Craig Constantine

Kyle ‘Just Sole’ and Dinita ‘Queen Di’ Clark: Street Dance, culture, and community

November 18, 2020

Kyle ‘Just Sole’ and Dinita ‘Queen Di’ Clark: Street Dance, culture, and community

What roles do culture, community, and personal experience play in shaping the art and teaching of street dance?

Some things go beyond a passion to become a way of life… For Kyle ‘Just Sole’ and Dinita ‘Queen Di’ Clark that way of life is street dance. They share their story; how they started dancing, their backgrounds, and their work as choreographers and professors. Just Sole and Queen Di describe their experiences with dance, from clubbing to teaching, and explain the culture and community of street dance. They discuss family, home and travel, and how dance weaves through everything in their lives.

It’s actually a surrendering to music. That’s what dance says, it’s a surrendering, it’s a commitment, it’s a letting go of your preconceived notion to accept it, to express your conceived notion with it.
~ Kyle ‘Just Sole’ Clark (45:40)

Kyle ‘Just Sole’ and Dinita ‘Queen Di’ Clark are dancers, choreographers, educators, and parents. Currently college professors, they have competed, taught, traveled, and performed together around the world for the last decade. Just Sole and Queen Di founded the “Just Sole! Street Dance Theater” company, and educational program “Funky Sole Fundamentals” to preserve the culture and styles of hip hop, funk, and house dance.

The beautiful thing about hip hop and street dance culture is, you are allowed to be yourself within the culture.
~ Dinita ‘Queen Di’ Clark (36:00)

The conversation centers on the deep cultural, spiritual, and personal significance of street dance. Kyle and Dinita discuss how street dance is more than movement; it’s a form of expression and a way of life, intricately tied to music, history, and community. They highlight the role of personal upbringing and exposure to music and movement in shaping their artistic journeys, describing dance as a universal language that everyone can connect with, but only those who actively participate truly understand.

Queen Di and Just Sole also emphasize the responsibility of teaching street dance, including preserving its cultural roots and passing on its history. They address misconceptions about the art form, such as the lack of perceived technique, and stress the importance of engaging directly with the culture through clubs, ciphers, and shared experiences. The discussion also touches on themes of appropriation, education, and the universal appeal of dance as a means of connection and spiritual release.

Takeaways

Participation in culture — True understanding and belonging in street dance require active participation, not just learning moves or theory.

Teaching with responsibility — Educators have a duty to preserve and respect the cultural roots of street dance while guiding students in their personal expression.

Dance as spiritual expression — Beyond movement, street dance connects deeply to music, offering a spiritual and emotional release.

Universal accessibility — While everyone can dance in theory, achieving a profound connection requires dedication and openness.

Cultural preservation — Maintaining the history and essence of street dance ensures its authenticity and relevance for future generations.

Resources

Queen Dinita @queen_dinita

Just Sole @justsole

Just Sole Movement

Funky Sole Fundamentals @funkysolefundamentals

(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)

Microphones and the human voice

September 30, 2020

This is a well written article about the human voice, and how microphones really work in terms of capturing it. Even if you read this and plan to forget everything—you’ll come out *way* ahead when recording your and your guests’ voices.

https://www.dpamicrophones.com/mic-university/facts-about-speech-intelligibility

slip:4udami1.

It’s full of insightful information, about the human voice:

…the voice changes spectrum in almost any other position than when we approach the speaking person with our ear – or microphone. Each position on the head or the chest has its’ own sound color – or timbre. For instance, the spectrum of speech recorded on the chest of a person normally lacks frequencies in the important range of 2-4 kHz. This results in reduced speech intelligibility. If the microphone does not compensate for this you should make corrections with an equalizer.

Important frequencies:

The important frequencies in non-tonal (Western) languages are illustrated by the diagram below. Here, the frequency band around 2 kHz is the most important frequency range regarding perceived intelligibility. Most consonants are found in this frequency band.

…and about what affects intelligibility in a reproduction of the voice:

A lot of research has been carried out in this area. In general, the results demonstrate that:

1. Optimum speech level is constant when background noise level is lower than 40 dB(A)
2. Optimum speech level appears to be the level that maintains around 15 dB(A) of S/N ratio when the background noise level is more than 40 dB(A)
3. Listening difficulty increases as speech level increases under the condition where S/N ratio is good enough to keep intelligibility near perfect

Furthermore, the 1-4 kHz frequency range should be “kept clear”. When, for instance, adding music as background for narration, a parametric equalizer cutting the music 5-10 dB in this frequency range will improve intelligibility.

