We have likely all heard that “the only constant is change”. But have you ever really stopped to think out about what you can actually change or how you can effect change? What are two physical things that you can easily change or give the appearance that change has occurred within your own body? What comes to mind for me is eye color and hair. One trip to the beautician and you can change your hairstyle, length and color in just a matter of hours and that change can last for as long as you want. For eye color with the advent of colored contacts you can change brown eyes to green just by putting in contact lens. These two physical attributes are really only limited by imagination.
What does this have to do with Tteam and Ttouch? When I first became involved with TTEAM many years ago, one of the first ideas that Linda and Robyn presented that resonated within me at a very deep level is that change is possible using the TTEAM concepts and exercises and by doing the Ttouchs.
I took that a step farther in my own work by believing that changes will happen – but that I did not know to what extent or exactly what those changes might be. I believe that changes evolve on many different levels such as physically, mentally or emotionally. I have also personally witnessed physical changes happen that appeared to be “unrelated” to what we were working on. In my business I see changes sometimes surface as behavioral patterns that improve, or marked differences in overall physical well-being that are observed by the owners or caretakers of the animal.
Recently I got the opportunity to work with a woman wanted to learn some of the basic TTEAM leading positions and a couple of Ttouchs. When I arrived I noticed that her mare seemed to grind her teeth all of the time. As I set up a mini confidence course made up of cones, poles and a labyrinth, I made a mental note to add mouth work to this lesson. In the end, we never did do any mouth work. We spent our time focused on teaching/learning the leading exercise elegant elephant, and finished off with some simple clouded leopard circles and python lifts. Two weeks later when I called to confirm our next lesson the owner mentioned that her mare had stopped grinding her teeth. I asked if she would revert back to the pattern of grinding her teeth when she was stressed. The owner did confirm this to be true. But, the big picture for me was that a large change had happened in a very unexpected way, and without ever touching her mouth.
Thinking back, I was likely not the best student of TTEAM but I was a very persistent student! At that time I was unable financially to attend more than one long TTEAM training per year. I knew I wanted to stay involved with TTEAM and I knew I wanted to become a practitioner, but I figured out that I would have to be willing to make some changes in how I viewed my situation. It took me a few years but I became a practitioner – one training at a time! I knew that for myself, with persistence and dedication that I would “make it” and eventually become a practitioner, but that I would need to also be patient and just keep plugging along even when I did not seem to be making progress in my quest.
Having grown up with horses, I participated in many different areas of the equestrian world – but the reality was that I never really progressed as far as I hoped I would in the time frame I had rigidly tried to adhere to. After attending a few TTEAM trainings, I noticed that when I was in TTEAM mindset, I could start to look at each ride or training session as a chance for a small change. What I noticed is that things did begin to improve but on a deeper and more permanent level a little more quickly than anticipated. The conscious incompetence was starting to become unconscious competence….
What I really like about TTEAM and Ttouch is that each year the exercises, ttouchs, and the concepts continues to evolve and become safer, easier and more fun. I have observed what seems to be a lot of experimentation at our trainings, and this excites me as it opens us up to the possibilities of more changes, that make things even more interesting. I am so amazed at how easily the instructors modify the lessons to accommodate the participant’s needs, this seems to be highly unusual in the horse world and unique to the TTEAM Trainings. Another impressive thing about TTEAM is that somehow almost magically Robyn, as well as many of the other instructors, seem to be able to keep abreast of what people all over the world are doing and teaching. I enjoy attending trainings or demos put on by other instructors in different modalities for a couple of reasons. It keeps me abreast of who is doing what out in the real world of horses and animal training and I often learn the big lesson of “What Not To Do”. Both insights are proving to be extremely valuable to me.
Last year, in my quest to learn to ride better, I met an astounding lady, Jane Armour. Jane who was a BHS Chief Examiner, Dressage and Hunter judge, is helping me learn correct Dressage principles and techniques. What is so fun about it is that she has many ideals that mimic the TTEAM philosophy and you can learn the “lessons” at a deeper more fundamental level. A huge part of her philosophy is the 1% principal on change.
This translates to – “if you improve each ride or training session with simply a small 1% change that at the end of 30 sessions you should be at least 30% better.” She goes on to say that through consistent and correct riding and groundwork, you create a strong, supple, happy, healthy horse that enjoys the time spent with you and that in the long run he will be a willing partner who is healthier and sounder as he ages.
Because of TTEAM and Ttouch I thought I might observe small changes in my horse’s physical and emotional body. But, what actually ended up happening during my sessions with Jane is that we made much larger improvements than I had originally anticipated, in less time. But what was so joyous to me is that I could take this home and actually recreate the movements and exercises she taught, on my own without her coaching me through each step. Just like in TTEAM people can really learn the exercises and philosophy in a way that enables them to recreate it at home!
By incorporating TTEAM exercises and Ttouchs into my riding lessons, we have made huge changes in a very short time. Yes, sometimes Mouse and I fall back into our old habits, postures, and behaviors, but it is happening less often! So, in conclusion I would have to say that yes change happens! But it can be an enjoyable experience.