Interview number seven in a series of ten - meeting Bristol
people who 'Do What They Love!'
I’m a firm believer that learning should be fun – and was
really inspired to meet Tanya Moore as part of the ‘Do What You Love’ project.
And Tanya is all about learning being fun! Hope you enjoy reading her story below and maybe it will spark you to think that in 2013 - I
will learn how to.......(fill in the gap yourself!)
And just want to say a huge thanks to At-Bristol for letting us hold the interview and photoshoot in their 'All about us!' learning zone (It's a fab, fab place - and not just for children - they do adult learning evenings). And of course big thanks to Lydia Samuel for taking the super photos!
Tanya Moore - Accelerated Learning Teacher and founder of Inner Spark Education
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Tanya Moore - Accelerated Learning Teacher and
founder of Inner Spark Education ©Lydia Samuel Photography |
Name: Tanya Moore
Age: 27
Business name: Inner Spark
Education
Location: Bristol
Website: www.tanyamoore.co.uk
What do you do?
I teach using accelerated learning.
What’s Accelerated
Learning?
Accelerated learning is using
the brain more effectively to achieve a faster learning rate.
We believe that our brain
learns at a particular rate, because that is how we learnt at school. In fact,
the speed of learning can be increased by understanding how the brain learns
best and fully utilising its abilities.
It’s about engaging both
sides of the brain by using a system I've designed based on five elements :
Relaxation - Relax
the body, why spend energy on tension in the body, when it can be spent on
learning?
Collaboration – We are social beings, the brain is designed to learn
from observation and immersion.
Wholeness –
The brain needs a lot of water and nutrients, this increases during learning.
If the brain is dehydrated, its productivity decreases and concentration is
lost.
Memory – Using memory
techniques within learning sessions, so that students know how to easily recall
the material
Teaching - Encouraging students to teach each other
Learning can be really easy and naturally it is supposed to be
fun!
It’s been proven that we learn most when we are relaxed – so
that’s where the mediation, music and movement comes it. They are all used to
‘aid’ learning, not to distract from it. And the peak amount of time to learn
is actually 20 minutes. So by learning in 20 minute chunks you’ll
actually be able to retain a lot more than if you try and spend hours pouring
over something.
Everyone has incredible talent, and sometimes the main thing
holding people back is self-belief and confidence.
The Inner Spark Method is an innovative
approach to learning. It can be applied to any subject and time frame and is
used to learn information very quickly.
It is very interactive, engaging and involves
lots of creativity. The activities are short and fast paced. Students have so
much fun, that they can forget they are learning!
The Inner Spark Method is the result of a
culmination of my experiences, teaching and training in different
environments. I have used it to teach a variety of subjects, including English,
History, languages and most recently the principles of permaculture.
It draws upon existing methodologies and
pedagogical practices from different areas, including education,
psychology, personal development and memory experts.
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| Learning is about having fun! ©Lydia Samuel Photography |
What do you love about it?
I love teaching, I love learning and I love connecting with
people!
How did you get there?
I was teaching in a school in London and realised that there
were many ways that students weren't reaching their potential. I wanted to
support the students to get their best grades, without the constraints of the
curriculum and the school environment. I started to think about my experiences and
what I’d learnt myself and how I liked to learn. That was the first step
towards me developing the Innerspark System.
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Tanya's advice - 'Listen to your heart'
©Lydia Samuel Photography |
I studied Drama at university in Northampton and have always
been interested in movement and music, but it was only after teaching for a
while combined with my own personal experiences (I have epilepsy and through
lots of trial and error have learnt how to manage it.
Having epilepsy really
sparked my interest in my brain, how it works and what think I could to do
minimise any episodes. I discovered that water is massively important and helps
to keep my mind in balance, so it is partly down to my investigations over the
years that I discovered and created an alternative approach to learning – that
in my opinion, and is proven through research, is actually a much, much more
effective way to learn.
I spent a week at a school in Russia earlier this year, as I’d
heard that they were using accelerated learning techniques as part of their
mainstream learning – so I wanted to see it for myself.
I was amazed by the
results. Each student learns on the basis that the next day they might have to
teach fellow pupils in their class what they've learnt. So they really, really
need to understand and engage with what they are learning so they can then pass
that knowledge on.
I run language courses, as I am very passionate about languages
and I love seeing people realise how much they can learn in a short space of
time. I’m not a native Spanish speaker, in fact I have never actually studied
Spanish – or any other language in depth – but am able to learn it and teach it
by applying these principles. It really frees you up to be able to learn pretty
much anything you set your mind to. That’s powerful stuff once you realise that
– and how to do it!
How long have you been
running your business for?
6 months
What has been the biggest
challenge you've faced so far?
Promoting myself and communicating what accelerated learning is.
I’m good at promoting other people – but not so good at talking about myself!
