MOVEMENT WORKSHOP 2

What’s it all about??

As workshop 1, this one is also about movement – after all, movement is life! Whether or not you attended our previous workshop, I promise you it will be a fun-filled playful three-hour workshop inspired by such movement philosophies as Qigong, Tai Chi, Somatic, the incredible work of Moshe Feldenkrais, and the Martial Arts. Let me assure you – there will be no contact martial arts involved!

Within the movement workshop I will introduce a variety of play-based games using tennis balls, balls on a string, judo belts, small blocks of wood, such as those used in Jenga, to spark your imagination! Play – especially movement-based games – has a profound impact on shaping the brain in both adults and children. By engaging in such activities, combining physical movement with cognitive challenges, adults (young and old) can promote brain health, prevent cognitive decline, and enhance overall well-being! Its a win-win! Simple, open-ended games can have an incredible effect on complex learning systems – because that’s exactly what we are! They provide probably the best environment for development and nourishment of our body-mind complex.

We all have some degree of postural habituation.

What are they, you ask?…They are habitual body positions or movement patterns that develop over time due to repetitive daily activities, and our lifestyle choices. Think about how you sit, stand, move (the list goes on). We rarely change these movement patterns. These habitual movement patterns can lead to muscle imbalances, joint stress, or poor posture if reinforced improperly. Take low back pain for example – often linked to our poor movement and postural habits! (Of course, low back pain is far more complex than just simply blaming it on a lack of movement).

Movement away from habitual postures is incredibly powerful. It also influence how your internal systems organise themselves. Think of your gut, your heart or your lungs – your spleen, liver, kidneys are all along for the party for too! By introducing more varied, intentional movements we can improve circulation, nerve function, and organ positioning – enhancing digestion, lung capacity and even heart efficiency.

These workshops are designed to encourage a curious mind, have fun, and be playful. They will also challenge your movement beliefs, and will encourage your movements to become more efficient and reflexive, helping you strip away the familiar grip of muscular habits. I call them familiar, because they often go unnoticed- until pain makes them impossible to ignore.

Expected benefits: Movement restores balance, allowing the body to functional optimally and with less strain; and when the spine feels free and healthy, you will feel free and healthy!