28th April 2013.......... Where am I?

I have been a little absent from my blog as much has happened recently which has caused me to address my past and face the events that have shaped my development as a person. 

Much good has arisen out of a potentially difficult time, and I have been able to reaffirm what I believe with regard to my philosophical stance.  I have always believed that we are able to have a huge influence over our own health and emotional responses.  Therefore the mind/body connection for me is also contributed to by the spirit.  I remember writing on Adesola’s blog that the notion of selecting a philosophy felt ‘spiritual and vast’ and now I know why; it feels like that because it is like that!

Within my work as an educator, I embrace the mind/body connection and feel that this is a good way forward when learning how to use the body in order to dance safely.  I feel that the ‘thinking dancer’ is the dancer who is able to apply logic, work constructively with their own physical parameters and work to their maximum and even beyond, with application and thought.  Add the spirit, or soul if you will, and you have the dancer who can attach their intuition, emotion and life force to their work, which can only, in my opinion, take the work to another level.

On a more personal level, I have recently been reminded that ‘your biography becomes your biology’ and this has certainly resonated and helped me to find my way back to the path that I wish to tread.  As the recipient (not, I stress, victim) of a challenging childhood and adolescence, I found I followed the path of self-help and was able to confront my emotional responses to what had occurred, which led to forgiveness, but perhaps not amnesia..!  I have always said that my childhood is the reason that I am as I am and not an excuse and I am starting to realise the benefits that my journey has allowed me, such as awareness.  I have tried never to sit on the negative side, but more recently, since starting my new job, have been able to view life from a more positive angle.  

As a result of recent events I feel ready to work even harder to be a better person.  Lessons regarding the power of the spoken word (once it is out there is it out there) and the power of the self within health and creativity are jumping at me from all corners and I am endeavouring to move forward with new energy within my cognisance and approach to everyday life.

Somewhere within all of this I know that my research and teaching will be better for all the work I have had to do on a personal level, and the curveball I have been thrown, for why are we sent challenges other than to use them to progress and learn?

Dualism in action......

On a rare and productive trip to the gym this morning, I was idly watching the world go by out of the window and observed a young lad walking along a wall which ostensibly got higher as the steps got lower.  I was one step ahead of him and waited in great anticipation of what he would do when he got to the end and realised that the wall was too high for him to jump to the ground from. 

I was fascinated to observe him.  He reached the end, and I could see a clear calculation going on which seemed to sequentially involve eyes, message to brain, thought and finally action - to turn back!  It was almost in slow motion; he stopped, looked down, thought for a moment, made a calculation based on what he saw and turned around and went back to a spot along the wall where the stairs were higher so he could jump down safely.  So, his mind was assessing the risk and informing his body what to do.  Mind and Body working as a team to save a potential accident.  

Thinking about Descartes, I found the following of interest, visually a strong representation of what was happening to the young lad I observed.  I then applied the four steps that Decartes created as the route to all problem solving to the situation he was in (described below each point in brackets).

https://thescienceclassroom

Descartes four steps to solve all and any situations presented in life:

‘The first was never to accept anything as true if I had not evident knowledge of its being so; that is, carefully to avoid precipitancy and prejudice, and to embrace in my judgment only what presented itself to my mind so clearly and distinctly that I had no occasion to doubt it.

(There was no doubt at tall that if he jumped, the young lad would have injured himself)

The second, to divide each problem I examined into as many parts as was feasible, and as was requisite for its better solution.

(It seemed to me that the parts were observation, consideration, calculation and solution)

The third, to direct my thoughts in an orderly way; beginning with the simplest objects, those most apt to be known, and ascending little by little, in steps as it were, to the knowledge of the most complex; and establishing an order in thought even when the objects had no natural priority one to another.

(Orderly thinking: analysis and action, which concluded somewhat ironically in him returning to the ascended steps)

And the last, to make throughout such complete enumerations and such general surveys that I might be sure of leaving nothing out.

(He really thought it through even though it did not take long – he identified and evaluated the risk, and made a logical decision)

It was a great scenario to observe and gave me food for thought about how we function as human beings, and the amazing way that our minds and bodies are united as one great ‘machine’ with a powerful control system.    Descartes believed that a motion of the body was effected via having a thought – mind/body interaction – and what I witnessed today was, in my opinion, a perfect demonstration of this dualist philosophy.

A sentimental sharing

Hi All

I know this is really sentimental and heaven forbid I found it on Facebook, posted by another very passionate teacher I know…….but it did make me think, and I thought I would share it with our ‘striving to learn’ community.  Hopal, I thought it really poignant considering the tough time you recently had – and can only hope you were appreciated somewhere along the line!

THINGS YOUR DANCE TEACHER MIGHT NOT TELL YOU: BUT YOU REALLY NEED TO KNOW

1. He/She wants all of his/her students to succeed, regardless of who they are or how they look. This reflects well on the teacher, the students, and the studio as a whole.

2. You will never know how hard he/she works outside of the classroom. Research, training, choreography, music editing, costuming, paper work, pictures, parent meetings, etc. There are hours of work that you never see.

3. The greatest gift you can give him/her is to thank them and tell them what you've been able to learn in class.

4. A student being sore or tired, means he/she has done a great job.

5. He/She was once a student too. They understand.

6. Years of training and hours of work go into all of that choreography and all of those classes. Not just anyone can do his/her job.

7. Very few things are as gratifying as a student having an "ah ha" moment.

8. The favorite students are never the ones who have a perfect dance body or have been there the longest. They are the ones who are respectful, work the hardest, and remember corrections.

9. A dance education is more than just steps. When your teacher shares their life experiences, take it in and know that it is for your benefit and is a crucial part of your total education.

10. A teacher's biggest fear is not bad choreography or small classes, but failing the passion of the art. We never wish to cause a child to fall out of love with dance.

11. He/She wants you to ask questions in class about life and about dance. He/She has a need to share their passion, just ask them.

12. He/She will still remember you 10 years after you have graduated out of their dance program and they will want to know what is going on in your life.

It’s all true; in my case especially the ‘ah ha’ moment (and no I do not mean the band).  There is nothing more rewarding and inspiring than when something ‘clicks’ with a student and they are able to improve.  A wonderful moment and a great feeling.

I posted this with respect for you all - working so hard to be the best you can be.  Without dance I do not know where my life would have led me, and I am thankful that I had a vocation that has given me so much pleasure, and which has enabled me to share my experiences with others.