Discover fluidity in the water. Bring it into everyday life.
Many people living with persistent pain are unaware of how much they’re bracing to protect themselves throughout the day. Over time, they lose the feeling of moving freely.
This workshop helps you rediscover fluid, confident movement in the pool, then learn how to carry that experience into everyday life.
The shoulders lift. The brath tightens. The jaw clenches.
Over time, these habits can reduce confidence, limit movement and make it harder to enjoy life.
If you’ve been living with persistent pain, you’ve probably explored a range of treatments, exercises and self-help approaches. This introductory workshop offers something different: practical ways to better understand your body, and develop the confidence and skills to manage your condition more effectively yourself.
Working together, Steven Shaw and Martin Underwood will introduce a practical approach that combines the Shaw Method, Alexander Technique and current understanding of persistent pain.
WHO IS THIS WORKSHOP FOR?
This workshop is for people with persistent:
- Back pain
• Neck pain
• Shoulder pain
• Posture-related discomfort
It may be especially relevant if you:
- Feel stiff or protective when you move
• Hold your breath without realising
• Feel less confident in your body than you once did
• Have become cautious about exercise or swimming
• Feel as though you’ve tried lots of different approaches but are still looking for something that makes sense
• Want to move and swim with greater ease and confidence
You don’t need to be a strong swimmer.
You simply need to feel comfortable being in warm water and able to get safely in and out of the pool.
WHAT WE’LL EXPLORE
Together we’ll explore:
- How pain can influence movement habits
• How unnecessary bracing develops
• How support changes breathing, balance and movement
• How warm water helps us experience buoyancy and ease
• Whole-body awareness, both in and out of the pool
• Practical ways to carry these ideas into everyday life
The workshop combines simple land-based exploration with gentle work in warm water.
There is nothing to achieve.
Nothing to get right.
The emphasis is on curiosity, awareness and discovering what helps.
WHAT YOU MAY NOTICE
Everyone’s experience is different.
Some people notice movement becoming easier.
Some notice their breathing becoming quieter.
Some feel more confident.
Some simply experience, perhaps for the first time in a long while, what it feels like to move without constantly holding themselves together.
You may leave with:
- A clearer understanding of your own movement habits
• More confidence moving with pain
• A new experience of support, both on land and in water
• Practical ideas for walking, sitting, driving, working and swimming
• Simple practices to continue exploring at home
Pain may or may not change immediately.
Often confidence changes first.
And confidence is often where change begins.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
This workshop is designed as an introduction.
For those who find the approach helpful, there will be an opportunity to continue with a small six-week programme exploring these ideas in more depth.
The six-week course combines one hour of land-based work with seventy-five minutes in warm water each week, allowing time to build confidence, develop new movement habits and integrate the learning into everyday life.
After the course, there will be optional monthly follow-up sessions for anyone who would like continued support and practice.
ABOUT YOUR FACILITATORS
Steven Shaw
Steven is the founder of the Shaw Method and has spent more than thirty years helping people develop a more enjoyable and intelligent relationship with water.
His work brings together swimming, breathing, Alexander Technique principles and mindful awareness. Has over thirty years of experience of working with people of all ages and abilities and specialises with those suffering from long-term joint and back pain.
Martin Underwood
Martin is a Pain and Posture Specialist, Alexander Technique teacher and trainer with Live Well with Pain.
He helps people with persistent back, neck, shoulder and posture-related discomfort move with less strain, less fear and more ease, combining Alexander Technique with contemporary pain science, movement education and nervous system regulation.
PRACTICAL DETAILS
Introductory workshop
Tuesday 4 August & 8 September
6.15pm-8.15pm
Warm-water pool, North London
Limited to small group with high student – teacher ratio.
If you’re interested to discover more about the Introductory session call us on +44 7497 398 982 or book here: