Afsar is a fantastic coach, and is a pleasure to speak with. He is brilliant at listening to all of your cluttered, messy thoughts and being able to summarise what you are saying in a way that makes your overwhelmed confusion make sense. I find myself leaving our sessions with a level of clarity I haven’t had before, and feeling fully heard and listened to. His approach of being able to discuss and understand the root cause of some feelings, perceptions and difficulties whilst keeping the session forward-thinking, positive and proactive is thoroughly refreshing and efficient. I highly recommend Afsar!
I feel comfortable speaking about the complexities around the sensitivities around my previous experiences, which I rarely share due to fear of judgment. The strength of the sessions is that at no point have I felt judged, allowing me to open up and gain a fuller experience. Conversations are nuanced and explored effectively, and I have been amazed at Afzar’s ability to navigate areas where other professionals have failed. The conversations from my perspective often feel like my own random rambles. Still, the fundamental strength of the sessions has been the ability of Afzar to connect these rambles through effective questioning, supporting me to discover the truth and meaning behind what is that I need rather than what I think I want, without any imposition from him.
It gave a safe space to explore different ideas and actively listen to others perspectives
I will most definitely be doing my walks more mindfully, noticing all the positive in everything and noting why particular things make us happy. Loved the positive vibes…friendly and non judgemental atmosphere- loved it even if my legs didn’t at the end. And the little one said he liked everything- he made sure I put this in!!!! It’s a win for us 🥰
Techniques were very good made me feel like I was floating once the massage finished
GROW technique and unexpected and spontaneous realisations of my biases and openly admitting to them in a safe space.
The massage was very therapeutic and helped alleviate stress in my trapezius.
Can and will stop you to redirect flow-of-counsciousness, will also let you run with it if it’s helping you work something out. Understanding and approachable, supportive.
I was having trouble with self-permission as a result of an embedded trauma response. Afsar helped me to overcome that so I was able to make a significant breakthrough. In the short time since that happened, I have been able to make a series of life changes with ease.
Strengths: knowing history (previous sessions), reiterating the situation back to me to confirm understanding, asking questions, being open to listening, being open to learning new things. Areas of improvement: First ever session, to explain that the sessions were separate to my company (which instills more feeling of security), and how the topics of exploration could be as broad as they are (instead of being limited to neurodiversity) – the sessions are great 🙂
I have nothing to complain about. The sessions have been incredibly useful and really enjoyable, if not always easy.
Coaching reflective of what is put in by the patient / client. More open and invested, the more possible gains. I believe I have derived more benefits from being more open in describing the various issues I am struggling with (not just work). Have found the coaching sessions to have been very supportive, encouraging, and insightful. I wonder if perhaps short little summaries of points discussed and plans might be helpful? (I think this already happens, but would have to refer back to my notes to confirm this).
Very calm and safe environment, enjoyed it thoroughly
This is a great and informative session very grateful to learn about this all!
Speaker very clear and engaging and liked how he adapted what was spoken about in the during our session and incorporated it into the session.
The pedagogical approach made us feel empowered and helped us know what we were doing that’s working and where we need to develop. The importance of inner work was communicated so well. Afsar is a highly respectful, knowledgeable, practical and sensitive facilitator and his session has been incredibly helpful and supportive at a very challenging time for PGCE student teachers.
The introductions at the meeting point, The independent walk, Debrief session and sharing the photos, Walking away with a feel-good psychological intervention, All was lovely and was nice to meet new people
A great place to meet like minded people who are interested in reading! Very convenient as opposed to travelling every week and easy to make time for. I feel more confident with reading out loud! My birthday resolution was to be part of and join a club or start an activity & this was like the universe heard and dropped this group into my hands! Such a brilliant sense of community & I love yapping and I love reading so it’s been amazing, I’m already sad this book is nearly over! Also I loved the book even though it has heavy themes, it’s important to read books like this. The sessions have been brilliant too and I loved the structure of the introduction, breakout sessions and joint reading. It gives people the chance to discuss opinions, even if they’re shy or more introverted. There is no pressure and it’s a very welcoming space to share. The hosts are amazing too! 🙂
The accountability to read in a safe place to share and learn, a great way to connect what we are reading with the muted voices in every day life, be they our ancestors, family members, selves or the wider world. I enjoyed connect to fellow human beings which made me feel hopeful about the future. I love that the group is open to being flexible about what actually happens in the sessions. With often heavy and emotionally draining themes it is very effective that we can spend the majority of a session talking about the wider world and how themes in the book are applicable to current affairs and everyday lives. Keep on keeping on!
It’s a place to share and feel heard. Even if we do not agree always with each other – there is a respect and sense of holding each other and space for that thought. Keep doing what you’re doing 🤲🏽✨
The reading club has made me feel excited to read and confident to speak up!