Nothing Fails Like Success

September 26, 2020

There are internet companies (like Basecamp, or like Automattic, makers of WordPress.com, where I work) that charge money for their products and services, and use that money to grow their business. I wish more internet companies could follow that model, but it’s hard to retrofit a legitimate business model to a product that started its life as free.
~ Jeffrey Zeldman from, https://alistapart.com/article/nothing-fails-like-success/

slip:4uaiai7.

ahahahahahahahahhahaahahhaaa! Sometimes I like to share stuff just because it makes me happy. (The stuff; not the sharing of said stuff, I mean.) I regularly talk about how this web site is a vehicle for my reflection—I’m quite often literally thinking through things. Writing, (tappity-tap-tapping on the keyboard here,) and writing, (scratchity-scritch-skratching with a pen on paper,) are two of the ways I figure out if the dross I regularly find in my head actually corresponds to reality.

When I read sentences like the ones I quoted above, I leap (sometimes literally) to my feet knocking over my chair in the process. It does my weary—deeply deeply weary it be—heart good just to read sentences like this. And I hope—not in the sense that I little value your ability to think and “hope” you’ll finally get what I’m saying; no. I only hope that sometimes, some of the things I share make you happier.

Thomas Droge and Brenda Kahn: Story, history, and self-perception

September 23, 2020

Thomas Droge and Brenda Kahn: Story, history, and self-perception

What are the ways in which personal narratives, self-perception, and mentorship influence an individual’s path to growth and transformation?

If you want to know someone, have a conversation with them. But if you want to know who they really are, have a conversation with their partner. Thomas Droge and Brenda Kahn share their story and how they’ve changed over the years. They explore the idea of our internal narratives and self-perceptions, finding your own way, and the human experience of time. Brenda and Thomas discuss ways to change the world and the importance of investigating your history.

I’ve been writing a memoir. And I had a really fascinating experience with it, because I got all the way through it, and realize that everything that I told myself about myself was totally not true. […] the stories we tell ourselves, literally, inform our lives in a way that have real consequences in the real world. And when you take a step back and look at yourself and decide, wait a second, you know, they actually did a lot of really cool things, you know— this was kind of amazing. So then I had to start the whole thing over again from this whole different slant.
~ Brenda Kan (38:24)

This conversation explores how personal stories and perceptions shape our lives and how reevaluating them can unlock growth. Brenda reflects on writing a memoir and discovering that her past achievements were much more significant than she initially believed, illustrating the transformative power of storytelling. Thomas complements this idea by discussing mentorship and the value of learning from both older and younger generations to stay connected with evolving perspectives.

And he said, for me, one of the things that I think people always miss in mentorship is that you need mentors who are younger than you, to share with you what’s changing in the world, and keep you connected to what’s happening. And mentorship is really a two way street, of the younger generation, connecting you with the world and what’s happening and showing you what’s changing from their point of view. To teach you so that you don’t get stuck in your static view of the world.
~ Thomas Droge (33:17)

The discussion also touches on movement practices, mindfulness, and self-discovery, connecting these to larger themes like time perception and narrative transformation. By examining personal experiences, they highlight the importance of self-awareness and adaptability in personal and professional contexts, as well as the role of mentors and shared knowledge in shaping these journeys.

Takeaways

Mentorship’s reciprocal nature — Younger mentors help connect older generations to evolving perspectives, making mentorship a two-way exchange.

Personal narrative’s power — Revisiting and reframing personal stories can completely transform self-perception.

Movement as insight — Physical practices like Tai Chi or Parkour help reveal inner narratives and foster growth.

The interplay of time and perception — Understanding time through different lenses offers tools for navigating personal transformation.

Storytelling and compassion — Approaching one’s story with compassion opens up new possibilities for growth and healing.

Resources

Thomas Droge

Brenda Kahn

Dolores Huerta Foundation — Civil rights organization founded by Dolores Huerta.

Taoism and Dragon Gate Teachings — An overview of the Dragon Gate Taoist philosophy.

(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)

Performing with a safety net

July 29, 2020

When recording conversations for the Movers Mindset podcast the guests know I’m not going to edit what they say to change their meaning. They know I’m bringing journalistic integrity to the conversation. (I’m not doing strict journalism, but that feature of journalism is present.) I do my best to set up the correct space (physical, emotional and mental,) so that we can co-create the best conversation possible. I’m not digging for dirt, creating tension, nor trying to create any other saccharine artifice. But that doesn’t change the fact that we are performing for an audience. The final necessary piece to facilitating a great conversation is a safety net.

Each conversation… each performance is better if we can reach just a bit farther than we might normally be comfortable doing. That’s why I bring a safety net. I very clearly give the guest a safe word which they can incant at any time to take back what they’ve said.

I don’t include the guest in the post-production process. They’re not invited to review the material, or to give additional thoughts about what to keep or what to cut. In fact, the only people who have time to do that, are wanna-be cooks, who will only mess up the soup if I let them in my kitchen. Instead, I and my team do all the post-production difficult work which is in fact our responsibility. The guest already did the really hard work of being themselves on-mic.

