Rock & Water

Basically, Rock and Water is a course that is delivered over a number of lessons to students in primary or high school. A series of exercises and games are practised to develop confidence and self-reflection. The games are diverse and many have a martial arts origin. The program has a strong appeal to students who enjoy the active nature of the many games and drills. Students learn to stand strong, negotiate using “rock” or “water” verbal approaches, walk away from trouble, consider alternatives to aggression, and develop understandings about who they are, their intuitive feelings and their personal direction.

Rock and Water themes

Four leading threads are inter-related in the program: How do we build a sense of purpose in students?

Physical exercises are constantly linked with mental and social skills. The program leads from simple self-defense, boundary and communication exercises to a strong notion of self-confidence. The program offers a framework of exercises and ideas about students and adulthood to assist children to become aware of purpose and motivation in their life.

Topics include: intuition, body language, mental strength, empathic feeling, positive feeling, positive thinking and positive visualization. Discussion topics include bullying, sexual harassment, consent, life goals, desires and the importance of finding and following one’s inner compass.

Evidence based

The Rock and Water program is an evidence based program. Evaluations and research have been published in a book called Bringing it All Together: 22 cases of Rock and Water in different educational settings. Important research in the Netherlands through studies at the University of Utrecht, and through the Trimbos Institute, concluded powerfully that Rock and Water showed efficacy in reducing bullying, depressive feelings and disengagement, and also reduced acts of violence in schools. These studies are published on our website for those interested in further details. Each year new research emerges. Findings are always very similar. Rock and Water will reduce bullying in your classroom, will increase self confidence and self control and enhance better social- and communication skills. As a result of this, academic achievement will increase.