TUESDAY TREE TRAINIng "Stress SERIES" (Oct 27-Dec 8)
Four "Tree Trainings" use forestry principles to build your (team's) health
Here is a menu of our most popular and useful sessions that introduce our tools (see "resources" tab).
You don't have to do them all, or even in this order, and yes, we mix and match. We can even mashup the Tree Trainings with some of the skill-shops in the section below. Ask your team what looks interesting.
These sessions are available for individual participation (tickets are $35 for each Oct-Dec date below) or you can schedule these talks with your full team, online (contact us for pricing).
1) Neuroscience of Stress & Your Roots of Self-Care (Oct. 27)
MAIN GOAL: Lay out the health impacts of stress & self-care solutions.
Our neuroscience session includes an overview of the central nervous system, a glimpse into polyvagal theory, and the health effects of cortisol. Each participant develops their "roots of care" a.k.a. their Personal Stress Prescription.
2) Stressor Scorecard: Branches of Resilience (Nov. 10)
MAIN GOAL: Participants will understand their sources of stress, and how to reframe or reduce it.
We'll review brain science of chronic stress related to identity, circumstance, even trauma (optional: inclusion of ACE scorecard). Participants will self-rank their own Stressor Scorecard, and group discussion will be facilitated at the appropriate depth about how teams can continue to support each other.
3) Team-Care Forest: Assessment, Habit Change & Re$ource$ (Dec. 1)
MAIN GOAL: Explore what a team-care forest looks like and/or decentralize decision-making about wellness.
Motivated folks, no matter their position, can join this session to steer resources & maybe form a wellness committee. Participants will try the plus/delta assessment tool, review the habit change cycle, and ponder internal/external budget items. Facilitators leave power in participants' hands on how to prioritize next steps.
4) Your Growth Fertilizer: Mindfulness & Movement Practices (Dec. 8)
MAIN GOAL: We want folks to increase the frequency and intensity of mindfulness AND movement.
In this session, we go over the brain science of mind/body practices, then everyone tries a few exercises in both categories. Participants will set small goals for mindful or movement breaks; the "Break BINGO" and "Habit Change" worksheets will encourage this.
WINTER (ONLINE) SKILL-SHOPS
Building skills and having fun -- with your TEAM
Theories are nice, but we need ACTION to embody change and create healthier habits. Our training team can lead (or find the right expert for your) fun activities, workout breaks, info sessions or non-sweaty brain/body breaks. Many of these are family-friendly and some can be offered bilingually or solely in Spanish.
Our trauma-informed curriculum emphasizes the brain science behind these physical practices.
Undertanding the "why" behind our workouts makes for stronger mental AND physical health. Our skill-shop fees (starting at $200/hour) include an optional recording/licensing agreement for unlimited intra-office use.
Mindfulness in Stressful Times
Mindfulness is simply the nonjudgmental awareness of the present moment. Harder than it sounds, and worthy of a lifetime (or at least a few minutes a day) of practice. We go over brain science and the current stressful world we inhabit, but most of our time is spent practicing five different methods of minndfulness.
Sweating together brings us together
Facing challenges in a workout is similar to challenges at work -- better done as a team. Trainers from Spark by Gabby will lead your group in an inspiring online workout, featuring motivating music, inspiring tips,and meditative breathing in every session. We emphasize the brain benefits of regular exercise. Also, social exercise helps us stay accountable, go harder, go longer, and have more fun.
Easy Juggling at Home
You think you can’t juggle? We beg to differ. Using simple plastic bags or scarves, we’ll teach you juggling basics over one hour. This midline-crossing movement sharpens the reflexes, increases mindfulness and focus, and improves coordination. Learn from expert circus yogi Kevin of Circus Minimus. Family-friendly, so invite the kids.
Qi Gong: meditative movements
Qi Gong is a gentle, ancient Chinese healing practice that cultivates our vital life energy (qi or “chi”) and improves the health of our bodies and minds. In this beginner practice, Joann and Pat teach a mindful flow of simple and profoundly effective movements. Suitable for families and most bodies.
Latin Dance / Moving Dialogues
Sometimes dance is the best solution to unstick your body or mind, but you need a leader to encourage it. Moving Dialogues is a powerful way to come together, experience each other’s perspective, and create deeper meaning. Be prepared to: write, move your body, think, and play.
Or you can learn to Latin dance while exercising and having fun. This class will go over the basic steps and rhythms of popular Latin dance styles (salsa, merengue, bachata), led by Baila4Life instructors. Both workshops are family-friendly, and zero dance experience is expected.
Boosting your Immunity
In a pandemic and entering flu season, everyone can do a few more things to bolster their immune systems. This training goes over 15 science-backed solutions for naturally boosting your resistance to sickness. The summary sheet is available on the "resources" tab, in English and Spanish.
Chair Yoga: Mind/Body/Furniture connection
Practicing yoga using chairs helps with strength, balance, posture and flexibility. Our trainers can lead a variety of customizable postures for any body, which teaches your staff how to take stretch breaks at their desks. Other yoga sessions are also available with a variety of instructors; please inquire!
Mindfully Making Art
Blind contour drawing? Making Earthalopes? These might not make sense to you now, but it's fun for teams to learn a new, artistic skill together (no art experience required!). Making art engages the right hemisphere of our brain, and helps us stay mindfully present.
Take Five: Brain Breaks for Productivity & Joy
The "Take Five" uses Dave Brubeck's best-selling jazz single to encourage five-minute breaks throughout the day. The curriculum is focused on challenging your neural networks, choosing a mindfulness practice (including listening to Take Five), and recalling playful memories from childhood as a clue to what brings you joy today. (This session was developed for the Pentagon in 2015 and has been in demand ever since.)
How to Have Less Zoom Stress
In this session, we take a fun approach to looking into why "Zoom fatigue" exists, best practices for engagement -- on any online platform -- and tips/tricks to make Zoom work better for you. This session models interactive practices that you can then consider replicating with your team.
for educators: how to support school-staff wellness
Wellness in Crisis: How Schools Can Support Staff
In this webinar, presented by DC's Public Charter School Board, Susan, Tyecia and Maria-Jose Carrasco (LAMB PCS) go over stress strategies and real examples of boosting school health.
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author of emergent strategy and pleasure activism
adrienne maree brown...
“We need to learn how to practice love such that care -- for ourselves and others -- is understood as political resistance and cultivating resilience."