The accountability to read and to reflect on the book and different people’s interpretations were my highlights. I am more engaged with reading as a hobby, so thank you!
Coaching has allowed me to feel as if my troubles are manageable. For quite some time, I have felt like the issues I am dealing with are too great of a challenge to resolve so I must learn how to shoulder this heavy weight. However, the practical tools coaching has put in place has once again demonstrated how I don’t have to live with the issues rather, I can combat the issues using the step by step guidance provided. It genuinely feels like a huge relief knowing that I don’t have to live with the issues I’m facing.
I was able to talk without any interruptions or judgement. I myself was made to look for the solutions which allowed me to think in a different way than I normally would.
Really good session, and at a really good time of the course just as things were getting a bit more stressful. Probably wasn’t your fault but this session would have been better if it had happened earlier in the day. Whatever is taught in a twilight session always feels like it has less importance placed on it
Laughing with you all and having a good time – also loved the debrief! Always a wholesome way of bringing people together ❤️
Book club is my favourite night of the week! A lovely safe and supportive space, very thoughtful and inquisitive
An amazing and supportive community feel, feel connected and really love it! Thank you for creating this beautiful space!
Techniques were very good made me feel like I was floating once the massage finished
Really enjoyed the whole experience and had a good relaxing massage. Was very professional and I felt safe and comfortable getting a massage and cupping session from a male.
My favourite part was learning some history of cupping and the conversations of how the therapy works and it’s practices. I particularly enjoyed the back massage especially the technique of pushing the tension from the bottom of the spine all the way up to the back of the skull.
As stated above, I am only 2 sessions in and I have found Afsar to be incredibly valuable already. Afsar has given me tools, techniques and resources to deal with both immediate and medium term challenges. Afsar pauses at the right time, gives me time and support at the right moments, completely understands me and I feel safe in his presence within our sessions, to talk about everything. Afsar is also able to keep the sessions focused, on time and to agreed outputs as well as letting the sessions organically flow where required.
Afsar was particularly good in letting me lead a lot of the time in each session, making sure I get what is most helpful to me out of the coaching.
Afsar has a really strong understanding and knowledge of Psychology and also neurodiversity. I found this helped me to find the words to explain myself better. I’m used to trying to over explain to non ND colleagues but I learned how to explain better and when to stop explaining. This sounds simple but it has helped reduce my frustration and not being understood. He also was very reassuring and focussed on being kind to myself about how my brain works. It is ok to not be the same as everyone else and to understand that it works differently for me. I have learned when to recognise when it is best for me to take a step back and assess rather than keep ploughing ahead and getting frustrated.
Thank you very much Afsar and thank you for putting up with my upset weeks which came out of the blue. Highly recommend you 🙂
Very engaging and impactful. Thank you for this session it has helped me very much for my development as a teacher.
Everything was amazing!! Afsar created a safe and comfortable space for us to engage and share our ideas
The session has been amazing so far and super beneficial
great work extremely informative and a great safe place
Really enjoyed this lesson. Thank you Afsar
Really enjoyed the debrief session and sharing the photos, Walking away with a feel-good psychological intervention
The quiet time in the woods was nice and reflective and the independent walk, debrief session and sharing the photos.
I think the sessions ticks all the boxes .. it keeps us updated on the themes of the book and what everyone thinks of them, it’s a beautifully peaceful hour that I think all of us need in our week. I feel more at ease, and part of a beautiful community .. it’s such a safe and a beautiful space, so much so that I find myself looking forward to it throughout the week. Everyone is so lovely and Afsar and Ayesha do a wonderful job in navigating all aspects, remaining kind and thoughtful and also effectively going through the themes of the book itself, it’s a blessing to say the least!
It was nice to hear everyone’s thoughts on the book. I feel like Wednesday’s come very fast because of the book club. This date works really well for me. There was a community feel. I liked the Zoom rooms to hold discussions and then come back with everyone and have one person speak for the group. Takes the pressure of introverted quiet souls like myself who still want to be a part of it. I also liked the style of the sessions. I can’t believe it’s going to be ending very soon! I have felt calmer being part of the reading club and have been reading a lot more! It has been a goal for a long time and so far I’ve read 3 books since starting the reading club. It’s nice having likeminded people around to motivate you.
Great place for community, but not so much for reading – the reading aloud segments were initially very hard for me to follow along with, but a great idea that I wish my mind would get behind more readily. Initially, I had to re-read any segments that we read together during zoom sessions. However because of the reading club I feel more connected to the wider community, the world, and voices that are not elevated enough.
The format this season has been nice with breakout rooms. I enjoyed the mindfulness intro we did the other week.
It is a bit more difficult with more people but breakout rooms is a good idea. I feel able to express thoughts and feelings about current affairs and deep social topics.