Comments on: The Power Of Context: Arrested Or Adored? http://www.jonathanfields.com/blog/the-power-of-context-arrested-or-adored/ Innovation, Creativity, Entrepreneurship, Personal Development Fri, 10 Feb 2012 14:21:51 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Karl Staib - Your Work Happiness Matters http://www.jonathanfields.com/blog/the-power-of-context-arrested-or-adored/#comment-4641 Karl Staib - Your Work Happiness Matters Wed, 06 Aug 2008 02:30:35 +0000 http://jonathanfields.com/blog/?p=369#comment-4641 That's a tough question. It's similar to "nature vs nurture," but I must admit that I am leaning toward perspective. If you feel like you are in a honest and loving place then that speaks louder than just putting your hands on someone's hips. If you were to caress something else (a little more private) than you could be the nicest Yoga instructor, but you are still getting a look of shock and dismay and maybe a slap. That’s a tough question. It’s similar to “nature vs nurture,” but I must admit that I am leaning toward perspective. If you feel like you are in a honest and loving place then that speaks louder than just putting your hands on someone’s hips. If you were to caress something else (a little more private) than you could be the nicest Yoga instructor, but you are still getting a look of shock and dismay and maybe a slap.

]]> By: Jonathan - Advanced Life Skills http://www.jonathanfields.com/blog/the-power-of-context-arrested-or-adored/#comment-4633 Jonathan - Advanced Life Skills Tue, 05 Aug 2008 15:10:26 +0000 http://jonathanfields.com/blog/?p=369#comment-4633 Context, frame, body language, conversation all contribute to a feeling of trust or distrust. For those who are aware of the many levels of communication as you are Jonathan, there is much less room for anyone to misunderstand your intent. Without even being conscious of it we all sense things like respect and apparent motive. All of these factors combined paint an emotional picture that makes others feel comfortable or not. Jonathan, you’re a master communicator and I feel that it would take a lot of personal issues on the part of a student to misunderstand your intent. Context, frame, body language, conversation all contribute to a feeling of trust or distrust. For those who are aware of the many levels of communication as you are Jonathan, there is much less room for anyone to misunderstand your intent.

Without even being conscious of it we all sense things like respect and apparent motive. All of these factors combined paint an emotional picture that makes others feel comfortable or not.

Jonathan, you’re a master communicator and I feel that it would take a lot of personal issues on the part of a student to misunderstand your intent.

]]> By: Justin http://www.jonathanfields.com/blog/the-power-of-context-arrested-or-adored/#comment-4630 Justin Tue, 05 Aug 2008 11:37:26 +0000 http://jonathanfields.com/blog/?p=369#comment-4630 People understand that in yoga, instructors need to do that to help people adjust. They know that there's no inappropriate undertone. I'm sure there are some instructors who do take advantage of adjusting, but it has to be few and far between. People understand that in yoga, instructors need to do that to help people adjust. They know that there’s no inappropriate undertone. I’m sure there are some instructors who do take advantage of adjusting, but it has to be few and far between.

]]> By: Jamie Grove - How Not To Write http://www.jonathanfields.com/blog/the-power-of-context-arrested-or-adored/#comment-4592 Jamie Grove - How Not To Write Fri, 01 Aug 2008 01:20:51 +0000 http://jonathanfields.com/blog/?p=369#comment-4592 I do think it's all about context, but if I hadn't been reading David Swenson's Ashtanga book at dinner, I would have sworn that the caption to the photo on this post would be: "Yes, I paid extra for this..." I do think it’s all about context, but if I hadn’t been reading David Swenson’s Ashtanga book at dinner, I would have sworn that the caption to the photo on this post would be:

“Yes, I paid extra for this…”

