We chatted to Jacqui ( Moray Area Service Manager & Primary School Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner) about the newest ‘Movement for the Mind’ sessions which have just launched in Moray schools and are now available to all primary and secondary schools.
What is Movement for the Mind?
We all know exercise benefits us physically but Movement for the Mind (based on Pound) is a fun, energetic choreographed movement session which suits every age, gender and ability. It's exercise which has many benefits.
It can be done by all abilities, even those who may have limited range of movement or restrictions on ability. We call it ‘Movement for the Mind’ because it has a trifecta effect – benefiting the body and the mind combined with opportunity to be self-expressive.
It’s essentially exercise with a set of sticks! We use weighted drumsticks, they provide an alternative way to move, “rock out to loud music”, build strength, confidence and self-esteem – whilst having FUN. You don't need a huge amount of space and it can be done anywhere at all; in the home, inside or outside. You can rock out on your own or better still be part of a group making loud noise together.
Is it suitable for all ages?
Yes. There is a specific programme for younger participants where the music is carefully chosen to inspire and motivate and where the moves are slightly slower. For adults, the music is still awesome but the movements can be taken up a notch and are slightly faster – but no matter what age of participant there is options for progression and regression for everyone.
And does it involve music?
Oh, yes that’s the best part. Movement for the Mind is easy to follow choreographed routines. There are commonly used movements called pound, rainbow, arrow to name a few and each track has a range of movements to avoid any boredom. Each track has options for taking it up or taking it down the movement spectrum but most importantly its energetic, loud, recognisable tracks.
The tracks we use with younger children are carefully chosen to be appropriate to their age level but with inspirational lyrics such as those found in “Unstoppable” by Sia or “High Hopes” by Panic at the Disco or even “Confidence” by D.I.T.A. – Look them up and have a listen you will see what I mean.
The thing about these sessions is that they are designed so that everyone can take part- it doesn't matter what your skill level is or whether you have great co-ordination. It’s the freedom to be as self expressive as you want and you just follow along, listening for the beat if you can and co-ordinate your movements with the beat. You can see it also has the requirement to tune in, homing in on those vital listening skills.
What are the benefits of the sessions?
So for children in particular, the sessions combine a different form of fun exercise, with a range of covert skills such as teamwork, coordination, self expression , empowerment, self-awareness, and self-acceptance. Combine that with the benefits of improving fatigue, reducing stress levels, increasing dopamine levels, improving joint mobility and flexibility it’s a win win in my eyes.
As I have already highlighted the sessions for everyone have mental health benefits too; they give opportunity for self care, stress relief, build confidence and self-esteem, develop a sense of identify and belonging if you are participating in a group. The percussion movement of the sticks boosts pain tolerance, reduces signs of anxiety, fatigue and even chronic pain – I can vouch for that as I have chronic hip, back and knee pain and it certainly helps when I do a number of classes.
The rhythm that is used in the session is also linked to improving blood flow in the brain so it is thought to enhance higher level thinking and improve your decision making skills.
For me it is a great stress buster, you can take your sticks anywhere and you don’t have to invest a lot of time to see the benefits. You can do as little as five minutes or a full hours session. I have even done a session on my own in a caravan park on holiday and even by the pool in Turkey.
What I have found so powerful is the response I get from the children, they just love the fact that they get the freedom to make lots of noise, something they don’t always get the opportunity to do, particularly in school.
How did you get into learning about Pound and the sessions?
My interest sparked around about six, seven years ago, and then it really grew in lockdown. I was a teacher online in lockdown, and it really helped me, from a psychological point of view. It encouraged me to have breaks from the screen and then come back feeling motivated and full of energy to continue. I decided to become an instructor just after lockdown, and I initially trained in adult Pound then earlier this year trained in the children’s programme. I have been using rhythmic movement in my sessions with children in schools on a one to one basis and have also done taster sessions with groups of up to 20! I’ve seen how much benefit they can get from it and how it can change their outlook on the day.
What kind of feedback have you had?
I can truthfully say really positive. Any form of exercise is not for everyone - of course - but we have done taster sessions for young people in secondary (S3-5, i.e. 14-16 year olds) who can be a challenge to engage, particularly as they were unsure what it was all about. I was so surprised that they really enjoyed it, threw themselves into it and above all were smiling, laughing together and finding a new way to enjoy an alternative to P.E - some of them wanted to go and buy their own sticks straight away, because they loved it so much!
Even the ones in the group who perhaps pretended not to be interested got really involved and said it was just a really different and interesting way to do exercise that you didn't have to have a lot of skills for. They never realised that in one track you can potentially do around 100-200 squats.
The younger children especially loved that they could make lots and lots of noise! In between the tracks with the younger children, we also do a fun activity so they get a release from following along. The activities though have a particular focus on developing key skills, again in confidence building, self esteem, teamwork and self-expression.
We can do either one-off sessions or blocks of six. In the blocks it will be a different activity every week, and each week they will add a little more to their level of ability, so they can recognise their own progression and achievement.
How do the sessions work for neurodiverse children or those with additional support needs?
The sessions are ideal for neurodiverse children, because some neurodiverse children can benefit from having an outlet for their energy. Quite often they can have too much energy, and they need to be on the go constantly. In some P.E classes, the exercises or activities they are involved in and enjoy e.g. playing catch the flag, can overstimulate them and it turns too competitive and overwhelming.
These sessions allow them to be self-expressive, get their energy out, but in the safe confinement of their own little space. Some of the neurodiverse children who have attended just love the fact that they can take part, and as involved as everyone else for the entire session. Their hands are busy, they are moving, they are expending their energy and having fun with their friends. Of course other neurodiverse children struggle with noise and it can be noisy but the kids in my sessions have popped their ear defenders on and taken part.
Whilst I've been doing my taster sessions, I've had a range of abilities attending which means I adapt the session to suit. For some of the children, I switched them from being in a standing position to joining in whilst sitting on the floor, on their bottoms or knees or even cross legged. Everything is adaptable for them. I had a young person with a broken leg just sit and take part from her chair. It doesn’t matter how they adapt, they are still getting the trifecta effect.
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If you would like to know more about Movement for the Mind Sessions in your school or setting, send us an email at admin@exchange-counselling.co.uk
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