BodyMind Creative Arts Therapy
Mindfulness, Compassion, and the Creative Arts
Upcoming Courses
I offer courses and workshops Wellington, Island Bay area, and yearly 5-day intensive retreats at Mana Retreat Center on the Coromandel. I also occasionally offer online Creative Arts based courses. Please use the buttons to lead you to the registration forms, some will be through me and others through connected websites. If you can't see what you are looking for at the moment, please fill in the "expression of interest form" and I will be in touch.
Hope to meet you soon, Mara
Online Courses using Creativity and Compassion to explore themes
Creative Exploration of Interoception and the Felt-Sense
Oct. 13 - Nov. 17, 2025
Mondays 10:30-11:30 am NZT
6 weeks for $180
Early bird $150 until July 31
(unwaged and Student Discounts available)
‘Interoception’, used in Stephen Porges Polyvagal method, and ‘the felt sense’, coined by Gene Gendlin for Focusing-oriented psychotherapy, are terms that are becoming increasingly popular as holistic and body-focused care in mental health and wellness. Listening to the body in this way can be quite difficult for some and requires a bit of practice for most. If we tap into the inner sense of what our bodies tell us, we can tap into an inner wisdom that is otherwise locked away in the unconscious parts of our minds. Each 1-hour session will involve a short landing/warm-up practice and then a longer exploration of different ways we can work with our inner wisdom.
Mindful Self-Compassion in Wellington
This course is now full. Please indicate interest in future offerings by filling in a expressions of interest form.
A slightly condensed version of the whole 8-week Mindful Self-Compassion course, offered over 4 Saturdays (9:30am-3:30pm each session). Group numbers are kept low, so register early to guarantee yourself a spot.
Completion of this course fulfills one of the pre-requisites to be eligible for teacher training in MSC.
5-Day Mindful Self-Compassion Intensive
Mana Retreat Centre, Coromandel.
Monday Sept. 15 - Saturday Sept. 20, 2025
Bookings through Mana Website, see link below. Early Bird Price until May 30
Experience the full MSC course in an intensive 5-day format, co-led by Dr Anna Friis and myself. The retreat starts on Monday, with an evening meal and a short introductory session. Sessions continue Tuesday to Saturday. Morning sessions 9.30 to 12.30pm, afternoon sessions 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm. There will be optional creative sessions offered in the evening by Mara to deepen that days learning. Optional Yoga and Chi Gung are available in the mornings for koha, and Mana also offers massage bookings upon arrival. There will be plenty of time to explore the gorgeous grounds and surrounds of Mana Retreat Centre as well, with a morning off from coursework in the middle of the retreat.
If you require a scholarship reduction for the course due to financial needs please contact me directly.
