Mindful Self-Compassion Class

with Guest Teacher Dr. Amir Ramezani

We are excited to share that Living Water is partnering with Dr. Ramezani at the Center for Cognition & Compassion to offer a Mindful Self Compassion Class beginning this September. The course meets online via Microsoft Teams.

Despite our genuine kindness and love we have for people in our lives, we often treat ourselves harshly when we experience difficulties. Imagine if we could extend the same compassion to ourselves. What if we could nurture an inner voice that supports us during difficult times, allowing us to grow and discover new ways? This is the essence of MSC, a groundbreaking program developed by psychologists Kristin Neff and Christopher Germer, based on 20+ years of rigorous research and practice. MSC teaches you how to use mindfulness and compassion to soothe yourself in times of distress, build deeper and genuine connection with yourself and others, and embrace yourself with acceptance and love in moments of suffering. Self-compassion has been scientifically proven to enhance wellbeing, resilience, and self-esteem, while reducing burnout, depression, anxiety, and stress. MSC is not just a program, it is a way of living. Living with ourselves. It is a journey of discovering the power and beauty of your own “power and beauty.” It is a gift that you can give to yourself and to the world. Join us and start your MSC journey.

What will you learn?

  • How to handle difficult emotions with greater ease 

  • How to stop being so hard on yourself 

  • How to motivate yourself with kindness rather than criticism 

  • Skillfully transform difficult relationships

  • Incorporate mindfulness and self-compassion at home and into your daily routine

  • Understand the science and benefits of self-compassion

  • How to become your own friend and teacher

Please click here to read even more about the class!

Schedule & Details

Dates: Wednesdays beginning September 16th - 9 Sessions
Time: 8-9:30 EST
Location: Online from home
Pre-registration required (see below)

Investment:

We offer a sliding scale options for this program. Please consider paying at the highest rate that you can afford: your generosity supports making mindfulness accessible to everyone. We also have an Access Fund to allow anyone experiencing financial hardship or on a limited budget to participate. If cost is an issue please reach out to us at livingwaterRVA@gmail.com. We look forward to seeing you in this course! 

  • $198 - Students

  • $290 - Supported (Discounted Rate)

  • $350 - Full Price

  • $490 - Pay it forward (Supports others, including your own participation)

  • $600 - Pay it forward for 1 participant (Covers the cost for one participant, including your own participation)

Register Here

About the Facilitator

Amir Ramezani, PhD is a Certified MSC Teacher, Certified MBSR Teacher, psychologist, Trained MBCT Teacher, who enjoys creating a warm, supportive, and nurturing class. With years of experience teaching in various settings, such as classrooms, retreats, and academic centers, Amir brings a unique blend of expertise and compassion to his classes. He’s had the privilege of learning directly from the pioneers of MSC, MBSR, and MBCT, including Christopher Germer, Kristin Neff, Jon Kabat-Zinn, and Zindel Segal. Alongside a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee, he was one of the credited contributors to the “Mindful Self-Compassion Teacher Guide” book.

Beyond teaching, Amir is an active researcher in the fields of mindfulness and self-compassion, with several publications in scientific journals and books in integrative health and neuroscience. Amir’s passion for MSC shines through in his teaching, and he takes joy in sharing his personal and professional meditation practices with his students. Sometimes, there might be other instructors or assistants in this program to support everyone along the way.

Assisted by Living Water Community Member Elisa:

Elisa Maria Bennett, M.A., and certified Yoga instructor (RYT 200), embarked on her mindfulness journey seeking tools to navigate anxiety, sleep disturbances, negative thought patterns, and chronic stress. Enriched by the profound impact of mindfulness on her life, she remains dedicated to the practice, fostering healthier rhythms amidst life's fluctuations.

Residing on the unceded land of The Powhatan in Southside Richmond, Virginia, Elisa brings over a decade of experience as a former university adjunct professor and educator. Currently, she thrives as a software engineer while nurturing her mindfulness practice and sharing MBSR teachings in diverse community settings. Elisa passionately believes in the transformative power of mindfulness to reconnect humanity with the innate wisdom within.

As a Qualified Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Teacher at the University of California San Diego, School of Medicine, and a mindfulness faculty member at The Innerwork Center in Richmond, Virginia, Elisa actively contributes to mindfulness education. Additionally, she serves as a dedicated board member at Living Water, and hosts "Mindful Tuesdays," a weekly session tailored for software engineers