Mental Health Awareness Week - Yogalates and Hip-Hop Dancing...
As we continue to celebrate Mental Health Awareness Week with a focus on movement, King's pupils delved into some creative dance with professional dancer, Holly. Having done various relaxation-based activities including Meditation, Thai-Chi and Yogalates over the start of the week, it was time to turn up the notch and bring some more energy to the table. On what turned out to be quite a rainy Thursday, we resorted to the JCR to get involved in the whole school hip-hop dance session and learn a short routine to the song ‘lil boo thang’. The upbeat dance session got pupils endorphins up and taught them a fun, new skill. Special mention to Mrs Simper, Mrs Griffiths, Mrs Dixon and Mrs Loveless who took to the dancing with much enthusiasm and showed off their moves. Well done to everyone who came to get involved and thank you to Holly for teaching us some great new dance moves.
Liv - L6th Form Wellesley House
During Mental Health Awareness Week, there have been many fun but calming events to support the charity Beat. Yesterday, I participated in Yoga Pilates, a session run by Ms Bell-West. I loved the calming atmosphere, surrounded by giggles and a bit of fun, the mix of gentle stretches, yet quite strenuous core exercises left me feeling balanced and more connected to my body. It was a refreshing getaway from work and classes, and a perfect moment to unwind.
Alex - L6th Form Arion House
It wasn’t the pouring rain that made the JCR packed with pupils and staff, alike, on Thursday afternoon, it was Holly’s Hip-Hop session for Mental Health Week. Boys and girls from 3rd to 6th Form were accompanied by some twinkle-toed teachers (perhaps just in their heads) to learn a fast and funky Hip-Hop routine to Lil Boo Thang by Paul Russell.
Energy levels were raised, and moods lifted, as Holly gave us all a real Hip-Hop hoot; it was just the tonic and an important reminder that socialising and challenging ourselves to try new things are so important for both our physical and mental wellbeing. We might not have all perfected the routine, but we all left with smiles on our faces!
Rebecca Dixon - Learning Support Teacher
Ms Bell-West, business teacher at King’s and also an expert in Yogalates offered a session of Yogalates to the pupils for the wellbeing week.
A yogalates class combines intense core and abdominal strength work with popular yoga poses such as the warrior pose, downward-facing dog, and sun salutations. The weather was shining, and pupils came to join the class outdoors in quiet and perfect surroundings. The experience was phenomenal, and everyone felt a real sense of wellbeing.
Agathe Webb - Head of MFL