Tag: COACHING

The pre-requisites for a good dialogue

Hannah TelluselleLeave a comment

Ever wondered why a coaching session only should last for 45 minutes? This is because, 45 minutes is the proven time that we can remain focused and listen, before we need to take a break. Most of us enter conversations with a set of emotions that we either carry due to other people and circumstances, or due to a previous meeting or talk that had us become upset, or even positively anticipating and expecting, that we might now fall short of. This together with the need of processing what has been said, and what we would like to say and how, makes it important to learn how to do this before and after, so that we better can enter a dialogue refreshed.

A dialogue is by nature a conversation built on mutual respect, interest and confirmed conditions, such as when, where and how we’re going to hold it. Furthermore, a dialogue is concentrated on finding out more about a person or an issue, rather than stating one’s opinion. At best, a good dialogue enables an insight to unfold and a solution to become proposed by the person in need. This is what Socrates referred to as using the dialogue as a maternity technique.

In order to conduct such a dialogue, or a coaching session, we need to let go of our preconceived notions, to reset our minds and hearts to neutral with an openness to connect with compassion, but also to dare challenge the other. We need to have our own needs met, as in being rested and prepared, so that we can assume full presence. We do this, by listening deeply to what the other person is conveying by tone, choice of words, pauses, body language and any emotional charge behind the words. We do this, by taking on a positive approach where we do believe in the other person’s capacity and ability to solve his or her problem, or simply clarify goals and needs, and how to meet them. We also do this, by showing up as ourselves, with honesty and trust, so that the other can relax and feel safe with us.

When both client and coach show up with the same will to succeed, success will follow.

Does practicing yoga and qigong make you more creative?

Hannah TelluselleLeave a comment

It’s time to debunk a myth. Practicing yoga or qigong, doesn’t make you creative. Most kids, grow up without ever practicing either, and still are creative. I wrote short stories, and my brother took apart and put back together computers, when we were young, and we never practiced neither yoga, nor qigong, and neither did our parents. What makes us creative, is usually an urge to express and release anxiety, a way to understand our impression, answer questions and ponderings about life that we distil into art, or a wish to solve a problem with an invention. It’s even said that: “Necessity is the mother of all inventions.”, meaning that when we face an urgency, we become more creative, whether that is to fix something broken, or to make a meal only with what we already have at home. Did Einstein and Picasso practice yoga or qigong? No, but physical exercise can make you feel more relaxed and in a flow, I’ve noticed. Just like taking a nap can.

I practice qigong, to balance my enery-levels, such as to remove feelings and impressions of negativity, to pull myself together if I feel I’ve gotten into a slump, and to find clarity, so that I can be more focused and concentrated, which in turn may help during my creative pursuits, meetings, work, or studies. But, I’ve never come up with any ideas, during, or directly after, practicing neither yoga nor qigong. I might feel the urge to remember something that I need to do and write that down, since this sometimes surface.

Music and dance though, let me connect with what’s in my heart, propelling me into for example, writing poetry. I’ve developed my creativity, through advertising school and related work as a copywriter, as well as through taking dance-classes in various styles, at least off and on, since I was a little girl beginning with classical ballet, making it possible to assemble my own choreographies. In fact, this year marks the 30th anniversary since I started with Qigong and the 20th since I started practicing Hawaiian Hula (and I’ve done Yoga regularly for 22 years and danced Isadora Duncan for 11 years)!

To learn more about creativity, you can order my book here, or contact me for a coaching session, where I will help you be a sounding board with questions that enable you to find your own best answers!