Alongazen: alongamentos e meditação guiada na Escola Superior de Ciências da Saúde na Universidade Estadual do Amazonas: um relato de experiência

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic, which began in 2020, has impacted people's physical and emotional health due to social isolation. In response to this scenario, the outreach project: STRETCHING AND GUIDED MEDITATION AT THE SCHOOL OF HEALTH (ESA): AN EXPERIENCE REPORT was created at the School of Health Sciences (ESA), with the aim of promoting physical and mental well-being through stretching and mindfulness meditation activities. Objective: The objective of this work is to describe my experiences as a scholarship holder of the outreach project developed for the community of the School of Health Sciences (ESA), based on an academic experience. Methodology: The methodology adopted was an experience report, emphasizing the benefits of stretching and meditation for physical and mental health. The project, carried out between July 2022 and July 2023, involved students from the Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing and Physical Education courses, with weekly 40-minute classes consisting of stretching, joint mobility and guided meditation. In addition to the practical classes, participants received educational videos and texts to continue the exercises outside of activity hours. Experience report: The activities were planned and organized respecting the biological individuality of the students, and the results demonstrated that there was a significant improvement in coordination, balance, flexibility, mobility, and body awareness, providing greater confidence and autonomy for the participants. And, meditation was described by the students as relaxing and relevant in helping with anxiety, concentration and Zen sleep. Final considerations: The experience lived as a scholarship holder, during the extension, allowed me to understand the importance of activities of this nature for people's well-being. I consider it a process of continuous learning on how to create a welcoming environment for all participants, in addition to being a unique experience that I will take with me to my academic life.