Rabbit Holes and Whiskers - Mayu in Wonderland.

Teaching is full of Alice-In-Wonderland moments.

What does it mean to be a teacher anyway? My teacher Marjorie Barstow – when asked if she ran a training school in her hometown of Lincoln, Nebraska - replied:

"I don't train teachers."

I feel the same. 

BUT…

Marj would then add - with a little twinkle in her eye:

"I help people who want to be teachers."

Can you see me twinkling too?

No-one can make you a teacher – that's something you have to want for your Self. At BodyChance, I help teachers when they ask for my help. For example, two weeks ago, Mayumi put up her hand and asked:

"I would like to teach."

When that happens, then I sit down and give her control. Now Mayumi is in charge of the room for a little. You never know what your student is going to ask or what they want. 

Mayumi stood up and asked:

"Does anyone have something they want to explore?"

And Kenji raised his hand and asked for help using Google Maps in his smartphone.

There followed a long, technical description of the way Google Maps was working and how it impacted his ability to move freely. The discussion when on and on – until I wondered who was the student? The guy with the Google Maps, or the gal who was supposed to be teaching him!

It's a challenge working as a teacher of Alexander's discovery because you can help such a wide variety of activities, people often confuse you as a teacher of their speciality. I wrote about this Alexander "identity confusion" a few weeks back, and I had to put a stop to Mayumi's lesson:

"How much about Google Maps do you need to know to help him?"

There was silence. I continued…

"You're being drawn down into a rabbit hole here – are you an expert on Google Maps?"

Mayumi laughed, which was her answer. So I added:

"To help him, it is not necessary for you to know how Google Maps works - is it?"

This is the joy of being a teacher of Alexander's discovery – you can help people with anything, and you do not necessarily need to know about their activity. They could be a Musician, Yogini, School Teacher, Housewife or husband, Martial Arts Practitioner, Runner, Singer, Actor – show me one Alexander teacher who able to run down ALL those rabbit holes?

It is not necessary.

The skills you need are the ability to observe and analysis movement, then propose an alternative behaviour to your student. The analysis takes a keen observation, and observation happens when you understand what is going on in front of you.

A musician hears more in music because they know more about what is going on. Similarly, an Alexscovery teacher will know more about what's going on when they understand a person's movement system.

The more depth of your knowledge, the better your analytical skills. 

Which is why studying BodyThinking Online – about the structure, movement and the overall design of your movement system – is a must for any serious teacher of Alexander's Discovery. Indeed, not just for teachers but for anyone who wants to improve their coordination.

This month I am offering you an exceptional deal on BodyThinking Online:

https://bodychance.mykajabi.com/store/oTZvjLye