I Am A Guide, Not A Control Tower

I recently stumbled upon this quote by Pilates educator Jenna Zaffino. Gosh it struck a chord. As teachers, we (I?) sometimes get a little wound up in chasing perfection (whatever that is.)

As instructors it is our job to get students moving well, however there can be a real temptation, - impulse, even - to let our quest for form override everything else that goes into teaching a class; things like flow, tempo + even just the pure, simple joy of letting students move! I would also make the argument that it’s not always the most effective way to teach. ‘Mistakes’ - I hesitate to use that word because it has a negative connotation - are valuable learning tools + sometimes you need to feel + experience for yourself what is ‘wrong’ to get to what is ‘right’. Oftentimes, it is these ‘mistakes’ that lead to our greatest ‘uh-huh!’ moments. They tend to be the most memorable learning experiences, too, in the same way that touching a boiling kettle is a more effective lesson in Things That Hurt than your mum simply warning you against doing it (I don’t advocate burning yourself, btw!)

There is something wonderful + empowering about exploring movement + what your body is capable of. It promotes a stronger connection to + relationship with your physical self. As a teacher, it is interesting to observe students who perhaps don’t have a background in movement; how they interpret cues + respond to your words with their bodies. Sometimes things get a little lost in translation + it can be challenging to find a common language... therein lies the art + science of teaching! Working with such students is most rewarding - a privilege, in fact - as you observe an awareness of Self develop + blossom over time.

In Polestar, we talk about providing ‘positive movement experiences’ for students. When completing my teacher training, I perhaps didn’t quite grasp the full significance of this mission statement. To me, movement has always been a wonderful thing; it keeps my body supple + strong + my mind focused + present; it is essential mind-body maintenance that just so happens to feel gosh-darn gooooood. However, I know that this is not everyone’s experience of movement. For those suffering trauma (mental +/or physical), managing injuries, pain or for some reason just don’t feel ‘in’ their bodies, moving can be weird, uncomfortable + confronting. Focusing too much on ‘being perfect’ doesn’t allow students the opportunity to explore, discover + - even - enjoy movement. If we over-correct, over-cue, over-everything, students can feel like they don’t ‘get’ it + that movement is not for them. I want to exclaim to the world, right here, right now, that movement is for EVERYbody. You just need to find the movement that moves YOU!

So! If we return to the theme of this post, my job is to guide you in moving better + feeling good in your own skin; it’s not to stand over you + enumerate everything that you’re doing ‘wrong’. If we can give ourselves a little more space, a little more freedom + show ourselves a more kindness in our movement practice, good things will grow!