PRE/POST CONFERENCE SPECIALISED WORKSHOPS
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Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) - 2 day Rock and Water
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The two day Rock and Water ASD Workshop is a unique Rock and Water approach that helps children (and adults) who are diagnosed with ASD to develop more body-emotional and self awareness. The workshop will assist in increasing self control and assertiveness, to develop body language awareness, to encourage better communication skills and to decrease feelings of anxiety. Instructor Marc Moas and Freerk Ykema have developed a new manual with many adaptations and new exercises.
When people in general - and in particular people with ASD – end up in a stressful situation, they often respond according to one of the following two stereotyped patterns of behaviour:
- rock (emotionally closed, macho, surviving through power and force) or
- water (too compliant towards others, not being able to assert oneself very well, avoiding behaviour).
In both cases there is a risk that people are not able to stay close to their own feeling and that they will “lose themselves”.
The Rock and Water programme shows that both strategies have their value in a physical way, but that this depends on the situation. The behaviour is not rejected, but extended through exploration of alternatives. The programme makes use of psychophysical didactics. The starting point is the development of emotional awareness on the basis of body awareness, which ultimately leads to self-awareness.
self-awareness increases through activities and by learning to know/recognise the accompanying feeling
The physical exercises are aimed at three skills:
- basing (learning to be on solid ground),
- centring (controlling breathing = controlling emotion), and
- focussing (being concentrated in what you are doing).
These skills represent the three foundations of the Rock and Water method:
- self-control leads to self-confidence, which in its turn leads to self-reflection.
In this way a form of self-knowledge develops, so that a conscious choice can be made between rock or water reaction, depending on the circumstances.
The exercises reinforce the three basic principles to be able to develop yourself as a person:
- Security (without a basic feeling of security it is very difficult to grow);
- Assertiveness (how do you deal with difficult situations without losing your self-control);
- Communication (non-verbal, the applied aspect of assertiveness)
In recent years it has become evident that persons with ASD can also benefit from this training. This is why the Gadaku Institute has developed a two-day Rock and Water training that shows participants how they can use the various Rock & Water skills in their contact with, in educating, in training and in offering therapy to persons with ASD.
Dealing with stimuli
In this special training we consider the fact that persons with ASD usually have a specific way of dealing with stimuli. For example, they often have a disrupted stimulus-coping system, which implies that a sense can alternately be very sensitive (hypersensitive) or very insensitive (hyposensitive), or that one sense is very sensitive and that the other sense functions insensitively. In the training we deal in particular with oversensitivity of the sense of hearing and of the tactile sense, and on the other hand with a low sensitivity of the proprioceptive system (the body awareness).
This training explores how this can be taken into account.
Integration of intellect and feelings
In this special training we also pay attention to the fact that persons with ASD often have a limited integration of intellect and feeling. They have less access to their feelings and are inclined to compensate this with intellect. As a result the skills and exercises remain superficial and can therefore not be applied as well in a general sense. This means that we have to address these skills and exercises in a different way in the training. This is why, for example, we pay much more attention to contrasting exercises in which participants have to switch more frequently between the inner Rock and Water attitude, why there is an extra focus on the role of breathing, and why exercises are repeated more frequently.
The limited body awareness in this target group means that they often have more problems with the physical exercises from the basic Rock and Water programme. We therefore have worked out the current exercises in smaller steps and are developing new exercises that are more closely aligned with their specific pattern of movement.
Signification
Persons with ASD generally have a different way of assigning significance. They are inclined to consider their experiences in too much of an absolute sense. This is because they have problems with putting their own ideas about what they experience into perspective and with separating the context from the activity. This means that they can easily “get lost” in what they experience or do. This is why it is important to offer a predictable and clear structure to the student with ASD as much as possible. In the training we show how this aspect may be reflected in the way in which the training room is used, how time is demarcated, and how the training can be structured.
Resilience
Persons with ASD often experience bullying. This is why there are extensive exercises in realistic and proportional resilience and self-defence. The connecting thread in the lessons is the integration of all that has been learned in the form of scenario and stress trainings. Scenario and stress training is based on concrete situations, for example at school, on the street or at work. This training also has a good effect on persons with ASD, because of the practical and concrete reference points.
