The Relationship between Curiosity, Play, Attention, and Movement.

In this episode, Shawn and Karen discuss the role of curiosity, trial and error, and external focus in learning and movement. They use Karen's son's experience of learning to walk as an example of how the body naturally learns and adapts. They explore the concept of flashlighting and floodlighting attention, and how our attentional system affects our movement. They also discuss the importance of play and the impact of safety and belonging on learning and development. In this conversation, Shawn and Karen discuss the importance of body mapping and the Alexander Technique in changing habits and improving performance. They explore how our body maps are formed from infancy and how they can be changed through mindful movement. They also delve into the role of the nervous system in coordinating complex movements and the need for a more holistic approach to teaching music and other disciplines. The conversation highlights the importance of embodiment, personal development, and challenging traditional narratives in order to create a more empowering and effective learning experience.

Takeaways

Curiosity and trial and error are essential for learning and movement.
Flashlighting attention allows for high-resolution focus on specific details, while floodlighting attention allows for a broader awareness of the whole.
External focus, such as focusing on movement or a specific goal, can improve coordination and reduce effort in performance.
Safety and belonging play a significant role in learning and development.
Overriding natural maps and adopting new ones can be challenging but necessary for societal expectations and safety. Body mapping and the Alexander Technique can help change habits and improve performance by addressing cognitive dissonance and creating new body maps.
Our body maps are formed from infancy and can be changed through mindful movement and exploration.
The nervous system plays a crucial role in coordinating complex movements and is best engaged through external focus and intention.
Traditional teaching methods often overlook the mind-body connection and can lead to burnout, injury, and imposter syndrome.
A more holistic and person-centric approach to teaching is needed, one that values creativity, curiosity, and individuality.

Chapters

00:00
Introduction and the Evolution of Learning

04:30
Curiosity, Trial and Error, and Play

10:20
Flashlighting and Floodlighting Attention

14:53
The Power of External Focus

19:08
Safety and Belonging in Learning

26:39
Overriding Natural Maps

29:56
Changing Habits and Improving Performance through Body Mapping

32:12
Using Body Mapping in Teaching

34:22
The Role of the Nervous System in Coordinating Complex Movements

36:41
Challenging Traditional Teaching Methods

Becoming mBODYed is a production of and copyrighted by mBODYed, LLC, 2024. www.mbodyed.com
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The intro and exit music is Dark Matter by Carlos Velez, recorded by Tosca Duo on their CD Dimensions.
A link to Carlos’s music is available at
https://composercarlosvelez.wixsite.com/carlosvelezmusic/about-me.