As my advanced class, Company, is drawing to a close we were reviewing some the activities that we explored during the year. The one that seemed to draw the most attention was our habit of “Checking In” with each and every class. After a bit of yoga and physical warming up and stretching, we stand in a circle to “check in” The idea is that everyone take just a few sentences to put into words exactly what they are feeling and experiencing in THIS VERY MOMENT. I encourage everyone to avoid weak, apologetic words such as “kind of” “sort of” “like” and every other form of minimizing and apologizing word. You got to be brave and call out exactly the truth of the moment.
We have done it so often that I had forgotten it. It had just become part of our routine. But yesterday, students talked of how hard this had been for them in the early days of the class and how they had never before held themselves accountable for where they were in the world. They had just never asked the question. Now they were asking the questions. They were surprised and fascinated by what they had to say.
We talked about the impossibility of making ANY art until that fundamental question is asked and answered. If you are not here, how can you PRETEND to be somewhere else?
One comment on “Checking In”
It’s about being present. This is a life lesson you’re having them practice – one that will serve them well in ways they aren’t even aware of yet.
It’s probably tough at first because after a full day of academics, having to fight with themselves to be fully present just to understand the material they’re being taught (to pass the curriculum), their minds are probably ready to wander. Understandably so too.
So I think the Yoga and conversation are probably a nice relief, even if it takes a little while to unplug from the busyness in the mind in order to get to that point.
I know how tough it can be to remain present, but it’s such a valuable tool in life to be able to master this. Great way to empower your students because this is exactly what it’ll bring to their lives. Personal empowerment.