03.16.15 A Teaching-Learning Experience

          Today, we experienced something new related to our profession. We had to (1) critique our videos on teaching ACBT, (2) perform basic yoga poses, and (3) role-play as real PTs and patients.

          First of all, I realized that there were still aspects in my performance that I could and should improve on and also maintain when teaching a client. In performing yoga with the class, not only was the environment structured that would be conducive for the activity but also we had no pressure from our instructor. We can just go on our own pace and stop if we can’t catch up. It was tiring yet invigorating since the session was like a breath of fresh air – both literally and figuratively! This helped me understand that yoga is not only a set of poses we master and teach to others but also have to be a good facilitator of the session to make it more effective. Last we had to do was to role-play a PT-patient setting and I volunteered as a patient (though I thought I was going to be a therapist). I had fun with the activity and it made me realize that we will encounter patients like them. We have been practicing with each other that we forget who the real patients are, what they are like and how we are going to teach them what they need to do.

          With these insights from me, I can most definitely advise my future self to “be always prepared!” Also, I recommend to set up the environment that is suitable for the patient. I would also like to note that we should know what type of learners our patients are to individualize their session. Lastly, never lose the professional tone and communication whoever our client may be!