Art and Wellbeing - becoming grounded and present in our bodies - ONLINE Course CANCELLED - NO ENROLMENTS (UC08F08F)

Course overview

During the course, you will learn how to use gentle drawing and painting activities, meditation techniques and breathing exercises to help you feel more grounded and present in your body.

Where This is an online course.

When Thursday, 10:00am - 12:00pm from 25th June 2020 until 9th July 2020 for 3 weeks.

Cost The full fee is £40.00. The concessionary fee is £34.00.

During the course

This is an online course which will be taught in real time using a video platform (usually Google Meet), supported by other online resources. To ensure you get the most out of the course and can fully participate in the sessions you will interact with your tutor and other students through speaking, listening and the chat function, as well as being able to see each other via the video links, though you can turn off your camera and microphone at any time. You will therefore need to have access to either a laptop, computer or portable device (eg tablet or phone) (this ideally needs to be less than 5 years old), with a camera / webcam and microphone, as well as a good broadband / Wi-Fi connection.

Though not a prerequisite, we would advise that you create a separate email account for your online learning prior to the start of the course and let the ACRES' Office and your tutor know the address. This will be more secure and also allow you to share your email address with other students on the course to enhance your learning experience, without disclosing your personal information.

Your tutor will give you further details and information, including any resources or equipment you need, prior to the start of the course.

You will be sent more information about your course, including how to join your online sessions, in due course.

What you already need to know

You do not need any experience of drawing, painting or mindfulness. All are welcome to enjoy gentle art activities, meditation and breathing exercises.

What you will learn

You will learn simple techniques showing you how to move between the inner and outer expressions of mindfulness.

- how to do simple meditation and breathing techniques to become more present in your body
- how mark-making, drawing and painting can place you in the here and now and release you from your thoughts

How you will learn it

For each class, intentions will be set through a series of meditative and breathing exercises which will aim to bring you back into your body and help you feel grounded.

The tutor will then guide you through a series of gentle art activities aimed at unblocking your creativity and retaining a feeling of being present in the moment. Further meditation and breathing exercises will be performed between each art activity.

The overall aim of each class will be to move gently and with kindness between the inner and outer expression of the present moment and to help promote wellbeing through the enjoyment of mindful mark-making and breathing techniques.

Bring to the first session

Please ensure that you have enough space to stretch and stand safely during the classes. Ideally, you will be sitting at a table or desk with your internet device and have room for paper, pencils and/or paints.

Extra study or practice

There is no compulsory extra study between classes however it is hoped that you will enjoy and find beneficial the techniques and exercises you learn on the course and you wish to continue with these between classes and/or after the end of the course.

How to enrol

You can enrol by phoning ACRES' House on 01825 761820 on Monday to Friday between 9:30 am and 4 pm. Alternatively, to register your interest in a course please email adultlearning@acres.org.uk with the course title and your contact details and a member of the team will call you back to enrol you on your chosen course.

Previous students say

This is a new course with ACRES

Next steps within this subject with ACRES

There are many places to source further information about mindfulness online and in print. If you are interested in finding out more please ask your tutor.

Future steps beyond ACRES

Find out about other courses with the National Careers Service for opportunities to extend your skills and knowledge.

Further information

If you are interested in enrolling on this or any other ACRES course please email ACRES at adultlearning@acres.org.uk to express your interest with you contact details and we will get back to you as soon as we can.