Mindful Awareness Practices (MAPs) are the signature educational programs of the UCLA Mindful Awareness Research Center (MARC). These six-week class series are open to the public and are offered both in-person in the San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles, as well as live on Zoom.  MAPS lay the foundation for students to understand basic principles of mindfulness, develop a personal meditation practice, and to apply the principles in their daily life on an ongoing basis.  

To learn more and enroll, click here:

MAPS I

MAPS II

What Are People Saying About ClasseS

"Brian’s course is mandatory for anyone searching for ways to better his or her life.  During the six weeks you will notice awareness increase, anxiety lessen, and your quality of life exponentially grow.  This evolution is subtle in nature and simple in practice.  Moments of mindfulness will become daily and welcome surprises.” 

-- Catherine Siphron

"Brian is an amazing facilitator. I was very reluctant to do this training due to my preconceptions about meditation, but after spending only a few minutes with Brian, I began to breathe again! (It had been a long time).  He is a brilliant communicator, and an extraordinarily companionate human being. He is pure love and wisdom! He is able to reach all ages from kids to teens to adults. His teachings left a profound influence in my life. Thank you Brian for your generosity in bringing your meditation techniques to my acting school. My students can’t stop talking about you! A pure gem!!!”  

-- Marnie Cooper

“Brian Shiers makes meditation achievable for all levels of practitioners.  His clear and compassionate presentation of meditation techniques makes students feel safe to try and want to continue after the class is over.           

P.S.  Handouts were all great and very helpful.”   

-- Gail Portrey

"I recommend these classes to anyone wishing to increase focus in daily life, or anyone dealing with stress, anxiety, or other overwhelming emotions.  Brian lives what he teaches - he's kind, non-judgmental, and curious.  His example is his most powerful teaching tool."

-- Dan O'Bannon

"This class, being my first, has introduced me to tools that I know I will use for the rest of my life and will share with others.  Brian's personality and presentation makes you feel like you have not only a teacher but a partner in the practice."

-- Noelle Blessey

"The time invested in sitting has dramatically improved my relationships with my children, parents, and strangers.”

 -- Dana Boyd

"Brian is beyond talented and has been a huge blessing to the players and the program in general."

-- Mike Sealy, Head Coach, UCLA Women's Varsity Volleyball

Aligned Mind at Work delivers a secular, evidence-based curriculum of mindfulness education in presentation, seminar, group training, and individual coaching formats. Emphasis is on stress reduction, emotional intelligence, interpersonal connection, and leadership. From Google to General Mills, in America and all around the world, executive leaders are recognizing the powerful benefits of working with people who are more aligned with their personal values, and are able to center themselves, self-monitor their skills and development, and engage meaningfully in their work. Mindfulness training delivers all this and more.

Brian has provided mindfulness training to:

• FBI Hostage Rescue Team, and regional SWAT Teams

• NASA              

• Disney Animation Studios

• Nestlé USA           

• Mattel, Inc.            

• Salesforce.com

• City of Beverly Hills         

• Los Angeles Police Department        

• Bend, OR Police Department

• Brian is also an authorized Enhanced Stress Resilience Training (ESRT) facilitator for the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, supervised by Dr. Carter LeBares, MD, Director of the Center for Mindfulness & Surgery, UCSF Medical School, and creator of ESRT.

For more information, please download Aligned Mind@Work

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"Mindfulness" is another word for remembering.

Remembering what?  We often say it's remembering the being behind all our doing, or the essence of who we are.  

Working slowly at an appropriate pace, clients are guided through various awareness exercises that increase attention, calm the body, and explore narratives and emotions. The benefits are many, including better focus, self-awareness, stress resilience, creativity, meaning, and happiness.  

But along the way, there are often difficulties where it's very easy to get stuck or lost. An experienced guide is often necessary.  Brian has years of group work, mentorship, and individual mindfulness counseling experience to help you find confidence in your practice, and in yourself. And as a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist*, Brian is able to provide additional support using Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Object Relations, and Attachment psychology. 

If you suffer from mild to moderate depression, email Brian about the new research that combines mindfulness meditation and cardiovascular exercise, which in recent clinical trials has been shown to be highly effective in relieving depression symptoms.

Brian sees clients in three locations: Toluca Lake, Studio City, and West Los Angeles.

*California Board of Behavioral Sciences Lic# 114627