Nurturing Self Compassion
Course Overview
Nurturing Self-Compassion (NSC) is based on an empirically supported, training program, Mindful Self-Compassion, designed to cultivate the skill of self-compassion.
Based on the ground-breaking research of Kristin Neff and the clinical expertise of Christopher Germer, this course teaches core principles and practices that enable participants to respond to difficult moments in their lives with kindness, care and understanding.
Self-compassion can be learned by anyone, and it helps develop emotional strength and resilience, allowing us to accept our shortcomings, motivate ourselves with kindness, forgive ourselves when needed, relate wholeheartedly to others, and be more authentically ourselves. The emphasis is on building emotional resources rather than addressing old wounds. Beneficial change occurs naturally as we develop the capacity to be with ourselves in a kinder, more compassionate way.
What you will Learn
Course activities include meditation, short talks, experiential exercises, group discussion, and home practices. The goal is for participants to directly experience self-compassion and learn practices that evoke self-compassion in daily life, practices that they can apply repeatedly.
Prerequisites
No previous experience with mindfulness or meditation is required to attend SCM. To ensure safety, participants are asked to provide background information when they register for the program.
Weekly Outline
Week 1 - Discovering Self-Compassion
- What is self-compassion?
- The physiology of self-compassion and self-criticism.
- Soothing touch informal practice.
- Self-compassion break informal practice.
Week 2 - Practising Mindfulness
- Affectionate Breathing meditation
- What is mindfulness?
- Physiology of the wandering mind.
- Letting go of resistance.
- Backdraft – how and why unpleasant feelings can arise when we practice self-compassion.
- Meditation in daily life informal practice.
- Self-compassion in daily life informal practice.
Week 3 - Practising Loving Kindness
- Affectionate breathing meditation
- Mindfulness and self-compassion
- Loving kindness and compassion
- Finding Loving kindness phrases
Week 4 - Discovering Your Compassionate Voice
- Loving kindness for ourselves meditation
- Awakening our hearts exercise
- Self-criticism and safety
- Motivating ourselves with compassion rather than criticism.
Week 5 - Living Deeply
- Giving and receiving compassion meditation
- The hidden value in suffering
- Compassionate listening
- What would I like to remember?
Materials
Students are requested to bring a journal and writing material.
The Mindful Self-Compassion Workbook will be available to purchase at a reduced rate.
Testimonial
"After completing the Nurturing Self-Compassion course, I am far more accepting of myself and happier in my own skin. When that critical voice in my head starts to censure me for what I perceive to be my inadequacies, I now have the tools to transmute the guilt and other negative feelings I experience into something softer and kinder. I truly believe that everyone can benefit from doing this course." LA
Outcomes
Research into the Mindful Self-Compassion course on which Nurturing Self-Compassion is based has found that participants can experience:
- Increased self-compassion, compassion for others and live satisfaction.
- Decreases in depression, anxiety, stress and emotional avoidance.
These outcomes were maintained 6 – 12 months following the course completion when participants continued to engage with the practices taught.
Neff, K. D., & Germer, C. K. (2013). A pilot study and randomized controlled trial of the mindful self-compassion program. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 69(1), 28-44.
Term Dates
Term 4 runs from Saturday 11 October to Saturday 8 November
Parking Discount for Students
Students who participate in this course will receive a 50% discount at Ridge Street Car Park. Simply speak to our team when you visit the Centre, and we’ll register your plate number in our system (please note you’ll need to register your plate each time you attend the course). This discount applies to courses held at the Centre during office hours (Monday to Friday, 10 am to 5 pm).
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About the tutor
Ann Manning
I studied psychology at university and graduated with B Sc (Hons) in 1974. In my final year I was a tutor in psychology at the then Caulfield Institute of Technology. For many years I worked in educational and community theatre and in 1977-78 I was a tutor in the Drama Department at the University of Newcastle, u200bIn 1981 I was introduced to meditation and have had a consistent practice since then.
I have been a meditation teacher since 1997 and am registered with the Meditation Association of Australia. In 1998 I was drawn to study homeopathy after seeing benefit for my family from homeopathic treatment. Homeopathy also appealed to me because the emotional and mental state of the patient is often pivotal in making a prescription. I developed and teach ‘Homeopathy at Home' which is a guide for using homeopathy to treat minor ailments.
For many years I lectured to degree students at Endeavour College of Natural Health after gaining Cert IV in training and assessment. I trained to teach the Mindful Self-Compassion course in 2018 and have been teaching courses based on this program since then. I also work with individuals teaching skills to release unworthiness and develop inner resources in a program called Unravelling Unworthiness.
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