A workshop blending physical activity and art will aim to get more people active in Port Stephens.
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I Walk – I Run – I Drum, begins at Seaham on Sunday, with an emphasis on the rhythm of the body and a connection to nature.
“I’m hoping that exposing people to rhythm, movement and timing that they will feel more positive about running,” NSW Athletics Hunter Region development officer Bronwyn White said.
“We’ve got lots of running happening in the Hunter – more than ever – but this is about engaging a different group of people who might feel more apprehensive about running.”
Participants will engage in a professional drumming workshop with Phoebe Campbell, body percussion with Gambirra (Triple J Unearthed), and movement activities with supportive running coaches over the course of three hours.
The workshop is firmly pitched at Raymond Terrace people with free entry this Sunday to people from the 2324 postcode.
The Australian Health Trackers report last year found that 70.8 per cent of Raymond Terrace adults were obese.
“It’s easy for that to happen when we rely so much on our cars, driving so much, and being time poor,” Mrs White said.
“The workshop is targeted at those people, the ones intimidated by running and the ones that might be more artistically inclined.”
The workshop is the first project to stem from the recently finished Port Stephens Council cultural grants process.
Mrs White began to investigate the scientific benefits of running and music through the application process.
Herself a level 3 middle to long distance running coach, she discovered that when people walk, run, or drum they are using their bodies in a rhythmic way, alternating the stimulation or use of the right and left brain throughout the activity.
“Culturally healing rituals across the world for centuries have gravitated toward left and right brain movement,” she said.
“Africans, Kenyans and Ethiopians are so engaged in music, it forms part of their elite training. They focus on small movement, posture and really good technique and if people here focus more on these elements, they’re more likely to take up running.”
Mrs White said the scenery at Little Brandy Hill would also help “ground them”.
“Running can be meditative,” she said.
“It’s about a connection to the earth.”
Dave Hukka Videography will also compile footage of this and subsequent workshops to submit a short film to the Run Nation Running Film Festival.
The workshop will take place from 1pm to 4pm on Sunday.
For more information about the event and to register visit the Facebook page.