Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) is based on the research of Kristin Neff and the clinical expertise of Christopher Germer. MSC teaches core principles and practices that enable participants to respond to difficult moments in their lives with kindness, care and understanding.
Enjoy 6 extraordinary days, 5 nights of profound self-care, practising the life-changing tools and meditations of Mindful Self-Compassion in silence. Join us at the sumptuous Claridge House Retreat Centre, nestled in 2 acres of beautiful wooded gardens, in the heart of rural Surrey, UK.
This MSC Silent Retreat is an opportunity to focus fully and explicitly develop your MSC practice. It is a time of personal reflection. Out of the silence magic happens.
What to expect?
Julia, Liz and Kathryn will gently and expertly guide you through mindfulness, loving-kindness and self-compassion practices.
We will have an orientation session during our first evening together and on the first full day we will gently guide you into silence. For the rest of the retreat we will spend our time experiencing a variety of mindfulness, loving kindness and self compassion practices. On the final morning we will gently guide you out of the silence.
The majority of the practices we will be offering throughout the retreat you will have learnt or been introduced to on your MSC course. These will all be guided by Liz, Julia or Kathryn so you can fully receive. The days are structured to include a mixture of sitting, lying and movement practices. In the evenings we will offer talks to help you relate experientially to the following day’s practices. You will have the opportunity for an individual chat with one of us where you can discuss your practice and how you are finding the retreat.
Before the retreat we will also have an individual chat with you to answer any questions or concerns you may have.
Who is the retreat for?
This retreat is for those who have already completed a Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) course, either over eight weeks, or in an intensive (usually five-day) format and would like to experience a deep dive into the MSC practices, in your own time and space..
MSC Practitioners
Marinate in mindfulness, loving-kindness and self-compassion practices. A time for you to rest, recharge and re-inspire.
Are you looking to become an MSC Teacher? Good news. This retreat meets the requirement to have sat a five-day, silent, teacher-led retreat before taking the MSC Teacher Training course.
Another requirement of the MSC Teacher Training is to have a regular and frequent practice. This retreat offers a variety of experiences to support you in this.
CLICK HERE for the latest details on MSC Teacher Training requirements.
MSC Teachers
This is time for you. To receive, to recharge, to reflect.
It is our pleasure and privilege to look after you.
The MSC Silent Retreat is the perfect way to embed the remarkable tools and valuable skills of the MSC Programme to live a self-compassionate life. Revisit all the MSC practices in comfort, away from hectic life distractions. Give yourself the freedom to soak up the MSC teachings, in a peaceful environment with experienced, supportive teachers.
Rest in the knowledge that everything will be taken care of, whilst you unwind, reflect and practice making friends with yourself in the privacy and comfort of this supportive retreat. Relish time-out for yourself, away from the demands of work and family pressures. Give yourself what you need, whilst we take care of the rest!
THE DETAILS...
When and Where?
The MSC Silent Retreat will be held in the UK at Claridge House Retreat Centre, Dormans Road, Lingfield, Surrey, UK RH7 6QH. Approximately 10 miles east of London Gatwick Airport. Closest train station is Lingfield (on the East Grinstead line from London Victoria).
Our first session begins at 5.30pm on Monday afternoon (17/08/2020). Registration and afternoon tea from 3.30pm. We complete at 1.00pm on Saturday afternoon (22/08/2020) with a delicious lunch.
Are there any Pre-Requisites to attend this Silent Retreat?
Yes!!! This retreat is for graduates of the Mindful Self-Compassion training.
Completion of the Mindful Self-Compassion training in one or more of the following formats is essential:
It is helpful (but not imperative) if you have already experienced a silent retreat of at least one day (or the half-day mindful self-compassion retreat), but if not, please apply, and we’ll discuss your application with you.
Is everything really included for this price?
Yes, it really is! We want to create the space for you to be distraction-free and to stay fully focused and relaxed, whilst you rest, reflect and practice Mindful Self-Compassion in the privacy and comfort of this supportive silent retreat. Accommodation, all meals, morning and afternoon teas, and all materials are taken care of. The setting at Claridge House is ideal for silence. You'll be fed beautifully and nurtured so all you need to do is focus on getting the most out of this time for you.
What is the cost? Where do I book?
We have a number of ticket options available. Please choose the Accommodation option you'd like - single or twin share - AND your Retreat Ticket option. These have been separated for ease. You must choose both at time of booking. Simply scroll back up to the top of this page and click on the FIND OUT MORE & TICKETS button to see available options. If you have any questions, please email liz@kindmindacademy.com.
Is a payment plan available? Can I pay via regular instalments?
