Anaesthetist Vesselin Petkov uses a Jedi lightsabre to help with stress

Anaesthetist Vesselin Petkov has a very unusual hobby that helps him meditate. He says it comes in handy and he even does it in between seeing patients.

To Star Wars fans May the fourth is the perfect date to celebrate the movie’s iconic catchphrase: ‘May the force be with you’.

But for anaesthetist and sword fighting champion Vesselin Petkov this Sunday is also a chance to showcase to his medical colleagues how the skill of swinging a lightsabre can help with their wellbeing.

Dr Petkov is hosting lightsabre workshops not at a galaxy far, far away, but at the annual scientific meeting of the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (ANZCA) in Cairns.

Anaesthetist Dr Vesselin Petkov, and colleagues Sophiya Ogrodzinski and Martin Ogrodzinski enjoy dressing up in Star Wars character and role play for Star Wars Day, May 4. Picture: Brendan Radke

While lighthearted, Dr Petkov’s sold out “Jedi lightsabre exercises for healthier, happier

anaesthetists” sessions also have a serious side.

He said they are aimed at giving the specialists practical tools to reduce stress, improve focus and help them relax.

“They will see how the familiar buzzing sound and the soothing light of the lightsabre is actually a perfect focal point for a meditation type of exercise,” Dr Petkov said. “It is designed for that, it’s just perfect.”

A former Queensland sword fighting champion, the self-confessed Jedi tragic has seen every Star Wars movie “many, many times” and has been known to don the Jedi robes for Star Wars movie premieres.

A decade ago Dr Petkov also helped establish the Cairns European Sword Academy with a work colleague who shares his love of medieval martial arts.

Today it is not unusual for him to swing his lightsabre, albeit in a controlled and measured way, on a break from the operating theatre to help him unwind.

It has caught on.

Several anaesthesia colleagues at Cairns Hospital are now also diehard Star Wars fans and proudly have their own lightsabres.

“If you need some time out between patients you can go into a quiet room and focus your mind to relax by doing some lightsabre movements,” Dr Petkov said.

“The way I look at it, a healthy workforce translates into healthy patients and a much better

healthcare service.”

May the 4 be with you also has a serious side as the buzz of the lightsabre helps Star Wars enthusiasts focus and relax says anaesthetist Dr Vesslin Petkov (right) with colleagues Martin Ogrodzinski, Sophiya Ogrodzinski. Picture: Brendan Radke

His interest in sword fighting combines his love of history and fascination for mathematics.

“In some ways there are similarities with my work as an anaesthetist. We focus on body structure, proper stance and movement,” he said.

“The art of using a lightsabre is not about swinging the sword indiscriminately, there are precise geometrical patterns; very focused on mathematics and every movement is logical and makes a lot of sense once you learn about it.”

Dr Petkov said in the 90-minute sessions on Sunday he won’t be able to train the next Jedi Master.

“I just want to open the door for them to another form of relaxation because you can use the

lightsabre almost like a tai chi type of movement,” he said.

“I’ll teach them the basics like posture and movement and some offensive and defensive actions that can be linked into a nice flow exercise. It’s not high intensity, but it’s an exercise which will definitely help with improving core strength and focus.”

He said research consistently shows that healthier doctors provide higher quality care.

“It is important for anaesthetists and other specialists and clinicians to make time for their physical and mental wellbeing,” Dr Petkov said.

“By incorporating these Jedi-inspired exercises, doctors can experience a fun and engaging way to release tension, stay active and be mindful.”

Around 1800 anaesthetists and specialist pain medicine physicians are in Cairns for the ANZCA scientific meeting that runs until Tuesday.

The reporter attended the scientific meeting as a guest of ANZCA.

Originally published as Anaesthetist Vesselin Petkov uses a Jedi lightsabre to help with stress