FELDENKRAIS
Dear Daniela,
​
Towards the end of my training in Spain, I decided to start teaching ATM. I had already been a Kindermusik teacher. But teaching ATM was not the same. I had many questions, but no good answers:
What happens if I am teaching a lesson on the belly and a person cannot be in this position at all? Which lesson should I choose if I am presenting the work to musicians, singers, young or old people?
You responded warmly to each question with a variety of options. Then you asked me your own questions, leaving me the space to decide whatever I thought was best for each situation.
I thought to myself: this is exactly the kind of guidance I have always needed - that expands my knowledge, my strategies and my options, but still allows me to make my own choices. It was a priceless lesson to learn.
You offered me practical knowledge that highlighted different aspects of the work in a very concrete way. You became my model for using creativity and rich ideas to understand “classic ATMs” and how to work with people.
You encouraged me to trust my own voice and to find my own way as a teacher, to begin with people who have less difficulties in order to make discoveries without feeling pressured. Then I was able to find the students who were interested in learning with me because I could be authentic in my teaching instead of trying to copy or be someone I wasn’t.
You presented me with strategies which enabled me to trust myself. You also reminded me of the importance of being ready to adjust my teaching to the people in the room with me (rather than the people who were being taught by whomever wrote or recorded the lesson I had decided to teach) and you gave me support in how to do this.
I cannot describe what this reminder meant for me at that time. I am still only a beginner as a practitioner but the way I prepare a lesson, teaching something to myself before guiding others, has been deeply influenced by your insights and words of encouragement.
Thank you, Daniela.
Laura
