Fierce Self-Compassion 8-Week Course with Jorge Armesto & Natalie Bell

September 5, 2023 - October 24, 2023

Tuesdays September 5 - October 24, 2023, Hours: 11:00am-1:30pm PT Click here to view the Time Conversion Chart

Since the publication of Kristin Neff’s ground-breaking book Self-Compassion, there has been a surge of interest in the science and practice of self-compassion. This has often focused on the tender, nurturing aspect of self-compassion, which involves “being with” ourselves in a compassionate way.

But self-compassion can be fierce as well as tender.

Fierce self-compassion involves:

  • Taking action in the world to protect, provide, and motivate ourselves to alleviate suffering and thrive
  • Being able to say “no” to others who are hurting us – Beginning to draw our boundaries firmly
  • Saying “no” to our own harmful behaviors, so that we can be safe and healthy
  • Giving ourselves what we genuinely need – mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually


This unique course explores the action-oriented side of self-compassion that begins with the  inner work of fierce self-compassion. Prior experience with self-compassion is recommended before taking this course. This course will take you one step further as you learn how self-compassion can help you speak up and claim your power.

Learning Objectives:

  • Describe how the three key components of self-compassion manifest when protecting ourselves, providing for our needs, and motivating change
  • Begin to recognize and transcend the blocks to drawing effective boundaries
  • Learn to work with and harness your anger as a constructive support
  • Identify your needs and give yourself permission to meet them
  • Develop skills to motivate yourself with encouragement rather than criticism
  • Understand how fierce self-compassion can be utilized for social change


Who Should Attend

Prerequisite for registration: completion of 8-wk or 10-wk Mindful Self-Compassion Course, the 5-Day Intensive MSC Course or a MSC Core Skills Course 

This course is suitable for everyone who has completed the prerequisite instruction, including the general public, mental health and healthcare professionals, meditation and mindfulness instructors, yoga teachers, wellness coaches, and educators at all levels.


Access to Materials and Session Recordings

After you complete each course or workshop, you'll have access to the content for 90 days if you want to review it at your convenience.

Please note that we will record each live session, and the recordings will be available within 48 hours in the respective lesson of the course.


Scholarships

A limited number of scholarships are available. You can apply for a scholarship using the Scholarship Application.  Places will be offered in  the order application forms are received. Places are confirmed once payment is received. (Please note that scholarships are based on personal financial need, separate from being financially over-extended or over-committed.)


Refunds

For any refund requests, questions regarding the course or the registration process, please fill out the refund form here.

Fierce Self-Compassion 8 Week Course

  • $595.00

    $595.00Fierce Self-Compassion 8-Week Program with Jorge Armesto and Natalie Bell September 5, 2023

    Register Now

Meet Your Teachers

Natalie Bell

PT, Certified MSC Teacher

Natalie Bell is the Director of Program Development for the Center for Mindful Self-Compassion. She is a Certified MSC Teacher and mindfulness teacher for UCLA's Mindful Awareness Research Center. Natalie has been practicing mindful awareness and meditation since 1985 and lived in an ashram for a year in 1989 dedicating herself to intensive practice of meditation and compassionate awareness. After studying neuropsychology she became a Physical Therapist, working for 17 years in hospitals as a clinician, Director of Rehabilitation, and medical device specialist. Natalie founded Mindful Wellness, training individuals and companies to manage stress and build resilience through the power of mindfulness and self-compassion. Since 2018 Natalie has worked with Dr. Kristin Neff and Dr. Chris Germer on the CMSC Healthcare Advisory Board and is co-author of the SCHC healthcare program. She has worked closely with them to co-develop the Fierce Self-Compassion and Self-Compassion for Shame 8-wk courses. Natalie's embodied passion is to teach the concepts and practices of self-compassion so that they can be applied to any situation in any moment of challenge. She loves to practice the art of savoring in nature, to hike, swim, and dance to embody these transformative practices in community.