]]> By: Pamela Slim http://www.jonathanfields.com/blog/the-power-of-context-arrested-or-adored/#comment-4589 Pamela Slim Thu, 31 Jul 2008 17:45:21 +0000 http://jonathanfields.com/blog/?p=369#comment-4589 Hi J: I, like many of the other commenters have seen physical adjustments done with good and bad intent in classes, with differing results. I like to mix the intention and words for best effect. So when I was a martial arts instructor, for example, I would say something like "hold that position and I will come around and make slight adjustments to your form." I would only have my hands on the person for as long as it took to change positions. I have also had Pilates instructors do the same with me when using me to demonstrate a form. They would ask for a volunteer, then say "I am going to press here so you arch more, etc." My favorite story of this was when my instructor Skye had me demonstrate a technique then said to the class "everyone, look at Pam's butt!" Still makes me laugh when I think about it. I think male instructors, right or wrong, have an extra "burden of proof of clean intent" since there have been many more examples of them crossing the sexual line than women. And to protect yourself legally, it is very important to always have others in the room when you are doing the adjustments. My friend who is a Navajo medicine man and sometimes does hands-on work with patients will not do anything unless there is someone else present in the room. Sometimes, depending on someone's personal history, even if your intent is clean and your touch purely professional, they will cry foul. Just part of the package deal of working with bodies and minds together. Hi J:

I, like many of the other commenters have seen physical adjustments done with good and bad intent in classes, with differing results.

I like to mix the intention and words for best effect. So when I was a martial arts instructor, for example, I would say something like “hold that position and I will come around and make slight adjustments to your form.” I would only have my hands on the person for as long as it took to change positions.

I have also had Pilates instructors do the same with me when using me to demonstrate a form. They would ask for a volunteer, then say “I am going to press here so you arch more, etc.” My favorite story of this was when my instructor Skye had me demonstrate a technique then said to the class “everyone, look at Pam’s butt!” Still makes me laugh when I think about it.

I think male instructors, right or wrong, have an extra “burden of proof of clean intent” since there have been many more examples of them crossing the sexual line than women. And to protect yourself legally, it is very important to always have others in the room when you are doing the adjustments. My friend who is a Navajo medicine man and sometimes does hands-on work with patients will not do anything unless there is someone else present in the room. Sometimes, depending on someone’s personal history, even if your intent is clean and your touch purely professional, they will cry foul.

Just part of the package deal of working with bodies and minds together.

]]> By: esther http://www.jonathanfields.com/blog/the-power-of-context-arrested-or-adored/#comment-4588 esther Thu, 31 Jul 2008 14:02:05 +0000 http://jonathanfields.com/blog/?p=369#comment-4588 katinka - is that true about india? i saw a documentary with p. jois and he was hurling his body on one of the participants to make them go further in a forward bend! katinka – is that true about india? i saw a documentary with p. jois and he was hurling his body on one of the participants to make them go further in a forward bend!

]]> By: Katinka Hesselink - spirituality http://www.jonathanfields.com/blog/the-power-of-context-arrested-or-adored/#comment-4587 Katinka Hesselink - spirituality Thu, 31 Jul 2008 11:29:59 +0000 http://jonathanfields.com/blog/?p=369#comment-4587 Well, to me a yoga teacher who does too much touching is one I will leave after the first class. One reason I have been unable to find a satisfactory yoga or tai chi class is that I'd prefer one where the amount of body contact is as minimal as possible - either teacher-participant OR participant-participant. I'm just sensitive that way. and if there IS a lot of touching going on, I'll be stuck with the impressions of the people involved for far longer than is useful/necessary/healthy. BTW - this is a purely western problem. In India I was specifically told: don't touch that yogi (who was in a spiritual class with me) - they aren't allowed to touch anybody. Well, to me a yoga teacher who does too much touching is one I will leave after the first class. One reason I have been unable to find a satisfactory yoga or tai chi class is that I’d prefer one where the amount of body contact is as minimal as possible – either teacher-participant OR participant-participant.

I’m just sensitive that way. and if there IS a lot of touching going on, I’ll be stuck with the impressions of the people involved for far longer than is useful/necessary/healthy.

BTW – this is a purely western problem. In India I was specifically told: don’t touch that yogi (who was in a spiritual class with me) – they aren’t allowed to touch anybody.

]]> By: Martin http://www.jonathanfields.com/blog/the-power-of-context-arrested-or-adored/#comment-4586 Martin Thu, 31 Jul 2008 06:52:56 +0000 http://jonathanfields.com/blog/?p=369#comment-4586 Context is important, but another factor would be the type of people attracted to Yoga. I would imagine they are more open to human contact and less likely to take offence. Context is important, but another factor would be the type of people attracted to Yoga. I would imagine they are more open to human contact and less likely to take offence.

