Echos of embodiment
Exploring the voice as a
gateway to authentic learning and teaching
With Corinne Castelli

TUNE IN WITH US VIA

"     And especially really for the educators often we have a high standard of what we want to bring in the world. And then there are curriculums and things that we need to do and things that are kind of given. So there's a lot of pressure also around the performance and what kind of goals have to be reached in a certain time.

And sometimes this creates a constriction. When there is this constriction, then it's difficult to enter that space of openness where we become explorative. "

~ Corinne Castelli ~

I could have come up with so many more titles! because Corinne beautifully shows how the voice is a gateway to so much more, so for now let's go with a very important one when zooming in on embodiment in our classrooms!

“The voice is a gateway to vitality"

Vitality brings in this level of aliveness, which then talks about curiosity and a hunger for learning not just in school but in life, through VIBRANT BODIES - mmmm...

Very curious how mesmarized you are by this compassionate voice whisperer, as I am in love with her vibrancy. The way she speaks body honours the grace, the depth and the beauty of everything we are capable of as learning, leading and loving human body educators.

The question of which teacher inspired Corinne, opened up such a contagious curiosity in Corinne, and this for me showcases the aliveness and vitality that arises when you are aligned with what you care for and what you do. Also honouring our teachers whose shoulders we stand on, as a matter of integrity and transparency.

The Resonant Body

If you enjoy this generative conversation with Corinne, then you might also enjoy the upcoming SUMMIT

“What does it require to be in the space of not knowing?"

Corinne brought up this question when talking about curiosity, because it often means more than just allowing excitement in. It requires a certain opening up to learning, which also expresses through the body so more can emerge. Almost like a 'Humble receiving of the learning' she says.

Which ripples to another important layer as SPACEHOLDER, 'am I fine with the space of not knowing? To a level that as educator I am still able to bare and support yourself and the group.'

'This requires a lot of inner safety, self confidence, knowing i am basically good as human. And then looking at the learning space, what would it be like to come from this place of I’m BASIC GOODNESS — which Corinne brings in from her buddhist teachers — and even though I make mistakes I am still a good person!' Even though I didn't make it through till the end, I’m enough and I’m a good person.

Wow this is H.U.G.E. especially with such pressure on productivity going on, through scores and prestige and performance for teachers and students! And you might label this as 'futile', or 'simple' but it really changes the story and the room when you reach out from this genuine place inside yourself. And I'll be honest, this is only accesible for me (Liz) since the last 5 years.

The Inquiry of Curiosity

The ways our bodies respond to pressure is often through CONSTRICTION, and that impacts the level of presence and openness to learning.

“ when my whole system is going into a protective contraction mood, I will not be able to receive the fullness, and the richness of the information, the co-creation that can take place in a classroom.” Again Corinne's subtle work showcases - when it comes to learning our wondrous and wandering Nervous systems are hugely impacting the impact of learning. The nervoussystem is trying to keep us safe, and when in disregulation hearing is one of the first sense to go offline. It's a full circle here, where we want to dive into the power of voice, and that is only truly accessible when centering in the chillzone. Also I really invite you to come and listen, as Corinne also talks about the development in utero regarding our senses! We are intricate beings :)

"The act of speaking starts by listening"

Learning is basically a constant proces of processing information. I love her metaphors because they speak mind and body. "This processing of information is more of a digestive system thing, which has a different rythm-it can’t go so fast! Digesting is a slower process, how do we modulate the inner and the outer world, again this comes back to the act of listening." And I can so much relate that often the courses i had to teach were under such big pace, that only the ones with enough regulation + safety + curiosity were able to digest fast enough to finish the module. Also the pressure we impose by expecting timelimits on developments of learners is sometimes a very limiting principle, where we harm more than do good to the learning capacity of our learners. But that's a system thing i won't go into now ;)

 "We are living organism. So we are not, we are not learning machines."

"When you show yourself with your voice, speaking in front of learners and reaching them requires courage and a possible situation for disregulation. Remember 10% is our words, 90% of the transfer is communicating our inner state. We loose ourselves literally when thinking it’s all about sending information." Yes the content counts, and the words help clarifying so many things, AND the message we convey as educators vibrates on many different levels into the room. Corinne really flipped the concept of teaching for me, to just become aware of the fact that our bodies resonate whether we like it or not. And in that process of sharing we either undermine or emphasize what we teach!

I really invite you to Corinne's guided practice to familiarize yourself with your own authentic voice. "We have so many expressions and voices within. When we can reconnect with the touching quality of our voice, connecting to the voice as a haptic phenomenon, see how that changes the way you communicate and show up - just by the simple act of listening"

And to go back to the vitality, we also talk about the moment where you as educator sometimes feel like the vitality of your students - especially kids - is too much. "Sometimes we get triggered because we ourselves have inhibition around shame, taking up space, the nakedness and shame" There's so much to learn about the impacts of our teachings though the disregulation / push back / uncomfortableness with the collective. And what i found really helpful was the distinguish Corinne made about healthy boundaries or perceptual cuts from ourselves (think shame, anger, big deeper feels that have been surpressed). I will leave that one to marinate inside you ;)

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This conversation is so rich, i want to leave you space to discover too, so I'll shut up.

Corinne and I love to hear your how this lands for you, and please don't hesitate to reach out for questions / ravellations / frustrations / explorations!

Thanks for being with us - and stay curious 👀

Allow integration time - digestion also goes on a slower pace

Remember, as spaceholder you are setting the tone

Impression of Corinne's work