ESF 2019 is an opportunity to meet old friends and new from across the UK and Europe. As One Jamat we invite you to join in the fun. The weekend will be packed full of social spaces and exciting activities for every age and interest from arts and culture to personal wellbeing. We invite all members of the Jamat to unite in taking part in a range of non-sporting activities.
SATURDAY
Tai Chi
Saturday 20 April 12pm-1pm, DRSV Studio 2
Introductory session to the internal energy arts of Tai Chi and Chi Kung. Gentle healing exercises suitable for all ages and levels of fitness. Learn to incorporate mindful breathing, movement and awareness of Chi to help restore balance and inner harmony of body and mind. Tai Chi is often referred to as a moving meditation, as such the holistic exercises help to create more inner peace and calm. Faeeza Keshavjee will be teaching this introductory session. She has over 15 years experience of teaching Infinite Tai Chi and Qi Gong along with Meditation and Stress Management. She brings to her teaching a profound understanding of these ancient arts and the underlying wisdom. She has studied eastern philosophy and traditions and in particular the healing aspects of Qi Gong. Her teaching integrates various stress management techniques utilising the wisdom and teachings of the ‘Infinite Arts’, with the intention to assist others on their path of good health, self development and well being.
Bollyfit
Saturday 20 April 1pm-2pm, DRSV Studio 2
Bollyfit focuses on taking Indian dance styles into a fun, invigorating 1 hour workout that will leave you energised and rejuvenated. The class works your legs, glutes, abs and arms all while showing off your best Bollywood dance moves. Aliya Meghjee started Bollyfit at the beginning of 2019; it has been a success from day one with sold out classes every week. This is a class you won't want to miss out on!
Building Resilience in our Youth
Saturday 20 April 3pm-4pm, DRSV Studio 2
An interactive session for parents to understand the effect of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and the increased use of Social Media on the mental and physical wellbeing of our children. Run by Dr Shermina Sayani, this session will provide a unique opportunity for peer discussion with other parents on how we can encourage our children to be more resilient to these pressures and the kind of behavioural changes to look out for. An untouched subject, but one that we need to talk about. Join us on Saturday 20th April at 3pm in Studio 2 in DRSV. Dr Shermina Sayani is a Consultant Developmental Paediatrician working with children in care and safeguarding. She has a special interest in mental health.
SUNDAY
iCERV & IVC
Sunday 21 April 10am-12pm, EMCC Atrium/Lobby
iCERV & IVC are pleased to partner with The Salvation Army to deliver packages for the homeless and vulnerable people in Nottingham. Join us on Sunday 21 April at 10am in the Atrium/Lobby to prepare the goody bags. At 11:30am, we will head into Nottingham City Centre to hand out the goody bags. At peak times around 40-50 homeless people will come for food. This is guaranteed to be a humbling and inspiring experience for all. To sign up, please email [email protected]
Sports, Energy and Nutrition (Duration - 1 hour, Capacity - 60 people)
Sunday 21 April 1pm-2pm, DRSV Studio 2
Adria Wu, a Natural Chef and Founder of Maple & Co, will be showing us how to improve our energy levels based on human nutrition needs and better lifestyle habits. According to the Royal College of Psychiatrists at any given time one in five people feel unusually tired and one in ten have prolonged fatigue. When people are busy and have limited time, its easy to grab food from the nearest location or default to a take away meal without considering what will best support our energy levels. We may reach for sugary snacks to get us back on an even keel or boost before a sports activity, without being conscious of the direct negative impact these foods have on us feeling exhausted in the first place. Adria will help us break that cycle and looks at how to develop a healthy and balanced approach to eating that helps to maximize energy throughout the day. She will provide practical advice on how to bring this into daily diets, discusses healthier snack options and provide an understanding of how maintaining balance in other areas of life can support overall energy levels for an active lifestyle.
Mindfulness for Stress Workshop (Duration - 1 hour, Capacity 15 people, age 18+ only)
Sunday 21 April 11am-12.30pm, DRSV Studio 2
Mindfulness is about being fully aware of whatever is happening in the present moment, without filters or the lens of judgement. Mindfulness activities can be practiced to improve your mental, physical and emotional well-being. Mindfulness has been found to be helpful for a range of difficulties, including depression, anxiety, health difficulties and sleep problems. It helps us to focus on the present moment, rather than on worries or sad thoughts about things that have happened in our past, or what we expect to happen in the future. This session will be facilitated by Femida Hirji and Zara Kanji.
