FSC 8-week Course with Natalie Bell and Laila Narsi

April 24 - June 12, 2024

This course meets every Wednesday, 11:00 am - 1:30 pm Pacific Standard Time.

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.

This unique course explores the action-oriented side of self-compassion that begins with the inner work of fierce self-compassion. Previous experience with self-compassion is required, 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.

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.

Register (Early Bird $495)

Course Details

April 24 - June 12, 2024

This course meets every Wednesday from 11:00am - 1:30pm  PT. Click here to view a Time Conversion Chart.


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. If you have any questions concerning your eligibility, please email our support team at [email protected]. 

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.

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


FSC Course 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


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.

Early Bird Pricing Until April 10th, 2024

  • $495.00

    $495.00April 24, Wednesdays 11am PT, Fierce Self-Compassion, Natalie Bell and Laila Narsi, $595

    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.

Instructor(s)

Laila Narsi

Certified MSC Teacher

Laila Narsi, LCSW, CMMT, CMT-P, is the Co-Coordinator for the CMSC Circles of Practice Public Offering as well as a Certified Mindful Self-Compassion teacher receiving her training directly from founders Drs. Kristin Neff and Christopher Germer in 2014. Since receiving her Master’s in Social Work in 1997, her passion to provide sound and effective mental health services led her to create The Mindful Self, which is a center for Trauma Informed Psychotherapy as well as Mindfulness and Self-Compassion offerings. Laila a is Certified in EMDR Therapy and is an EMDR Approved Consultant where she specializes in PTSD, Complex trauma, Stress, Mood disorders, and Anxiety.

Laila’s journey in meditation started in childhood where she was mentored by her parents who nurtured a family meditation and movement practice. Since college, she has travelled around the world working with several teachers cultivating her interests in mindfulness, diversity, cultural studies, human rights, and international arts. Laila has also accompanied Dr. Germer in Kenya bringing MSC to other trauma specialists. She returned there a couple of years later to co-teach a Making Friends With Yourself (MSC for Teens) intensive course. In addition, she has been directly trained and mentored by Drs. Jack Kornfield, Tara Brach, Sharon Salzberg, and Steve Hickman.

Fierce Self-Compassion Curriculum

    1. About This Class & Syllabus

    2. Participant Introduction Form

    3. Zoom Link

    4. Class Schedule

    5. Meet Your Teachers - Natalie Bell and Laila Narsi

    1. Meditation Recordings for Weekly Practice

    2. Week 1 - Arriving Meditation (Natalie)

    3. Week 2 - Affectionate Breathing (Christine Grace)

    4. Week 2 - Soothing Touch (Christine Grace)

    5. Week 2 - Tender Self-Compassion Break (Christine Grace)

    6. Week 3 - Fierce Compassionate Friend (Christine Grace)

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

    8. Week 3 - Drawing Boundaries with Caring Force (Christine Grace)

    9. Week 4 - Yin and Yang Breathing Meditation (Christine Grace)

    10. Week 4 - Understanding Your Anger (Christine)

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

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

    13. Week 7 - Breathing Yin and Yang Meditation (Natalie)

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

    15. Week 8 - Fierce Loving Kindness for Self and Others (Christine Grace McMulkin)

    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

  • Where can I find the scholarship or refund policy?

    Please refer to our public policies here: https://centerformsc.org/cmsc-policies/

  • Will I be taxed on my registration?

    ​​Information on sales tax collection that may affect your purchases of courses through CMSC: In accordance with Marketplace Facilitator/Provider laws, CMSC is now required to collect and remit sales tax on sales in some areas of the United States and Canada. This is required even as we are a registered non-profit. What does this mean for you? It means that when you purchase a course with CMSC in some states or provinces ( U.S. & Canada), the sales tax will be automatically calculated and collected at the time of checkout. This ensures compliance with tax regulations in your area. If you have any questions or concerns about this change, please don't hesitate to reach out to our customer support team: [email protected].

  • What would be grounds for 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.

  • 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.