Ive just returned from a very successful trip to the USA where I was a presenter at the PTR symposium all about Girls Tennis, retaining them, engaging them and increasing the number of female coaches on a global level.
I had an idea!
While speaking to so many coaches at the PTR symposium, its incredible how many situations we all have in common.
One of them being when working with girls, especially teenage girls, there is a big LACK lot of energy in their body…they don’t move!
The transition from preadolescence into adolescence,(11yrs-17yrs old) the pressure to fit in and be “cool” increases tremendously. There are the latest styles to keep up with, the social groups to be a part of and accepted by, the task of trying to become more independent from parents, and let’s not forget sexuality! To make yourself attractive so that the opposite sex will pay enough attention to you.
As its stand today…to be part of society and be “COOL” is to not care, be sloppy with energy and have little if any personal communication, don’t care about hygiene, don’t stand out to be good at anything, have no purpose, sell yourself out, just “hang out” with friends …..
This is not just a tennis issue , its part of society on a global area , how media portray and promote what is “COOL”, how teenage girls are EXPECTED to behave.
Too many talented, bright young women are succumbing to this pressure and giving up who they are in exchange for acceptance and popularity. They want to fit in so badly that they let their grades slide because they think it’s just not cool to be smart. They don’t speak up in class for the same reason, not wanting to be seen as a nerd or geek. They even stop trying as hard athletically, like on the tennis court because they don’t want others to think that maybe they’re too competitive or “stuck up,” as if there was something wrong with being a strong, confident, young woman.
So, while people were giving feedback on my presentation , one word they loved was “LIFE-FORCE”….that is about flowing energy through your body. Using the lower energy centre like a martial artist. Its got nothing to do with a male energy or a female energy its just…ENERGY!
When you do this your thoughts are more positive, you can overcome adversity, you can hit the ball harder, your attention is OUT instead of IN on yourself, therefor you can view what is happening on a bigger scale. This helps keep away from negative thought that drives girls to negative chronic situations.
Lets make the NEW word LIFE-FORCE, the new “COOL” word…?
Its “COOL” to have LIFE-FORCE, be strong, be happy, be successful academically and athletically, share hope and joy to people you meet, live life to the fullest, take care of your body and mind, be healthy, its only natural to have fun and be happy, just ask any child under the age of 5…..that is our natural state of existence, we don’t have to be taught to be positive, or strong… its natural!!
So stay cool and have LIFE-FORCE!
What do YOU think?