And setting up as self-employed is scary! I was working in a school before
deciding to become self-employed. Suddenly I had to do everything myself.
What’s been the highlight
so far in owning and running your own business?
So many things – but one is discovering ‘pay it forward’ and
utilising the principles in education. It has really changed my approach to
life. The simple act of doing something for someone and not expecting anything
in return – but for them to then pass on that act of kindness – has had
a massive impact on me.
What’s the best piece of
advice you've been given?
To listen to your heart
What have you learnt about
yourself as a result of becoming self-employed?
Really it relates to the best piece of advice. After being told
that –to listen to my heart - and then doing it – which isn't always easy
as you have to stop and ‘listen’. I had to think ‘what makes my heart sing’ and
to then jump and do it!
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| "I love seeing people realise how much they can learn in a short space of time." ©Lydia Samuel Photography |
Can you tell me about any
success stories with a client?
Haa haa lots actually – but one stands out. One of my Spanish
students, who at the end of the two days said ‘you've made me face my biggest
fears! Singing and languages! I never imagined I’d be able to learn so much in
such a relaxed and fun way. Now I feel there is no stopping me!’
When I get feedback like that at the end of a course – it just
makes me feel wonderful that I’ve really be able to make a difference and
change someone’s perception of what learning can be!
If others want to do this
I’d say...
I’d actually encourage everyone to be self-employed! I know that
we do need institutions and people to work together – but I think it is an
experience everyone should have – and would benefit from by trying it!
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| Me holding Tanya's 5D learning chart and Tanya with one of my 'Do what you love' cushions. ©Lydia Samuel Photography |
What’s next?
It used to be to set up my own school that taught accelerated
learning – but when I was talking about this a few years ago, I realised that
wasn’t actually what I really wanted.
My vision is to see accelerated learning being used to teach
everything, for everyone (children and adults) to understand how it works and
apply it.
My vision is also to see kindness, meditation, relaxation,
empowerment taught in schools. Kindness is good for a person's health, for the
community and it supports learning. Meditation is great for relieving stress,
improving health, calming and it is benefits learning!
There are so many incredible organisations promoting kindness, and
sharing kindness activities. Check out www.pifexperience.org
I am currently working with the amazing Aine Belton of Global Love
Project to create a Positivity Programme for schools, connecting schools with
experts in yoga, wellbeing, meditation, fun, self development, confidence etc
So, if you know anyone who wants to learn accelerated learning and
use it in their work, please connect me or pass on my website -
www.tanyamoore.co.uk
and if you know anyone who currently runs workshops in schools and
would like to be involved in Global Love Project, please connect us!
I am also in the process of writing my book - 5D Accelerated Learning, it explains
the 5 Key elements to fun, fast, effective learning. Each chapter contains
exercises that can be used for different subjects and age groups.
My intention is to co-create this book with children - I am
looking to go into schools, communities, educational groups and share this
approach to fun learning, teaching it to children and teachers. This can be a 2
hour interactive session (although, of course it can be adapted to suit
different needs and requirements). In teaching the approach, I will also
explain the key elements that are in the book and we will do some of the
different exercises. I would ask the children if they would like to contribute
to the book in any way, this could be writing or drawing something during the
session.
Here is a talk I gave about 5D learning and how it works -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0tWlNjKCAok
Tanya’s top 5 tips to improve your learning:
Breath – Use rhythmic breathing – In for two – out for two
as being in a meditative
or ‘alpha’ state is the best for the brain to learn
Drink lots of water – helps keep your brain hydrated. Your brain
is 70% water
Visualise – use visualisation as part of your learning, create
images in your mind to
associate to new pieces of information
What’s your motivation for learning X,Y or Z? understanding that
will help you to
learn
Learn with others! A shared experience is more memorable
than on your own.
Books and people that have inspired Tanya....
The Element – Ken Robinson
Ken has written and talked about how schools kill creativity – watch his TED
talk here
What is
The 'Do What You Love' Project..?
After printing this message on my bags I
thought - ooh I'd love to find ten local Bristol business people who do what
they love, interview them about what they do, why they love it and how they've
got there and also 'model' one of my bags / cushions.
I really wanted to work with a local photographer - so approached Lydia Samuel
via Outset to see if she would be interested in collaborating with me. She was!
Perfect!
So a call-out was created, posted on facebook and twitter and people started
applying! Over thirty people applied, and it was really difficult to choose
ten. I spent my time going through each application and selected the ten as I
felt their passion really shone through.
Everyone who applied will be featured though in some way as I think it's
important to celebrate everyone who is doing something they love!
These interviews and photographs are the results.
I hope you enjoy reading this series of interviews, and that it will inspire
you in some way to pursue your dreams and ‘Do what you Love!’ (that
is if you aren't doing that already! - if you are - do let me know by leaving a
comment about what you do and why you love it!).
Want your own 'Do What You Love' bag or
cushion?
