Communication Chronicles - Insights from the Yoga Mat
Communication Insights for Teams and Leaders
Broken In 8 places- this is a yoga pose, seriously.
It's a pose I never thought I would be able to do, and a pose I got surprisingly close to achieving a few years back.
Recently I joined a new studio, and had to start figuring out which teachers I liked and which ones I didn't. A good yoga teacher makes all the difference in the world, yet often times it comes down to preference as to the energy and style of the teacher.
For me, I identified 3 key traits I desire in a yoga teacher.
Consistent Pace. When matching breath to movement, a consistent pace makes it easier to execute and get more out of class.
Succinctly Descriptive - Some yoga teachers are so good at this that you can get into a new pose without looking around for visual references as they describe the movement in a way that’s easy to understand and in only a few words (This is a true talent IMO)
They share WHY- Not why you are doing yoga, but why this pose, what is the outcome and what should you feel. This becomes more important with the higher complexity poses as people may need slight adaptations for their body. The why really helps people get the most out of the movement or pose.
If I could choose only one it would have to be #3. This is an empowering communication attribute. This way I can adapt the pose in ways I might be familiar with.
The only reason I do yoga to this day is I was lucky enough to run across an uncommon yoga teacher in my early days. He was a former D1 Football player and didn’t match the normal gumby yoga type that can bend in any direction at will. He would share poses that he couldn't do, then share what his work around along with what you should be feeling.
Tight hip flexors? No problem
T-rex arms - No problem
After understanding the "Why" of the poses, it became easier to understand how to adapt and if I needed to do something completely different.
The take away?
Share what outcome people are trying to get to and why it's important
Be succinct: Explain clearly with as few words as possible.
Be consistent in how you communicate
Understanding the complexity of team communication is half the battle. Solving it is the other half. Let us help your team navigate these complexities with our LEGO-based sessions on communication, collaboration, and connection. Contact us today to learn more and see how we can transform your team's communication dynamics. Let's build a better team together!
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