Art and Wellbeing - becoming grounded and present in our bodies - CANCELLED (OL08L24A)

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 1st October 2020 until 15th October 2020 for 3 weeks.

Cost The full fee is £42.00. The concessionary fee is £34.00.

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

ACRES' online courses will be taught in real time using the video platform 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 it is not essential, you may choose to create a separate email account for your online learning (preferably Gmail which is most compatible with Google Meet). This will give you the added security to allow you to share your email address with your tutor and other students on the course to enhance your learning experience, without disclosing your personal information.

At the start of the course and before each lesson your tutor will send you an invitation with a link to join the class and any further information including resources and equipment you will need for the lesson.


Materials and items you will need to do the course

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 the techniques and exercises you learn on the course beneficial, and that you will 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.

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

Please visit the ACRES website, see our brochure, or alternatively contact a member of the team on 01825 761820.