The Swiss Charta for Polarity has developed these Teacher Standards on the basis of the method-identification by OdA KT. To allow a better understanding of these standards, we have taken parts of that document into this text.
The full method-identification of OdA KT is available via the following link: https://www.oda-kt.ch/fileadmin/user_upload/pdf/D/METID/METID_Polarity_De_Vs_20160902.pdf
A first-class level of mentoring and teaching of the upcoming new teachers is the key to a high standard approach to healing – as Polarity is in Switzerland and in many other countries.
Polarity teachers must therefore embody what they teach and have a clear insight of their responsibility. The competency of a Polarity teacher builds on personality and respect for life energy as well as abilities in leadership, methodology and didactics. Specially trained teachers in this field are to mentor and teach candidates on their way to personal mastery.
Richard Heckler, a direct student of Dr. Randolph Stone, has developed a special 12-day leadership training for upcoming teachers and leaders in the field of the healing arts. With his approach, he sets a standard for first class teachers. Richard Heckler’s position is that nobody should ever teach deeply based material like Polarity without having gone through such a strong teacher path, which is congruent with the attitude of the Swiss Charta for Polarity. Self-named teachers do not fulfill the basic requirements of a high standard teaching.
Embodied teaching and learning is an art that goes far beyond just presenting theoretical material. To reach this standard, candidates have to go through a learning and formative process with their experienced elders in the field. This first requires a phase of regular assisting in training after getting their own license. After this, a phase of assisting with taking over more responsibilities is required. The third phase consists in starting to teach segments of a curriculum. Such requirements guarantee the high quality of the Polarity teaching – which is one of the primary goals of the Swiss Charta for Polarity.
Schools which offer Polarity programs with the Polarity trademark quality level shall only hire teachers who meet the requirements of the Charta Teacher Standards. Normally, such a path of development requires at least 5 years of dedication and investment to learn the key pieces necessary for this kind of teaching.
The following list includes:
A. Prerequisites expected of the candidates and
B. Criteria for a high standard of teaching.
This gives guidelines for the process required to become a competent Polarity teacher.
These guidelines, combined with the personal development of the candidate (which is expected to go along with this teacher training), will ensure the high quality standard of Polarity for the present and the future.
A. Prerequisites
1. Embodying the key principles and sharing them with a group
Foundation for any level of Polarity teaching.
In-depth understanding of the polarity principles, history and underlying philosophies.
Basic principles like:
• Three Gunas
• Five Elements
• Oval fields
• Chakras
• Involution/Evolution cycles
• Step down of energy into matter
• As above, so below
• Sacred geometry
• Energetic anatomy
The candidates are invited to self-evaluate their personal integration of these principles: What are their strengths and challenges in embodying these principles (self-competency)?
In addition, mentoring, supervision and intervision are required.
2. Teaching experience and personal background to different interest fields and groups
A collection of skills, professional experience, trainings, strengths etc. that the candidates would bring to a new teaching role within the Polarity field.
To be evaluated:
• Existing teaching experience in or outside of the Polarity field.
• Other resources they bring with them.
• What is their motivation to start teaching Polarity?
• What is their vision for their upcoming teaching in this field?
3. Learning Plan
Every candidate has to elaborate a learning plan as a mentee to become a recognized Polarity teacher. This learning plan has to include:
- Names of his senior Polarity teachers
- Schedule for the mentoring (assisting, supervision, co-teaching, teaching).
B. Standards
1. Standards for Presenters
Teaching introductions with live groups (evenings, days, fairs, conferences, lectures or seminars) (CPP - Certified Polarity Presenter)
• The candidates must have an integrated knowledge of Polarity (see A: Prerequisites).
• Fulfilled Advanced level[1].
• Two years of practice in Polarity.
• Having assisted two intros with an experienced Polarity teacher, in person.
• Having co-taught a piece in one of those two, in person.
• Having received an introduction by an experienced Polarity teacher on how to teach intros (group dynamics, content, goal).
