Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions

Classes

Weekend Retreat

General

What is Mindful Awareness?
Mindful Awareness is the moment-by-moment process of actively and openly observing one's physical, mental and emotional experiences. Mindful Awareness has scientific support as a means to reduce stress, improve attention, boost the immune system, reduce emotional reactivity, and promote a general sense of health and well-being. Mindful Awareness Practices (MAPs) are tools and exercises such as meditation, yoga and tai-chi that develop greater mind-body awareness and promote mindfulness in daily life.
Is MARC currently conducting internal research?
MARC is currently not conducting any internal research, but we do assist/participate in research being done in other organizations and departments. (For example, we often provide mindfulness education to study participants in various areas of healthcare research.) We are housed under the Cousins Center for Psychoneuroimmunology; please visit their website, where you can read more about research that "investigates the interactions between the brain and the body, the role of psychological well-being for health and recovery from illness, and the translation of such knowledge into effective behavioral strategies that prevent disease, promote healing and enhance well-being across the life span."
What is your refund policy?
Please read the MARC Registration & Refund Policy
I am not in the Los Angeles area. Where can I find mindfulness programs/communities where I live?
Online MAPs now come in two formats. All classes offer the same curriculum: our evidence-based MAPs. Each class is a combination of lecture, practice, and group feedback and discussion.

Pre-Recorded Online Classes

This is a good choice for someone who wants a webinar without much community or teacher interaction. You can work at your own pace for the duration of the 6-week course with an additonal two weeks after for review for a total of 8 weeks of access to course materials. The online course consists of recordings from six previously live classes. Participants will have access to audio materials as well as an "Ask the Mindfulness Teacher" option to have any questions related to the course or your practice answered. Class sessions begin every Monday. You must register by Sunday at 11:59 pm, PST to begin the following Monday. Any registrations after, will begin the next Monday. If Monday falls on a holiday, you will be sent class details on the following business day.

Live Online Classes

These live online classes are held in a small community format led by senior MARC teachers as well as affiliate MARC teachers you’ve come to know and love. This is a good choice for those who want to go through MAPs with a group of others, live teacher support, and is date/time specific. Class start dates and times vary, choose the times that work best for you!
I would like to to have MARC speak at my work, organization or school?
Our Associate Director, Dr. Marvin G. Belzer, and our Director of Education, Diana Winston, give many community talks. We also have a network of trusted teachers and professionals who speak on behalf of MARC. If you are interested in introducing mindfulness into your professional, educational or community organization please send an email with details of your events/needs to [email protected]. Please include relevant details such as potential dates, budget, audience, etc.

Classes

Is there an age limit for attending a class?
Our MAPs classes are adult classes open to ages 16 and older.
How do I set-up for the online classes?
Class sessions begin every Monday. You must register by Sunday at 11:59 pm, PST to begin the following Monday. Any registrations after, will begin the next Monday. If Monday falls on a holiday, you will be sent class details on the following business day.
Our online courses are offer via the Teachable platform. Details on how to access your class will be sent with your welcome information on Monday.
I have some experience with meditation, what class should I take/start with?
Mindfulness is different than other meditations so we recommend that you start with MAPs I for Daily Living. You will learn mindfulness meditation practices including sitting, walking meditations, and how to work with difficult thoughts and emotions. These practices develop greater mind-body awareness and reduce stress. You will learn how to incorporate mindful awareness in to your daily life.
Our second level classes deepen an already existing practice and involve longer meditations. If you have taken a MAPs I for Daily Living class with us, you are welcome to join the advanced level classes.

If are an experienced meditation practitioner or have your own mindful practice, an advanced level class may be suitable for you even if you have not taken MAPs I. Please email [email protected] to explain your equivalent experience and be approved to skip a MAPs I prerequisite.
How do I find out about classes? Schedule? Cost?
General class information can be found here, and the current schedule of classes can be found here. Our class schedule page us updated every two months or so, and classes run for six consecutive weeks. If you want to be informed when class registration opens, please join our mailing list for up-to-date information on our classes and other events.
Where are classes held?
Our Mindful Awareness Practice (MAPs) classes are held all across Los Angeles county in addition to the UCLA campus. For a list of where our current classes are being offered, visit our current class schedule page. For more UCLA campus parking and directions, click here.
What kind of credits do you offer with your classes and workshops?

MAPs I For Daily Living is an excellent introduction to mindfulness for clinicians, who are welcome to take it for credit. Participants need to attend all 6 weeks to receive credit. The cost for the CEs is $50. Please note CEs are not available for pre-recorded courses. CEs must be requested during the 6-week timeframe of your MAPs I For Daily Living live-online class. Any CE requests received outside of this timeframe may not be approved. CE requests are completed via RSVP link offered by your Instructor.

Psychologists: Continuing Education Credit for this program is provided by UC San Diego Center for Mindfulness. The UC San Diego Center for Mindfulness is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The UC San Diego Center for Mindfulness maintains responsibility for this program and its content. This course offers 10 hours of credit.

California licensed MFTs, LPCCs, LEPs, LCSWs: Continuing Education Credit for this program is provided by UC San Diego Center for Mindfulness. The UC San Diego Center for Mindfulness is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists 10 contact hours may be applied to your license renewal.

Nurses: UC San Diego Center for Mindfulness is approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider Number CEP16351, for 12 contact hours.

For those licensed outside California, please check with your local licensing board to determine if CE credit is accepted.
Are MAPs for Educator program CEUs available for clinical psychologists, MFTs, LCSWs?
At this time, we do not offer Educator program CEUs. We hope to have this available in the future. If you have interest in CEUs for future MAPs for Educator programs, please let us know, [email protected]. We currently offer CEUs in our MAPs classes and in many of our other workshops.

Residential Weekend/Multi-Day Retreat

What is a regular day like at a residential retreat?
The days will start early with a meditation before breakfast. After the meal we will gather for meditation instructions followed by a silent morning of sitting and walking meditation, alternating. After lunch you will have free time to rest or hike. More instruction and sitting and walking practice will follow, as well as an opportunity to meet with a teacher in a group. The evening will be a lecture on mindfulness and some more practice until bed.
I'm not sure I can handle the silence. Not talking for a weekend?
You will be surprised by how the supportive environment with other students and ongoing teacher guidance will enable you to sit for much longer periods. Most people discover that the silence turns out to be one of the best parts of the weekend. Imagine a time truly for yourself, without having to perform, look a certain way, or interact with others. It's a true respite from society's norms. In silence we can go deeper into self-understanding and touch into our inner peace and joy. There will be some group discussions where you can talk, as well as some guided interactive exercises. Of course if you need something, you are welcome to check in with a teacher or manager. We are confident that anyone can complete a weekend retreat. It may be challenging, but it is doable and deeply rewarding.
Are there breaks during the retreat?
Of course there will be opportunity to rest and take a break, and you can always do whatever you need to do to take care of yourself.
I've taken MAPs classes, but I don't know if I'm ready to sit a weekend retreat.
A weekend retreat is a wonderful way to deepen your existing meditation practice. You will be given a lot of support, guidance, and instruction to guide you through the weekend. Having taught many of these retreats, our teachers know that a longer retreat is a powerful experience that anyone can do with the right support.