Result of the training
After completing the lessons:
- there is a greater understanding of non-verbal communication;
- there are more reference points for controlling emotions;
- there are more skills, both verbally and non-verbally, to respond to a situation adequately.
Freerk Ykema
Freerk Ykema is the founder of the Rock & Water Program. He has worked as a Physical Education and Remedial Teacher and Counsellor at Schagen in the North of the Netherlands in a comprehensive school. In 1995, Freerk trialled the Rock and Water course at his school to help address boys' motivation and self-confidence. Rock and Water is a most well known course in the Netherlands and has become a standard subject in the curriculum of many Dutch schools. The program won a national award in The Netherlands for targeting boys’ education. Freerk is currently training teachers in countries throughout the world to deliver the Rock and Water program to help boys (and girls) achieve their real potential.
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Primary School - School Wide - 2 day Rock and Water
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The new Rock and Water Primary School - School Wide training developed by aims to answer three crucial questions concerning Rock and Water:
- Can we also teach Rock and Water to the youngest boys and girls at school?
- Is it possible to apply Rock and Water throughout the entire period of primary schooling in order to promote a continuous flow of learning starting from Kindergarten through to the final grades (11/12 year olds)?
- Can the exercises, insights, theory and methods be conveniently collected in a manual, enabling the teacher/trainer to reach maximum results with a minimum of preparation?
The answer to these questions is an unconditional "YES".
Meeting the demand of teachers and trainers working with young children, Rock and Water in primary schools focusses on the translation of Rock and Water principles to all grades of primary education and all situations that occur at school on a daily basis.
The accompanying manual describes in detail the psychological profile of students in each age group, giving special emphasis to the development of their (social) identity. We have carefully selected new and existing Rock and Water exercises to support students in each stage of their development. This workshop will provide you with new insights and practical material on why each exercise is suited for every student in each grade. You will learn new ways to put Rock and Water to good use in your school.
The manul includes over 120 lessons designed to suit each grade, 80 professional pictures and a full colour lay-out. There are dozens of practical tips and strategies for keeping order, dealing with organisational issues and connecting with the students. The manual will assist the teacher/trainer to improve their skills and maximize the result of each lesson and training. Each lesson is supported by questions that can be used to reflect on that specific exercise. There is also a whole section dedicated to exercises and assignments that can be used to continue the program in the classroom. These exercises are designed to meet each studentÕs favorite learning style leaving room for creativity and imagination, both for them and the teacher/trainer.
Supported by the central themes and the physical-social structure of the Rock and Water Program, this practical and detailed new resource is a must have for every Rock and Water teacher/trainer working with young boys and girls and a valuable new addition to the Rock and Water Program.
Nick van Deudekom
Nick van Deudekom has studied physical education at the Univerisity of Physical Education in Amsterdam and is an enthusiastic and inspired Rock and Water Master Instructor. He has spent the last 5 years implementing the Rock and Water Program in primary schools in the Netherlands and has taught over a thousand Rock and Water lessons to his children.
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Working with Girls/Women - 2 day Rock and Water
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Focus on GIRLS/WOMEN - Inner strength and attitude, communication and solidarity
The two-day Rock and Water training program Working with Girls/Women, developed by Linda Geraeds and Freerk Ykema, uses the basic skills and concepts of the Rock & Water program, while paying special attention to the developmental challenges and qualities of girls and women. Participants will learn to work with the different Rock & Water principles to build on their communication skills to live with others and the world around them without losing their own individuality and personal path in life. This training supports girls and women in their journey to becoming powerful individuals.
The main goals of the program are:
- To increase body awareness
- To become aware of attitudes, emotions and reaction patterns
- To experience body strength
- To increase self-confidence and learn to rely on your own strength
- To experience your power and to learn how to translate inner feelings into action
- To use mental power related to inner strength
- To feel, set and defend boundaries
- To deal with exciting situations without losing your inner strength
Aside from important theoretical backgrounds, different methods of approach will be taught and practiced. The training is centred around three themes: ground your body, centre your power and focus your mind.
