The Compassion Lounge

30/04/2025

I was once just a head on legs ...

At 41, I had a breakdown that set me on a journey of healing. I’d spent my life disconnected from my body, living in my head—analysing, judging, and surviving.

Then I found Nonviolent Communication (NVC)—a gentle, transformative practice that helped me reconnect to my body, my feelings, and my needs. Fourteen years later, my life is unrecognisable. My relationships are nourishing, I can feel my emotions, and I can ask for what I need.

On May 10–11, I’m co-facilitating a 2-day foundational NVC workshop with fellow certified trainer Alistair McKinnon at Currumbin Ecovillage.

In this workshop, you’ll learn:
💚 How to communicate with more empathy
💚 The power of honesty in relationships
💚 Tools to navigate life with more ease

Special note: Yes, May 11 is Mother’s Day, but if you're free, this could be a beautiful way to spend a weekend connecting with yourself and others. If this weekend doesn’t work, we’ll have another workshop October 18-19.

Early bird pricing ends May 3.
More info & registration: https://events.humanitix.com/nvcmay2025

We’d love to have you join us. 🌱

16/04/2025

🌱 Ever walked away from a conversation thinking, “Why did that feel so hard?”

It might be because something important—something deeply human—wasn't being seen or heard.

In this short video, we (Alistair McKinnon & Filippa Araki, both certified NVC trainers) share how the simple awareness of needs can transform how we relate to ourselves, our loved ones, and even our inner critic.

We talk about real-life parenting moments, self-judgment, and what happens when we stop trying to fix people—and start listening for what matters most. 💛

🎥 Watch now: https://youtu.be/ba0UlGTcGaM?si=Lp7nWqzTkh0WfDvx

👇 Let us know what lands for you—and what need you're connecting to today.

In this short video, certified Nonviolent Communication (NVC) trainers Alistair McKinnon and Filippa Araki explore the essence of NVC: our universal human ne...

17/03/2025

🚀 Exciting news! My NVC co-pilot, Alistair McKinnon, is returning for our next Compassionate Communication (NVC) Foundation Training on May 10-11!

The 4 steps of NVC are beautifully simple yet profoundly life-changing. They help you communicate with clarity, navigate conflict with confidence, and create the relationships you truly want—with yourself, loved ones, and even life itself.

This isn’t a quick fix, but in just two days, you’ll gain practical tools to ride the waves of life with more grace, ease, and connection.

💡 Expect a fun, safe, and interactive experience where you’ll learn by doing.

Join us and take the first step toward transforming the way you connect and communicate!

Send a message to learn more

09/10/2024

Who Will Be at Your Deathbed? Are You Investing in Those Relationships Now?

I hope the heading didn’t shock you—my apologies if it did. But it’s something I’m deeply passionate about. I’ve been present at a few deathbeds, including my husband’s, and one thing has become crystal clear to me: the quality of our relationships IS the quality of our lives AND our deaths.

We invest in our health by buying organic food or hitting the gym, maybe even some therapy. But how often do we invest our time, money, and effort into improving our relationships? I now believe this is one of the most important things we can do for our well-being. Whether you thrive on just a few close relationships or love being around many people, ask yourself: Are your interactions truly nourishing you? And do you know how to cultivate more nourishing relationships with those around you?

On 19-20 October, I’ll be leading a 2-day foundational training in Nonviolent Communication (NVC) at the Ecovillage. This could be my last workshop for a while as I shift focus to other projects, so if you’ve been undecided, now is the time to jump in.

I know giving up a weekend is a big commitment, but this work has the power to transform every aspect of your life—most importantly, your relationship with yourself, with others, and even with life itself. That's what it's done for me, hence why I'm so passionate about sharing this work.

If this message speaks to you, I’d love to see you there.

📅 Date: 19-20 October
📍 Location: Currumbin Ecovillage
💻 Registration link: https://events.humanitix.com/nvcoct24

27/09/2024

If you’re feeling stuck, frustrated, or overwhelmed in any part of your life, then there’s a simple truth that can change everything:

It’s time to stop blaming others. Only you have the power to change your life and your relationships.
This might sound harsh, but it has been the most empowering change in my life. Blame keeps us trapped. Responsibility sets us free.

If you’re ready to take that first step toward real change, join me for The Gifts of Compassionate Communication workshop, where you’ll learn how to communicate in a way that transforms your relationships, your mindset, and ultimately, your life.

What You’ll Learn:
How to communicate without blame and start creating the relationships you actually want.

Tools to connect with your true needs and express them clearly.

Strategies to resolve conflicts in a way that deepens understanding and connection.

📅 Date: 19-20 October
📍 Location: Currumbin Ecovillage
💻 Registration link: https://events.humanitix.com/nvcoct24

Early Bird discount ends Sep 30!

This workshop will give you the tools to move from frustration to clarity, from conflict to connection. If you’re ready to take responsibility for your life, I’d love to support you on this powerful journey.

Don’t wait for someone else to change—take the first step yourself.

Filippa 🌸

08/04/2024

What's it really about? The power of finding out what lies beneath

08/04/2024

Change your language, change your life! We still have some spaces on the upcoming Compassionate Communication workshop on April 20-21 in Currumbin Ecovillage, so I've extended the Early Bird price to 14th April.

Send a message to learn more

26/03/2024

And it's time for another weekend workshop in Nonviolent Communication (NVC) aka Compassionate Communication. April 20-21. Come and learn a simple 4-step model that can transform your relationships and make conflict so much easier.

Send a message to learn more