I do also say, “take your time— silence is free and we can easily trim out 30 seconds of you thinking before you speak.” I’ve also a few other little coaching tidbits I share to prep them for being recorded. But it’s the safety net which makes them feel comfortable trying something they might otherwise hesitate about. Part of the magic of a great conversation is how it develops organically, and without the safety net most people dial their caution up a few notches to be safe. With a safety net, most people are delighted to take a leap to see what they can do.

Cara-Michele Nether: Aikido, wellness, and honesty

July 22, 2020

Cara-Michele Nether: Aikido, wellness, and honesty

How can personal experiences with Aikido and wellness practices be used to help others improve their lives through self-awareness, physical health, and personal growth?

Unexpectedly inheriting an Aikido school may sound overwhelming, but Cara-Michele Nether took it in stride. She sits down to share her journey in Aikido and acupuncture, and what she’s learned from both. Cara-Michele unpacks her views on overall health, and how she helps people improve their lives by focusing on their ‘why.’ She discusses her grandmother, the importance of self-awareness, and her thoughts on Aikido’s usefulness.

Nobody wants to do something that they feel awful about. So you have to make it easy and smooth for them and give them small reasons to celebrate and have a good time and feel like they want to come back.
~ Cara-Michele Nether (38:42)

The discussion focuses on personal growth and the impact of martial arts, particularly Aikido, on physical and emotional health. Aikido serves as a tool for self-awareness and developing resilience, as Cara-Michele shares her journey from discovering the practice to inheriting and leading a dojo. The themes of humility, connection, and navigating challenges in teaching and practice are explored in depth.

Health and wellness are central topics, as Cara-Michele integrates practices like acupuncture, nutrition, and functional movement into their work. She emphasize the importance of understanding personal motivations, or “why,” to make meaningful changes in health and lifestyle. Stories of overcoming challenges and helping others through tailored approaches highlight the transformative power of these practices.

Takeaways

Functional movement — Emphasis on exercises that enhance daily life skills like lifting, climbing stairs, or squatting.

Humility in practice — The necessity of maintaining an “empty cup” mindset for growth in martial arts and personal development.

Health connections — The integration of acupuncture, nutrition, and movement to improve overall well-being.

Legacy and impact — Encouraging others to recognize their unique contributions and preserve family histories.

Community and belonging — The importance of fostering connections and seeing oneself as valuable to others.

Resources

Strength and Vitality Wellness Center — A wellness center offering acupuncture, nutrition, and movement classes, designed to help clients achieve overall health and vitality.

Falls Road Aikido — A dojo founded by Cara-Michele Nether that emphasizes Aikido practice with a focus on personal growth and connection.

Kinokawa Aikido — An Aikido organization that strongly influenced Cara-Michele’s martial arts journey, known for its emphasis on martial and philosophical aspects of Aikido.

(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)

Some thoughts on file organization

June 26, 2020

Within the team that creates the Movers Mindset podcast, we assign numbers to our projects. We use “R42” for our 42nd recording project, then R43, and so on. This enables us to start naming things from day one, in a way that we don’t have to change later. If you’re putting your files in a folder, what would you name it, that you could be sure wouldn’t change?

We also use our podcast’s initials on file names, “MM.” When we see files whose name contains, MM-R42… we know what it belongs too. It’s part of the Recording-42 project for Movers Mindset.

We also exclusively use people’s family names on files. So a raw WAV file from an interview is 20200423-MM-SMITH-TR1.wav … April 23, 2020 recording for Movers Mindset, of someone named “Smith”, and this is track one [a recording from one microphone.] 20200423-MM-SMITH-TR2.wav is track two, and so on. No matter where you toss that file, it’s going to make sense.

Eventually, a recording project might lead to one (or more!) episodes of our podcast. They get assigned episode numbers, EP56, EP57, etc. Then we have filenames like MM-EP57… and it’s always clear what that is.

Sometimes we have a dozen files to keep track of in a podcast episode and we end up with
20200423-MM-SMITH-TR1.wav
20200423-MM-SMITH-TR2.wav
MM-EP56-INTRO.wav (introduction recorded after interview)
MM-EP56-OUTRO.wav (outro recorded in post production)
MM-GCORD.wav (a little music ‘button’ used when joining bits of interview)
…the final episode is then MM-EP56-SMITH.mp3

Since I’ve typed this much, here’s another thing we do: We use consistently numbered folders to store the files. Every project has a folder, 2020.04.23 Bob Smith R42/EP56 — we create 2020.04.23 Bob Smith R42 in our archives when we do the raw recording, and at the very end we add the /EP56 to make it easier to find things. In side each project we create five folders 1 assets, 2 recording, 3 episode, 4 publication, and 5 social — the leading number ensure they sort in nice order in various displays. 1 contains anything the guest gives us (photos, writing) or any photos we take during recording. 2 is the raw original recordings, 3 is everything to make a podcast episode (intro, outro, whatever we have to assemble, AND the finished MP3), 4 is anything we create as part of publishing the episode (transcript, articles, highlights ) and 5 is anything that’s ok for social media and sharing. And then we have a multi-terabyte file server with a “few” files on it:

Thea Rae: Programming, Stunts, and Cross training

June 24, 2020

Thea Rae: Programming, Stunts, and Cross training

How can diverse physical practices and creative disciplines inform and enhance each other to foster personal growth and adaptability?

