...Chocolate to Espresso: A GREAT combo!

I’ve been a teacher for more then 25 years. And I still teach a wide range of subjects: languages, music, vocal coaching, art and energiestyling, capoeira, reiki and energywork. And last but not least, my audience is vast as well! From the age of 3 years old up to adults 🙂

From a marketing perspective a real nightmare: because what’s your niche? 

How many times marketing lovers and professionals told me: focus.  Create a niche where you start with. 

But; what if that’s just not me? What if your talent is multi and diverse and has facets like a gemstone with different shapes and sides?

Still the gem has one core, even if it shows in all variety of itself when light is shining on it. 

And for me the core of all activities and educational projects I go along with its - you’ve guessed that - energywork!

So what does that look like then? Energywork In a language lesson for instance? 

Let me show you some examples. 

The students come into the class. I check in on them and I feel their energy. Are they energetic? Are they tired? Do they need excitement and enthusiasm? Or Calm and soothing energy? Or focus? That’s my starting point. And from there I adapt my routines and class management to the need of that group. 

So: is enthusiasm and excitement needed? I will put my energy into the working space by making jokes, entertaining style of teaching, by grabbing them energetically and make them cheer and laugh. And: in using the educational techniques and skills I’ve developed and learned by my teacher training. 

For a language lesson that would mean in these examples: 

• Tell a joke
• Mimic a story
• Find an online comic
• Show a crazy TikTok
• Share a YouTube
• Do a crazy moving game,
• Create a minidance etc...

But what if calming energy needed? And focus?

Then I will make my energy field  smaller by moving less, sitting down at the desk, talk softer and make sure that the energy in the classroom is grounded and safe. 

This works in a lively class like capoeira as well. My capoeira school- Capoeira Kids Singapore, Açao Quilombo, run by May Ooi, was invited to the Rainbow  Centre in Singapore for an introduction class. This school and institution is specialised in all kinds of needs form children with disabilities (mental, physical or both).

It was amazing how these students - some with cerebral palsy and some also equipped with different features of ASD, reacted to the challenges and moves we offered them. It was incredible and magical to see how they opened up to us, the capoeira  crew,  as a team. What I did mostly was guarding the safety by managing the energy field. Checking in where needed with the students, move a bit to another side if I see that the training field is leaking from the build up community vibe. Put energy in, by connecting with eye contact to students, stand next to them if needed when they are doing a exercise. The Amazonas Roda, the big circle where we played ‘animal moves style’ of capoeira with them, was a challenging, energetic, safe and exciting energy field for them. Guarded by me, but also by the whole capoeira team - with Master Sensai May. Don’t forget - here are martial art warriors at work, they now how to handle energy! 

For a music class I would rather start with a grounding exercise with breathing techniques. A warming up in combination with a body scan for instance.  

For a capoeira class for small kids a focus oriented game with hands, toes and copy paste in movements. 

For languages? A mini first question or interview that gives 2 minutes of calmth and focus to start the class. Connected with an fidget to play with. 

All these examples are taken from the start in the lesson.

So what will happen at the end? Or if something changes? Or a student misbehaves? Well, I tap into the energy of the group again and adapt accordingly to what is needed. 

Maybe another blog soon on more examples and energy exercises for teachers in class!