Level 1 Aerial Fabric Teacher Training
May 2015
The Marsh Studio
The first week of my son's life was difficult. Breastfeeding was excruciating. At first, I figured it would go away because I was just getting used to it and maybe there was an adjusting period that would soon pass. But when week two came and there was blood smearing on his cheeks from my cracked and bleeding nipples, I knew something was wrong. I spent most of every feeding screaming and I couldn't even put shirts on because my nipples couldn't stand being covered. Following good advice, I found a lactation consultant who diagnosed Jonah's issues. He had a lip tie and a tongue tie preventing him from sucking properly. We got the laser surgery done when he was two weeks old. I had transitioned over to the pump to save what was left of my nipples. It took them weeks to heal. Because I was on the pump, I created an oversupply of milk. Just a few weeks later, I had over 200 ounces of spare milk in the freezer!
I had originally planned on conducting this teacher training with Jonah in the baby carrier all week long. I figured I would be 100% breastfeeding and so I figured I would feed him while giving my input from the sidelines throughout the teacher training. But God had other plans. The horribleness of Jonah's feeding issues turned into a blessing when I was able to fully commit my attention to the training (only having to leave for pumping sessions). While it was hard to leave my baby for a week (they came and visited), it gave me a wonderful break. I actually caught up on sleep! The Marsh Studio was the perfect place to find restoration of soul and spirit. I got to spend time with Susan Murphy, who is simply a character, as anyone who has ever met her knows.
The group that we had was incredible in every way. Friendships formed so quickly that it was hard to imagine that these people had really just met this week. Everyone's favorite new friendship was Jessie and Jamie. Just watching them interact with each other was a comedy show every night. Dinners on the porch at the guest house were a great time of bonding and enjoying the breeze from the marsh. Don's cooking was always fabulous.
We had two packed days of running through skills and cueing techniques on Tuesday and Wednesday. On Thursday, we took a day off. We had a few private lessons and then spent the afternoon enjoying the peacefulness of the surroundings. On Friday, our bodies were tired but our spirits were energized and we pressed on with part 2 of the training at a pace that was a bit slower.
After dinner, it was kayaking time! The water was healing. There is something so soothing in gliding through the water of the marsh land. I am glad that I went, even if it meant sitting my butt in water so that I looked like I peed my pants by the end of the excursion. Everyone wanted to take my picture, so I ran off quick before anyone had a chance to capture that one!
This week was powerful. This was the first time that Julianna and I have taught together, but we've worked together for so many years, it was as natural as breathing. We needed each other to make it through the emotional week and it couldn't have worked any other way. We tag-teamed this week to bring our best of teaching to this group of amazing people. They were open to receiving - making them the best students we could have asked for! I know that Julianna and I will have a long history of teaching together and this was just the beginning.
One trainee from the training wrote to me:
"These excerpts from Desmond Tutu's prayer are perfect to reflect what you do for us: 'You stir us to dare more boldly, to venture into wider seas...where losing sight of land, we shall find the stars. You push back the horizons...and invite the brave to follow.' Thank you for everything you do."
The Marsh Studio
The first week of my son's life was difficult. Breastfeeding was excruciating. At first, I figured it would go away because I was just getting used to it and maybe there was an adjusting period that would soon pass. But when week two came and there was blood smearing on his cheeks from my cracked and bleeding nipples, I knew something was wrong. I spent most of every feeding screaming and I couldn't even put shirts on because my nipples couldn't stand being covered. Following good advice, I found a lactation consultant who diagnosed Jonah's issues. He had a lip tie and a tongue tie preventing him from sucking properly. We got the laser surgery done when he was two weeks old. I had transitioned over to the pump to save what was left of my nipples. It took them weeks to heal. Because I was on the pump, I created an oversupply of milk. Just a few weeks later, I had over 200 ounces of spare milk in the freezer!
I had originally planned on conducting this teacher training with Jonah in the baby carrier all week long. I figured I would be 100% breastfeeding and so I figured I would feed him while giving my input from the sidelines throughout the teacher training. But God had other plans. The horribleness of Jonah's feeding issues turned into a blessing when I was able to fully commit my attention to the training (only having to leave for pumping sessions). While it was hard to leave my baby for a week (they came and visited), it gave me a wonderful break. I actually caught up on sleep! The Marsh Studio was the perfect place to find restoration of soul and spirit. I got to spend time with Susan Murphy, who is simply a character, as anyone who has ever met her knows.
The group that we had was incredible in every way. Friendships formed so quickly that it was hard to imagine that these people had really just met this week. Everyone's favorite new friendship was Jessie and Jamie. Just watching them interact with each other was a comedy show every night. Dinners on the porch at the guest house were a great time of bonding and enjoying the breeze from the marsh. Don's cooking was always fabulous.
We had two packed days of running through skills and cueing techniques on Tuesday and Wednesday. On Thursday, we took a day off. We had a few private lessons and then spent the afternoon enjoying the peacefulness of the surroundings. On Friday, our bodies were tired but our spirits were energized and we pressed on with part 2 of the training at a pace that was a bit slower.
After dinner, it was kayaking time! The water was healing. There is something so soothing in gliding through the water of the marsh land. I am glad that I went, even if it meant sitting my butt in water so that I looked like I peed my pants by the end of the excursion. Everyone wanted to take my picture, so I ran off quick before anyone had a chance to capture that one!
This week was powerful. This was the first time that Julianna and I have taught together, but we've worked together for so many years, it was as natural as breathing. We needed each other to make it through the emotional week and it couldn't have worked any other way. We tag-teamed this week to bring our best of teaching to this group of amazing people. They were open to receiving - making them the best students we could have asked for! I know that Julianna and I will have a long history of teaching together and this was just the beginning.
One trainee from the training wrote to me:
"These excerpts from Desmond Tutu's prayer are perfect to reflect what you do for us: 'You stir us to dare more boldly, to venture into wider seas...where losing sight of land, we shall find the stars. You push back the horizons...and invite the brave to follow.' Thank you for everything you do."
