saying goodbye (the act of transformation)

storm clouds build in our lives

Finding out about people, what makes them tick, what motivates them and how they perceive themselves is part, I believe,  of the overall makeup of a coach.   Responding and listening to people during the process of the learning is important because even though the lesson seems fixed, the translation of the material either physically , emotionally or both is always varied.

As a teacher and teacher trainer for many years, I would always stress to new teachers that the construct is one area.  The blueprint to follow, but how that blueprint is followed and interpreted  is dependant on areas such as previous experiences, mood, physical and mental confidence etc.  so teaching people an awareness of themselves is not easy.  The detail may seem straightforward but easy,...no way.  

I had a 1-1 chi running session a little while ago.  The lady was lovely, obviously had had an active life and was keen to learn to run better.  She had got into the dreaded injury cycle of recovery and injury.  The way she approached her recuperation was to fight her self fit.  Beat the injury demons through shear strength and stoically withstand all that was thrown at her.  

When we worked through the material she was incredibly attentive, thoughtful and I felt was fully appreciative of the overall approach.  When I watched her run for the first few times it was clear to me that her translation of the overall approach was to use this as a way to fight herself out of injury into a new place.  We studied the video and we could both see that the drive, the push and the over stretching was all too apparent.  

At this point I decided to take her down to our local beach, shoes off and run with her. I ran with her for several small gear 1 gentle intervals, going back and studying her footprints.  I recorded several times and although the footprints improved, her lightness and overall posture relaxed I still felt that she was 'doing it for the camera'.  We had another conversation and this time I asked her to pretend to run away from her old self.  Literally peeling here self from her standing form as she moved and transformed to her new body image.    I even insisted that she said 'goodbye' to her old self as she started her run.  

growth needs to be small but beautiful
(that way you will hold onto it :) )

Even I was amazed at the transformation between assumed relaxed state and a true deeper more resonant state of focus.  You could see the tension in the shoulders disappear , the legs relax and the arms just swing and initiate.  All this was possible because she could relax around that core.  There was no tension and areas of real obstruction, or mental barriers between her perception and the reality of what she was trying to do.  

Same material, but the approach had to be different.  If life was simply following the blueprint then we would not be engaging in free choice, creative moments or acts of inspiration.  

On Emptying

To be human is to live through a myriad of emotions as we voyage through our lives.  Coming to terms with these emotions, I feel,  is a must for the human condition.  Avoiding and building layers around ourselves to become a 24-7 world simply deflects what our heart tells us. 'we need to seek space to find out who we are'.  

mmmmm

We are surrounded by inspirational people , places, works of arts and music. We can dip our toe into the ocean of ideas and come into contact with people who have had the inspiration or overriding desire to express the human condition in many forms.  

My favourite artist is Rothko, my favourite music is African, my favourite subjects are mathematics and music. I love poetry, the world's greatest poets do not waste one word.  As Dana Gioia said 'Poetry is the art of using words charged with their utmost meaning'

Lenses on our lives are made through the simplest of activities. The clearer the lens the more you will see humanity and this world for what it truly can be.  

Purity of thought, clarity of words, how we relate to others and what we give to humanity define us.  Running, for me, has allowed me to see this  in an uncluttered and simple manner.  We do not need to make our lives full to live, we need to empty to be! 

A poem by Mary Oliver

You do not have to be good

You do not have to walk on your knees

For a hundred miles through the desert, repenting.

You only have to let the soft animal of your body 

Love what it loves.

Tell me about despair, yours, and I will tell you mine.

Meanwhile the world goes on.

Meanwhile the sun and the clear pebbles of the rain

Are moving across the landscapes,

Over the prairies and deep trees,

The mountains and the rivers.

meanwhile the wild geese, high in the clean blue sky,

Are heading home again.

Whoever you are, no matter how lonely,

The world offers to your imagination,

Calls to you like wild geese, harsh and exciting-

Over and over announcing your place

In the family of things.