Mind/Body Medicine and IBD Flare-Up

Inclusion Criteria: * Clinical diagnosis of moderately severe Ulcerative Colitis * Age 18-70 * Must have inactive disease at the time of recruitment, with at least one documented disease flare-up within the past 2 years. * Must be on either no IBD medication or have been on a stable dose of any of the following medications for the specified amount of time: Mesalamine or Sulfasalazine for at least 6 weeks; Remicade for at least 10 weeks; Imuran or Mercaptopurine at stable and unchanged dose for at least 8 weeks. Exclusion Criteria: * Active Ulcerative Colitis or daily rectal bleeding for 7 days * Taking oral steroids within 30 days of enrollment, topical agents (steroids or 5-ASA) within 14 days,immunomodulators such as Methotrexate or Imuran/6-MP and Infliximab within 90 days * History of colon resection * Antibiotics use within the previous 14 days * Pregnant or lactating women * Significant chronic disorders like severe cardiac disease (NY functional state score\>3), renal disease (creatinine\>3 mg/dL), pulmonary disease (shortness of breath at rest or need for oxygen use), active infection, or other organ system disease requiring medical visits \> 3 times /year