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Mindfulness and Self-Compassion Course

Six week course: April 7, 14, 21, 29, May 5, 12; 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. in the church gym

Life is tough—with workplace stress, family stress, and the stress we put on ourselves to do better and be better. The last two years we’ve had the additional challenges of a global pandemic. We need some tools to lessen the physical and psychological impact.

Mindfulness and Self-Compassion meet us where we are and give us skills to work with our difficulties right in the moment. Extensive research has shown that mindfulness and self-compassion build our resilience and ability to be calm, engaged, and able to respond with empathy and kindness. In this six-week experiential program, you will learn what mindfulness and self-compassion are, the research that supports them, and how to integrate them into all the activities of your life.

You will also learn:

• Mindful sitting meditation, the body scan, and mindful movement

• Compassion practices including Affectionate Breathing and Supportive Touch

• Ways to motivate ourselves with kindness rather than self-criticism

• Tools to navigate relationships more skillfully and mindfully

These skills support our ability to live more deeply and align more fully with our values.

The course will be led by Carol Hendershot, E-RYT 500, Certified Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Instructor, and Co-Founder Grand Rapids Center for Mindfulness. Carol has been teaching the Mindfulness Based Stress-Reduction (MBSR) Course since 2008 and has been a certified yoga instructor since 2001. She has also completed extensive training through the Center for Mindfulness at the University of Massachusetts Medical School and the Center for Mindful Self-Compassion. Her classes emphasize safety and self-honoring as she guides students to build resilience and strengthen their mindfulness and compassion skills.

The course is entirely free of charge. All are welcome!