Take a whole day to step back from traffic, deadlines and stress to explore the pleasures of slowing down. Join us for Slow Down London Day at Foyles, Charing Cross on 26 June.

The day will begin with a session on developing mindfulness, trying out simple meditation exercises which help us move out of ‘automatic pilot’ to bringing awareness into everyday life. Then awaken your taste buds as the Youth Food Movement presents a slow food tasting and discussion. After lunch, explore the little pleasures of London with Hayley Cull, co-author of Slow London. And finally, rediscover the joys of putting pen to paper with poet Miriam Nash.

You can book your place now on the Foyles website. (Please scroll down).

The day’s schedule:

10:30-10:45 –Welcome from Slow Down London

10:45-11:45 Being Mindful
Start the day with a session on developing mindfulness with Tessa Watt and Deepa Patel, directors of Slow Down London. How often are we caught in a whirlwind of speed and stress, missing the present moment because we’re constantly thinking about what we have to do next? Explore simple meditation exercises which help us move out of ‘automatic pilot’, bringing awareness into every day activities like breathing, hearing and walking.

12:00-1:00 Slow Food
The Youth Food Movement will host a session on what’s in season, the ways in which we use our senses when cooking and eating, and the fantastic flavours unlocked when we try foods that are local and ‘slow’.

Lunch break – weather permitting, join us for a picnic in nearby Phoenix Gardens, a small city centre idyll run by local volunteers. Bring your lunch or buy food nearby.

2:00-3:00 The little things
London is full of places that invite you to stop and stare and listen; histories and secrets lay in every old street or snippet of conversation. This depth and texture makes London a perfect place to go slow. In this session we’ll share our favourite little things about the city and encourage you to explore the area with a slow mindset. Led by Hayley Cull, co-author of Slow London published by Hardie Grant.

3:15-4:15 – Snail Mail
When was the last time you wrote a letter? What happens when you start? Developed in partnership with Slow Down London, this creative letter writing workshop explores the forgotten art of letter writing, opening new and unexpected doors to creativity. Led by poet Miriam Nash.

4:15-4:30 – Closing from Slow Down London

To book a place please visit the Foyles website:
http://www.foyles.co.uk/events.asp(please scroll down)

Image: jcoterhals

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