SPECIAL CLASS ON "THE ART OF FLEXING YOUR MIND AND SOUL"

 **REPORT ON THE SESSION:

“The Art of Flexing Your Mind and Soul”**

Organized by the Guidance Cell, Government College of Teacher Education, Thycaud, Thiruvananthapuram

---

Introduction

The Guidance Cell of the Government College of Teacher Education (GCTE), Thycaud, Thiruvananthapuram, organized an enriching and thought-provoking session titled “The Art of Flexing Your Mind and Soul.” The session was led by Sreelakshmi L. S, a skilled Counselling Psychologist known for her academic excellence and professional experience across clinical, academic and organizational domains. The programme aimed to guide teacher trainees toward greater mental flexibility, emotional awareness, and holistic well-being—qualities essential for future educators.

The event began with a formal introduction and a structured inaugural ceremony featuring the principal, faculty members, student representatives, and the organizers of the Guidance Cell. The prayer was rendered by Adrija I. Kumar, and the session was anchored smoothly by Asha Ashok Kumar, who ensured the event progressed gracefully.

The formal introduction of the resource person was delivered by Smt. Asha Krishna, Assistant Professor, Department of Educational Psychology, who highlighted the relevance of counselling psychology in contemporary educational settings.

---

Inaugural Session

The presidential address was delivered by Prof. Dr. A. V. Sujith, Principal, GCTE, who emphasized the increasing importance of mental health empowerment among students and educators. He spoke about the evolving challenges in modern education and how psychological guidance equips teacher candidates to handle diverse classroom situations, behavioural issues, and personal stress.

A special mention was made about the significance of the Guidance Cell, led by Asha Ma’am, and the Placement Cell, coordinated by Rahul Sir. The principal elaborated on how these “twin cells,” both nurtured under the leadership of faculty from Educational Psychology, serve as pillars of student support at GCTE. Their combined functioning provides academic guidance, emotional support, and career preparedness, ensuring that trainees transition smoothly into their professional roles.

Felicitations

Felicitations were offered by:

1. Dr. Rajasree K, Associate Professor, Department of Natural Science, who highlighted the constructive nature of healthy competition, its role in self-improvement, and the need for nurturing mental health among future generations.

2. Sooriyajith Sathyan, College Union Chairman, who expressed gratitude to the organizers and encouraged students to fully utilize opportunities provided by the Guidance Cell.

---

**Profile of the Resource Person:

Sreelakshmi L. S**

The resource person, Sreelakshmi L. S, is the First Rank Holder in Counselling Psychology (2022–2024 batch). She has substantial experience working with individuals across age groups and settings. Her work as a Consultant Psychologist at the Divine Psychological Counselling Centre involved providing therapeutic support to children, adolescents, and adults. Currently, she serves at Scalgo Technologies, contributing to the development of a mental wellness application and offering counselling assistance to employees. Her multidimensional expertise enriched the session with practical insights, relatable examples, and evidence-based strategies.

---

Summary of the Class Session

The session conducted by Sreelakshmi was interactive, activity-centered, and reflective. It emphasized cognitive flexibility, emotional self-awareness, and the capacity to respond mindfully to changing situations.

1. Ice-breaker and Energy Exercise

The class began with a clapping exercise designed to energize participants and create a positive environment. This simple yet effective activity encouraged engagement, attentiveness, and readiness for deeper learning.

2. Concept of Cognitive Flexibility

Sreelakshmi introduced cognitive flexibility as the foundation of mental strength. The participants were encouraged to understand that:

Cognitive flexibility involves thinking beyond the obvious.

It helps individuals adapt when plans change, an essential trait in teaching and daily life.

Flexible thinkers remain open to new ideas, opportunities, and diverse perspectives.

Viewing situations from multiple standpoints allows better understanding, leading to wiser decisions.

While “smart minds think clearly,” she emphasized that “wise hearts think deeply,” highlighting the harmony between intelligence and emotional depth.

She explained how cognitive flexibility improves problem-solving, teamwork, classroom management, and personal resilience—skills vital for future educators.

3. Group Activity

To apply the concept, the class was divided into groups of 10 (with 8 members each). Each group received three hypothetical questions, requiring them to analyse scenarios and respond creatively. The activity allowed participants to:

Think critically

Collaborate in diverse groups

Process ideas from varied viewpoints

Learn the value of reflection and discussion

Sreelakshmi appreciated the magnificent responses given by the students, acknowledging their clarity and creativity.

---

Emotional Self-Awareness

A major portion of the session was focused on cultivating emotional intelligence—particularly emotional self-awareness, which she described as central to personal growth and meaningful human relationships.

Sreelakshmi presented 12 key points that help individuals enhance emotional understanding and regulation. Among these, the following were emphasized:

Distinguishing between surface-level emotions (those visible or immediate) and deeper emotions (root causes and inner experiences).

Practising daily reflection for 2 minutes, enabling individuals to check in with their feelings and thoughts.

Pausing before reacting, encouraging mindful responses instead of impulsive reactions.

The goal was to equip students with methods to understand their emotional landscape, achieve inner clarity, and handle interpersonal situations with maturity.

---

Inspirational Insight

The session was anchored by the timeless reminder from Albert Einstein:

“The measure of intelligence is the ability to change.”

This quote encapsulated the essence of the class—embracing adaptability, emotional depth, and mental openness in a fast-changing world.

---

Overall Impact of the Session

The session was highly impactful and received with enthusiasm. Students benefitted from:

A deeper awareness of their cognitive and emotional patterns

Practical strategies to enhance mental flexibility

Insightful real-life examples shared by the resource person

Activities that encouraged collaboration and independent thinking

A better understanding of mental health and its role in teaching

The class was described as immersive, engaging, and beneficial for both personal and academic development. Participants gained not only knowledge but also reflective tools to enhance their teaching competence and emotional balance.

---

Conclusion

The programme concluded with a warm Vote of Thanks by Arunuma J. S, who acknowledged the resource person, the principal, faculty members, students, and all those who contributed to the successful conduct of the session. The event marked yet another milestone for the Guidance Cell in promoting mental health awareness and equipping teacher trainees with essential life skills.

“The Art of Flexing Your Mind and Soul” proved to be an inspiring and transformative experience, reinforcing the belief that true intelligence lies in adaptability, emotional understanding, and the willingness to grow continuously.