]]> By: esther http://www.jonathanfields.com/blog/the-power-of-context-arrested-or-adored/#comment-4585 esther Thu, 31 Jul 2008 01:43:42 +0000 http://jonathanfields.com/blog/?p=369#comment-4585 i agree that there's a tremendous responsibility on you as teacher and "adjuster" in terms of intent and action, but there's also a responsibility on the part of the "adjustee" to understand a teacher's adjustments for what they are, a crucial part of their job. people new to yoga might not have a frame of reference for this kind of interaction, but with time and experience (and provided the teacher is on the level), they learn. i remember when i started practicing yoga, i took adjustments as a sign that i was 'wrong' or 'off' -worst student in the class kind of thing- which had everything to do with me and my ego and nothing to do with the teacher or yoga. now i love adjustments, take them as any number of things, none of which is punitive or critical. i see them as a vote of confidence, a gift, as teacher looking out for my safety, as teacher-as-guru lighting my way to more space and range than i ever imagined. but this was my process, my practice teaching me to get out of my way. so perhaps someone taking an adjustment as sexual is more about their process, their mental cobwebs that need clearing so they can get on the mat. i agree that there’s a tremendous responsibility on you as teacher and “adjuster” in terms of intent and action, but there’s also a responsibility on the part of the “adjustee” to understand a teacher’s adjustments for what they are, a crucial part of their job. people new to yoga might not have a frame of reference for this kind of interaction, but with time and experience (and provided the teacher is on the level), they learn.

i remember when i started practicing yoga, i took adjustments as a sign that i was ‘wrong’ or ‘off’ -worst student in the class kind of thing- which had everything to do with me and my ego and nothing to do with the teacher or yoga. now i love adjustments, take them as any number of things, none of which is punitive or critical. i see them as a vote of confidence, a gift, as teacher looking out for my safety, as teacher-as-guru lighting my way to more space and range than i ever imagined. but this was my process, my practice teaching me to get out of my way.

so perhaps someone taking an adjustment as sexual is more about their process, their mental cobwebs that need clearing so they can get on the mat.

]]> By: Diane http://www.jonathanfields.com/blog/the-power-of-context-arrested-or-adored/#comment-4584 Diane Thu, 31 Jul 2008 00:46:32 +0000 http://jonathanfields.com/blog/?p=369#comment-4584 Yet another post that makes you go hmmmmm... I can relate to this Jonathan, as I'm a Yoga Therapist and Thai Yoga Bodyworker. I've touched a lot of bodies in both training situations and sessions -- actually that picture that goes along with you post is something I've done with clients many times. I agree that intention and context are important. I also find that expectation setting is important as well. I always tell people what they can expect during a session so there are no surprises. I've seen some training relationships take a turn for the sexual once class was out. I've also known some yoga teachers who have gone a bit out of context so to speak with students. That's why I'm not sure perceived authority necessarily implies trust. Sometimes I think perceived authority can ramp things up in some cases. It really depends upon the people involved. I think you can tell when someone is being honest and professional as you can when someone is abusing his/her authority to take things beyond a level of what's appropriate. There are a lot of yogis behaving badly out there. Of course they only get away with what others let them. It's a two-way street. Thanks again for another thought-provoking topic. Yet another post that makes you go hmmmmm… I can relate to this Jonathan, as I’m a Yoga Therapist and Thai Yoga Bodyworker. I’ve touched a lot of bodies in both training situations and sessions — actually that picture that goes along with you post is something I’ve done with clients many times. I agree that intention and context are important. I also find that expectation setting is important as well. I always tell people what they can expect during a session so there are no surprises. I’ve seen some training relationships take a turn for the sexual once class was out. I’ve also known some yoga teachers who have gone a bit out of context so to speak with students. That’s why I’m not sure perceived authority necessarily implies trust. Sometimes I think perceived authority can ramp things up in some cases. It really depends upon the people involved. I think you can tell when someone is being honest and professional as you can when someone is abusing his/her authority to take things beyond a level of what’s appropriate. There are a lot of yogis behaving badly out there. Of course they only get away with what others let them. It’s a two-way street. Thanks again for another thought-provoking topic.

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