I watched his bowing arm as it moved across the strings. Something happened. I couldn't quite catch it, but it seemed out of place. So I asked him:

"Have you got some idea of transitioning your arm as you stroke down?"

"Yes! Oh yes, yes, yes. How do you know that?"

I saw it. And I guessed that he was thinking something, overriding natural movement with a pre-conceived notion - I must control this moment, I must do something. I was teaching a group class in BodyChance.

To respect the person you want to attract, you need to stand with them.

Of course to "stand with them" may mean voicing an opinion that causes controversy amongst others. My declarations about chair and table work fall into this category.

After Marj visited Australia in 1986, I totally switched my teaching.

I made a decision, quite clear cut, that I would:

1.Do no more table work
2.Do no more chair work
3.Insist that my pupil choose the activity of the lesson

It was a simple plan, but for the next year I stumbled about in total confusion and disarray. Although I had been teaching for 7 years by this time, this 8th year felt like I had reverted back to my 1st: I was a novice teacher all over again.