Outline:

This programme has been developed in response to a recognition that the Mental Health Programs are looking for alternative methods to enable a client towards Recovery. This 6 week programme aims to connect the client with body and mind through meaningful and mindful activity.

 

Aims and Objectives:

* To empower the client to take an active role towards recovery

* To create a learning experience that enables the client and staff/carer to develop positive management and perspective of their own mental health

* To address negative build up of neuropeptides within the body that further manifest as physical symptoms. This is done through Asana (physical postures) and meditation. {Our emotions reside physically in our bodies and interact with our cells and tissues; further reading by Dr. Candice Pert}

* To assist in the correct circulation of Cerebrospinal fluids (CFS) using pranayama (breathing) techniques

* To accumulate positives for the client and staff by learning a new skill or revisiting an old one

* To allow the client to draw awareness into their mind-body, thus enabling them to tap into a deeper sense of control, calm and presence.

* To develop mindful practices that assist in breaking negative thought patterns. These tools allow clients to draw on these in moments of stress and panic.

 

Program:

I am delighted to offer a 6 week program designed especially for those who have or work with mental health. This program works well with 10-15 participants, generally consisting of a mixture of staff/carer and clients. This is to ensure all participant safety. It has the added benefit of staff/carer and patients developing a working relationship involving trust.

Each class is developed upon a theme.

The class runs for 90 minutes, once a week. The class would encompass 60 minute of Asana (physical Posture), Pranayama (breath work), MBSR (mind based stress reduction techniques), 20 minutes of Yoga Nidra (yogic sleep/meditation), 10 minutes for Journaling (optional).

 

These classes are designed to the overall fitness and ability of the all the participants. Yoga is not competition sport but rather a linking of awareness of the body and mind. This emphasis is placed throughout the program. Participants are encouraged to honor their own bodies

 

Examples of themes discussed and taught are:

 

* Build a Foundation

* Connect with your Center

* Expand your Space

* Develop your Yield

* Focus upon your Awareness

* Soften into Yourself

 

 

Prices outline:

• I am pleased to be able to offer you an introductory price for this program at e10 per person, (min. 10 participants, max. 15 participants)

• Total minimum cost for this innovative six week program is e600.

• This includes all of my travel cost up to 35km (Rates are calculated at €0.76 per KM thereafter) 

• All my insurance costs are inclusive.

• The room is to be provided by organization.

• I can offer means to evaluate its effectiveness for your own records by use of the Warwick Edinburgh Scale. Participants fill this survey out at the beginning and end of each session.

 

Before engaging with this class, I am willing to consider any recommendations and ideas that your department may have towards this project. I believe success in this venture can only be achieved by open communication and a mutual understanding in each others areas of expertise.

 

Benefits of such a Program:

* Complies with the recommendations from the Mental Health Reform.

* Complimentary form of treatment to traditional methods.

* Developing an internal community outside of traditional methods. Classes teach staff members new and easily learned techniques such a pranayama, to then impart or remind patients of in moments of crisis.

* If the option for journaling is choosen it gives opportunity for the student to track their process in self discovery and heighten their self awareness leading towards a more positive outlook. As additional benefit, these journals can be later referred to within Talk therapy provided by the mental health services. For those clients who are not comfortable with writing, Journaling can be taught as Comic book Journaling.{A one day workshop provided by my colleague Sorcha Kelly @ a reasonable cost of e200} [There is the added opportunity to use these journals, written or drawn, towards a continuation program of Mask work for Mental Health. This program can be a culmination of the self discovery journey for the clients. With-in this 5 day program they will be able to manifest an artistic creation based on their own experiences.]

* Promotes self-accountability with a view towards recovery.

* It allows the client to engage in a new social skill that can enable them to integrate into mainstream society.

An additional full training day for staff members is offered at extra cost of e150 per person

This would include:

* An Introduction to Yoga and it Benefits within the Mental Health Sector.

* Expanding the use of Pranayama techniques and the science behind each.

* The recognition of mental Illness in the body and the effect of body posture as it relates to mental illness.

* Meditation and how it affects the Brain.

 

Why Yoga:

Through the practice of yoga,which is truly the practice of being here and now, we can become focused on recognizing and releasing habitual, unhealthy and self-limiting practices of body and mind.

Self transformation must address how to release accumulated tensions and thereby bring an embodied experience more fully into one's awareness in a way that allows gradual integration of yoga, breathing and healthier posture into one's life. [Amy Cuddy: Power of Posture]

Through using specific breathing techniques yoga allows a more subtle awareness to the experience of living to the fullness of sensations and with it a deeper calm as the parasympathetic nervous system begins to calm fluctuations of the mind. The parasympathetic nervous system lowers blood pressure and slows the pace of the breath. When the blood no longer has to rush to the muscles, it is free to travel to the digestive, reproductive, glandular, and immune systems - systems made up of organs that are more necessary to long-term survival. The body now has time to heal the damage accumulated during the daily mental battles. Studies have shown that long, deep breathing encourages the actions of the parasympathetic nervous system and allows relaxation and healing to occur. [Further reading: yogic breathing in the treatment of stress, anxiety, and depression: part I-neurophysiologic model.]

The quality of the breath reflects the quality of the mind. There is a connection between our mental, emotional, and psychological states and the pace and depth of our breath. For example, when we are frightened, we take short, quick, shallow breaths. When we are deeply relaxed or asleep, we take long, deep breaths.

While our mental state influences our breathing pattern, we can choose to change our breathing pattern and thereby change our mental state. When you relax and slow the pace of the breath, the pace of the mind is similarly calmed and quieted. Over time, you begin to act and think from a state of peace. The more time you spend in this place, the more likely you are to act with patience, understanding, and compassion. Breath work must be regularly practiced to become proficient at it

The breath also helps us to stay connected to the present moment. Staying in the now frees us. We can move on from past grievances and sorrows and can view the world as it really is, without false expectations. We learn to accept ourselves and others as we and they currently are. Being in the moment allows you to be fully present when you spend time with the people you love.

Our mood is also affected by how we feel physically. Asana helps to keep our muscles, joints, and fascia strong and flexible. The practice of asana also helps reduce blood pressure, stimulate the immune and glandular systems, reduce insomnia, and heal the body in innumerable other ways.

The simple practices of asana (yoga postures), pranayama (breathing), and drishti (focusing) lead the yoga practitioner to not only a state of optimal physical health, but to a state of peace.