The other night, one of my students, Vivienne, (who is also a fellow instructor) complimented me on my teaching ability. You see, we were in our spin class and I try to encourage all students to search the internet and if they see something that they like or want to learn, bring it to class (or show me ahead of time) and if I can figure it out and I feel that it’s safe for the class, then we’ll try it. This was the case this past week. Fortunately, due to the move being accessible to those of us who aren’t pros, I was able to decipher the movement after a couple times of trying it myself. Afterwards, I gave an explanation and the majority of the class was able to get the move or at the very least, understand the concept. I’m not one to stand still…or right-side up, and so I do a lot of explaining whilst in motion..or upside-down. I guess this isn’t the norm. But then again, what do I do that IS in the norm? 🙂
Until Vivienne mentioned it, I really never thought about teaching and being good at it. I just do what I do. When I actually did start thinking about it, though, I’ve been “teaching” for quite some time. Let’s get in the way back machine, shall we? 
A couple of full-time jobs back, I trained my replacement. Office stuff. Snooze.
Summertimes for the last couple of years – let’s teach people the flying trapeze!
Zumba, yo! (Ok, I’m certified to teach it, but I don’t currently.)
Oh, the Club Med years….taught some folks how to bartend, how to rollerblade, do all kinds of circus stuff. Even trained a fellow GO to be a circus GO. (I’m pretty proud of that one and you’ll really only get it if I either tell you the whole story or you understand the inner workings of Club Med.) Pretty sure I taught some chicks how to get loose too, lol. (PLUS PLUS, a Francais)
Restaurant work – I was a corporate trainer for a restaurant once. Taught my girls how to sling those drinks and make that money.
In my free time, back then, I tried to teach a person or two how to go out safely with $5 in your pocket, have the drinks that you want, and still come home with that $5 in your pocket.
Without even realizing it, I’ve been “teaching” in one way or another for quite some time now. I would have to say that teaching pole is up there in intensity with teaching circus stuff. I would also say that teaching circus really helps me in my pole teaching. They share that body awareness factor that allows me to say, “Move your <insert body part> in this way,” and most of the time, it works.
I think what I’m noticing is that teaching could very well be my life force. I feel empty when I don’t get to boss people around do a little teaching. Every life-sucking moment that I am sitting in an office, I am thinking about how I should be teaching. Gotta make that happen.
Also realizing that I don’t have an ending for this post……
Once I learn to do something, I am driven to teach it… The only exception to that ever, was scuba diving. That is the only thing I’ve preferred to keep for pure pleasure. I understand the need to boss, to share knowledge, whichever. 🙂