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Quisque: Porttitor

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Equine Learning Experiences Australia

Newsletter # 5 April 2013

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The ELEA herd have been supporting students from

Phoenix College in gaining awareness around Respect,

Authenticity and Emotional Intelligence.

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We have rolled into 2013 with an amazing group of students from Phoenix College attending weekly equine assisted learning programs .

Six young ladies from the Ballarat school have been making the trip to the Unicorn Park Equestrian Centre (thanks to their dedicated teacher Anna Coloe) and have opened themselves up to the experience of learning about themselves and increasing their self awareness through the wisdom of the horse.

We are 5 weeks into a ten week program with the students and have so far explored with the ELEA herd awareness around emotions, authenticity, mindfulness, problem solving and healthy boundaries to name a few. All the students have been very engaged in the process and it has been lovely seeing their smiling faces arrive each week eager to start each session.

I have asked the students to articulate their learning to date so here is a snippet from each participant and their journey’s to date through the ELEA schools program…

Phoenix College / ELEA Life Skills Program

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Since I started the ELEA schools program it’s changed my personality and has put me in a better life style. Grounding myself has taken a big part in my new personality.

Tiaa : )

During the ELEA equine learning program I have learnt to control my anger, by not letting me mind take over my emotions. I have also learnt our bodies send out energy or signals and the other person or animal senses your emotions or feelings from your energy. I also learnt new words such as congruence: meaning that what your feeling on the outside affects what your feeling on the inside. Grounding: meaning that your able to connect and feel the movements of everything around you. Problem Solving: meaning that you try something differently if the way your trying isn’t working. Being Fully present: meaning that your more focused on your bodies feelings not what your mind is feeling. Connection: meaning that your able to connect with the horses by focusing on your surroundings not your mind. I also got to work with Emily and the horses Sally, Maddie, January Jones, Razzle Dazzle and Ruby. Being close to the horses is like having another friend or family member because you get so attached and loving towards them. I also learnt about authentic and false self voices. False Self meaning that someone or yourself is believing something that isn’t right or true and authentic self meaning that you know and believe whats true and how you or your body really is. Krystal – April 2013

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Since the ELEA schools program has started I have become a better person. I am a lot more respectful and know now how to keep calm.I have learnt to ground myself when needed.

Throughout this program I have not just learnt about horses but mostly about myself. Thanks Em xx Shara

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

During  the  first  5  weeks  of  the  ELEA  schools  program  I  learnt  about  using  my  body  to  think  about  things    not  just  my  head.    

I  now  think  about  things  and  situations  more  and  not  just  act  straight  away.  I  think  the  grounding  helps  me  to  relax  and  calm  down  a  lot.  I  use  that  a  fair  bit.    

I  honour  my  emotions  and  others  also.  This  course  has  helped  my  anger.  I  do  not  hide  from  my  emotions  and  snap.  I  honour  them  -­‐    Natasha  Wilson  

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During  the  ELEA  schools  program  I  have  learnt  how  to  ground  myself  and  communicate  better.  I  have  been  controlling  my  anger  more  in  classes  and  at  home.  With  my  life  wheel  I  have  started  focussing  on  what  I  want  to  do  when  I  am  older  and  when  I  leave  school.  I  now  start  to  look  at  other  people’s  point  of  view  and  not  just  my  own.      Teegan  –  April  2013  

 During  the  program  I  have  learnt  a  lot  of  things.  I  have  learnt  to  ground  myself  and  use  my  body  not  my  head.  I  have  learnt  to  do  things  differently  not  just  do  things  the  same  way  as  everyone  else.  I  think  about  other  people’s  feelings  and  not  just  my  own.  I  communicate  better  with  others.  With  my  life  wheel  I  have  been  thinking  about  what  I  can  do.  I  am  trying  to  do  some  work  experience  at  CURVES.  I  love  doing  this  program.  I  love  being  with  the  horses,    I  have  learnt  so  much  about  myself,  but  the  best  thing  I  have  been  learning  while  having  fun.  Pippie  (Shayden  Lever)    

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Young Adult Empowerment Program – February 2013

It was great to kick off the year with another group of fresh faced Young Adults from the ‘Young Adult Empowerment Program’. This was the fourth YAE program that the Committee for Ballarat has run and is funded by the Department of Education and Workplace Relations. To date the YAE program has had 57 young adults from the Ballarat region participate, and the results and achievements of the YAE program has made a positive difference to many young adults in our community which in turn has seen them step forward with more confidence, direction and a sense of self.

When the YAE participants were asked what learning they were able to draw upon from their ELEA equine assisted learning experience some of the feedback included…..“It was interesting to learn how influential our attitudes and emotions are to our surrounding environment” – Keegan

‘That the energy you give out effects others even if your outwardly showing it. I have learnt to have a wider view when upset and realize there is more than one option” – Emma

‘Oh so life changing, I now know that I can change things from being more aware of my mood- Jen

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Michelle Dennis – Liberty Trainer

Over the Easter holidays ELEA hosted an amazing horse woman and liberty trainer from Queensland, Michelle Dennis. During her visit we held 2 weekend clinics , a showcase performance and private tuition. Michelle also spent many hours working with the ELEA herd of horses and teaching me a new level of relationship with my herd and our how we connect and interact with each other. Michelle will be visiting again later on in the year so if your interested in being trained by Michelle bookings can be made through ELEA.

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Sponsors and Supporters:

Ø Greg and the Team at the Haymarket

Ø Andy Stock at Mr Ed Equine Products

Ø Phoenix College - Sebastopol

Ø Committee for Ballarat – Young Adult Empowerment Program

Ø Tracy Landt – Unicorn Park Equestrian Centre

The year to date has been full of some wonderful experiences with the ELEA team. The wisdom and authenticity of the ELEA herd continues to support people in changing people’s lives in a positive way. It is a humbling experience to be part of the journey.

For all enquiries about ELEA programs either for Youth / Schools, Women , Disability sector, Employment Readiness Leadership or Team Building please contact Emily McVeigh by phone on # 0415 991 115 or email on emily@elea.com.au or go to the ELEA website for more information www.elea.com.au