Working with these themes teaches girls and women to connect with their body, inner feelings and strength, and from there connect with the environment.
The Rock aspect enables girls and women to believe in their own strength and to increase their self-confidence. The Water aspect provides the tools to translate this new-found strength into communication with others.
Rock and Water working with girls/woman consists of a 10-lessons program:
- Stand strong and stay strong
- Generating force from your basic
- Power of breath and using your voice
- Body language and attitude
- Rely on your intuition and feelings
- Feeling and setting boundaries
- Dealing with sexuality and sexual violence
- Mental strength and self-confidence
- Making choices: the Rock quality
- Communication and solidarity: the Water quality
The training program is tailored for teachers, trainers/coaches, therapists and Rock & Water trainers, who want to support girls and women to re-connect with their inner strength.
Linda Geraeds
Linda Geraeds has 16 years experience in the social sector working with children, young adults and adults. She works one on one and with groups. In her capacity as trainer and social worker Linda focuses on 'empowerment': to support people in their quests to dare living life connected to their inner strength and feelings.
Linda is a qualified social and educational worker who has gained extensive knowledge in Chinese health philosophy, body-mind work, massage therapy and voice dialogue. She is a certified teacher in self-defense and Rock & Water master-instructor.
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1 Day Rock and Water Introductory Workshop
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This one day program concentrates on the basics of the program including; grounding and centring exercises, standing strong and rock and water attitude in physical and verbal communication. The workshop examines these aspects from the perspective of relationships, body language, breath exercises, boundary awareness exercises, and effective anti bullying techniques. This training will instruct participants on the language and concept of Rock and Water and is a great way to become familiarised with the underpinning Rock and Water Principles.
Elizabeth Mahler
After qualifying as a registered nurse and midwife in 1981, Liz Mahler took up university studies in Philosophy and Psychology while she passionately pursued her hobby - Karate. In 1987 she turned that hobby into a full time and very successful career as a professional martial artist.
Liz owns one of the largest and most successful martial arts schools in the country with over 700 students across four schools. Three of these schools are full time schools and each have won international awards for excellence in the industry. She is also business consultant specialising in helping others develop their own successful martial arts schools.
Liz is a 6th dan Black Belt Master Instructor, a former Australian Champion, Australian team member and International medal winner. She has held the positions of NSW and Australian Karate Team Coach and is presently a regional coach for the NSW Karate Federation.
Since 1999 Liz has taught Rock and Water to boys and girls from pre school age to high school. She is an advanced trainer of Rock and Water and has taught the program to hundreds of teachers and associated professionals in Australia. Liz lives on the Central Coast with her partner and three children, two boys aged 14 and 18 and a girl aged 16.
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1 Day Rock and Water Refresher Workshop
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During this refresher course participants will revisit the Rock and Water fundamentals: exercises, games, skills and underlying theory after which, new exercises and games will be introduced. Enriched with new didactics and learning tools and with new, relevant theory based on the latest scientific research this makes the refresher course an inspiring event that should not be missed by any Rock and Water trainer.
Brian Hayes
Brian Hayes is a teacher with over 25 years experience in high schools, as a history teacher and deputy principal. Brian is a Master Rock and Water trainer for the Family Action Centre, and has taught the program in schools through out NSW and interstate since 2001. After extensive training with Freerk Ykema, Brian became the first Australian 3 day presenter, and has presented accreditation courses all over Australia since 2007.
Brian is currently responsible for presenting the 3 day accreditation program in NSW, ACT, Northern Territory and Tasmania. A 6th Degree Black Belt in Karate, and a world champion in his karate method, Brian is currently principal of the Hunter Valley Martial Arts Centre, Newcastle with a student body of over 550 students. He has extensive experience in developing programs to improve outcomes for boys, with a particular focus on pedagogy and strategies to enhance social and emotional development.
Further Information on
NEWCASTLE Conference Workshops`
www.newcastle.edu.au/rw
Further Information
PERTH Workshops
www.edusolutions.com.au
Our Rock & Water workshops attract hundreds of participants every year. Those who benefit from Rock & Water training include teachers, youth workers, community workers -- anyone who works with young people.
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