What are the ingredients of a fabulous aqua session?
- Class Plan
- Music
- Teaching Skills
- X factor
One of the most important aspects of a fabulous class is the plan. Even with all other factors being present, without a plan, your sessions will be a “hit or miss”. It will often be the case of “that class rocked” or “that could’ve been much better”.
LOVE YOUR MUSIC!
Song and dance are fundamental in any culture. It is used to celebrate both joyful and sad occasions and is one of the oldest forms of human expression.
Hydrofabulous is about making your water workout class more than just a workout.
Music is a strong motivator and has the power to elevate mood and encourage physical activity. Imagine if you could create a workout that encompassed the mood and energy of the music that you used.
Today we have access to a wide range of music choices, everything from Country and Western, Pop to good old Rock ‘n’ Roll. Water workouts allow us to work with an extensive selection of music: from 4/4 to 3/4 (waltz), fast and slow, classical, Latin rhythms, and anything else that is available. Think outside your square explore alternatives and try them in your classes.
EXPERIMENT with:
- rhythm changes
- repetition
- traveling/stationary moves
- shallow/deep water
- different types of equipment
- exercise combinations
- fast/slow moves
- Long/short levers
- arm lines
- intensity levels
Dances or partner activities are a great way to make your participants work effectively whilst socially interacting. Social interaction occasionally occurs naturally with certain population groups, for example, mature adults, children, and special needs clients, but structured interaction can be more challenging to implement. This is why a partner-orientated dance or stretch component of the class can be ideal.
IMPLEMENT ideas.
Don’t be frightened of changing your class format or style. Your participants will get bored and disinterested in your class if you never change ideas or concepts. Most of them will enjoy changes if they are small and regular.
ENCOURAGE feedback.
Your participants are the best people to ask about the workout. They may enjoy changes you make even though they may not look like it during the class.
Advantages of Good Planning
KNOWING what works in water and how it should be demonstrated
CATERING for different population groups, specific needs, and skill levels
CREATING a checklist of muscle groups that are being used, and ensuring that the workout is balanced
X-Factor
Sometimes we can be so “into” teaching that we forget how important fun is. Participants in our classes are constantly searching for a smile or humour from us. Do you have a “SOH” – Sense of Humour? Most of us would like to think so but are challenged to share it in our classes. How seriously do you take yourself and your class? Participants enjoy having happy positive experiences, and that ultimately, is an atmosphere that you create. What enormous amount of power we hold as leaders – to smile, to make someone else smile and perhaps give them an assured sense of self, which is why we do, what we do.
The power of the mind is unfathomable! It affects our attitudes and beliefs, and it affects how we carry our jobs as instructors. