14 February 2006
Chocfest
Ran my second ever juggling workshop on Saturday just gone. After the previous session I decided it'd be best to stick to one area and the shoulder seems most likely to be of relevance to jugglers and others so that's what was picked.
I dropped the numbers to 12 max but only 9 showed up at the time. This actually worked well and meant groups of 3 which I reckon worked out better than 2's would have.
One problem was that most of the attendees didn't see the ad's before the day so some didn't have suitable tops on but we worked around that pretty well.
Started with "normal" posture and how variances would change how the shoulder moved. This was a good start and people could see what differences could come about from a minor alteration. I think this was the hook for most folk there.
Following from this we looked at each other's shoulders to spot differences in the "normal". So winging, pseudo-winging and poor scapular position were all noted. Then moved onto control of the shoulder blade. Many many thanks to all the attendees for letting us all look at them in such detail. Particular thanks to Anwen and Hugh.
I'd allowed an hour but the session took 90 minutes and there was still plenty more to do.
Good feedback from some attendees and these were the ones most affected by the issues. Enjoyable and I think it was useful.
10:53 Posted in Workshops | Permalink | Comments (5) | Email this | Tags: Juggling
Comments
Thanks for the workshop. It was very useful in general, and raised some interesting points about how the shoulder works etc. It was good to observe other people's shoulders, the differences in how they held themselves and what happened when they moved. It helped to understand what was going on in your own back and shoulders, and what you were aiming towards in terms of shoulder position and movement control. The time seemed to fly past, and I could have quite happily stayed there for another hour learning more.
I particularly want to thank you for the specific help you gave me. What you said about my shoulders and back makes a lot of sense, and has helped me understand why I can't get my shoulders open enough to do handstands correctly, and why I find certain acrobalance moves virtually impossible to do. I knew my posture was bad, but you have explained exactly why, and shown me how to go about improving it. I just wish I'd brought a pen and paper to make proper notes.
Posted by: Anwen | 12 February 2006
"It was good to observe other people's shoulders, "
Phew I was worried that people weren't going to take to that well. Thanks again for being game enough to have strangers stare at your shoulders.
If you have any questions re details of exercises etc... then get in touch via email or grab me at a convention.
I'll also get round one day to putting a write up of some of the shoulder stuff on this site.
Posted by: Alby | 13 February 2006
The workshop at chocfest was very interesting. Although I have some anatomy knowledge, it was very helpful to see in the flesh, so to speak, how simple maneouvers have such effects on posture and control even in apparently normal subjects. I would certainly be interested if you were to run other (or in fact the same!) workshops, and like Anwen, I'd probably want to bring paper and pencil. Also, I don't personally think it was too long - there was plenty of information in the session but the time went very fast.
You said in your introduction that you started this site after planning a workshop for EJC last year - any plans to take it on the road to Ireland?
Thanks for a very informative session.
Posted by: Helen | 15 February 2006
Hi Helen (Dr Helen?)
Quote: "I would certainly be interested if you were to run other (or in fact the same!) workshops,"
I'm planning more at other conventions so look out for announcements on here and on rec.juggling (and possibly Anthony Gatto's forum). I'm also debating doing a full day workshop in Leicester covering just about every subject that would be relevant. This would cost a decent whack (I'm thinking £20 a head) but would include a lot of stuff (and handouts). A good idea or not? Not sure yet but if I can get interest then I'll go for it.
Quote 2: " and like Anwen, I'd probably want to bring paper and pencil. "
I know. Sorry about lack of handouts but it's a lot of work to prepare them for a 1 hour session and I have a life beyond work. As you saw at the workshop I work mostly from memory and change things according to what I see in front of me so catering for that in a handout is rather hard for a short workshop. I'll try and put a lot of it on this site but there are always other jobs for me to do. I still have to finish off "back pain" first and I started that weeks ago.
Quote 3: "You said in your introduction that you started this site after planning a workshop for EJC last year - any plans to take it on the road to Ireland?"
Sadly very unlikely. I've been asked by them if I'll do something but it looks like I'll be busy elsewhere at that time.
I will almost certainly be at BJC in April though. Most of the one-dayers in easy reach of the midlands are regular trips too (but not Birmingham this weekend, off to Paris instead, poor me) so workshops may be possible depending on the facilities at the sites.
Glad you got something out of it. As for Anwen if you're after further specifics then get in touch via email and I'll see what I can do.
Have fun.
Posted by: Alby | 15 February 2006
> I'm also debating doing a full day workshop in Leicester
> covering just about every subject that would be relevant. This
> would cost a decent whack (I'm thinking £20 a head)
Based on the response I've heard to your chocfest workshop, I think you could get plenty of interest. I'd probably do a few more workshops at one-dayers to raise your profile first.
Any idea when "Back Pain Treatment 2" will appear? I managed to hurt my back somehow two weeks ago or so, so I'm looking forward to the next entry :)
Posted by: Roger | 16 February 2006
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