Katy, Liberate Graduate
(previously called The Holistic Reset)
I am delighted to enthusiastically recommend the Liberate course, which has been expertly devised and delivered by Cecilia Ballan and her lovely team of guest contributors.
Having had a really tough 6 months following my husband’s diagnosis with cancer, I felt depleted - physically and mentally - from all the worry and anxiety and definitely in need of a ‘reset’. I was initially apprehensive about joining the course: Would I have enough time to devote to yet another commitment? Would this be yet another call on my time? I am a very private person, would I feel comfortable joining the online group discussions (I was sure not!!)? Would I learn anything new that would really help?
I am pleased to report that this course has been without doubt the best thing I’ve done in the past 6 months.
Why?
I’ve learned a lot, for very little effort and time commitment on my part. I have learned so much – both theory and practice - from the online lecture programme and unexpectedly I have enjoyed, as well as benefited from, the ‘live’ group discussions and practice sessions. Some of the things I’ve learned have been truly life-changing and are techniques I will cherish and continue to use forever. For, example, I’ve learned how to calm an anxious mind through breathing techniques and using ‘resourcing’; I have also gained a better insight and understanding of my own physiology and learned to treat emotions as helpful ‘messengers’ rather than negatives.
The format of the course is flexible – One of the best parts about the course is that it is extremely flexible, you can fit it around your busy life. For example, I would often listen to the Monday lecture – like a podcast - whilst on a walk or commute, so it is very easy to fit into daily life. Each week there is an online lecture, followed by live sessions. The live sessions are on zoom, if you don’t feel like joining or can’t join the live sessions that week, the recording is uploaded to listen in your own time on ‘playback’. So basically the course is amazingly flexible.
The environment is warm, fun and supportive – I was apprehensive about joining the live sessions but really enjoyed them and ended up looking forward to them each week. The chat about the lecture was supportive, warm, friendly and no pressure to say anything if you didn’t want to. It is helpful and interesting to hear the thoughts of other participants, so much more interactive and fun than some online courses which are just flat boring recordings. It is also nice to know that you have a check-in with the course leader in case you have any questions.
I tried new things! I tried new things - breathing exercises, meditation, mindful art – that I probably would never have tried on my own. Unexpectedly, I’ve loved all of the sessions and got a lot out of them. For example, I would never have tried mindful art and I didn’t think I would benefit from it, but I really enjoyed it and the picture is still pinned to my fridge reminding me of how to stay strong when things get tough! Also I tried yoga nidra (meditative sleep) for the first time, which - as a busy, hyperactive person - I would never have chosen to try otherwise!
You get to keep the course forever! The added bonus of the course is that all the lectures and course sessions are available to use forever! This is so reassuring to know that if I want to practice or re-run a yoga or meditation session, it is there waiting to dip into again in future as and when I need it.
I thoroughly recommend the Liberate course and I thank Cecilia and all the guest lecturers for putting together such a helpful, flexible and supportive course that has been one of the best things I’ve participated in.