ACROSS THE ESF WEEKEND (FRIDAY - SUNDAY)
Laughter Yoga
Friday 19 April 3pm-4pm, Conference Suite 2 & Saturday 20 April 11am-12pm, Banqueting Hall
Laughter Yoga can help to relieve stress, anxiety, depression, improve your self-confidence and help you sleep better. It also can help to improve your immune system. Laughter Yoga is based on the philosophy of ‘Acting Happiness’. It is a process that allows you to laugh, even if you don’t feel like it. It involves laughter exercises, rhythmic clapping exercises and deep breathing techniques from yoga. Laughter Yoga is empowering. It teaches you that you can CHOOSE to laugh, when you want to, for no reason other than you can. When you FEEL good, you have clearer thoughts and this has a positive impact on all aspects of your life. “Laughter may not solve your problems, but it can help dissolve your problems!” NB no yoga experience or attire is required. Just come with an open mind, comfortable clothes and comfortable footwear.
Blend it Like Beckham
Friday 19 April 12pm-6pm, Saturday 20 April 10am-6pm, Sunday 21 April 10am-6pm, DRSV Patio
Get into gear and pedal your way to create your very own smoothie! Using state of the art “smoothie bikes” to blend your concoction, we can guarantee you’ll never get tyre-d of this one. Find us outside the David Ross Sports Village, all day, throughout the weekend!
Zumba
Saturday 20 April 11am-12pm & Sunday 21 April 4pm-5pm, DRSV Studio 2
An awesome way to dance with your family & friends to Salsa, Latin beats & Afro fusion music whilst getting fit. Bring your trainers, a big smile, a towel, some water and plenty of energy. It’s going to be hot!
Mind, Body & Fun Zone + Kitab Zone
Friday 19 April 1pm-4.30pm, Saturday 20 April 11am-4.30pm, Sunday 21 April 11am-4.30pm, EMCC Banqueting Hall A&B
A space to relax and mingle, for all ages, over a cup of chai. Play some board games and bingo, laugh your way through yoga and take some quiet time to read in our Kitab Zone.
Kitab Zone at ESF
Come and join us in the Kitab Zone, where you can take time out to learn, discover, converse, and connect. Whether you’d like to explore our collection of books, exchange stories with friends old and new, meet and chat with an Alwaez, the Kitab Zone will have something for you. Come and learn about the rich diversity of our worldwide Jamat, and about the principles and ethics of our faith. Parents and children can also learn about ways to encourage reading, and enjoy their favourite books at story time. Members of the Jamat and non-Ismaili family members of all ages are invited to grab a cup of tea and visit the Kitab Zone, where you will find a friendly and warm welcome throughout the ESF weekend.
An Introduction to Emotional Intelligence
Saturday 20 April 4pm-5pm & Sunday 21 April 2pm-3pm, DRSV Studio 2
Would you like to better understand your emotions and the emotions of others? Do you want to enhance your interpersonal relationships both socially and at work? Are you interested in working with emotional information to achieve your goals? If yes, then please come join us in an introductory session on Emotional Intelligence frameworks and see how you can use them in social and professional contexts.
Early Years' Zone
Friday 19 April 2pm-4pm, DRSV Patio, Saturday 20 April & Sunday 21 April 10am-5pm, DRSV Studio 1
Think your little one could be a future story teller? A creative artist? An Olympic medallist? A UN peace negotiator? Or simply anything they can dream of becoming? Join us at the ESF Early Years' Zone to explore your child's talents and Meet, Compete and Unite in a playful and supportive environment.
The EY Zone is a unique opportunity for families with children ages 0-5 years to connect across our diverse Jamat and enjoy ESF 2019 as One Jamat. The EY Zone will be open on both Saturday and Sunday for families with children aged 0-5 years.
On the Parenting Journey
Friday 19 April 1pm-2pm, Saturday 20 April 12pm-1pm, 2-3pm & Sunday 21 April 1pm-2pm, EMCC Conference Suites 2A, 2B & 2C
Vinyasa Intermediate Yoga (Duration - 1 hour, Capacity - Unlimited)
Saturday 20 April and Sunday 21 April 10am-11am, DRSV Studio 2
Vinyasa is a type of yoga that links movement and breath to attain balance in the mind and body. From the Sanskrit “to place in a special way,” Vinyasa aligns a deliberate sequence of poses with the breath to achieve a continuous flow. Inhalation is usually connected to upward, open movements, while exhalation is often tied to downward movements or twists. Yasmin Mangalji will be facilitating Vinyasa Yoga at ESF 2019. Yasmin is a practicing Technology lawyer. She completed her teacher training in Vinyasa Yoga in 2011 while living in Dubai and now teaches as a hobby. NB this is intermediate Yoga and all attendees should bring their own Yoga mat.
Stretch, Breathe, Meditate Yoga
Friday 19 April and Saturday 20 April, EMCC Conference Suite 4
A class touching on basic yoga poses that dwells into breath work to prepare the mind for meditation.
