5-Day Mindful Self-Compassion Intensive With Dr Anna Friis and Dr Robyn Charlton
September 21 @ 4:00 pm - September 26 @ 2:00 pm
$500.00 – $950.00
5-Day Mindful Self-Compassion Intensive
With Dr Anna Friis and Dr Robyn Charlton
This immersive five-day experience offers the complete Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) programme in a spacious, restorative retreat setting.
Mindful Self-Compassion integrates the skills of mindfulness and compassion to support emotional resilience, nervous-system regulation, and a kinder relationship with ourselves. Developed by Dr Kristin Neff and Dr Christopher Germer, MSC uses guided meditation, experiential practices, reflective exercises, and gentle inquiry to help us meet difficulty with warmth rather than self-criticism.
Over five days, we step out of the busyness of everyday life and into a rhythm of practice, rest, and connection — learning how to become our own steady ally in
moments of stress, uncertainty, and change. Self-compassion is not self-indulgence or avoidance. It is a courageous inner stance that allows us to respond to struggle with clarity, care, and strength.
WHAT THE RETREAT INCLUDES
- The full Mindful Self-Compassion programme taught intensively over five days (fulfils the prerequisite for MSC Teacher Training)
- Exclusive use of Mana Retreat Centre and grounds
- Delicious, nourishing meals
- Optional yoga and Qigong classes
- Creative and reflective evening sessions
- Time for rest, walking, and integration
TUITION
$850 early bird (until 31 May 2026)
$950 thereafter
Accommodation and meals additional.
TESTIMONIALS
“Working with you has changed the most important relationship in my life — the relationship with myself.” — Vanessa
“You are both absolute gems. This is the most mind-blowingly wonderful, life- changing investment I have ever been lucky enough to participate in.” — Margot
THE TEACHING TEAM
Anna Friis PhD
Anna is a health psychologist in private practice in Auckland, with a deep commitment to mindfulness- and compassion-based approaches to wellbeing. After a high-paced corporate career, she developed a particular interest in helping people find balance, ease, and meaning in both their personal and professional lives.
Anna was one of the first people to be trained as a teacher of MSC by Drs Neff and Germer and continues to be closely involved with the Center for Mindful Self-Compassion’s (CMSC) mission to cultivate a kinder world (www.centerformsc.org). She is a senior teacher, teacher trainer and mentor on the CMSC’s global training team. She is also a facilitator and teacher of the Self-Compassion in Psychotherapy (SCiP) training programme, an initiative that trains mental health professionals from around the world in how to integrate the science and practise of self-compassion into their clinical work. Anna holds a PhD in Health Psychology from the University of Auckland, where her research contributed new scientific knowledge on the mental and physical health effects of self-compassion among people living with diabetes. Her work has been published in leading international journals. She is a devoted yogini with three adult children, and two utterly adorable small grandchildren.
Dr Robyn Charlton
Dr Robyn Charlton is a psychiatrist with nearly 20 years’ experience, specialising in burnout, ADHD, trauma, and perinatal mental health. Her work integrates lifestyle medicine, mindfulness, self-compassion, and somatic approaches to support deep, sustainable wellbeing.
Robyn’s work spans three interconnected spaces:
- MindFitness Clinic — individual therapy and assessment for ADHD, trauma, and perinatal mental health, drawing on EMDR, MI-CBT, Havening, and compassion-based approaches
- MindFitness for Professionals — coaching, retreats, and burnout recovery for health and helping professionals, grounded in nervous-system care and self-compassion
- MindFitness Education — training and CPD for clinicians in ADHD, perinatal mental health, and trauma-informed, compassion-based care
She is the creator of the SOAR Self-Care Battery™, a practical framework informed by polyvagal theory, lifestyle medicine, and positive neuroplasticity.
This model helps people recognise what drains their inner resources and choose intentional practices for restoration and resilience.
Robyn is a certified Mindful Self-Compassion teacher, has completed the Self-Compassion in Psychotherapy (SCIP) programme, and is currently co-
developing Self-Compassion for ADHD with Dr Christopher Germer. She also teaches yin yoga, offering an embodied, gentle pathway into compassion and
healing.
Guidelines
Payment is required in full at the time of booking, by credit or debit card, or direct bank transfer using our secure POLi payment gateway.
We draw special attention to two of our guidelines before registration: Mana provides lacto-ovo vegetarian food only, this means no fish or chicken and is an alcohol and drug free environment.
Mana caters for Gluten Free, Dairy Free and Vegan.
Mana Retreat Centre acts as agent for independent teachers. Teaching services are supplied by the teacher, while Mana provides accommodation and meals.
Cancellation Policy
This group requires a minimum number of participants to go ahead, if that number is not reached we reserve the right to cancel the event.
Should you, for any reason, decide to cancel your registration; please note our cancellation policy::
- A $50 administrative fee is applied to all cancellations prior to 72 hours before event.
- A $100 administrative fee is applied to all cancellations within 72 hours of event.
- A Tuition cancellation fee may apply in certain circumstances.
- These policies are reassessed in certain circumstances.