September 29, 2013
September 28, 2013
September 27, 2013
September 26, 2013
September 25, 2013
Subtle Changes
Tonight in my Learning to Assist yoga teacher training course, I finally recognized how subtle touches can encourage movements within the body. By simply placing your palm on a portion of the body, perhaps the shoulder blade or the side ribs, you bring awareness to that area. There is no need to push, pull or even to talk.
I have a wonderul trust wih Christine, my yoga classmate, and we were able to try these subtle assists on each other. Because of the strong rapport between us I felt comfortable to experiment and was not at all self-conscious. I simply placed my hand on her upper back and she breathed into that area and released deeper ino the pose.
Small movements can mean big changes in your body. We have to relax into these changes and not force ourselves.
I have a wonderul trust wih Christine, my yoga classmate, and we were able to try these subtle assists on each other. Because of the strong rapport between us I felt comfortable to experiment and was not at all self-conscious. I simply placed my hand on her upper back and she breathed into that area and released deeper ino the pose.
Small movements can mean big changes in your body. We have to relax into these changes and not force ourselves.
September 20, 2013
Kickig Back at the DFVP Film Screening
September 11, 2013
Mortar Between the Bricks
Let's get down to business and jump into the agenda. That is the way I run my classes and my meetings. Seems practical and tactical, but what about building connections with and between the participants? Funny that this is what I teach and yet I do not put it into practice.
Today I had a Skype meeting with my get2thepoint.org colleagues located in London and Oakland. I volunteered to be the facilitator and immediately jumped into discussing the website we are designing. Martin gently said, "I was hoping to have a check-in before we started, but if you want to skip that, OK." He was right, I skipped over the very important mortar of human connections, instead plowing straight through to the bricks of the business.
Why do I do this? My first reaction is shyness, even at 44. On a deeper level I think it is an avoidance tactic: stick to the business and we don't have to take on the responsibility of connecting and caring. But why would this be something I would want to avoid? The reason I partner with this team is because of the love we share - for each other and the intention of our work together in enabling people and organizations to reach their fullest potential.
Imagine if I took time to build rapport at the start of each class I teach and each meeting I facilitate? Participants would be heard, their voices would matter. In turn, they would be attentive to each other and engaged in the content being discussed.
As a practice during these final two weeks of our Summer 2013 quarter I am going to start each class with a check-in. Everyone is stressed as finals approach and bringing a human element to the classroom will be much needed. Developing deeper connections is the foundation for creating a true community of practice and I can set that intention into action.
Today I had a Skype meeting with my get2thepoint.org colleagues located in London and Oakland. I volunteered to be the facilitator and immediately jumped into discussing the website we are designing. Martin gently said, "I was hoping to have a check-in before we started, but if you want to skip that, OK." He was right, I skipped over the very important mortar of human connections, instead plowing straight through to the bricks of the business.
Why do I do this? My first reaction is shyness, even at 44. On a deeper level I think it is an avoidance tactic: stick to the business and we don't have to take on the responsibility of connecting and caring. But why would this be something I would want to avoid? The reason I partner with this team is because of the love we share - for each other and the intention of our work together in enabling people and organizations to reach their fullest potential.
Imagine if I took time to build rapport at the start of each class I teach and each meeting I facilitate? Participants would be heard, their voices would matter. In turn, they would be attentive to each other and engaged in the content being discussed.
As a practice during these final two weeks of our Summer 2013 quarter I am going to start each class with a check-in. Everyone is stressed as finals approach and bringing a human element to the classroom will be much needed. Developing deeper connections is the foundation for creating a true community of practice and I can set that intention into action.
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