I’m so thrilled to once again be amongst the group of experts advising ASICS on their wellbeing project, Movement for Mind. I love working with ASICS because of their holistic philosophy of Sound Mind in a Sound Body. As a strong believer in the mind-body connection, I think it’s admirable that ASICS always goes the extra mile to espouse the positive impact that movement has on the mind.

 

Movement for Mind is a simple programme for body and mind designed by ASICS and their chosen pool of experts, with the simple objective of getting people moving.

Research shows that movement can have a huge positive impact on our physical and mental wellbeing. So ASICS developed an 8-week movement-based programme that people might actually enjoy doing. 

The Movement for Mind programme aims to promote regular movement breaks outside and in nature to reconnect with the big wide world away from our screens, improve our mood, physical and mental well-being and overcome sedentary habits. 

One of the participants and ASICS EMEA head of HR, Katja Meeuwsen-Nass explains: “As VP HR of a company that literally stands for healthy minds in healthy bodies, I want to actively encourage our people to move more to recharge body and mind. We need to break the constant work cycle and give ourselves a moment to disconnect from our screens and reconnect with ourselves and the world around us.”

The programme is available on all podcast platforms and it is essentially an audio guide that you can listen to whilst walking or running. Twice a week, you are invited to do a 30-minute session guided by a team of wellbeing experts with a specific focus, namely:

  • David Lenneman: Global Team Captain of our ASICS FrontRunner community
  • Gray Caws: Movement and Breath Coach.
  • Roos Tij: Coach and Mindful Movement Expert.
  • Dr Claire Renfrew: Chartered Psychologist specialising in music psychology, currently working in the music industry.
  • Ian Banyard: Wellbeing Author and Nature Connection Guide.
  • Dr Danny Penman: Author and Meditation and Mindfulness Expert.
  • And of course me, Dominique Antiglio: Sophrology Expert, Author, and pioneer of Sophrology in the UK.

 

We first developed the concepts, after which, each expert brought specific knowledge and expertise in a very practical and doable way and recorded their part of the programme on audio recordings.

The beauty of this programme is that everyone can do it; there is no need to be physically fit, for example, and it will bring you to your next level of awareness and health. 

In collaboration with Dr Brendon Stubbs from Kings College London, ASICS tested the impact of this short and accessible audio-based movement programme on 200 workers’ wellbeing. Results from the large-scale, randomised control trial show it boosts mental wellbeing, lifts mood and lowers anxiety. 

This is so important, now more than ever, with stress and anxiety being amplified by the ever-changing and highly-demanding lifestyles many of us have now. Since many have shifted to hybrid work or work-from-home environments, we have more time to be with family and spend less time commuting, but also spend less time moving. It’s so easy to get carried away working and sitting in the same seat, while staring at the same screen, for hours on end. 

To try the programme for yourself, head here. I hope you will enjoy the Sophrology sessions of week 4! To read the full report of the programme’s results head here. 

 Thank you, ASICS for all that you do in the wellness world!