VIDEO – The Step – breathwork class
The Step is a unique breathwork class developed for people who live with pain by Physiotherapist Despoina Karargyri and inspired by Opera North’s Step Into Singing Programme. Previously it included some stretches but this iteration will focus on the breathwork.
It will be a calm, mindful and gentle class, suitable for any level of ability or function. This class can be done from a chair.
The Class was held on Friday 26th November and the video is below.
The Step is inspired by the warm up and breathing exercises developed by Despoina with Opera Singer Marie-Claire Breen for the very successful Opera North and Footsteps Festival collaboration “Step Into Singing” which brings both the joy of singing and the benefits of the preparation for an act of singing to people who are living with pain.
The Step session is open to anyone and attendance to Step into Singing is not required.
The Step has changed – previously it included stretching (please look at the En-Joy class if you want stretching as well!) but this session will focus on the breathwork. After the usual calming body scan meditation it will mainly concentrate on different breathing exercise. Lounge wear, comfy onesis, duvets, are not only allowed but even encouraged!
It is a calm, mindful, and gentle class, suitable for any level of ability or function. This class can (should?!) be done from a chair or bed.
The Class is based on the principles of:
*Simplicity (minimalism after all is the new FAD!)
*Playfulness (we check judgements on the door)
*Curiosity (explore what is, rather than what isn’t)
*Body/Mind connection (after all, they are the same aren’t they? Has anyone seen any minds walking in the wild on their own…hehehe)
The class is an hour with pacing breaks.
If you are interested in this class you may also want to look at the other classes also run by Despoina which you can find in the Active Zone Tent.
Despoina Karargyri.
Hi! I’m Despoina, a physio from Greece with a special interest in pain who fears heights. This interest brought me to this wonderful country so I could study more about pain with the leading minds in the world and work alongside people of clinical excellence. Over the years I’ve joined specialist groups, led teams, joined the British Pain Society, got actively involved with the PPA (Pain Physiotherapy Association), work as the principal pain physio of my team but most of all I discovered working with pain is not about limiting yourself, it is about opening yourself to all possibilities and life.
Waiver: By attending the class you have read and agree to the following:
Footsteps Festival 2021 recommends that you consult your physician before beginning any activity class. When participating in any movement practise, there is the possibility of physical injury. If you engage in this session or course you do so voluntarily and with consultation of a relevant health professional. You agree to be fully responsible for your wellbeing during the session(s) and assume any risk of injury to yourself.
The Video of The Step is here!
The Class was held on Friday 26th November
If you want to explore breathwork more, check out The Power of Breath by Festival Team Member Claire.
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