Any mind hell-bent on problem solving inevitably seeks challenge. Thea Rae discusses many things, including her movement background, coding, and stunt work. She unpacks the connections between her art, movement, aerial circus, and programming. Thea explains her varied interests: stunts, circus, cycling, climbing, and ice skating, and why cross training is so important to her practice.

Movement is also a language to me. Just as much as we can communicate with words, we can also communicate with our bodies and we can say so much.
~ Thea Rae

Thea Rae discusses her multifaceted journey through movement arts, creative technology, and life, emphasizing the significance of cross-training in her personal and professional development. She reflects on how disciplines like gymnastics, aerial arts, and ice skating have shaped her understanding of physicality and creativity. Her experience with rock climbing has also been pivotal in teaching her how to remain calm and adapt to challenging situations.

In addition to physical movement, Thea digs into her artistic pursuits, including kinetic sculpture and interactive installations. She explains the parallels between her programming and movement practices, highlighting the problem-solving mindset that underpins both. Throughout, she underscores the value of viewing movement as a language and a means of communication, shaping her approach to teaching, performing, and everyday life.

Takeaways

Movement as a language — Physical movement can communicate as much as words, offering nuanced expressions of thought and emotion.

Cross-training benefits — Engaging in varied physical practices enriches skills across disciplines and fosters adaptability.

The interplay of art and movement — Artistic and physical pursuits inform and enhance each other, creating a holistic creative process.

Resilience through rock climbing — Climbing teaches problem-solving, calmness, and persistence in the face of physical challenges.

Ice skating’s impact — Ice skating has improved Thea’s balance, core stability, and understanding of subtle movements.

Rehab and pre-hab importance — Maintaining physical health requires intentional rehabilitation and preventative exercises to stay active.

Creative problem-solving — Both programming and movement rely on structured thinking and the ability to adapt to complex situations.

Resources

New England Center for Circus Arts — A school where Thea studied aerial silks and acrobatics.

Brooklyn Zoo — A parkour gym where Thea began exploring movement in New York City.

Motiv NY — A physical therapy center that has assisted Thea with movement optimization and injury recovery.

Wonderfruit Festival — A music festival in Thailand where Thea built interactive installations.

(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)

Self-esteem box

June 13, 2020

Today, two thoughts popped into my head in rapid suggestion: “Self-esteem box,” and “I’ve never pull-quoted Movers Mindset.”

Craig: So for me it’s I know if I go for a walk that’s almost, not always, almost always enough to make it so I can go back into the cave of ugliness and get back to work kind of thing. So what are some things that will help you turn that corner, brighten you up or energize you?

Brandee: Yeah, that’s a great question, because I do get very dark moods pretty often actually, because with compassion comes the pain of caring so much about all these people and all this situation, it feels very futile a lot of times, like what can I do to change this. Yeah, I get there and I have a few tactics, I basically build protocols for myself for when I get in those moods. So one of the first things I go to is my self-esteem box.

Craig: This sounds like a good idea.

Brandee: And my self-esteem box is digital, it’s a digital self-esteem box and what I have done, is I have taken screenshots and copy/pasted and just dumped in all kinds of nice things that people have said, either to me or about me over the years.

So I have this file that is just full of gratitude and compliments and just stuff that I have had to read over and over and over in order to actually believe it. So that’s actually more like last resort is the self-esteem box. If nothing else works, open the self-esteem box, look through here.

Craig: In case of emergency, break glass, right?

Brandee: Totally. Totally. So that’s something I think everyone could and should do that. I guess I’ve never really told anyone about that. But it’s a nice thing.

Craig: I think that’s a really good tactic. People talk about doing gratitude journaling, but the gratitude journaling. I mean, I know that you know what it is, but gratitude journaling is a process which you have to execute on the spot when you feel like you’re having a bad mood. But the idea of having a self-esteem box is a clever one.

Brandee: Why, thank you.
~ Brandee Laird from 46’30”, https://moversmindset.com/72

I think these two thoughts popped into my head as the photo-frame on my wall changed. One of the smartest things I’ve ever done is set up a digital photo-frame. I email it photos of things—you know, all those digital photos you never do anything with. :)

Anyway. I love love LOVE my photo-frame. It’s chock full of hundreds of great photos. It’s not quite a self-esteem box. But it generally has the same effect. Every single time I glance at it it makes me smile.

Meanwhile, ever since I had that conversation with Brandee, (in September 2019,) I’ve been toying with the idea of creating a self-esteem box. I’m not quite sure where to put it [digitally] though; Also, I really do not need to make up yet another system for myself for organizing and storing things.

