Rebounding from winter, growing to summer

Spring acts as a bridge from the introspective cold of winter to the expansive energy of summer, making it a crucial time for transition from our most contracted time at winter to opening to growth and expanding into summer. It's a season that invites us to shake off the stagnation of the colder months and open ourselves to new possibilities and expansion. For most, it's an easier transition than, say, autumn to winter, as it is said that in spring we are more prone to being dopamine-driven, which helps with increased feelings of motivation and exploration. The best way to harness the vibrant energy of spring is to heed the natural inclination to want to start, spring into action, spend more time outdoors, and to connect more deeply with the world around us. But it's also an opportunity for self-awareness, to be mindful of where our internal season is at. How well did we 'winter'? If we didn't contract well and go inwards during winter to benefit from the natural rhythm of oscillating, to take stock and restore, we could find ourselves still stuck in our summer phase of always doing, or without the energy to rise up out of our hibernation. By engaging in movement practices that are fascia-focused, we enable our bodies, at least physically, to rebound well from winter's dormancy. Embodying the essence of spring through elastic coordination practices helps you find the rhythm and musicality of your own constellation and leads to kinetic potential—literally in terms of movement, and metaphorically regarding the potential to rebound well and safely. This workshop will guide you in reconnecting with your ecological body to celebrate and leverage the unique qualities of spring.

As we move into spring, we shift our focus to preparing our bodies for the dynamic activities of summer. Embrace movements to shake off winter stagnation, make room for growth by opening pathways wisely to enhance flow, and get ready for the energized months ahead.

We explore movement practices that help us transition from a contracted winter to be able to rebound fully into a more expansive summer, being mindful of being ‘too rigid’ or ‘too flexible’ to spring into action. Flexibility and flow. Elasticity and load.

• Movement Vocabulary & Awareness: Paying attention to how we already move and providing guidance and tasks to encourage moving differently.

• Fascia Focus: We emphasise movements that enhance fascia health, kinetic potential, and elasticity. Whole-body coordination exercises emphasise arm and leg swings, rhythm, and bounce

• Individual Exploration: Find your unique movement 'language' through simple, feel-good movement 'phrases' that reflect your personal expression and interaction with your surroundings.

• Move with the Trees/ Environment: Engage with the landscape, allowing it to guide your movements; interact with elements like trees to inspire new ways of moving through space.

• Create with a Partner: Collaborate on creating a partner sequence, focusing on the shared experience and how movements change or stay the same when communicating with another person.

• Movement practice maps: Frameworks you can take home and fill with your own ideas. Including: the 4 movement Pillars of Evolve Move Play movement practice and the 3 domains inspired by Fighting Monkey Practice.

By integrating these elements into how you move with spring, you'll not only prepare your body for the summer but also enrich your movement practice with creativity, connection, and a deeper understanding of your physical potential.

As we transition into spring with the Celtic "wheel of the year," the equinox brings longer days, signalling growth and renewal. This season invites us to mimic the energetic movements of wildlife, nurturing our beginnings and forging connections in preparation for the months ahead. It's a time for cleansing our bodies with nature's bounty, such as nettles, dandelions, and wild garlic, while also reconnecting with the awakening trees like beech, birch, and hazel. Spring is a celebration of light, life, and rejuvenation.

You’ll be introduced to some of the many core routines from 8 Shields Mentoring Model/Coyote Mentoring.

• Sit spot: Find a special place in nature, get comfortable, and absorb the lessons of nature.

• Expanding Sensory Awareness: Notice everything around you to enhance sensory perception and connect with nature.

• Listening for Bird Language: Be still, and observe vocal signals and body language of birds and animals to understand their messages.

• Foraging for spring greens: Identify and gather wild spring greens under guided supervision, learning to recognize edible plants and understanding their uses.

• Tracking and animal forms: Study animal behaviour, follow their trails, and imitate their movements through games.

Identifying wild plants that emerge in spring. Wild foraging for spring greens. Wildlife tracks and signs. introduction to bird language and behaviours to better understand the broader ecosystem

Meet your Guides:

Ben, a seasoned movement coach with a syncretic approach, harmoniously blending diverse disciplines of movement. He specialises in guiding individuals through the forests of self-discovery, where ancestral movements converge with both ancient and modern practices. Through playful exploration, he cultivates a deep connection with the ecological body - the ever-changing body in a dynamic physical and social environment (Body-People-Place). Read more about Ben here.

Ida, a seasoned nature mentor and wilderness awareness teacher. She offers practices and collaborative activities to deepen our connection to nature. Using our innate senses, we tap into our primal instincts and rediscover our wild roots as a human species. Rather than relying on mere knowledge, we embark on a journey of direct experience, fostering a profound bond with the natural world and nurturing our innate curiosity. Read more about Ida here.