Guidance for online classes

Please read before you do your first online Awareness Through Movement Lesson

Your only responsibility during these lessons is to take care of yourself and your comfort. This is not an exercise class but a movement lesson and any discomfort will reduce  the learning possibilities, not to mention your enjoyment. So please begin each movement slowly and ease yourself into it. 

If there is any discomfort, make the movement smaller. 

If the discomfort persists, then pause and imagine the movement instead.

Please remember that any instruction regarding the direction of a movement is just that, a direction, not a destination. 

There is no benefit in making a movement bigger; on the other hand however, if you allow yourself to do less than you can comfortably do, you will begin to notice the smaller and finer details of the movement and this awareness will in turn allow your nervous system to figure out easier and more efficient movement options.

We will take many short breaks, but please don’t wait to be asked to rest. You can, and should, rest before you get tired and only continue repeating a movement while it is still interesting. If you find a movement has become ‘boring’ that is a sign that your nervous system needs a break to integrate what has been learned and you should rest.

We will constantly check that our breathing is soft and that our face is relaxed. If this is not the case, then we are ‘efforting’ and need to make everything slower and smaller. Pay particular attention to how you are breathing as you begin a movement...can you move without interfering with the breath? If not, then slow down and make it smaller.

And can you pay as much attention to the return movement as you do to the initial outward one?

What you will need:

• A broadband connection;

• A laptop, tablet or smartphone;

• A place to lie down: e.g. a carpeted floor, a yoga mat or a folded blanket. For some lessons you will need to have enough space to lengthen your arms out to the side and overhead,

• A couple of folded or rolled up towels or throws (for neck/head support so that your spine is in a neutral position and your head is not pulled forwards/backwards/sideways).

• It is a good idea to wear a few layers and maybe have a blanket nearby in case you feel a little cold at any point. An extra pair of warm socks can be useful also.

I would like to be able to see everybody if possible so that I can adjust my teaching according to your needs. Therefore if you could figure out a way (in advance of the class) to have your device’s camera trained on your mat or floor space for the duration of the class that would be great.

Normally, all you need to do to access the class is to click on the invitation link a few minutes before the starting time. Occasionally people have a difficulty with this. If you have Zoom downloaded on your device you can click on join a meeting and enter the meeting I.D. number and password (if required).

I look forward to seeing you on the floor!