As we approach the autumn months, a time marked by new beginnings, here is my round-up for August, as a coach, writer, and human being. Shorter than usual as I took some time away.
The joy of long train journeys
Something different this week as I start to wind down for the summer and look forward to a few trips out and about.
I love long train journeys.
If I can sit in comfort and settle in:
I can read.
Journal.
Listen to the voices within.
Plug in Spotify and shut out the rest of the world.
Or tune into any spicy conversations around me.
Daydream.
Kick back and relax.
Let the train take the strain.
As I gaze unseeing at the scenery passing by.
I love long train journeys.
Who else is with me?
What I am learning from Spoken Word Poetry.
An unusual question, but who here has heard of Konstantin Stanislavski? The father of modern-day acting. I hadn’t until I attended the poetry workshop at #Brighton Book Festival, hosted by AFLO. the poet and Ty’rone Haughton in June this year.
I was mesmerised when, in the second part of the workshop, Ty’rone invited us to embody our words. To notice and observe how our bodies responded to the poetry we had written under the guidance of AFLO. the poet.
So rather than trying to commit your words just to the memory in your head, you embody, notice, and attend to what your body wants to do in response to your words. Notice where you want to pause. Notice how your voice changes. Notice what happens to your breathing.
In that moment, something magical happened, something clicked into place.
I had always assumed that spoken word poets and perhaps stand-up comedians somehow committed their words to their heads. It never occurred to me that it might be possible to embody them as well.
What a glorious thing to be able to do, and I believe this is part of Stanislavski’s ‘Method of Physical Action’ and improvisation approach.
Alongside our Open Mics, this whole experience has opened up a new world as I reflect on the skill, presence, and grace of spoken word poets. I am truly impressed by how they are present within their words – how they embody the rhythm and flow of their words and then bind them to movement and gestures.
It also confirms my intuitive feelings about acting, after years of waiting to try it, as I learn to embody the words I write.
So, how might the idea of embodying your words help in your work as a coach, speaker, facilitator, and/or writer?
Until next time