Judy Ringer's stories, exercises, and quotations on aikido in daily life.

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Product Description

Conflict surrounds us and, at times, consumes us. More then ever, we need to find ways to resolve conflict and communicate effectively. Unlikely Teachers: Finding the Hidden Gifts in Daily Conflict is a collection of inspirational stories, practices, and reflections on conflict, communication, and relationship. It teaches us how to turn life’s challenges into life teachers. The book includes a foreword by Thomas Crum, author of The Magic of Conflict, Journey to Center, and Three Deep Breaths. In her workshops and writing, Ms. Ringer employs the martial art aikido as a metaphor and teaching tool. Aikido views the attack as a gift of energy. Unlikely Teachers applies the aikido metaphor to non-physical conflict—what we might call life's "attacks"—such as arguments, everyday hassles, and the more serious problems we all face at some point in our lives. By changing the way we think about what happens to us, we move from reaction to response, become more curious and engaged, and learn that we have more power than we think.

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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #491042 in Books
• Published on: 2006-04-15
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 184 pages

Review
This book...illuminates the path that leads us out of conflict and into deeper relationship with others and with ourselves. -- Margaret J. Wheatley, author of Finding Our Way

Enjoy, savor and learn...and remember: your teacher is right in front of you, maybe in your very next breath. -- Thomas Crum, author of The Magic of Conflict

Thank you for keeping the spirit of aikido alive...and for capturing in words such a profound experience. -- Carol A. Schifman, founder of Portland Aikido

Unlikely Teachers combines well grounded wisdom with accessible practices. It offers a delightful blend of personal experiences, insightful teachings and practical exercises. A wonderful book for anyone looking to become more centered and empowered in their lives. --Wendy Palmer, author of The Intuitive Body and The Practice of Freedom

About the Author
Judy Ringer is an expert on conflict and communication. She provides training and facilitation to companies and organizations throughout the United States and Canada. As a black belt in aikido, Ms. Ringer employs the principals of this unique martial art in her book, Unlikely Teachers: Finding the Hidden Gifts in Daily Conflict. She blends various communication and conflict resolution models with insights from more than a decade of aikido practice, business ownership, and mind/body training. Ms. Ringer is a graduate of Vassar College. In addition, her background includes courses with the Harvard/MIT Program on Negotiation and ongoing work and study in Process Work and World Work, developed by Arnold Mindell.

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Customer Reviews

Have all good days!
In Judy Ringers' Unlikely Teachers, she teaches the reader how to create a more enjoyable life with fewer conflicts. In this easy to follow book she gives real life examples of situations that would have turned ugly if not for her advice such as, giving the benefit of the doubt, seeing things through their eyes, looking for good intentions and much more than that.
Everything that happens to us good and bad is a lesson learned; these are the teachers. I liked the book because it empowers you to make a change in your life and use easy techniques to help you get through situations that would normally make you or the other person angry. And it is so much more.

A timeless treasure of a book...
Judy Ringer skillfully uses the practice of aikido as a metaphor for how she has learned to resolve everyday conflicts "off the mat." In this compilation of personal stories, she puts forward what she has learned about handling her own conflicts in such a way as to teach us how we can better handle our own. Never preachy, Judy tells her stories with compassion, gentleness, and deep respect for all of the "unlikely teachers" with whom she has found herself in conflict. While her stories are generously personal, the lessons she shares with us have universal applicability. She opens up ways for us to find, recognize, and appreciate our own unlikely teachers--and also resolve whatever conflicts we might have.

Judy has written one of those "timeless" books, a treasure that deserves occasional re-reading. It is rich in content, lovely in its presentation, and important in its messages. I recommend this book to you without a single reservation. And to Judy Ringer: Thank you very much.

Sandy Davis

Unlikely Teachers: Finding the Hidden Gifts in Daily Conflict
Unlikely Teachers by Judy Ringer is an insightful look into the conflicts of daily life. This author has a gift for helping the reader see the 'not-so obvious' answers to very difficult situations. I feel like I am with her as she shares her life experiences and those of others through well written stories with practical daily application exercises. A must read!!