Face-to-Face Event
"One effective approach to connecting physical wellbeing, and achieving a sense of calm, is to engage in mindfulness practices. A calm teacher is likely to be better able to cope with the pressures of language teaching and create a positive atmosphere in class." - Mercer & Gregersen (2020)
Spring in Japan is the perfect time for teachers to remember to take good care of themselves as they prepare to take on the challenges of a brand-new school year. Under the theme of Teacher Wellbeing, participants will be introduced to a centuries old method of exercise known as Ba Duan Jin (Eight Pieces of Silk) Qi Gong.
Developed in China about 1,000 years ago, the gentle relaxed movements of these eight simple exercises combined with dynamic stretches, breathing, and meditation, will assist the participant in achieving a sense of wellbeing and an increased level of energy in daily life.
Schedule
- Opening & Introduction
- Movements 1~4
- Break
- Movements 5~8
- Q&A
Materials
Loose fitting clothes, sneakers, sports socks, towel, water bottle, writing materials for notetaking
Reference
Mercer, S. & Gregersen, T. (2020). Teacher Wellbeing. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 117.
Sylvain Bergeron has been living and teaching in Japan since 1993. Aside from language teaching, he has been a lifelong student of both Japanese and Chinese martial arts and healing arts. Sylvain was inspired by a maternal grandmother who was an energy worker in her own right, and the seeds she planted in him as a child continue to influence his life today. Sylvain became a Reiki practitioner in 1993 and an instructor of this natural healing method in 1998. Over the years, he has practiced other modalities such as Zen Shiatsu, Qi Gong, massage for people living with cancer, life coaching and spiritual counseling, which he incorporates in his overall approach to personal well-being.