• Required skills: presence; energetic boundaries; knowledge on how to connect with people (verbal/non-verbal rapport, self-regulation in case of criticism, inner work, self-reflection, hold neutrality, closeness and distance, pacing and leading, power and helplessness); how to present content (didactics, being oneself; essential competencies: self, social, topic/matter, energy, decision making and response-ability). A mentor has to confirm the existence of an adequate level of those skills at that time.
2. Standards for Teachers
2.1 Teaching Basic level[2] (CPE 1 - Certified Polarity Educator 1)
• One fulfilled assistance of full Polarity training (Basic + Advanced).
• At least nine days of co-teaching at the Basic level.
• Receiving supervision and mentoring during this step-up process by a designated mentor (see A.3: Learning plan).
• Additional teacher training skills in minimum one area, learned in a two/three day special class (group dynamics, meta-skills, character structures, emotions, dealing with pressure, projections, transference issues, didactics, ability to positively reinforce the students’ learning, etc.).
• Basic skills in supervision (having done the basic training in supervision).
• Three years of practice in Polarity (private practice or application of principles and skills in different professional fields).
2.2 Teaching full Advanced level or selected pieces of the Advanced level program
(CPE 2 - Certified Polarity Educator 2)
• One fulfilled assistance of a full Polarity training.
• At least twenty days of co-teaching at the Advanced level with an experienced teacher.
• Having taught at least one full Basic level.
• Receiving more in-depth supervision for the advanced level teaching.
• Additional teacher training skills in a minimum of two or three areas, two/three day session each (metaskills, character structures, emotions, pressure, projections, transference issues, didactics, ability to positively reinforce the students’ learning, etc.).
• Advanced skills in supervision (having done the basic training in supervision + two years of giving supervision).
• Five years of practice in Polarity (private practice or application of principles and skills in different professional fields).
3. Standards for Supervisors
Requirements to become a recognized Charta Polarity Supervisor:
• Five years of practice in Polarity.
• Background in another therapy or an other profession requiring supervision skills.
• Having done a basic training of twenty hours in supervision. It is recommended to have at least two teachers, preferably with two different backgrounds, giving special input regarding important pieces of supervision. These shall either have a background as a professional supervisor or be an International Polarity Elder (with twenty years or more of Polarity teaching experience) supporting the Swiss Charta for Polarity.
• The Polarity training of the applicant must have been done at a school recognized by the Charta (Swiss Charta members or International Partner Schools of the Charta).
• Acceptance of the application by an ethical committee of the Charta.
4. Standards for teaching interest groups
• Fulfill Prerequisites (A.).
• Fulfill Standards for Presenters (B.1).
• Being supervised around the outline of the training to a certain interest group that will be offered.
• Elaborate a document explaining how he/she applies the principles to the field or the interest group in question.
5. Standards for Experts
5.1 Professional background
• Fullfilled Polarity training.
• Basic supervision training.
• 8 years of clinical practice as a Polarity therapist.
5.2 Important Skills/Tools
• Ability to use reinforcing feedback
• Holding a meta perspective
• High level of neutrality and resiliency
• Presence
• Giving feedback in Polarity terms
• Ability to see the primary and secondary needs of the client
• Ability to see the build up and the key moments of the process.
Procedure in view of the recognition by the Swiss Charta for Polarity
We see continuing education as a personal ethical responsibility for all levels of teaching. To give an overview of additional learning, the candidate will submit a list of all the steps of continuing education he/she has undertaken.
Grandparenting is possible in special cases by the Charta Teacher Standards and Teacher Application Committee.
Candidates who fulfill these requirements can apply as a Polarity Presenter / Teacher / Supervisor / Expert recognized by the Charta in Switzerland. The application needs to be supported by a written declaration of at least one mentor (experienced Polarity teacher outside the Committee).
The majority of the Polarity training must have been attended in person in the classes.
Bern, 16.07.2018 (update of version 2016)
[1]Advanced level: Deepening the knowledge of the polarity model, five pillars, clinical learning, integration of theory and practice, process skills oriented towards polarity principles, energetic anatomy, anatomy and physiology.
[2]Basic level: Basic polarity theory and its applications (bodywork, communication, nutrition, exercises, and awareness).