Systematic

This term offered many surprises, the lack of any predictable structure among them. This way I can excuse my own lazyness of keeping track of the work. I seem to be able to maintain more uptime outside school, something brings me down there. Strange.

The turn with Libby offered some more insight of the activation pattern for holding in the front, while I exercised restraint during Razia's C&C session.

I realised today that my former job offered similar challenges. Systems own a specific structure, which offers a certain functionality. The use of the system feeds back to its structure and functionality. As system administrator I analyzed networks in order to increase their efficiency and often functionality. I had to test any change before implementing it, a bit like chairwork. And like with the current work, I rather aimed for long-term solutions taking the use into account than looking for a quick fix.

Another bllnd day

I had another turn with David today, and I get the impression that I stay directed during chair work, at least to a certain degree. Inhibition works better, when you notice what you do additionally.

I played a bit hands-on with Rossi, with Margaret helping. The rest of the day went passed with counselling and communication, when I got reminded of two bits of homework I still have to deliver. Hmpf.

Genuine interest

I had a turn with Libby, playing again with my CJ ball. Libby seemed to like the idea a bit more than John, and she reminded me of the way I use my arms. Giving myself indefinite amount of time for learning works so far well - I don't know where I will progress to, so I can appreciate even tiny advances.

The C&C session turn our very interesting, especially the interactive part with Bo. We talked about our perception of our fellow students, with interesting insights.

Free won't

I enjoyed the conversation with Bronwyn during our turn. I shared my enthusiasm about Jeff Schwartz's book 'Mind & Brain' and explained some of the implications of neuroplasticity for our work. I felt quite positive after David mentioned that I'm getting out of the pattern of misuse of my shoulders. Bronwyn's hands balanced my body so delicately that I could feel the weight travelling down to my heels, getting in and out of the chairs easily.

Razia's C&C session appeared more like a group therapy session than a commmunication training. However, it focuses on the how instead of the what, and the gentle approach proposed by her simply works out well in most cases. We discussed the 'inner critic' as partner work, a bit of interaction after lots of passivity.

However, besides two half turns Jen did some table work with me, while Robert supervised and helped her. This gave me enough up not to feel tired after school.

More communication

I had a good turn with Duncan today, we worked on maintaining the back in standing again. His hands made me aware about the curvature of my spine, as well as moderate and similar level of toning along the entire back of my body.

Today's communication and counselling session dealt with good and bad communication strategies. I felt a bit observed during the exercise, Stephen's approach worked well for me as talker. The listening part want okay for most of the time, yet at the end I couldn't resist to give some advice.

Counselling and communication

The day started with a bit of a surprise - Libby helped me experiencing some significant lengthening in the thoracic area. The pull back of the shoulders might as well belong to a holding pattern around my hips, I gradually get more sensitivity to feel the weight travelling through my body, although I didn't get to the heels yet.

We had the first C&C session with Razia, a psycho therapist and Alexander teacher. She stressed the importance of a gentle approach to enable an interactive communication and lined out some simple ways to achieve this. As a teacher our listening skills have to exceed our talking skills, without sucessfull communication no rapport can happen.

The exercises made me aware of some of known communication flaws, like my impatience while listening. The feedback from Jane and Kaz offered new insights. Jane attested me good reinforcement skills, but noted also the difference between this exercise and my usual ways of talking. She can see different tensional patterns in my face when I'm listening and when I'm preparing to say something, while Kaz noted more nervousness when the questions became more personal.