One of my favourite parts of running a studio is working with new instructors, in particular, I really enjoy teaching our instructors about teaching. It challenges me to think about and articulate the “why” I teach what I teach. Naturally, my teaching is a product of courses, workshops, books, and teachers that I have had. However, it might sound funny, but teaching has been the most impactful on teaching. Taking those things I’ve learned and trying them out in the wild. Watching how different people and body types respond to those ideas, has been where I’ve learned the most. Figuring out what REALLY works and what doesn’t, or what works for different personalities and body types. Its those years of teaching that have had the biggest impact on my teaching and shaped my approach.
So, when I work with new instructors now, I am conscious of the fact that my teachings are directional, and they too need to go out into the wild and experience for themselves. In many cases, all I am trying to do is show them how to read the landscape. I try to help them understand how to use what they know to create a class that has a purpose. Where some teaching methods are very prescribed and rigid, I go the other way and try to pull from a lot of different concepts and ideas to create the flow in my classes.
Sometimes, when I am putting together classes, I am pulling from a lot of different experiences. You might say I “freestyle”, but its not without thought or purpose. One thing I really enjoy doing is combining elements of Yoga and Pilates to make a flow. The two disciplines compliment each other so well, creating a flow with both just works!
Enjoy ~Meaghan