In questo articolo tratto dall’Aikido Journale del 3 febbraio 2010
il maestro Dave Goldberg
ci dice di aver scoperto, durante gli allenamenti in palestra, una strategia molto fruttuosa per correggere le tecniche e gli atteggiamenti svogliati e disattenti dei suoi allievi, ossia usare formula:
“Ciò non fa percepire quanto sei grande”.
I bambini dagli 8 ai 13 anni, che frequentano i suoi corsi, hanno subito capito che si trattava di esprimere un fatto interiore e quindi hanno risposto ricercando una maggiore centratura e focalizzando le energie; gli adulti, invece, hanno reagito usando una maggiore forza e aggressività nei confronti di uke.
Forse, dobbiamo proprio tornare bambini….
Aikido Journal
3 febbraio 2010
Dave Goldberg Sensei, 5th Dan
Aikido of San Diego
Time to Learn Something from the Kids
In our older kids’ class (8-13) it’s not uncommon for some after-school slack, slop, and goofiness to occasionally visit some of the children during training (imagine that). I have discovered a great line that works almost every time. It goes like this… “That failed to express your greatness.” If you say it right, the child doesn’t hear that they failed. They hear that they’re already great, and they just need to show it. And then they do. They step through their technique with an elevated sense of center, the energy is more intentional and focused, and they are more connected to the ground and their partner. It’s like friggin’ magic. Of course you have to follow up with positive reinforcement and occasionally remind them to bring back “The bigger Johnny (or whoever).” It had been going so well, in fact, that I decided to try it with adults. It didn’t go so well. The first one was with an intermediate-level student who’s temporarily disconnected alignment wasn’t getting her effective outcomes. I tried the line. She nodded and then proceeded to nearly rip the guys arm off. “What are doing?” I asked. “Declaring my greatness,” she said. I reminded her that I didn’t ask her to declare it. I asked her to express it. It took a while, but we got there. The next student I tried it on was a more advanced one (same class). She was dis-integrated in her movement, and for her, applying relatively listlessly. I tried the line, and once again, the student answered with forcefulness. “What are doing?” I asked. “Proclaiming my greatness,” she said. So, I reminded her that I didn’t ask her to proclaim it. I asked her to express it. It took a while, but we got there. It seems that children have an easier time accurately understanding what their “greatness” means. Adults immediately hear that there’s something they need to DO—something harder, faster, stronger. Kids hear that there’s a way they need to BE. How wonderful, and…how scary.
Aikido Journal
http://www.goldbergsensei.com/post/369053068/time-to-learn-something-from-the-kids