Jorge Armesto

Certified CMSC/SCIP Instructor

Jorge Armesto is a bilingual clinical psychologist and yoga therapist in private practice in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, where he serves linguistically and culturally diverse communities. Jorge is passionate about the intersection of psychology, mindfulness, spirituality, and body-focused practices. Working from a Buddhist psychology and compassion-focused perspective, his work seeks to understand how multiple sources of oppression and resiliency intersect and inform the lived experiences of people. Jorge believes that listening to our body's wisdom is essential in promoting overall health. In addition to his clinical work, Jorge teaches mindfulness-based classes, facilitates psychoeducational and therapy groups, and provides clinical supervision to mental health professionals. He is a Certified Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) teacher, section faculty at the Institute for Meditation and Psychotherapy (IMP) certificate program, consulting psychologist at Bristol Community College in Fall River, Massachusetts, and small group facilitator in the Self-Compassion in Psychotherapy (SCIP) Certificate Program. Jorge’s spiritual practice focuses on applying Dharma teachings to help alleviate individual and community suffering. He practices in the Thich Nhat Hanh (Plum Village) tradition of engaged Buddhism and is a member of the Order of Interbeing. There are many ways that Jorge cultivates seeds of joy including cooking, dancing to the Afro-Cuban rhythms of salsa, building community, and weaving. Above all, Jorge loves spending time with his husband, children, and friends. For more information: www.golsowly.com.

Fierce Self-Compassion Curriculum

    1. About This Class & Syllabus

    2. Zoom Link

    3. Class Schedule

    4. Meet Your Teachers - Natalie Bell and Jorge Armesto

    1. Meditation Recordings for Weekly Practice

    2. Week 1 - Arriving Meditation (Natalie)

    3. Week 2 - Affectionate Breathing (Jorge)

    4. Week 2 - Tender Self-Compassion Break (Kristin Neff)

    5. Week 3 - Fierce Compassionate Friend (Jorge Armesto)

    6. Week 3 - Protective Self-Compassion Break (Natalie)

    7. Week 3 - Drawing Boundaries with Caring Force (Natalie Bell)

    8. Week 4 - Breathing Yin and Yang Meditation (Natalie)

    9. Week 4 - Understanding Your Anger (Natalie)

    10. Week 5 - Fierce Compassionate Friend (Motivating) (Natalie)

    11. Week 5 - Motivating Self-Compassion Break (Christine Grace)

    12. Week 5 - Finding Fierce Loving Kindness Phrases

    13. Week 6 - Fierce Loving Kindness Meditation (Jorge)

    14. Week 6 - Providing Self-Compassion Break (Natalie)

    15. Week 6 - Living a Fulfilling Life (Natalie)

    16. Week 7 - What Do I Yearn For (Christine Grace)

    17. Week 8 - Fierce Loving Kindness for Self and Others (Jorge)

    18. All Meditation Recordings

    1. Week 1 Session Topics

    2. Week 1 Session Recording

    3. Week 1 Post-Session Material

    1. Week 2 Session Topics

    2. Week 2 Session Recording

    3. Week 2 Post-Session Material

    1. Week 3 Session Topics

    2. Week 3 Session Recording

    3. Week 3 Post-Session Material

    1. Week 4 Session Topics

    2. Week 4 Session Recording

    3. Week 4 Post-Session Material

Details

  • 8 Live sessions, one each week

FAQ

  • What is the refund policy?

    Please refer to our standard policy on refunds here: https://centerformsc.org/cmsc-policies/

  • What are the parameters of participation?

    Our programs are designed to teach participants the tools needed to develop and cultivate a mindfulness and self-compassion practice. It is not a substitute for mental health care, personal therapy or medical treatment. Personal safety and emotional wellbeing are the foundation of self-compassion training and you are primarily responsible for your own safety. Teachers and facilitators are not expected or able to provide medical and/or psychological care. Course experiences may bring up challenging memories or feelings. If you have a history with a serious mental health condition or other concerns you think may impact your ability to take this course, please contact CMSC or your healthcare professional to determine if this course is right for you. Your personal contact information may be used in the event the teacher or facilitator reasonably determines a need to call emergency services on your behalf.

  • What are the terms of participant removal?

    Participation is at the discretion of the teachers and facilitators at all times. If, in the opinion of the teachers and facilitators, you are unable to continue to participate productively in the course, you may be asked to discontinue. Decisions of removal are to ensure CMSC provides the safest space possible for our participants and teachers. Please see our refund policy regarding necessary participant removal.

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