The Art of Living Well
Topic: "From acceptance to change - psychological and social challenges in the face of gender incongruity".
May 15, 2025 (Thursday)
hr. 18:00
Western Conference Room
TAURON Arena Krakow
The next meeting of the Art of Living Well series will focus on mental and social challenges in the face of gender incongruity. The lecture will be followed by an art workshop on ink painting and a yoga class.
What is the journey of a person who feels that her gender identity does not harmonize with social expectations, her body or her own reflection in the mirror? What emotions and obstacles accompany her on this path - from the first doubts to the moment when she can accept herself. During the lecture there will be no shortage of authentic stories, reflections on the condition of modern society and specific tips for support. This is a meeting for all who want to broaden their perspective, better understand the diversity of human identities and learn how to support others in an empathetic and conscious way.
Psychologist and sexologist Agata Ptak - a specialist who works with adolescents and adults on a daily basis - will guide the participants of the meeting through the psychological and social aspects of gender identity disorders. The lecture will become a space to talk about how acceptance and lack of understanding are intertwined in the face of gender inconsistency, what emotional challenges arise at each stage, and how to support people who are finding their own identity.
Agata Ptak has gained extensive experience in medical institutions, but an equally important part of her work is what she does professionally in schools. She works in technical and high schools, where she supports young people and teachers in better understanding the difficulties of adolescence, including sexuality and gender identity.
Privately, he runs a practice at the Dobrostan Support Center in Tychy, a place that has brought together excellent mental health professionals who enable her to work in a holistic approach to the patient, which is the way she likes best.
Each of the meetings of the Art of the Good Life at TAURON Arena Krakow - a year-long series devoted to emotions and mental health - consists of an open free lecture (you just need to download a pass) and ticketed workshops conducted in intimate groups.
Workshop I: "Ink drawing - mindfulness practice" Justyna Mazur-Kiwer/LitografStudio
An art workshop about attentiveness and looking at another person. You will make an artwork, but you don't need special skills to do it. I mentor you in the creative process.
We will get into pairs, between two people on the floor will be placed a large sheet of 100/70 cm, a stick and a plate with drawing ink. One person will pose and the other will do the drawing. The attentiveness task will be to look at the person in the pair and mark features on the paper - the type of hair, the shape of the face and mouth, marking eyes or characteristics. After one person's work is done, we will replace the paper with a blank one. The previously portrayed person will now be the creator of the drawing.
Warning. We use drawing ink and long sticks- there is a possibility of staining clothes.
Workshop II: Hatha yoga - Maryna Hobrzyk
During the classes we will regenerate the mind and body. We will calm the frazzled and overworked mind and bring a state of deep relaxation. We will learn hatha yoga postures that promote regeneration, remove tension from the back, neck and shoulder areas. Gentle postures will stretch and massage tense muscles, we will learn about breathing that supports tranquility and stress reduction and at the end of the class all participants will enjoy a pleasant relaxation for a good night's sleep. The class welcomes beginners and those who have had no previous contact with yoga.
Take a warm sweatshirt and comfortable clothes with you.
Workshop: Cost: £25, registration required
Registration for lecture and workshop: Free tickets and workshop tickets - link HERE
Partner of the Art of Living Well series is OSHEE
