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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.

​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. ​​

Please note: There is no class on Saturday 16 November. Final class will be on Saturday 23 November

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.

Course Breakdown
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 - Meeting Unmet Needs and Self-Appreciation 
  • Giving and receiving compassion meditation
  • Pain of disconnection 
  • Meeting unmet needs 
  • Appreciating our good qualities 
  • What would I like to remember? 
Term Dates

Term 1 runs from Saturday 1 February to Saturday 1 March 

Term 2 runs from Saturday 26 April to Saturday 24 May 

Term 3 runs from Saturday 19 July to Saturday 16 August 

Term 4 runs from Saturday 11 October to Saturday 8 November

 
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Ann Manning

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 u2018Homeopathy 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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(02) 9922 2299
Monday to Friday - 10:00am to 6:00pm
220 Miller St, North Sydney - Back of Ted Mack Civic Park