Taihen in Malaysia (Lesson 3 Report)

(Pix of Ms. Kim during her 'My Mother' performance. Pix taken by our good friends from Kelab Shahsin Fotografi)

Report 3

Date: 7 Mar 2006
Time: 11am -12:30pm
Venue: 1st Floor, New Wing, Spastic Centre
Participants:
Salehuddin (Leader) Firdaus (Assistant)
Muaz
Shahrul
Amir (Absent)
Maryani (Bangi)
Sabariah (Bangi)
Some Participants from Spastic Centre (6 participants)
Paul Lau, Jamal (Kuroko)

Details:

We started at 11:15am. Third Lesson, after discussing with Ms. Kim; I decided that we start the lesson by introducing each other. The boys shared their experience of the workshop that they attended with Ms. Kim. While, Maryani and Sabariah told of their experience with Ms. Kim. (At least, the participants got to know each others names, for a start..)

Salehuddin asked the other participants if they felt any difference or change in they body after the first exercise – most did not feel anything but had fun doing the exercises. Tiara said that she felt her body become a little softer.

This session was good; for everybody got the opportunity to get to know each other better. By the time we started with the exercises, it was about 11:50am.

Salehuddin gave the instructions; This time he was louder. I think he was feeling more confident this time to lead. When doing the exercise whereby the participants are lying on the floor, absorbing energy, because Saleh is doing the exercise; he becomes engrossed and doesn't tell the participants to turn or lie on their back. (This instruction is given earlier by him, before the start of the exercise).

Here I assist, by asking the participants to turn or lie.(Is it alright for me to do so? - I ask myself and put a mental note to check with Ms. Kim.)

This time we did not have any observers from the spastic centre. Jamal a friend of Paul came to observe and assist as a Kuroko. Paul was explaining to him what to do. From the spastic centre, Muaz's Mother and Ms. Chan the music teacher will be assisting. We hope to be getting a male assistant soon.

It would be good if we could get the Kuroko guideline asap. (Need to inform Ms. Kawakita.)

We did not have the time to complete section 2 of the lesson. The session ended at 12:30pm.
Next week is the school term break, so there are no classes till 21 March. (A much needed short break for me as I'm constantly feeling tired especially after these sessions.)

Amir did not attend the classes this week too. He was in school but was having flu so didn't join in.

Prepared by
Nala Nantha (9 Mar 2006)

Taihen in Malaysia (Lesson 2 Report)

Report 2

Date: 28 Feb 2006
Time: 11am -12:30pm
Venue: 1st Floor, New Wing, Spastic Centre
Participants:
Salehuddin (Leader)
Firdaus (Assistant)
Muaz
Shahrul
Amir (Absent)
Maryani (Bangi)
Sabariah (Bangi)
New participants from Spastic Centre (7 participants)
Paul Lau (Kuroko)

Details:

We started at 11:30am. Though the participants were at the venue on time; unfortunately the door was not open so by the time we got everyone in and ready to start with the lesson it was 11:30am.

We had new participants, 7 of them (Some of the names that I can remember : Jennifer, Tiara, Vanee, will get the details.)

This time before the lesson started, I explained to the participant, the objective of the lessons, and what we hope to achieve during the lessons. Salehuddin gave the instructions; but since his voice was not very loud, I asked if it was alright for me to assist in giving the instructions. It was also difficult for him to give the instructions as well as participate in the lessons.

I believe it was good to give the explanation earlier about the lesson; as most of the participants were responding well to the lesson. There were lesser care-givers during the lessons, less distraction for the participants.

The 1st day of lesson taught us how to proceed on with this session and the sessions to come. For Section 2 of the exercise, we moved the participants so they would have enough space to discover their movements.
S
ome of the new participants were responding well and were trying to create some movements. It was very beautiful. The chosen boys were still not very comfortable in exploring their movements further. We did not have the time to complete section 3 of the lesson. The session ended at 12:30pm.

Ms. Jeya who is in charge of this project at the Spastic Center, informed that she was very happy that participants (new) enjoyed the workshop very much. She wanted to know if we required any assistance. The center will be providing 3 person to help us during the lesson. I also informed her that I'll have to brief the helpers on how to assist.

This session was much better than of the first day. Most of the participants were focused. Some of the participants who didn't understand the lessons later asked us to explain further.

Pn. Maryani might have some problems in attending the lessons as she is a paid staff and is often required at the computer lab. I informed Ms. Jeya that perhaps the center can workout something with Pn. Maryani as she is keen in attending the lessons.

Prepared by
Nala Nantha (1 Mar 2006)
(This pix was taken during the workshop held from 16 - 18 Jan, 2006 at Pentas 2, KLPac)