It has been incredibly challenging on a personal and professional level ~ mentally, emotionally and spiritually. Not to mention the loss of income from months of workshops and travel having to be cancelled. Thank GOD we have Zoom, and Sarah Davies who so generously offered to teach us all how to do it! Because of this, I’ve been able to teach classes online. I am so grateful for this, as we need it.
Working on Zoom is a whole different ball game. If I’m perfectly honest, I really hated teaching online at first. What kept me coming back to do it again and again was my own dance practice – dancing in other people’s classes online. Knowing the benefits in my own body has kept me motivated to keep providing places for people to move all that they are feeling.
The more I teach, the more I get used to dealing with all the details and challenges of this new way of teaching. I do miss working with people in person on the dance floor. I work very kinesthetically – I use my intuition to feel into the people who are dancing with me in order to know how to best serve them. I’ve just had to exercise new muscles and come up with new ways to read people through those little boxes on zoom. Even though it can be hard, I love the challenge.
Another thing I really miss is being able to have people dance in physical partnerships or groups – that’s something that just doesn’t translate online in my book. I do use the “spotlighting” and “pinning” features to partner people, but I miss the organic nature of it. However, I’m pleasantly surprised by how much we are actually able to connect through the airwaves. Again, I’m just having to find more creative ways to create depth and connection.
The reason I keep teaching online is that it’s essential right now. Just when I’m feeling like it’s all too much teaching online, I teach again and see the value and depth for people. People need to move what they are feeling. I’m reminded every day of the power of this medicine we have.
The fact that I can help people move with what they’re feeling right now…that’s all I need.
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