Jan Kinder is the founder, director and creative inspiration behind The Self Centre at Caneel, an oasis of inner calm, self discovery and fulfillment for guests at Caneel Bay, A Rosewood Resort. She is responsible for all operations of the centre, which she founded in 2000.

Kinder was introduced to eastern philosophies at a young age by her aunt, a practicing Buddhist. She began meditation as a child, and her practice in Hatha yoga by her early teens. As an accomplished pianist, intrigued by the role that the mind, body and spirituality play in medicine and healing, she enrolled at Mountainside Hospital School of Nursing in Montclair, New Jersey and later at Upsala College in East Orange, New Jersey intent upon combining medicine, music and Eastern teachings. She became a registered nurse and certified music therapist, and continued her studies with noted therapists and spiritual leaders including Deepak Chopra.

In 1978, when an autoimmune disease challenged Kinder, she chose Chinese medicine as treatment with acupuncture, shiatsu, Qigong and herbs, while combining visualization, music and meditation techniques. The result was positive, and within a few years there were no signs of the illness.

Influenced by her experience, Kinder began to further develop her interest in music therapy, music in medicine and mind-body practices in healing.  In 1979, she founded the Young People's Division at Turtle Bay Music School in NYC., where she worked with 300 children and their families with music and movement in the expressive arts therapies. Two years later, she established and implemented music therapy programs at The Rusk Institute for Rehabilitation Medicine (RIRM), a division of NYU Medical Center. In 1984, she was invited to create extensive programs, seminars and certification workshops at St. John School of the Arts (SJSA) in the U.S Virgin Islands. Kinder remained involved with both organizations until 1989, when she moved to St. John to develop more comprehensive offerings as Director of Special Programs at SJSA. She worked closely with Caneel Bay's then-Managing Director Martin Nicholson to provide community-based programs throughout the U.S.V.I, Puerto Rico and at the resort.

After a near-death experience in 1994, Kinder began a journey of comprehensive study and certification training in Ayurveda, Meditation and Mind Body Medicine with Chopra and Dr. David Simon, and was soon recognized as a prominent educator. She went on to found the Mind Body Health Institute in New Jersey, an institute without walls providing seminars and lectures in meditation, mind-body medicine, Ayurveda and sound therapy. She offered her expertise to public and private institutions on the Eastern Seaboard and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

In 2000, Kinder, a repeat guest of Caneel Bay, collaborated with Rosewood Hotels & Resorts and Caneel Bay to create and found The Self Centre at the resort and soon after, The Self Centre International, LLC.  The resort's core philosophy of complete disconnect was a natural fit with Kinder's dedication to self-awareness and self-discovery, and the centre became an instant success, as well as a media favorite. 

Kinder resides in St. John where she continues to pioneer new programs at The Self Centre. She maintains a Directorship at SJSA and conducts music therapy for several local schools, and initiated the Mind Body Connection for Scholastic Improvement in-school program, which introduces students to yoga, meditation and breathing practices.