Preparing for MBSR: What you need before you begin
Here's what to expect before your first session. Spoiler: you don't need to be 'good' at anything before you start.
Your pre-course interview
This is a brief conversation - usually 15-20 minutes by phone or video - where your teacher gets to know you. They'll ask:
- What brings you to MBSR
- What you're hoping might change
- What challenges you're managing
- Any concerns about the practices
This isn't a test or screening. It's your teacher beginning to understand how to support you specifically.
Practical preparation: Your checklists
Mental preparation
What MBSR is:
MBSR is sustained practice in paying attention - to your breath, your body, your thoughts, your emotions, your habits, your relationships. It's learning to be present with what's actually happening, including the difficult stuff, rather than constantly trying to be somewhere else mentally.
It's not about clearing your mind, achieving deep relaxation, or becoming a 'good meditator.' It's about showing up, practicing, and noticing what happens.
What to expect in early practices:
When you first start practicing, you might notice:
- Your mind wanders constantly (this is universal)
- Physical discomfort or restlessness
- Boredom or frustration
- Sleepiness during practices
- Wondering 'am I doing this right?'
All of this is completely normal. These aren't problems to fix before starting - they're part of what you'll work with during the course.
Permission you might need:
✗ You don't need to be calm to start MBSR.
✗ You don't need to be flexible or able to sit on the floor.
✗ You don't need to have successfully meditated before.
✗ You don't need to believe this will work.
...you just need to be willing to show up & practice ✓
Creating space for practice
Finding time for daily practice:
You'll be asked to practice 20-45 minutes daily between sessions. Here's how people typically fit this in:
- Morning before family wakes up
- During lunch break
- Evening after children are in bed
- Broken into shorter practices (10 minutes morning, 10 minutes evening)
The course recordings are guided, so you're not trying to remember what to do - you just press play and follow along.
Managing expectations with family/household:
Let people you live with know you're doing this course and will need some uninterrupted time most days. This might mean:
- Asking partner to handle morning routine while you practice
- Using headphones if space is limited
- Practicing during school/work hours if you work from home
- Being creative about finding small pockets of time
When life interferes:
You will miss practices. You might miss a class. Something will come up. This is normal and okay. The course isn't about perfect attendance or practice logs - it's about showing up as best you can with your actual life.
Getting the most from the course
Before first session:
- Complete your pre-course interview
- Download the course workbook
- Test your technology (online courses)
- Set up a practice space in your home
- Look at your calendar and block time for practices and sessions
During the eight weeks:
- Attend classes as consistently as possible
- Practice daily (or as close to daily as you can)
- Do the home practice assignments (they build on each other)
- Notice your experience without judging it
- Ask questions when confused or struggling
- Engage with the group (while respecting your own boundaries)
- Use the course workbook for reflections
- Reach out to your teacher if obstacles arise
Helpful mindsets:
- Approach practice with curiosity rather than judgment
- "Failure" at practice is actually useful information
- Small consistent practice beats occasional long sessions
- The group's collective practice supports your individual practice
- Your teacher is there to support you, not evaluate you
Technology setup (Online courses only)
Zoom basics:
- Download Zoom before your first class: Click here
- Test your audio and video: Click here
- You'll receive a unique Zoom link for your course
- Join 5 minutes early for first session (we'll help with any tech issues)
If you're not tech-confident:
We get it - not everyone is comfortable with video calls. Your teacher will walk everyone through the basics in the first session. You can also:
- Call us for a tech walkthrough: 0401 904 995
- Email tech questions: info@openground.com.au
- Join the first session early for help
Most tech issues can be solved in 2-3 minutes. You don't need to be a tech expert.
Questions before you start?
What if I can't make it to the first session?
Let your teacher know as soon as possible. They'll help you catch up on what you missed.
What if I realise I registered for the wrong time/format?
Contact us immediately. If there's space in another course, we can transfer you.
What if I get nervous and want to back out?
That's normal anxiety talking. If you're having genuine second thoughts, call and talk with someone. If after talking you still want to withdraw, our cancellation policy applies.
Can I contact my teacher before the first session?
Yes. If questions or concerns arise, email them directly (you received their email in your registration confirmation).