Mindfulness Stretching is a somatic practice, it has one focus one’s attention on sensations within the physical body. It subscribes to the thinking that stress and trauma are held in one’s body and that addressing physical stress relieves and heals deep wounds and hurts.

Mindfulness Stretching is couched from a western scientific perspective (in contrast to yoga’s eastern mysticism). It attributes the benefits derived to a calming of the Vagus Nerve and the parasympathetic nervous system which is demonstrated by an increase in Heart Rate Variability.

It is highly accessible for a vigilant / frantic mind (or a meditation / mindfulness novice), as it distracts one from our internal dialogue with immediately tangible bodily sensations.  All levels of flexibility are accommodated.

The practice also provides physical relief for many discomforts of a sedentary life and ageing generally, and it can assist people with ADHD, improving their ability to access their brain’s cognitive Executive Function thereby reducing impulsive behaviour.

CalmBeing is the brainchild of Principal Practitioner David Heap, who has developed his life-enhancing practice over more than a decade.

For many years, David has been helping thousands of Canberrans to care for both body and mind and build strength, wellbeing and peace-of-mind.

The simple principle of relaxing the body to quieten the brain and ease the mind is the foundation of the CalmBeing practices.

Mindfulness Stretching classes are a perfect antidote to the tension, stress, anxiety and chronic pain that can build up as we churn through our lives in this busy, noisy, hyper-connected world.

To enquire about stretching classes, trial lessons and course offerings contact David.

The three pillars of Mindfulness Stretching^TM using Relaxing Stretching, Sensational Stretching and Guided Breathing. Mindfulness Stretching^TM  is a careful and deliberate process of progressive relaxation to release muscle tension and relieve pain through breathing, extension and focus. Click on the links to find out more information about each of these techniques.

The therapeutic benefits of each are greatly enhanced when practiced simultaneously, as participants are guided through a series of stretches that work progressively across the whole physical body.

Mindfulness Stretching^TM classes are for everyone in Canberra and around the world. It doesn’t require any level of fitness or flexibility. It may particularly help those who work in stressful, office-based work environments, people who are recovering from injury and/or becoming active again after a long period of inactivity.

It is suitable for people of all shapes and sizes and all ages, and is often adapted to meet the needs or limitations of individual participants.

Check a couple of client testimonials below. 

What makes Mindfulness Stretching^TM special is that it is built on the core practice of stretching without exertion, making it inherently safe for every type of body. No matter what your body shape, strength or flexibility level, Mindfulness Stretching^TM works with your natural capacity for gentle movement and your own body’s instinct for its limits.

Guided by David, you stretch your body as far as it can comfortably reach without pain. Step by gentle step, tension, stress and worries are soothed away, along with chronic aches and pains, muscle tension and tightness.

It is low-impact, enjoyable and gentle. It is proven as an effective activity for managing anxiety and chronic aches and pains.

Mindfulness Stretching combines ancient traditional principles of meditation, mindfulness and strengthening practices such as yoga with the neuroscience behind the brain’s response to relaxation to deliver holistic health and wellbeing impact.

It is a practice that encourages relaxation, strength, resilience and wellbeing in a gentle and accumulative way. Practitioners find it instils mental and emotional calm and a sense of inner quietness.

It is also demonstrated to reduce chronic aches and pain. Practitioners report a reduction in the need for physiotherapy and other more interventionist treatment options. The physical relaxation of the body brought about by the progressive stretching techniques reduces chronic aches and pains and removes the physical manifestation of chronic stress.

This practice is designed for people of all levels of fitness and flexibility.

Relaxation Stretching practices are very safe. By their nature, they have an inbuilt internal safety mechanism. When a muscle does not feel intrinsically safe it is not likely to relax and extend, so the body’s apprehension reflex prevents extension and the breath is often held. The body will not naturally relax into an injury making the practice intrinsically protective.

As well, most relaxation stretches involve only a small distance of extension (1-2mm).  The Guided Breath Practices bring participants to the edge of the range of motion before the contract/relax process is initiated. This small extension brings the most benefit whilst minimising the risk of injury to the participant.

#stretching classes

CalmBeing’s Mindfulness Stretching classes and workshops encourage relaxation, body connection, wellbeing and sleep in a gentle and accumulative way. From the first session, participants find it brings mental and emotional calm and a sense of inner quietness. Mindfulness is built through focusing the mind on the sensations within the body as the stretch gently develops. Almost immediately the mind settles as the brain enters the alpha/theta brainwave state.

Stretching Classes run in 10 week blocks. They are suitable for all levels of fitness and can accommodate most physical aches and ailments. CalmBeing offers Mindfulness Stretching^TM classes in community venues in Canberra, in corporate settings and provides teacher training for those interested to bring calm into the lives of others. 

Not sure where to start?

Try our stand alone classes here