But the idea keeps calling to me.

Andrew Suseno: Ancestors, Parcon Resilience, and Racism

June 10, 2020

Andrew Suseno: Ancestors, Parcon Resilience, and Racism

How can movement practices like Parcon Resilience foster connection, empathy, and anti-racism in diverse communities?

Andrew Suseno’s Parcon goes beyond the physical to create community and fight racism. Andrew discusses his family, ancestors, and their role in his identity. We explore what Parcon is, why he created Parcon Resilience, and his vision for the anti-racist work it does. Andrew unpacks various pieces of racism in modern America, how Parcon Resilience addresses it, and shares why the work he does inspires him.

When somebody is Parcon’ing with somebody who might be in a chair— who might have the ability to maybe do a couple steps if they had somebody in kind of a dynamic balance with them or helping take off some of their weight— Then all of a sudden it becomes possible! There’s this invitation across ability to be able to create new possibilities for being in public, for being in the world, and it’s not just a singular thing.
~ Andrew Suseno (17:48)

The discussion explores Parcon Resilience as an innovative practice combining movement, community, and anti-racist principles. Andrew goes into the origins of Parcon Resilience, blending influences from contact improvisation and parkour to create relational and environmental somatic experiences. The practice emphasizes inclusivity, enabling people of all abilities to connect and express themselves, often in public spaces, to challenge societal norms about movement and relationships.

The conversation also addresses broader themes of racism, intersectionality, and ancestral connections. Andrew explains how Parcon Resilience helps people embody anti-racism by fostering empathy and honoring diverse experiences. Discussions include the socio-political implications of movement and the transformative potential of connecting with one’s environment, others, and ancestral history.

Takeaways

Inclusivity in movement practices — Parcon Resilience allows individuals of all abilities to engage in meaningful interactions.

Contact improvisation — The foundational principles emphasize shared weight and nonverbal communication between participants.

Anti-racism through movement — Parcon Resilience focuses on fostering race consciousness and addressing societal inequalities.

Connection to environment — Participants explore nontraditional spaces and movements to form deeper relationships with their surroundings.

Empathy and relational practices — The focus on shared experiences builds mutual understanding and challenges societal divisions.

Intersectionality in practice — The framework centers on people of color across various intersecting identities.

Cultural and ancestral connections — Honoring one’s past and culture through movement deepens personal and collective identity.

Challenging ableist norms — Activities break barriers between able-bodied individuals and those with disabilities.

Transforming public spaces — Movement activities in public invite diverse interactions and challenge conventional use of urban environments.

Resources

Moving Rasa @moving.rasa

People’s Institute for Survival and Beyond — Organization providing anti-racism workshops and initiatives.

Andrea Smith’s article on Heteropatriarchy — A piece discussing the three pillars of white supremacy.

High Line Park — The location for one of Parcon Resilience’s public flash mobs in New York City.

(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)

Nikkie Zanevsky: Coaching, inclusivity, and empathy

May 27, 2020

Nikkie Zanevsky: Coaching, inclusivity, and empathy

How can inclusive coaching practices and a focus on empathy improve learning and growth for diverse groups in movement disciplines like parkour?

When she first learned about parkour back in ’06, Nikkie Zanevsky never dreamed it would lead to her quitting her day job and starting her own movement company. Nikkie sits down to reflect on her approach to coaching, structuring classes, and creating an experience for her students. She shares her own methods of learning and growing, and how it impacts her coaching. Nikkie shares her insights on success, inclusivity and gender in parkour, and the importance of starting before you’re ready.

For me, my favorite part of coaching is activating everyone in the space to work with each other and to learn from each other, but I feel like I can do that better if I know something about each of the people and how to activate that.
~ Nikkie Zanevsky

The conversation explores the integration of empathy, inclusivity, and diverse movement modalities in coaching practices. Nikkie discusses her approach to creating a supportive environment for learners of all ages and skill levels. She emphasizes the importance of understanding individual needs and fostering collaboration among participants.

Key themes include the role of failure as a pathway to growth, the psychological barriers faced by older participants, and the value of blending disciplines like parkour, strength training, and playful movement. The discussion also highlights how societal expectations can influence participation and the importance of challenging norms to create equitable learning experiences.

Takeaways

Empathy in coaching — Nikkie emphasizes understanding and adapting to the needs of each participant.

Failure as a learning tool — Regularly facing challenges and setbacks builds resilience and empathy.

Diverse modalities — Combining parkour with strength training and playful elements enhances learning.

Psychological barriers — Older adults often face mental and social hurdles to engaging in new physical practices.

Inclusive environments — Structured indoor and outdoor spaces can make movement more approachable.

Impact of societal norms — Challenging expectations about age, gender, and ability fosters inclusivity.

Resources

Wildly Fit — Nikkie’s New York-based movement coaching and team-building company.

Grit — Angela Lee Duckworth’s book referenced for its focus on perseverance and passion.

