OVS Blog

Co-created lessons are something that I had never been able to take part in until I began my Alexander Technique training, and I can say from my own personal experience that I have never learned something better than when I'm allowed to help in creating it. You see, the reason that a co-created lesson is so important (and the only type of lesson that I plan to teach from here on out) is that it is tailor-made to you in a way that no other lesson can be. Not only does the co-created lesson take into account your desires, but it also addresses exactly what your body needs at that moment. These are both very important ideas, so I want to speak about both in more detail.

I've talked about desire before, but desire is so important that I'll mention it again. The things that interest you, that catch your attention, and that you want to work on, are the things that your brain and body will be able to take on the most. I could give you recommendations on what I think you need to sound like or have in your repertoire until the cows come home, and if you're not interested in it, it's going to be a hard sell for you to truly learn it. Yes, I may recommend from a place of expertise after teaching for over 25 years, but this fact is still true and no amount of experience will change that. This is why it's typically important for you to find a teacher that you align with 100%, but with co-created lessons that might be less important because it isn't the teacher doing the leading - it's you and/or both of you together.

Meeting your body-instrument where it is right now is not only one of the most effective ways to make changes, but it is also a way to work with your nervous system rather than against it. There are times when you need to work on what you need to work on (if you have a show or audition coming up for example), but during other times being aware of and focusing on what shows up in your instrument will really allow you to make those deep changes that will be long lasting and also be what your body-instrument needs the most.

Now, in case you feel worried that you don't know enough to participate in a co-created lesson, let me allay those fears. You know your body-instrument better than anyone else, and because of this you are always the best representative of it. I am definitely still here to help you learn, to build on either what you do already know or on a new foundation that we build together.  You don't need to have any previous experience, or any experience with co-created lessons. You just need to bring yourself and a willingness to learn and build with me.