16. Exploring: Language

Exploring Series


We don't use language in a throw-away, flippant manner, within Vorsprung.

Some people feel we might be pedantic.

However, we try to challenge what is said, and what words are used.

The English language, alone, has an abundance of words and phrases and it feels like an abuse not to explore the myriad of ways to express how we feel, or what we want to say.

We don't allow swearing or the use of swear words at any of our sessions or classes. This is, in-part, a brand issue: to protect the image of
Vorsprung. It is, also, to encourage people to explore more in-depth ways to express and communicate how they feel. It is where poetry and the influences of Miroslav Holub, D. H. Lawrence, Yevengy Yevtushenko, Adrian Henry et al, have been embedded into Vorsprung.

However, though-out teaching we use language in a much more particular manner, than most teachers.

We recognise, that, people receive words in different ways.

So, we are careful to make sure everyone understands instructions.

On one occasion, at an elite London
Vorsprung training group, we first recognised the need to explore how people received words.

A young talented 400 metres runner was performing a speed session on the track. As he came into the home-straight our
Vorsprung coach called-out, 'relax'. For the next ninety metres, the young athlete jogged to the finish! As the coach approached him he asked: 'what is wrong - Are you okay?'. The young athlete replied, "yes, I was just doing what you told me." The coach looked at him, bewildered and replied, 'I said 'relax' not 'slow down'!'

It was then, that, we realised '
relax' for this young athlete, meant something different.

Sport has a language of its own. One, that,
Vorsprung does not subscribe to: the 'Runner's World' language, we call it. We have our own parametres - our own measures. Consequently, our own diction. We use words to describe exercise and training sessions and movements, that, are from Vorsprung's perspective and lexicon.

So, you should enter the Vorsprung world with an open-mind and prepared for new ways to communicate.


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