The Movement Creative — A collaborative movement community co-founded by Nikkie.

Firestorm Freerunning & Acrobatics — Mentioned as a model for a thriving parkour business.

American Rendezvous — An event noted for its inclusivity across all skill levels.

(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)

The process of reflection

May 17, 2020

Much of the power of the Movers Mindset podcast’s signature question, “three words to describe your practice?” comes from thinking about one’s personal understanding of the word practice. In the podcast episodes, sometimes the guest’s discussion of that understanding is a profound part of their interview. Sometimes their surgical statement of three words is its sublime culmination.

In 2019, we posed the three-words question of the project itself. This turned out to be a surprisingly fruitful exercise. We came up with three words to describe our practice, and I subsequently adopted them as the three words to describe my practice:

Discovery. Reflection. Efficacy.

If those three words describe my practice—the journey of my whole life—then what is the purpose of this web site? Why go through all this work? It’s taken me 9 years and the previous 2,499 posts to understand:

It’s a vehicle for my process of reflection.

I used to think I wrote because there was something I wanted to say. Then I thought, “I will continue to write because I have not yet said what I wanted to say”; but I know now I continue to write because I have not yet heard what I have been listening to.
~ Mary Rueflé from, Madness, Rack, and Honey

Bryan Riggins: Awareness, process, and books

May 13, 2020

Bryan Riggins: Awareness, process, and books

What can be learned from training parkour and engaging with challenges of height about composure, awareness, and personal growth?

Bryan Riggins discusses his motivation, goals, and process of training descents, and his experiences and relationship with fear. He shares how it relates to his love of coaching children, and the challenges he personally works on. Bryan unpacks his reasons for training parkour before delving into the many books that have influenced him and what is on his reading list.

I think that fear has a place always. I think that if people think that it doesn’t exist or that they don’t have it, they’re lying to themselves.
~ Bryan Riggins (14:18)

The conversation discusses the lessons drawn from parkour, particularly training descents, and how these experiences shape personal awareness and composure. Central themes include managing fear, the importance of intentionality, and the application of these principles in teaching children and coaching others. Bryan reflects on how parkour serves as a means for self-discovery and resilience building.

The discussion also drops into the philosophical aspects of parkour, such as the value of breaking challenges into manageable parts and the role of journaling in tracking progress. Broader reflections on teaching emphasize equipping students with tools to manage emotional responses, fostering a growth-oriented mindset, and creating meaningful connections between physical practice and personal development.

Takeaways

Awareness in training — The importance of being present and intentional in physical practice.

Fear as a tool — Fear is acknowledged as a constant presence, offering opportunities for growth rather than avoidance.

Coaching children — Effective teaching strategies involve mindfulness and providing tools for emotional management.

Challenge breakdown — Success in parkour often depends on dividing large challenges into smaller, manageable steps.

Journaling for reflection — Documenting training helps reinforce learning and track progress.

Social media’s role — Social platforms are seen as both an opportunity for connection and a potential distraction from meaningful practice.

Mindset in challenges — A fixed mindset can limit growth, while a focus on adaptability fosters resilience.

The influence of books — Literature and philosophical insights inform both training and teaching methodologies.

Resources

The Rock Warrior’s Way — Arno Ilgner’s book that discusses awareness, attention, and intention in training.

Parkour Visions — An organization where the speaker coaches and develops programs.

Momo — Michael Ende’s’ magical realism book mentioned as inspiring.

A Thousand Plateaus — by Gilles Deleuze and Félix Guattari, a philosophical work exploring complex ideas.

(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)

TK: Tantra, authenticity, and eye contact

April 29, 2020

TK: Tantra, authenticity, and eye contact

What role does tantra, authenticity, and interpersonal communication play in enhancing personal growth and human connection?

TK openly discusses her experiences with tantra, explaining what it is, what it means to her, and how it relates to her goals with Lovecraft Collective. She shares her thoughts on the power of eye contact, radical honesty, and interpersonal communication. TK delves into her love of climbing, her relationship with movement, sexuality, and how the two are connected.

There’s something kind of magical that happens when you— We’re making eye contact right now, and it’s kind of silly, but if we allowed ourselves to continue to make eye contact…
~ TK (19:39)

The conversation explores the multifaceted nature of tantra, diving into its definition and its applications in fostering human connection and holistic healing. It highlights the significance of balancing energy, exploring pleasure, and integrating movement practices such as climbing and parkour into a fuller, more embodied experience of life. TK shares personal anecdotes that underline the importance of understanding and addressing sexuality as a fundamental part of being human.

The discussion also dips into the profound power of eye contact, vulnerability, and radical honesty as transformative tools in interpersonal relationships. Insights into TK’s movement background, including climbing and parkour, provide a glimpse into how physical activities intertwine with personal development and creativity.

Takeaways

Eye contact — A powerful tool for creating intimacy and understanding in human connections.

