Body Language, Creative Expression And Personal Branding

I have taught numerous courses based on the theme of Body Language, including the following titles:

The outline below describes the course: Body Language, Creative Expression and Personal Branding.

Description

Your professional and personal development can be a creative, invigorating and satisfying activity. However, why is it that often you find yourself uncreative, under stress, worn out and dissatisfied? Over time, these conditions create tension in the body until you "suddenly" have pain: in the neck, shoulders, back, hips, feet, etc. This is your body talking to you – the language of the body. Innovation and learning can only happen when self-confidence and expression are not hindered and have room for expansion.

Taking the time to look deeper into the movement patterns and habits which govern your daily actions will produce surprising and meaningful insights about your self-image and your means of interacting with people. Awareness of your body language is the first step. Observation of others is next. Action with awareness and observation leads to creative expression. Expression of your creative self is the basis of your personal branding.

This training is participatory and interactive, and touches the entire self. The mind is moved and stretched along with the body. Many training workshops emphasise the importance of setting goals and achieving them. This workshop de-emphasises the goals and places the importance on the process. Where you are going is not as critical as how you are getting there. And how you are getting there becomes enjoyable and a creative challenge with an increased sense of self-esteem and expressive capabilities through body awareness.

Learning Objectives

• Attention to and awareness of your self-image
• Observe habits and patterns which help or hinder you
• Use your body language to your advantage
• Understand nonverbal elements of eye contact, facial expression, gesture, touch and breath control
• Increase ability to interact more effectively with colleagues, supervisors, staff, clients, students, friends and family
• Activate your personal presence and power
• Discover the uniqueness of your personal branding
• Create an alive, alert, awake attitude

Outline Of The Two-Day Seminar

Day One

9:00-10:30

Introductions and icebreakers
Videotape introductions of self
Understanding body awareness
Partner exercise to observe mannerisms

10:30-10:45

Tea Break

10:45-12:30

Habits and mannerisms
Playback of videotaped introductions
Body language basics: eye contact, facial expression, gesture, touch, posture, movement, space and distance

12:30-1:30

Lunch

1:30-3:00

Language of the body: metaphors
Self-descriptions and personality
The masks we wear

3:00-3:15

Tea Break

3:15-5:00

Body profile: awareness, attitude and posture
Individual movement analysis
Body alignment and dynamic posture
Roots and wings

Day One

9:00-10:30

Warm-up exercises and stretches
Proxemics: space around you and between you and others
Personal space: territory, boundaries, owning your space
Interpersonal space: appropriate distance, greetings, handshakes, touch, eye contact
Visual examples
Positioning

10:30-10:45

Tea Break

10:45-12:30

Strengths and weaknesses
Videotape II: Performance assessment
Breathing: the foundation of performance

12:30-1:30

Lunch

1:30-3:00

Expression: planning and spontaneity
Playback of videotaped presentations
Nonverbal communication

3:00-3:15

Tea Break

3:15-5:00

Creative expression: alive and awake attitude
Intentional inhibitions
Personal Branding - putting it all together
Wrap-up and Evaluations