Friends,

When we learn something we feel is valuable, it is a natural inclination to wish to share. I also believe that teaching (formally) and sharing (informally) brings us a deeper understand of our subject matter as we pass on that which we have learnt. In my eyes, if you have ever given anyone advice which you truly believe from your EMBODIED experience would beneficial for them, you have been a teacher who has done so simply out of CARING. This, my friends, is truly powerful.

When we teach, we are not simply putting information we have into another brain. Rather, we are elevating the entire 'ENDLESS MIND' of our collective being. We are sharing things for the benefit of EVERYONE.

This is one of the main reasons I also created this platform - to be a reference which anyone who is currently teaching, aspires to, or simply shares with friends or loved ones the benefits which these practices & perspectives can bring. I wanted to ensure that there is both practical & theoretical information you can have at your fingertips to help both yourselves & others grow toward both their goals, and within themselves.

So, I have opened this board so that you can ask me questions or simply share about your experiences with teaching & helping others. This could include:

- Needing support for structuring & giving a class
- How one might begin to start teaching this material
- You want to teach, but you feel "underqualified"
- A friend has an injury or restriction you want to help them with
- You need a better theoretical understanding of what we are practicing
- You want to discuss about the current (terrible) state of physical education

The maxim 'those who can, do; those who can't; teach' does NOT and CANNOT apply to Movement Practice. Why? Because, in order to teach, you must have BELIEF based in what you have EMOBODIED through your dedicated practice. If you cannot DO, then you cannot TEACH. This means, then, that ANYTHIGN you have learnt through your physical practice & hard work - you CAN teach! And, my perspective here - you SHOULD.

Share the knowledge which you believe is valuable good people! And always reach out when you need by simply creating a NEW THREAD in this board - I am here to support you with the will of a peaceful soldier,

J

Hey Jason

I haven't checked the board in a minute and it's funny to read this because I just sent an email a few days ago about this and am loving the serendipity.

I've been a trainer for 6 years and have been in the "movement" perspective of things about 3 but honestly 2 years of solid practice and I've always bounced between loving being a teacher and feeling like I don't know enough.

I've put in a lot of hours of practice a lot of refinement and humility looking for different answers to questions and when I do teach , I often get good feedback but I'm always questioning when I am "ready" to teach something.

Handstands is a good example. I have about 2 years of weekly practice, can do some shapes, hold for over a minute on a great day but feel nervous about calling myself a teacher of handstands because I can't do more advanced HS stuff, although I did successfully do my first press hs this past week when just goofing around.

I guess for me, when I look at someone like yourself who's sooooo knowledgeable I feel like who am I to teach this stuff? It comes and goes but I do wonder when is a good moment to teach and when to hold back on sharing. I had a coach who I did mentorship with tell me he only taught something online after teaching it in person for a year and how he waited until he could do extremely advanced HS stuff before offering mentorship in inversions. His suggestion to me was to train people for free or very cheap until I reach a higher level.

At this stage, I feel like i have mountains to share, I'm in a community that wants in right now and would love more guidance, mentorship and suggestions on how to get classes going, what your perspective is on the responsibility of a teacher and how to build as a teacher who's sharing with integrity within this watered down fitness world.

I have found it incredibly hard in the past to find people who are interested in doing the real work and continuously struggle with knowing how to meet people in their stages of training and how to create content, classes and training that keeps people coming back for more.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts!

Background:
- Koulouf - 30 years old - France - 3 ACL tears
- 2016: Discovered Movement Practice
- 2021: Diploma in sports coaching / Masseur / Micronutrition certification
- I'm not making a living from my activity 4 years after obtaining my coaching diploma

My main frustration to date: Being qualified by diplomas and, above all, having SKILLS in the health sector (sports coach / masseur / micronutrition certification), but not finding work related to movement practice in France.

The majority of French people are health 'tourists'. They enjoy being 'passive' for moments of relaxation (energy therapy, massage, etc.), but as soon as it's necessary to be 'active' (traditional coaching) and invest in their health, a minority is there.

This observation leads me to barely survive by working at McDonald's right now, in order to prepare for a trip to Australia to simply see something different. And in particular, to experience a culture where health and well-being are important.

This leads me to the following questions:
Have you had any difficulty making a living from your work?
Why isn't Movement Practice popular yet?

Dear Koulouf,

Firstly I will say - frustration occurs when we are focused too strongly on where we want to be, often at the expense & appreciation of where we are. My objective is "over there", and I am "over here", and in the middle lies... conflict. At these times the best we can do is to be SURE that we are making the daily actions to support our coming into congruence with what we know we can be. When we know that this is the case, the rest will fall into place. It just a case of the ongoing practice, multiplied over time.

I have indeed been in the scenario where seeing 20 euros arrive in my bank account from a 1 hour class I which which I traveled 90 mins there/back to give meant I could buy food for the week! I persisted, and persisted, and still persist. How do we eat an elephant? With patience, and in small pieces.

There is a thriving movement community in France - Movement Practice Practice, led by Alain who is a friend & was a short-term student of mine: https://www.instagram.com/movement_practice_paris/

And also Gianni who is a friend of mine also: https://www.instagram.com/movement_paris_/

Also in Bordeaux: https://www.instagram.com/movement_practice_bordeaux/

And I'm sure others. If you have not already, I would strongly advise to make a short 'pilgrimage' to study particularly with Alain, where you will learn much and feel the richness of the community there - and be a part of it!

Consider that Capoeira, for example, started with just 1 or 2 schools in Rio in the 1980s, is now in over 70 countries with 100's of 1000's of students worldwide, and yet many will not know what it is if you ask them. So, consider what you mean by 'popular', and why this is important.

Those who are inclined toward 'Movement Practice' will find it - HOWEVER. If you want to help it grow in your local community, you will need to continue studying & practicing with all of your being, with passion & joy. People will SEE and FEEL this, if you are truly walking the talk. It will attract those who are attracted. If we want change in our external worlds, we must CREATE it. So, I would ask myself the question, why have *I* not increased this "popularity" yet?

If we want to lead from the front, standing by the sides of all the others who are doing so too, then we need to actively take that position, and to reach & hold it we have to continue our self-development so that we can better help others. This is the most productive path you can take - increase YOUR value to others, and they will sustain you in return. And this includes financially.

The road is endless, and we have much time. Keep walking my friend! I am with you.

J

Thanks for your reply, Jason.

The main goal of sharing my background is to inspire other (future/current) teachers to truly "pursue our personal development in order to better help others."

I am 100% responsible for my professional situation. Of course, being passionate while fully invested, the short, medium, and long-term results are encouraging 😊.

The example of capoeira is telling.

Thank you for your suggestion regarding what I mean by "popular"... I'll think about it. As I tend to get to the point (be sparing with words, but profound in meaning) in my thinking and my ability to synthesize, this reflection is relevant.

Shine! ☀

Dear Koulouf,

With this purity of genuine desire to help others, you cannot fail - only growth lies before you! Individuals like yourself with such passion will always do what needs to be done to fulfill the service they wish to give to the world around them. This is honorable, respectable - but the work is real and the road is tough! Like any organic growth, nothing happens in a linear fashion. We must ride with the tides of ups & down, but find immediate peace in knowing that we are pointing our boat in the right direction.

Keep increasing your value my friend through your education, practice, self-development & cultivation. If we want to help & be of value to others, we must first, and always, keep developing ourselves.

Flying on the wings of our common passions!

J