Tantra — A practice focused on integrating light, sound, and form for holistic healing and personal growth.

Movement and embodiment — Movement practices like parkour and climbing play a significant role in connecting with oneself and the environment.

Radical honesty — Emphasizing the importance of truthfulness in building trust and fostering genuine interactions.

Sexuality and self-discovery — Understanding and addressing sexuality as a core aspect of humanity and personal empowerment.

Integration of practices — Combining physical movement, tantra, and mindfulness for a balanced and enriched life.

Resources

LoveCraft Collective — The guest’s coaching and empowerment collective focused on tantra and sexual healing.

Urban Tantra — Barbara Carrellas’s book exploring tantra practices, initially developed during the AIDS crisis, to foster connection and healing.

Seattle Bouldering Project — A climbing and community space where the guest developed connections related to movement.

(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)

Tension

April 25, 2020

I’ve been thinking about ways to create more opportunity for engagement among the people who are following the work of the Movers Mindset project. We’ve reached a point where we’re creating plenty of content and sharing ideas—but currently almost entirely in the broadcast direction. We’ve a considerable collection of people who are passively consuming.

Meanwhile, every time I manage to engage with someone [in this context of Movers Mindset], it’s an energizing exchange of ideas about movement, movement’s place in society, and sometimes even philosophy in general.

The whole project is intentionally aimed at people who are becoming, or already are, reflective. Such people tend to have made the growth step beyond low-value interaction and engagement and are increasingly aware of how they engage and expend their time especially online. I suppose the key is to simply engage with them one by one, until that becomes untenable for me.

On podcasting

March 31, 2020

The short version of this story is simply: I’m simply curious. I try things. I make mistakes. I ask questions.

My podcasting journey began with the Movers Mindset project, which grew from conversations I started having as part of my personal journey rediscovering movement. Started in 2015, at first it was just a web site that shared others’ writing. But as I travelled, I kept finding myself in cool conversations until one day someone said, “you should have recorded that. I’d listen to that podcast.” Excited, but with no clue how much work it would be, I kicked off the Movers Mindset podcast at the start of 2017. For the first dozen episodes I did far too much of the work myself, until I wised up and started finding a few incredible people to share my new passion.

By this point I was devouring anything I could about interviewing. I smashed through thousands of podcast episodes in the process of wondering, “how does everyone else do it?” Podcasts, books, online courses… Everywhere I turned I found something new to work on in my own journey.

In the fall of 2018 I had about 30 interviews published on the podcast. I was getting comfortable travelling by plane, train and automobile, being invited into people’s lives to capture the Movers Mindset interviews. I was invited to the North American Art of Retreat, a Parkour leadership retreat, in the Cascade mountains outside of Seattle. There I did a series of interviews with the event’s presenters and organizers, and handed those recordings off for Art of Retreat to create their own podcast.

When 2019 rolled around, on a whim, I jumped into an Akimbo course called The Podcast Fellowship. I wanted to search for unknown-unknowns, to rethink everything I had done so far, and much about the Movers Mindset podcast changed in this period. To my surprise, I was invited back to be part of a small group of alumni who assist the coaches for the 4th, (and then the 5th, and 6th) running of the course. It’s mind-bogglingly inspiring and energizing to hang out daily with hundreds of people who share your passion. I even tried to summarize the fun of it in The Journey.

Meanwhile, the Movers Mindset episode numbers kept climbing and I’ve been branching out to interview more challenging guests; challenging for me as I’m forced to converse and discuss topics I know less and less about, but which none the less intrigue me endlessly. In the fall of 2019, this time with help from some of the Movers Mindset team, I was invited back to Art of Retreat. There, we did a second series of interviews for Art of Retreat’s podcast.

If you want to see a more up-to-date listing of what I’ve done in the podcasting space, see my Podchaser creator page.

Big changes for 2020

February 9, 2020

For the past 5 years, I’ve been passionately working on a project called Movers Mindset. I’ve been particular about keeping it separate from “me”—in the sense that I would think, “is this idea something I want to put into Movers Mindset or on my blog?” (It sounds weird, I know—why didn’t you tell me years ago?) This led me to wind up with multiple “outlets”; this blog, public Movers Mindset web site and the Forum. As part of my continued efforts to simplify, we’ve taken down the Movers Mindset public web site.

* We didnt literally turn it off, but it’s just a static page about the project, and it powers the technology to make the podcast work. There’ll be nothing new posted there, and everything that was there will slowly appear in the Forum.

The entire Movers Mindset project grew from conversations I started having as part of my personal journey rediscovering movement. The project started late in 2015, under a different name, and it was initially simply a web site that shared others’ writing. The project grew, and in 2017 I started a companion podcast involving a team of people. In 2019 I created the Movers Mindset Forum. I’ve worked extremely hard, but none of this would have been possible without so much help from so many people.

