Connecting Kidz

Mellisa Denny

2010-03-30T21:13:00.000+02:00

Zoo 2 You

2010-03-19T18:32:00.000+02:00

Welcome to www.connectingkidz.co.za

New Publication

2010-02-17T14:15:00.002+02:00

Our February 2010 publication will be distributed on
26th February 2010.

2009-10-09T10:18:00.002+02:00

l'Atelier Photography Studios & Gallery is a contemporary photography studio situated in Blaauwberg. It was established about a year ago and focuses on uniquely creative and comfortable studio photography experiences. We aim to provide a studio experience that is relaxed and playful, yet professional, during which everyone can take off their shoes and let their hair down if they felt like it. We want to provide a studio with enough space for the kids to run and jump, to accommodate extended families plus their pets and give a bachelorette a shoot with all her girlfriends she'll never forget! Versatility, creativity and enthusiasm is all part of what you'll find at l'Atelier Photography Studios & Gallery.

Specials valid untill 31st December 2009

Passive Music and Anxiety

2009-10-07T12:26:00.000+02:00

Passive music listening and anxiety
By Elizabeth Oosthuizen

“Music is the essence of humanness, not only because man creates it, but because he creates his relationship to it. Music is an essential and necessary function of man. It influences his behaviour and condition and has done so for thousands of years” – Gaston

Some elements of music:

• Rhythm: Man is essentially a rhythmic being. There is rhythm in his breathing, speech, movement, heartbeat, and brain activity. By man living in a rhythmic world it improves his response to the rhythm in music.

• Tempo: The speed of a composition or a section thereof, ranging from vary slow to very fast, as indicated by tempo marks such as largo, adagio, andante, moderato, allegro, presto & prestissimo.

– Apel. This is the most important factor to bring forth emotion to man.

• Pitch: High pitch – can result in emotional irritation. Medium pitch – result in feelings of vitality and excitement. Low pitch – result in feelings of relaxation and calmness.

Regulatative (adjusting) music therapy (a specific form of passive music listening)

This type of music therapy focuses on psychophysical self-regulation. The individual will teach himself to relax while listening to music. Concentration therefore is focused on the music and not the physical experiences. Some results are as follows:

- Various mental conditions can be created

- Alleviate internal anxiety/stress

- Facilitate self expression

Although an individual will sit passively listening to specific music, the holistic process is in actual fact not passive. The individual does react to the music, because elements of music such as rhythm, tempo and pitch influence the listener. (Altshuler). It can change the listeners’ frame of mind, improve concentration, and can bring forth physical changes. Physical changes such as breathing rhythm, heartbeat, and pulse, is directly influenced by the type of music the listener, is listening to.

The relaxed state that a certain type of music, will bring to the person that are experiencing anxiety, results naturally, through the physical rhythm of the body (pulse, heartbeat) that naturally follows the rhythm of the music.

Characteristics of music to be used by individuals experiencing anxiety for relaxation:

- Largo tempo (slow)

- 60 beats per minute

- Simple harmonies

Examples of music:

Vivaldi (largo from “winter” – Four Seasons); Mozart (Eine Kleine Nachtmuzik);

Beethoven (Simphony Nr. 8); Tschaikowsky (Symphony Nr. 6) & any Baroque Music.

In general:

Structured music experiences do improve the level of functioning of client e.g. music can be used to become more relaxed, lift your depressive mood, can help you to concentrate better.

“There is no doubt that music is one of the best means of getting rid of your anxieties. It certainly requires no complicated measures to listen to good music. It is the most pleasant way to keep your emotions untroubled.” – Podolsky

“It can speak to us in deeper ways, that words can feel” – Bonny

Elizabeth Oosthuizen

IDEAS OF MUSIC YOU CAN USE:

FOR DEPRESSION:

• Violin Concerto K.216 by Mozart

• Violin Sonata no. 9 in A Major, op. 47 “Kreutzer” by Beethoven

• Violin Sonata no. 5 in F Major, op. 24 “Spring” by Beethoven

• Sonata in A Major for Violin and Orchestra by Franck

• “Ave Maria” by J.S. Bach and Gounod

CALMING MUSIC FOR WORK

• O Jerusalem by Hildegard van Bingen

• Voice of the Blood by Hildegard von Bingen

• Mandolin concertos by Vivaldi

• Guitar Quintets by Boccherini

• Harp Concerto by Handel

DRIVING HOME and RELAXING AFTER WORK

•Serenade from Quartet in F Major, Op. 3 No. 5 by Haydn

• Trio in B Major by Schubert

• Nocturnes and Walzes by Chopin

FOR CONCENTRATION AND STUDYING

• Goldberg Variations by J.S. Bach

• Well-Tempered Clavier by J.S. Bach

• Any piano sonata by Mozart

• The Four Seasons by Vivaldi

• Brandenberg concertos by J.S. Bach

Tai Chi for kids

2009-10-07T11:15:00.001+02:00

TAI CHI FOR KIDS

Tai chi has been practiced in China for centuries and it has become well known for its health benefits it produces. It is a ‘soft’ martial art and the movements are designed to achieve harmony, flexibility and strength. It provides a unique and complete exercise system that works to integrate the mind, body and emotions while focusing on movement with good posture.

It is often a misconception that tai chi is only for the elderly. With basic movements and visual imagery, it can be fun for children with great benefits which include:

• Trains co-ordination and balance;

• Good postural awareness and stability;

• Engages creativity and visualisation;

• Cultivates self discipline and emotional balance;

• Develops concentration, internal and external focus;

• Teaches cooperation with classmates;

• Helps to calm the mind.

Today’s children feel the effects of adult stress and the pressures of childhood. The aim of these classes is to teach holistic stress management skills to children at an early age – to provide relaxation, self awareness and relief from stress. Relaxation and tai chi are non-competitive, non-intrusive exercises which promotes the development of a healthy, balanced lifestyle. So much of life is about competing with others, while tai chi is done without judgment of being first or last.

For further information contact Renate at the International Tai Chi Society on 021 – 559 2873 or 083 336 6191. E-mail address: renatej@absamail.co.za