| The Hi/Lo Road Map |
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When you get into your car, you usually have a destination in mind, this is like the goals of a hi/lo class. Ultimately you would like to achieve:
Route = Learning Curves
ú Smooth ride = People who come along to group exercise classes enjoy it for the that very reason. They enjoy being part of a ‘Group’. When participants stop because they are having trouble following, the ‘Group’ loses it’s sense of movement together. The energy is interrupted. It is inevitable that not everyone follows well all the time and also participants can choose classes that are too challenging, but group enjoyment comes from group involvement and group energy is greatest when everyone is ‘getting it’ ú Short cuts that get you no where = It is frustrating when you turn down a road, thinking it will be a short cut or a way to avoid the traffic lights, only to find that the road does not go anywhere. It is a futile effort that is both a waste of time and effort to finally end up back where you had begun. Pointless learning curves that don’t have a direct impact on the choreography are exactly the same. Sometimes there can be too many learning curves and participants get confused and frustrated. Attending workshops and seeing how other instructors teach is a great way to pick up better ways to break down moves. ú Best route to destination = How you get to your destination will determine whether the journey is pleasurable, comfortable, safe and effective. The word ‘journey’ is often used in reference to learning curves and how the base move eventually becomes the end product and the steps taken to achieve this. Good learning curves are logical, anticipate group response, flow well and have built in options for intensity and complexity. Effective learning curves maintain heart rate within training parameters as they flow easily from one step to the next without traffic lights and speed bumps. ú Reading the traffic = Reading your class, understanding good and bad days and also appreciating that different groups at different time slots have unique cultures. One set of learning curves will not always work. Know when to do more repetitions of learning curves or when to take short cuts. ú Avoid road rage = instructor frustration. You will get there when you get there. Getting frustrated with your class comes from wanting to get to the end product but the participants are not learning as quickly as you would like. Remember that a safe, fun and stress free workout is the most important objective of the class, not your personal choreography goals.
Car Maintenance = YOU!
From the moment you enter your facility, you smile and show enthusiasm with your walk, your body and your words. You prepare for your class, keeping in mind who will be in the class that you are about to deliver. Participants arrive, ask questions, make small talk and all the time you are bright, cheerful and friendly. The session begins and your charisma motivates your clients and fills the room with energy. From start to end your are constantly verbalising cues, educating, and making noises to inspire. Your body physically demonstrates everything that you are saying and more. Your face gives facial encouragement, smiles and acknowledgement with your eyes. At the end, you stay back to answer questions and further encourage beginners, and those who have set personal goals. You congratulate those who have worked hard, and send your participants back into the world with a more positive frame of mind. Your class could have had 2 or 50 participants and for each person you gave as much attention as possible. For some of us, this could be once per week or a full time job, but to be able to maintain the level of energy and enthusiasm, we must make sure to restore our resources. The fitness industry has a way of being all consuming. Money, energy and most importantly time. People drawn to teaching are usually people who have a great capacity to give.
Something to consider: ú Mileage = number of classes. We all have a personal limit that we are comfortable teaching. We also know what too much feels like. ú Service = workshops, attending other instructor’s classes, opportunity to absorb rather than give. ú Wheel balance = self critique and use peers to critique, so you don’t start catering for vocal minorities and/or developing bad habits. ú Petrol – premium grade = look after your body, sleep and eat well. Know your limitations and avoid pushing to personal extremes. ú Road worthy tests = Instructing classes can be very lonely. Communicate and get together with other professionals. Talk about issues and concerns and enjoy being with others who understand the role and the fitness industry. ú Check oil and water levels = Your body should be treated like a Rolls Royce. Regular massages, stretching/yoga sessions and immediate response to injuries as they happen (rather than when it becomes chronic).
Choreography Routine One
Repeat routine on Left leg
TEACH – Teach tricky bit first and then move on
10) Layer 2x alternating knee lift = turn backwards 360° 11) Teach mambo chasse 12) Layer mambo chasse = mambo, 3x chasse 13) Add = mambo, 3x chasse, mambo, 6x marches and 8x alternating leg curl 14) Layer 6x marches = pivot turn and 3x marches 15) Layer 3x marches = rock back 16) Add together = grapevine, double knee lift, 2x alternating knee lifts, side tap, knee lift, cross over, knee lift, side tap, knee lift, mambo, 3x chasse, mambo, pivot and rock back Routine Two
Repeat routine on Left leg
TEACH – Leg Change Move First
10) Teach step kick forward 11) Layer step kick forward = 2x step kick repeater 12) Insert = Shuffle, shuffle 3x alternating knee lifts, 2x kick repeater, 2x easy walk, 6x marches and 2x alternating leg curl 13) Layer 2x easy walk = 2x easy walk with Rhythm (hold on the first step for 2x counts and speed up the 2nd, 3rd and 4th step) 14) Add together = Zorba, 2x alternating leg curl 360° turn, shuffle, shuffle 3x alternating knee lifts, 2x kick repeater and 2x rhythm easy walk Routine Three
Repeat routine on Left leg
TEACH – Leg Change Move First
10) Layer 6x marches = Rock back to each side 11) Layer double leg curl = Chasse
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