Learning to teach

Today is the day of my ATM practicum - along with the rest of my study group. We're all pretty convinced that THEY want us to suceed but does that mean that we will. We picked a confusing ( to us anyways) lesson to teach and have had lots of questions about just what does that mean - we're using a transcripted lesson. More later on how it went.

Getting ready to teach

In our May session we chose which lesson we'll be evaluated on for our teaching practicum in August. A lot of wrangling and anxiety there. I'm hoping it will be as straightforward as most stuff has been. My group is doing a lesson from Feldenkrais's esalin series.
I've also made a contact, but not followed up, about teaching at a local senior center. Finding an audience may be the hardest part of teaching. I live in a rural area - gyms and yoga centers are NOT on every corner, not even in every zip code in the county.

Changes

One of the biggest changes I've noticed in myself over the past year and a half of training is how I walk. Now let me begin this by saying I was/am fortunate to have come into the FPTP without major body issues. Other than being bucked/thrown from my horse, I've never really had any physical trauma nor do I have any debilitating diseases.
It is a bit difficult to describe this change. Sometimes I feel it is as if my hips have taken on a life of their own and are moving independently of my intention. Other times I just feel very limber. After having thought about it for awhile, I've decided that what is really happening is I'm using my old level of effort with my new, easier body. Okay, let me try to say that again. The long explanation is that as a result of the FPTP, I've learned to put less effort into holding my torso immobile but I haven't changed the amount of effort I push away from the ground with. What once was enough just to propel me forward, now seems like too much push and makes me feel all wiggly when I walk. This is a good thing I think, now just to stop wasting so much effort pushing with my feet.

The link at last

Well, I think it is easier to create a new entry with Kristen's site than edit my last post. Her Feldenkrais blog is http://www.kristensfeldenkrais.blogspot.com/

Hello I'm in year two of the Baltimore professional training program. I've started this blog because another student and I were talking about our experiences of being in the program. She already has a blog ( link coming soon) and I mentioned how I wanted to find and read one before I started the program.
Don't look for gossip on the trainers or free lessons( at least not yet). I just wanted a place to share what I've been learning. When I'm ready to teach ATM classes to the public, I'll let you know here. The Feldenkrais method is good stuff!