Gather with us for this specialised and supported mindful self-compassion 8-week course.
Most cultural expectations for women are unattainable, unrealistic and sometimes contradicting. We are bombarded by messages that tell us who, what and how we should be and how we should look. Despite the fact that most—if not all—of these expectations are impossible to meet, we constantly strive to meet them. And when we don’t, we feel inadequate, powerless, isolated and small.
Maybe there is a way to deal with all these expectations in a more constructive and supportive manner? Maybe we can actually thrive in the midst of constant challenges?
Mindful self-compassion is such a way. Self-compassion is an essential skill to live a happy and meaningful life as a woman.
We are not all naturally self-compassionate. And most of us are more likely to develop habits of self-criticism and harsh self-judgment rather than self-compassion as we grow up.
Fortunately, anyone can become more mindful and self-compassionate with specialised training and ongoing practice. We can develop a new habit of self-compassion, and literally rewire our brains over the course of eight weeks.
What is mindful self-compassion?
In short, self-compassion is learning to be kind and supportive to ourselves in moments of doubt, uncertainty, difficulty and failure. It is training in offering ourselves the support, in these moments, that we would offer a good friend—it is a powerful inner resource.
The basis of the practice is mindfulness, which allows us to be fully present and attend to our experience and emotions with curiosity and without judgment. Self-compassion goes beyond mindfulness practice in that it develops the additional habit of attending to those experiences which are difficult or challenging with friendliness, kindness and warmth.
Why self-compassion?
A growing body of research has shown that the practice of self-compassion greatly enhances emotional wellbeing and resilience. It boosts happiness, reduces anxiety and depression, improves relationships, and can even help us stick to our goals. We will discuss this research in the course.
Self-compassion for women
Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) is an empirically-supported 8-week course designed to cultivate the skill of self-compassion. It was developed by Christopher Germer, PhD, a leader in the integration of mindfulness and psychotherapy, and Kristin Neff, PhD, a pioneering researcher in the field of self-compassion.
We will also address the application of self-compassion techniques to the unique challenges that women face (and the straitjackets we wear!) in modern times, such as the need to look perfect and do everything perfectly, to professionally thrive and advance all whilst staying pleasant and unthreatening.
This program is about women talking to women and discovering together how to bring more mindfulness and compassion into our daily lives—together. It’s about learning to support ourselves, but also developing networks of compassionate support.
Program
In this program you will learn how to:
Manage stress with self-compassion
Motivate with kindness rather than criticism
Live life closer to your core values
Handle difficult emotions with greater ease
Transform challenging relationships for the better
Live a more meaningful and purposeful life
Dates
Saturday April 27, May 4, 11, 18, 25 and June 1, 8, 15
We will meet once a week on these Saturday mornings from 11:30am to 2 pm.
The course culminates with a half-day retreat: Sunday 23 June from 10 am to 2 pm
Why 8 weeks
New habits—particularly those that go against deeply-ingrained old habits—take time, and support, to develop. Research has shown that the self-compassion practice, under appropriate instruction, and over time, can literally rewire our brains. But these changes take time, and research shows that 8 weeks of supported practice is required to experience change, and to give us the best chance of sustaining the practice going forward.
For whom?
This workshop is intended for women of any background. It is designed primarily for personal growth and development. However, professionals who wish to integrate mindful self-compassion into their work activities are also encouraged to attend. Meditation experience, or a background in mindfulness, is not required to participate in this program.
Group ethos
This workshop will be conducted in a safe, supportive, and phone-free environment and will involve short exercises, guided practices, personal reflection, and a group ethos of deep listening and friendly speech.
Pricing (booking links below)
$655
Concessions are available for those of limited means and students—please email us.
Who will be facilitating
Jossy Jimenez has a master’s degree in human development and is certified as a mindfulness facilitator by UCLA’s Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behaviour and the Mindful Schools organisation. She has training in Stanford University’s Compassion Cultivation Training (CCT) and has completed teacher-training in the Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) program with UCSD.
She has developed wellbeing programs for institutions in Australia, the United States, and Mexico -everything from kindergartens to large corporations. Above all, she is an enthusiastic practitioner who has great personal appreciation for the benefits of these practices.
Suggested reading
It is recommended, but not required, that participants read the flowing two books for participating in MSC:
Self-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself by Kristin Neff
The Mindful Path to Self-Compassion by Christopher Germer
Optional Reading
The workshop will be held at Gather, a beautiful space for women in Seddon.
Image Illustration by @lorrainesorlet