Zooming In on Calm Within Adult Swim with Cori Myka
Links:
Calm Within Adult Swim Facebook
Calm Within Adult Swim You Tube
Calm Within Adult Swim Instagram
https://twitter.com/OrcaSwimSch
https://twitter.com/adultswimlesson
https://www.linkedin.com/company/orcaswimschool
Outline:
Introduction to the Podcast and Guest 0:00
Melissa Milner introduces herself as the host of the "Teacher as Podcast" and mentions that this is the sixth season of the podcast.
Melissa encourages listeners to rate and review the podcast on Apple Podcasts to help it reach more educators.
Cori Myka introduces herself and her swim school, Calm Within Adult Swim, which focuses on helping adults overcome fear and begin swimming.
Cori explains that her program, Foundations of Change, emphasizes the mental aspect of swimming, with 80% mental and 20% physical focus.
Types of Fear and Background of Students 1:15
Melissa inquires about the types of fear Cori's students have, and Cori explains that most students are comfortable with water up to a certain depth, often due to past traumatic experiences or lack of opportunity to learn to swim.
Cori mentions that some students are immigrants or come from families where swimming is not a priority, leading to a fear of water.
Cori shares a personal anecdote about teaching her aunt to swim during a houseboat trip, which sparked her interest in teaching swimming.
Cori describes her background of working as a lifeguard during summers and eventually opening her own swim school with her now-husband
Melissa asks Cori why she decided to focus on teaching adults, and Cori explains that a particular experience with an adult student made her realize the mental component was more important in teaching adults.
Cori describes the emotional disconnect in adult students who could physically swim but were not emotionally connected to their swimming abilities.
Cori emphasizes the danger of externally focused swimming, where individuals focus solely on reaching safety, leaving no room for safety in the water.
Melissa and Cori discuss the unique aspect of swimming, where access to air is limited, making it a particularly fear-inducing activity.
Developing the Foundations of Change Program 7:52
Cori explains that she had to research and learn mindfulness practices and life coaching to develop the Foundations of Change program.
Cori highlights the difference between a child's brain, which is more present-focused, and an adult's brain, which thinks about the future and past.
Cori discusses the importance of teaching adults to be present and understand their brain's warning signals.
Melissa and Cori talk about the amygdala and its role in the fight-or-flight response, and how teaching adults to have a relationship with their fear responses is crucial.
Teaching Methods and Class Structure 9:54
Cori describes the structure of her classes, which include an hour of land-based discussions and two hours of pool time.
Cori explains that they teach in various locations, including outdoor pools, indoor pools, and even the ocean, depending on the student's comfort level.
Melissa and Cori discuss the challenges of swimming in different environments, such as the ocean, and how they help students adapt to these conditions.
Cori emphasizes the importance of creating a container of safety in the water, where students can get air easily and feel emotionally and physically connected.
Mindfulness and Body-Mind Connection 13:54
Cori explains that they teach mindfulness and the body-mind connection, focusing on three levels of feeling: emotions, sensations, and body reactions.
Cori describes how students learn to tune into these connections and understand their reactions to different sensations in the water.
Melissa asks about the timeline for students to start swimming, and Cori explains that it varies depending on the student's comfort level and the approach used.
Cori shares that they start with simple walking exercises in the water to build confidence and then gradually introduce more challenging activities.
Online and In-Person Teaching 16:03
Melissa is surprised to learn that Cori teaches mindfulness and swimming principles online, and Cori explains that students start with understanding the principles and then practice in their local pools.
Cori mentions that online students take time to get comfortable with the process and often need multiple visits to the pool before they start swimming.
Cori emphasizes the importance of asking students if they want to get in the water and ensuring they feel safe and ready.
Melissa and Cori discuss the benefits of starting with simple activities, such as sitting at the edge of the pool with feet in the water, to build confidence.
Certifying Teachers and Expanding the Program 22:19
Melissa asks about Cori's plans to expand her business, and Cori mentions that she aims to certify teachers to teach her methods in their areas.
Cori explains that she wants to help other educators start their own swim schools and provide them with the necessary training.
Melissa and Cori discuss the potential for applying mindfulness and the Foundations of Change program to other areas of education, such as helping students with anxiety or frustration in the classroom.
Cori shares her belief in the importance of helping students see their successes and build confidence in their abilities.
Final Thoughts and Contact Information 28:17
Melissa and Cori discuss the parallels between teaching swimming and teaching in the classroom, emphasizing the importance of meeting students where they are and focusing on the process.
Cori shares his approach of asking students what they did right and focusing on their successes to build their confidence.
Melissa asks for Cori's contact information, and Cori provides the website and social media handles for Calm Within Adult Swim.
Melissa thanks Cori for the conversation and highlights the importance of mindfulness and the Foundations of Change program for educators and students.