Lumps of clay!

#1 (Jody Shultz)Ammba Shultz Cozumel, Mexico 2005
#2Ammba Presidente Hotel,Cozumel










Hello readers, today is Sat. March 29th, 2008, very early in the morning or late the night before. Ooops, I didn't make it. I fell asleep. The photos I picked today are.an idea in teaching motion I'd like to share with you. The first one is of me spotting Ammba on a roundoff. That's a tumbling movement that leads into all the big tricks you see on T.V. Basically it's a cartwheel the turns you around so you can flip backwards. If you watch children playing invariably you'll see some form of it. You don't have to teach or even mention it, it's being done on every playground all over the world..The reason I'm spotting her is to do something I call molding. The body has a different way of learning than the brain does. It's nonverbal, tactile. Kinesiology is the scientific term for it. The same way you can't explain things to a baby, you need to physically manipulate them through it. Then slowly assist them less and less until you're just standing there for security.The results of this concept are seen in the 2nd photo. It appears as if she is training for some brutal professional wrestling attack leap. Actually she is just jumping off something high yelling " Papi, look at me! I'm flying !" I of course mockingly retort " No baby that's way to high! You're scaring me, I can't look!" A giggle and then this continues until it's dark, she becomes bored or hungry. It's a fun game between parent and child, building self confidence in their ability to take reasonably safe physical risks.
This confidence didn't just sprout it was nurtured along with a strong sense of self preservation. Each individual has their strength, weaknesses and a predilection to activities they enjoy. Ammba is by no means the bravest kid on the playground, but she isn't scared to try new things. Some she likes, some she doesn't. The point I'm trying to make is whether you're a parent, a coach, a teammate or just someone interested in studying people and movement, verbal explanations are of very little use to the body, it's hands on contact that translates the message the quickest. Another point I'd like to draw attention to is eye/hand coordination and depth perception. Yesterday I discussed Chihuly and glass blowing. So the next time you want to learn something or teach something physical, remember the language of touch. Another quick point in the spotting photo, someone took the time and patience to walk me through the steps until I could walk them alone. This is perhaps the reason I feel a necessity to pass on what I know. My mother, who I don't have a photo available, but will soon, told me "Jody, you can't pay back the person that teaches you , you can only pass on what you were taught." She also said "intelligence is not measured in tests, but rather in ones abilities to make connections." Another quick story she always told was. A man went to the doctor. The doctor asked him what was wrong. He shrugged his shoulders and said "I don't know"
"Does it hurt anywhere?" He replies " I don't know." Well what can you tell me about your problem. He replies "I don't know". The doctor nods his head and says this is going to require a referral. He gives him the name of another doctor to see. The man asks what kind of doctor he is. The doctor replies " I don't know, you'll have to go and find out. All I can say is he specializes in cases such as yours. The man goes to the doctor and finds him to be a veterinarian. I hope this ties up all the loose ends. Submitted for your approval.
Jody