meditation, gentle movement, and self-inquiry, the programme offers practical tools to cultivate greater awareness and resilience. Participants learn to relate differently to stress, pain, and emotional difficulty, fostering qualities like patience, non-judgment, and compassion.
MBSR is secular and accessible to individuals of all backgrounds. Research shows it can reduce anxiety, depression, and chronic pain, while improving focus, emotional regulation, and overall quality of life.
Over the course of eight weeks, the programme combines formal practices like sitting meditation and body scans with everyday mindfulness, helping individuals build a more balanced and intentional approach to life.
Course Information
This 8-week MBSR programme includes a total of 10 sessions, combining experiential learning, group dialogue, and guided practices.
What to Expect:
Formal & Informal Mindfulness Practices
Learn techniques including sitting meditation, body scan, and mindful movement
Weekly Themes & Teachings
Each session introduces a new topic through short talks and experiential learning
Group Sharing & Reflection
Engage in small and large group discussions to deepen understanding and connection
Daily Home Practice
~ 30–60 minutes per day (on a best effort basis)—guided audio and handouts provided
Class Size
10–12 participants
Course Details
Orientation Session
13 Aug 2025, Wed, 7–9 PM, Online
8 Weekly Classes
20, 27 Aug 2025
3, 10, 17, 24 Sep 2025
1, 8 Oct 2025
Wed, 7–9:30 PM, In-person
Day of Mindfulness (All-day Retreat) compulsory
20 Sep 2025, Sat, 10:30 AM–6 PM, In-person
As part of the course requirements, participants are required to complete a pre-course screening questionnaire.
At the end of the course, a Certificate of Attendance will be issued to participants with a minimum attendance of 6 of the 8 weekly sessions and Day of Mindfulness. The certification for this 8-week MBSR course is a pre-requisite to the MBSR Teacher Training Intensive (MBSR-TTI) programme.
No prior meditation experience required. The MBSR programme is secular & participants from all faiths are welcome.
Fees
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) with Kimberly Kwa & Tan York Cheng
$550 (standard ticket price)
$500 (early bird, register by 22 July 2025)
About Kimberly Kwa
Kim is a mindfulness practitioner and educator with a background in performing arts education, technical production, and design. Her journey with mindfulness began as a personal response to chronic burnout, leading to a sustained exploration of yoga, breathwork, and contemplative practices to support physical and mental wellbeing.
With over a decade of experience in movement and somatic practices, Kim brings a grounded, integrative approach to teaching Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR). Her facilitation is informed by trauma-aware principles and emphasises accessibility, embodiment, and the development of practical tools for navigating stress.
Kim holds a Master of Education and a Specialist Diploma in Leadership and People Management. She is a certified yoga teacher, a Yoga Alliance Continuing Education Provider (YACEP), and has undertaken additional training in yoga therapy and trauma-sensitive practices.
Committed to lifelong learning and embodied presence, Kim is passionate about helping others cultivate awareness, resilience, and self-compassion through mindfulness. Her teaching encourages participants to reconnect with their own inner resources to build sustainable, authentic practices that support their everyday lives.
About Tan York Cheng
York Cheng is a dedicated educator and mindfulness practitioner with over 15 years of experience in youth development and mentorship, entrepreneurship education as well as curriculum design.
Her journey with mindfulness began at a time of personal challenge when she juggled a demanding full-time job, studying for a part-time Master degree, and caregiving for her late father, all of which brought her to the brink of burnout. The practice deepened following the death of her father and traumatic loss of a close colleague to an unnatural death, strengthening her commitment to mindfulness as a tool for healing and resilience.
Currently pursuing a Graduate Diploma in Gerontology, she integrates Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) principles into both her professional practice and daily life to promote well-being, build resilience, enhance focus, and support others in living more balanced, purposeful lives.
Bilingual in English and Chinese, York Cheng uses mindfulness to foster effective communication, reduce stress, and create inclusive, compassionate learning environments. Her diverse journey—from nurturing young entrepreneurs to caregivers to supporting aging populations—reflects a unique blend of strategic thinking, empathy, and a deep commitment to lifelong learning and personal growth.
York Cheng and Kim met while attending an 8-week MBSR course at the Mindfulness Initiative @ SMU. They are grateful for this rare opportunity to be co-teaching the upcoming programme.
