Artists’ Perception of Self Worth
Building confidence and self-esteem

with Ruth Bittorf and Dr. Anita Shack

This full-day workshop is an  opportunity to explore confidence and self-esteem. Through discussions and interactive exercises to  help define, develop and maintain healthy self-image, participants will  examine core beliefs and tools to shift attitudes and perceptions. Emphasis  will be placed on developing self awareness, quieting the inner critic, and assessing events and  emotions.

A Whole Body Approach to Effortless Movement
Gentle hip and lower back care

with Karen Bowes-Sewell and Susan Free

The Feldenkrais Method® uses the inherent plasticity of the brain to develop effortless movement, agility and coordination. This gentle, whole body approach to self-care improves artistic practice by enhancing self-awareness and helps to develop healthy movement habits and release unnecessary tension. This practical workshop is an introductory level suitable for all disciplines, and will focus on the hip and low back including, lower back and hip release, gentle self-care movement, and strategies for injury prevention and recovery.

Creating a Healthy Practice
Professional development for visual artists

In partnership with Arts for Children and Youth (AFCY), Canadian Artists' Representation / le Front des artistes canadiens Ontario (CARFAC Ontario), and Ontario Crafts Council (OCC)

with Ted Rickard, Dr. Jean-Jacques Dugoua and Karen Bowes-Sewell

Participants from diverse practices explore a holistic approach to self-care strategies, and discover steps to creating safe and healthy workspaces. The session begins with Ted Rickard focusing on tips to protect against harmful chemical exposure and product handling, followed by naturopathic support options with Dr. Jean-Jacques Dugoua, a CARFAC information session, and an introduction to The Feldenkrais Method®, a gentle approach to pain-free movement, with Karen Bowes-Sewell.

Feldenkrais Method
Awareness Through Movement

with Karen Bowes-Sewell and Susan Free

The Feldenkrais Method® is a gentle, whole body approach to moving. Awareness Through Movement® helps improve artistic practice through a variety of movement sequences designed to support healthier, pain-free activity. This workshop provides an introduction to these techniques and strategies, with a focus on freeing the back, neck and shoulders. This practical format is suitable for all disciplines and covers strategies for injury prevention and recovery, back and upper body release, and gentle self-care exercises.

Impact of Injury on Dancers
A holistic approach to pain, prevention & career longevity
In partnership with the Dancer Transition Resource Centre (DTRC)

with Ginette Hamel, Dr. Jean Jacques Dugoua, and Dr. Anita Shack

This full-day workshop helps dancers prevent and cope with injuries from a physical, nutritional and emotional perspective. Participants explore exercises to increase strength and stability and learn what to do in the first 24 hours of injury. Naturopathic support and stress management tools encourage a balanced approach to dealing with injury. Emphasis is placed on listening to pain and seeking treatment, preventing further damage, technique review and correction and attitudes and perceptions.

Mitzvah Technique
Creating balance for artistic practice

with Susan Green

This workshop focuses on the physical release of tension and stress associated with artistic practice. The Mitzvah Technique is postural re-education designed to help realign skeletal framework, rebalance musculature and stimulate deep breathing using the body’s ability to correct itself (the Mitzvah Mechanism). Participants are introduced to practical, gentle and versatile exercises beneficial for all ages, artistic disciplines and fitness levels. Focus is placed on postural alignment exercises to release tension and daily stress, tools to help correct existing patterns of body misuse and prevent future problems and practical applications for daily routines, artistic practice and self-care.

Musicians and Focal Dystonia

with Dr. Joaquín Farias

This two-hour workshop covers an overview of the Farias’ Method, statistics on patients who have recovered from F.D., prevention and living with Focal Dystonia. This session is also appropriate for Health-care workers, as they gain new perspectives on the causes and treatment of Focal Dystonia to incorporate into their current practices and procedures.

Musicians and Hearing Loss
Prevention and protection

with Dr. Marshall Chasin

This workshop is suitable for all musicians and covers the main causes of hearing loss and techniques to prevent further damage. Participants explore the difference between loudness and intensity and the effects of long-term exposure. Other topics of focus include appropriate ear protection, environmental modification, and improved monitoring.

Musician’s Toolbox
An injury prevention guide to safe practice

with Janet Horvath

This workshop is suitable for instrumental musicians of any genre, educators, students and practitioners and explores techniques to help minimize tension, reduce injury and encourage healthy playing habits. Focus is placed on injury susceptibility, risk factors and rehabilitation, optimal playing posture and ergonomic solutions, on and offstage tension relief strategies and hearing protection.

Performance Perception
Strategies for positive change

with Dr. Douglas B. Misener

Participants examine the role of the performer in the context of their daily lives. This workshop explores the integration of the body and mind as part of an approach to overall health care and well-being and covers Motivation and self-confidence, enhanced performance training and coping strategies and recovery.

Psychology of Performance

with Madeleine Hallé

This workshop focuses on the psychological aspects of performance preparation through the use of techniques such as visualization, emotional control and concentration. A full-day session allows participants to participate in exercises and detailed discussion of many different aspects of these techniques and tools.

Taking the Strain Out of Art
Injury prevention for visual artists

with Ginette Hamel and Jennifer McGillis

This interactive workshop combines basic theory, practical tips and exercises designed to assist visual artists with the specific physical challenges of their practice. Participants learn to identify potential ergonomic hazards, how to create healthy workflow environments and improve posture to minimize and prevent injury. Topics of focus include basic anatomy and ergonomic concepts, identifying hazards and creating solutions, types of injuries and causes and how to prevent injury.

Targeting the Healthy Dancer
Common Concerns in Contemporary Dance Training

In partnership with Dance Umbrella Ontario

with Darryl Tracy and Pat Miner

This day-long workshop focuses on three common areas of concern for dancers including dynamic extension of the knee (towards a straight leg), weight bearing leg versus free leg (two limbs doing different tasks) and the various contributing systems of balance. Participants address these issues through lectures, experiential studio work, and targeted movement phrases. By better understanding these topics and how they relate, dancers also discover how to release their upper bodies and senses, enabling access to enhanced levels of expression.

Vocal Fitness for Actors and Singers

with Lori Holmes

This workshop focuses on ways to prevent vocal injury and assure longevity by teaching the performer how to protect and prepare the voice. Emphasis is placed on reviewing basic anatomy of voice production, behavioral and environmental influences on the voice, identifying healthy voice strategies, and understand the essential elements of an individual warm up.

For more AHCF programs go to Clinics or Community Presentations