The Movers Mindset Forum

Everything Movers Mindset does, everything we create, all the people who work on the project for fair pay— Everything is made possible by people who value what we create and support our work by joining the Forum.

If you’re already a Forum member, thank you for your support.

If you do join the forum, you instantly gain access to everything. I hope you will consider supporting our work. To learn more, see Welcome! Join the Movers Mindset Forum .

A note about “access to everything”: I’ve a tremendous amount of stuff to repost into the Forum. I’ll be chipping away at it, but it will take months as I work through it. If there’s something in particular you’re looking for, let me know.

Podcast

The Movers Mindset podcast is available wherever you normally listen to podcasts. Just search for movers mindset and you should be set. You can also find a listing of the podcast episodes in the Movers Mindset Forum. See the topics tagged “podcast “.

The public topics for each episode have only the show summary. Forum members can see the members-only Podcasts category where everything else is actually posted.

Thank you!

I hope you find my blog, the Forum, or the podcast interesting. Please consider sharing if you do.

Nobody cares

January 21, 2020

Nobody cares. Do it yourself.
~ Hugh MacLeod

slip:4a288.

This is a terrific splash of cold water. I interpret this not as a pessimistic, “people suck.” But rather, a catalyst to, “simply start.”

Nobody cares in the same way one cares about one’s own projects and ideas. Obviously nobody cares like that! But why do we—ok fine yes I’m projecting my behavior onto you… Why do we look outward for the external validation? Certainly, the real world is the ultimate arbiter of truth. (As opposed to one’s thoughts.) But no amount of external data is going to create or destroy your true passion. If you have a project that you cannot put down because you’re passionate about it to the extent that it consumes your life, then whether or not you have external validation is irrelevant.

Do the thing. Make the art. It doesn’t matter that nobody cares. Do it yourself.

No smiles

January 16, 2020

We left feeling sorry for the whole thing. The people who worked at the theater weren’t trained to know how to deal with the problem. They probably weren’t empowered to do anything about it anyway. The technical staff apparently doesn’t work on the premises. The guy at the box office wanted to help, but wasn’t granted the power to do anything. And the manager, who was last in the line of misery, to have to manually, and slowly, process dozens of refunds on his own. No smiles entered the picture.

~ Jason Fried from, https://m.signalvnoise.com/i-went-to-see-a-movie-and-instead-i-saw-the-future/

slip:4usiie1.

This is a delightful anecdote which highlights a key element of what we are doing in the Movers Mindset project. We are trying to stay closely engaged with the people we are serving. In order to do that, we can’t use fractured communications mediums (like Instagram direct-messaging, Facebook messenger, and so on) — there’s simply no way I would be able to interact with a meaningful number of people if I had to check a dozen different communication mediums every day. Generally, this is referred to as the Network Effect; the value of the network increases dramatically (non-linearly that is) as the number of people in it increases. So my maintaining (I don’t do this, but if I did…) my participation in many different networks would be needed to reach people.

Instead, I have focused on creating a functioning space where people of like mind can gather and communicate. The challenge is not that the network needs to reach a certain size to be “useful.” No, already one person there can interact with another person and get the full value out of that interaction.

The Movers Mindset Forum

January 15, 2020

What is the Forum?

The goal of the forum is to facilitate self-improvement. In the forum we focus on movement as a mastery practice and highlight the processes of discovery and reflection. The forum provides the opportunity to interact with and learn from podcast guests, athletes, experts, and like-minded others.

https://forum.moversmindset.com/

Why the change?

We used to call it “the Movers Mindset community” site. There are some key reasons why we feel “forum” is a better word choice:

It removes confusion…

While it’s not confusing to us on the team, there was a lot of confusion from everyone else who encountered Movers Mindset. I had to really pay attention before I realized this. People heard us say, “the movers mindset community,” and they were thinking, “the collection of people who are interested in Movers Mindset.” They were thinking community as in: The skate-boarding community. The parkour community.

When we said, “join the Movers Mindset community,” people’s first instinct was that we meant for them to become interested in Movers Mindset, follow us on Instagram, or start listening to the podcast. None of that entices people to join a for-pay, members-only thing. Oops.

The word “forum” does not carry the same context as “community”; when people hear, “the Movers Mindset Forum,” or, “join the Movers Mindset Forum,” it stands out. Even if it stands out only because they don’t know what it is, that’s better than them thinking they know what it is, and having the wrong idea.

Forums are old-school…

If by “old-school” you mean more considered, slower paced, and higher information density, then we’ll take that baggage because that’s exactly what the Movers Mindset Forum is meant to be. The work before us now is marketing the forum as interesting and useful, rather than a dusty old forum not worthy of attention. We think by stating a clear goal for the Forum and by stating what the Forum provides people, that it creates a meaningful opportunity that people will consider.

It’s simply shorter…

I know this seems trivial, but it adds up over time. “Forum” is just that much shorter to have to include in URLs, and it’s two syllables shorter to say.