LEARNING: Aaron Martin AKA Soft Acro Aaron - Teacher/Researcher
May 16, 2024
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Aaron Martin, a parkour and movement researcher, discusses measuring backflip efficiency, learning styles, methods, and philosophy. Topics include internal vs external states when moving, efficiency in backflip testing, and the balance of internal and external cues in learning movement.
Flow state thrives on a balance between challenge and skill level.
Embrace failure and find joy in exploration and learning.
Combat overthinking by simplifying tasks and reframing failure.
Parkour offers a self-driven, explorative practice without external pressure.
Deep dives
Exploring the balance between challenge and skill in flow state
The podcast episode delved into the concept of flow state, highlighting the ideal balance between challenge and skill level. The analogy of juggling balls was used to illustrate this balance, where if a task is too easy or too difficult, achieving flow state becomes challenging. Flow state, characterized by selflessness, timelessness, and effortlessness, is optimal when the challenge and skill are well matched.
Embracing failure as a learning tool
The conversation emphasized the value of embracing failure and learning from it. Rather than striving for unconscious competence, the focus was on finding joy in exploration and failing differently. By encouraging individuals to reframe failure and enjoy the process of learning, the podcast underscored the importance of fun in skill development.
Addressing overthinking in practice
Overthinking in practice was explored, highlighting the tendency for individuals to get stuck in the conscious competence stage, hindering progress. The discussion proposed methods to combat overthinking, such as simplifying tasks, changing perspectives on failure, and making exploration enjoyable. By encouraging a shift in mindset and approach to learning, individuals can navigate overthinking challenges effectively.
Parkour's unique approach to expectation and outcome
The unique nature of Parkour was discussed in terms of expectation and outcome. Unlike team sports with clear win-loss criteria, Parkour offers a self-driven practice with less external pressure. The absence of rigid expectations and peer scrutiny allows for a more explorative and less results-focused approach, fostering a sense of freedom and creativity in movement expression.
Learning Perspectives: Heroic Journeys and Editor’s Deliberations
Learning can be seen as a heroic journey where conquerors overcome obstacles and master skills, while also embodying the role of an editor who revisits, critiques, and refines approaches to learning. The hero aspect involves violently conquering challenges, progressing through difficulties, and achieving mastery, while the editor's role involves a more conscious and deliberate process of reflection, revision, and improvement in learning.
Critical Thinking and Empowerment in Learning
Empowerment in learning involves standing on the shoulders of giants, gaining new vantage points, and continuously seeking knowledge and improvement. The process of unlearning or adapting from challenges and setbacks propels individuals towards growth and enhanced understanding, fostering resilience and a deeper exploration of learning.
Exploring Learning Styles with Joy and Fun
In exploring learning styles, incorporating joy, fun, and playfulness enhances the learning experience, contributing to a more engaging and enjoyable approach to skill development. By embracing diverse learning styles such as doing, observing, copying, and visualizing, individuals can navigate their learning journey with enthusiasm, creativity, and positivity.
Reflecting on Unlearning and Adapting from Challenges
Unlearning or adapting from challenges involves revisiting existing narratives, refining ideas of oneself, and embracing a growth mindset in light of setbacks. By recognizing the necessity of errors, critique, and reevaluation, individuals can transform challenges into opportunities for learning, improvement, and personal growth.
Possibly the nicest guy in movement? What a conversation this was! Honestly we could have gone for another few hours, so if you’d like to hear more of our conversations please let us know.
We discussed Aarons journey through parkour and into movement, his current research study, measuring backflip efficiency and the relationship between internal vs external states when moving.
We explore in depth ideas pertaining to learning, styles, methods and philosophy. Aaron is a wealth of knowledge and there were avenues we could have explored over and over. Listen until the end to hear a brilliant example is his passion and knowledge, with a special improv section we added in the moment.
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