Yes, you are welcome to pay via instalments if you wish. We would like to create as much ease as possible for you to attend - whilst securing you the best available rate too. Please place your booking by selecting your Accommodation Option and Silent Retreat Ticket - then on the payment page next simply enter the promo code 'INVOICE'. This will reduce the total down to £0.00. Proceed with your booking as normal. We will then contact you regarding your specific instalment requirements. A £300 non-refundable deposit is required at time of booking to secure your place. Please email liz@kindmindacademy.com or call Liz on +44 (0) 7812 407 992 and we'll see what we can create together.
Can I pay via bank transfer or do I have to use a debit or credit card?
Yes, we'd love you to pay via bank transfer if you wish. We would like to create as much ease as possible for you to attend - whilst securing you the best available rate too. Please place your booking by selecting your Accommodation Option and Silent Retreat Ticket - then on the payment page next simply enter the promo code 'INVOICE'. This will reduce the total down to £0.00. Proceed with your booking as normal. We will then send you an invoice for payment. Please email liz@kindmindacademy.com or call Liz on +44 (0) 7812 407 992 and we'll see what we can create together.
What about my dietary needs?
Claridge House food reviews are amazing!!! They are happy to cater to your needs. If you are gluten free, diary free, meat free please do let us know. We'd be delighted to help ensure you can totally relax during this retreat experience. The only dilemma you may have around food is will you have seconds or not! Please let us know your specific requirements by emailing Liz as soon as possible after you have secured your place on liz@kindmindacademy.com.
What about my mobility considerations?
Please simply let us know what considerations you have and what you require to be as comfortable as possible. We have some accommodation and toilet facilities on the ground floor. Dining is also on the ground floor.
MEET THE TEACHERS...
Kathryn Lovewell
Kathryn Lovewell is a profoundly passionate Certified Mindful Self-Compassion teacher. She first experienced MSC in 2015 after a long and deep search for self-love, self-acceptance and peace with her body. MSC was the key she had been looking for. Since that day, every challenge, every moment of pain, every sadness has been an opportunity to practice MSC and come home to kindness.
Kathryn is an award winning emotional health and wellbeing specialist. For over a decade she has combined meditation, mindful awareness, therapeutic practices and positive psychology to create personal and professional development programmes in the UK, USA & Australia. She is the author of the bestselling book Every Teacher Matters; Inspiring Wellbeing through Mindfulness and co-author of The Positive Edge Journal. Her mission is to inspire tender self-care and loving self-kindness across the globe.
Kathryn is a Certified Mindful Self-Compassion teacher and has taught MSC courses and workshops in the UK, Ireland and Australia.
Julia Sweetman
As a qualified Nutritional Therapist, Julia Sweetman has been running her own practice and teaching about nutrition, health and wellness for the Irish Institute of Nutrition and Health (IINH) since 2008. Prior to this, she had a successful career as a Senior Manager for a large Health and Beauty Retailer. Her change in career was motivated by a period of ill health that stemmed from burning the candle at every end possible and from a lack of awareness about self-care.
Julia's journey to health involved learning about the positive benefits of good quality nutrition and of a regular mindfulness practice. These aspects were then enhanced by the addition of the 'heart centred' practices of self-compassion, gratitude and loving kindness. Living life in this new way has helped Julia to realise so many wonderful benefits and it has had positive ripples in every aspect of her life. This includes her approach to being a mum of amazing and fun focused 8-year-old twins.
Julia is a Certified Mindful Self-Compassion teacher and has taught MSC courses in Ireland and the UK.
Liz Walker
Liz Walker spent the first three years of her MSC experience gently deepening her personal practice whilst supporting Kathryn and her participants in the room and behind the scenes. Witnessing the dramatic change in her own inner landscape and the profound life-changes in participants, Liz took up the baton to sit at the front of the room in 2018.
She is a beautiful teacher, gentle, non-judgemental and exquisitely patient both with herself and her participants. Prior to being introduced to the concepts of MSC in 2015 she had a very strong inner critic, and now finds she is able to increasingly soothe this critical voice & be kinder to herself. Now, instead of beating herself up with what she does not achieve, she intentionally acknowledges her successes, enjoying a few internal high 5s!
Liz loves providing amazing, memorable experiences where comfort and joy are the key ingredient. She is exceptional at creating, organising and running inspirational and supportive events. She loves learning, laughing and letting go! Liz is deeply skilled and particularly delighted about holding a kind, nurturing embrace for all participants.
Liz is a Trained Mindful Self-Compassion teacher and has taught MSC courses and workshops in the UK and Australia.
Please do let us know what information you require.
Please email liz@kindmindacademy.com and we can arrange to give you a call.
Or call Liz directly on +44.7812.407.992 or Kathryn directly on +44.7941.247.460
Or leave a Whats App voice message!
Claridge House Retreat Centre, Dormans Road, Lingfield, Surrey, UK, RH7 6QH