Exploring Posture & Energy
Exploring Posture and Movement using Energy Awareness
We will explore the concepts of energy and awareness by interacting with each other and our environment. By staying present and contemplating the objects and beings around us, feeling their rhythms, allows us to touch the rhythm of ourselves. The life around us and our very life. The throbbing of our heart, our mind and the turning point, sometimes called the “still point”; which shifts us from getting stuck and keeps us moving on.
Much of this course takes place outdoors amongst the hills, burns, flora and fauna of the beautiful landscape of the Southern Uplands of southwest Scotland. Opening up to feeling the weight, temperature, vibration of massive hills or tiny pebbles; large stretches of loch and tiny dribbling waterfalls; tiny shrews and larger mammals; ground clinging grouse or soaring buzzards; expansive clear blue skies or heavy, hill clinging clouds; downpours of rain, hail, sleet or skin-freshening, all-pervading mist.
Ironically, we overlook the fact that it is we, who have choked our freedom by custom and conventions under the subtle pressure of civilization and press down our innate nature. The result is that it is becoming very unnatural for us to be natural. As a child, we show what we feel, but as we grow, we show off what we don't feel; To show is to express, but to show off is to hide; a strong man shows, a weak man shows off. RATNANANDA.
Everyone will have their own experiences in their own space and the opportunity to discuss their thoughts, but with the underlying concept of learning to stay in the present - not to impose past judgements on your experiences - to learn to let go of opinions, which only serve to keep you stuck in your old knowledge, in the past. Or maybe you live in the future, starting new before finishing the old, imposing past preconceptions to create future anxiety. Your opin
ions block new light from flowing in by narrowing down your vision.
Naturalness is the feeling of belonging; of being at home in your own body and mind. What we see outside ourselves is a projection of what we see in our own mind. We always project onto the world and onto other beings the thoughts, feelings and attitudes which preoccupy us. We can see the world differently by changing our mind about what we want to see. 
Nature's intelligence functions with effortless ease. Grass doesn't try to grow, it just grows like flowers they just bloom. So when things don't go your way for the moment let go of the way you think they should be and realise there may be a bigger picture....; The known is our past. The known is nothing other than the prison of our past conditioning... stagnation, entropy, disorder, and decay.
Uncertainty on the other hand, is the fertile ground of freedom. Stepping into the unknown in every moment of our existence, ever fresh, ever new, always opens us to the creation of new manifestations...; without uncertainty life is just the stale repetition of outworn memories. You become the victim of the past and your tormentor today is your self left over from yesterday. DEEPAK CHOPRA
We will have the opportunity to see how our energy and attitude impacts 
on the honest expressions of domestic animals, in particular with one of our greatest teachers - the horse; leading you to explore your depths of patience, truth and subtlety!
Sometimes it is easier for us to observe an animal than each other - even in a group of like-minded people our self-consiousness and modesty can inhibit our observations.
Horses and ponies (prey animals) are not direct line thinkers, they think laterally. People (predators) are direct line thinkers, they go for what they want in a direct line. When interacting with horses, if you use a direct line approach, they'll see what you want and be inclined to do the opposite. This is how they survive predation
- by doing the opposite to what the predator expects. It's hard for people to do the opposite of what they feel they need to do, but when dealing with prey animals you need to learn to do this because it's what you usually need to do!
Many people use force via leadropes and whips to get a large animal such as a horse to do as they want. How do you get half a ton of horse to decide it wants to do what you want it to do? How do you get a sheep or chicken which can't be haltered to go where you want it to go? Just when you feel yourself getting tight and mad, you should probably smile, relax, step back or pet the horse. Just when you feel like catching him, you should probably turn your back and walk away. Just when you feel like going one step further, you should probably retreat, build his confidence and let him catch you!
In dealing with prey animals, people who tend towards being aggressive learn to tone it down and become assertive without being a wimp; those who have trouble being firm when needed, learn to become more assertive without getting aggressive.
We use various techniques and games to increase your awareness of yourself, the environment and others and introduce the concepts of comfort zones, thresholds and learning...
We will explore the effects of people on themselves and each other, including unconscious behaviour, signals and posture; and the projection of postive, neutral and negative energy onto others.
Aims
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To increase your awareness of your internal and external energy. -
To increase your awareness of your personal space and that of others.
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To promote and access feelings of serenity and self-control.
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Particularly useful for improving personal assertiveness, leadership skills and general self awareness of your effect on others.
Previous participants include manual therapists, cranial-sacral therapists, director of small business, management executives, martial arts enthusiasts, midwife, musicians and artists.
Groups are a maximum of eight. There are short teaching sessions, individual exploration sessions and group discussions.
Accommodation is in local hotel or hostel rooms or camping out (equipment can be provided) - depending on your personal preference.
All meals are provided and follow a naturopathic mixed diet. Vegetarian or exclusion diets are available on request. Meals are designed with the assistance of Allegra McEvedy, co-founder of the Leon restaurant chain and author of The Colour Cookbook
L2: Deepening and refining the exploration
We continue to use all aspects of nature to assist our learning experience. Nature's emotions are unconditional, honest and now.
Participation in a L1 workshop is prerequisite to applying for a place on a L2 workshop.
L2 Developing leadership and assertiveness
Exploring the skills to become an effective leader.
The ideas of awareness are translated into communication skills. To be a good communicator you need to read your audience and adjust your method to enable your ideas and wishes to be clearly and willingly understood.
L2 Exploring palpation skills
For therapists exploring palpation skills, cranial-sacral concepts and practise. Subtle techniques like soft tissue and joint mobility palpation, craniosacral palpation and healing require good listening skills and self-awareness to avoid negative impact and to potentiate healing processes.
L2 Methods of learning and teaching
How to be a better learner, how to be a better teacher - the best learners are not always the best teachers as they may not be aware of how difficult it is for some to learn. A good teacher will always become a better learner.
Learning should take place in an environment of ease - stress blocks learning. Be aware of stress creeping up on your students and constantly adjust your pace, technique and language to allow learning to continue.
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The Certification Mark ‘Safe in our hands’ shows that osteopaths are registered with the General Osteopathic Council. The title ‘Osteopath’ is protected by law in the UK. The General Osteopathic Council (GOsC) was set up under The Osteopaths Act 1993 and is one of the 13 UK health and social care statutory regulators. The regulators are set up to protect the public so that whenever a member of the public visits a health or social care professional, they can be sure they meet the required standards.
Groups & Corporate Clients
We are happy to organise bespoke workshops for groups or corporate clients. Please CONTACT US to discuss your requirements
