Mindful Self-Compassion a Six Week Course

Mindful Self-Compassion:  Six Week Course

Facilitated by Erin Galyen, PhD

Tuesdays, July 13, July 20, July 27 & August 3, 10, 17

Virtual through July, hybrid in August,  from 6:00 to 7:30 pm

Class size is limited to 13 pp, please register early to reserve your place.

$250 by July 5 and for Sol Members, $275 thereafter.

Most of us feel compassion for our close friends when they are struggling. What would it be like to receive the same caring attention from yourself when you needed it most? All that’s required is a shift in attention—recognizing that as a human being, you, too, are a worthy recipient of compassion. Self-compassion involves the capacity to comfort and soothe ourselves, and to motivate ourselves with encouragement, when we suffer, fail, or feel inadequate. Self-compassion is learned in part by connecting with our innate compassion for others and including ourselves in that circle of compassion. The practice of self-compassion also helps to grow and sustain our compassion for others.

The program draws on the skills of mindfulness and focuses on developing the resource of self-compassion to enhance our capacity for emotional wellbeing. Burgeoning research shows that self-compassion is strongly associated with emotional wellbeing, coping with life challenges, lower levels of anxiety and depression, healthy habits such as diet and exercise, and more satisfying personal relationships. It is an inner strength that enables us to be more fully human—more fully ourselves.

Fortunately, self-compassion can be learned by anyone, even those of us who did not learn these skills as children.

This program is designed for members of the general public, based on the values of equity, diversity, inclusiveness and belonging. Meditation experience is not necessary to participate in SC-MSC. All are welcome!

Program activities include short talks, experiential exercises, group discussion, and home practices. SC-MSC is an opportunity to explore how we typically respond when difficulties arise in our lives and to learn tools for becoming a warm and supportive companion to ourselves.

Erin Galyen’s self-compassion journey has unfolded through her experiences with yoga and education. She has been teaching adults in the college setting for over 20 years, including co-teaching a course on the application of contemplative practices in education. She completed Sol Center’s yoga teacher training in 2015 and is currently a teacher-in-training with the Center for Mindful Self-Compassion. She plans to begin to offer Mindful Self-Compassion courses with the Sol Center in the near future.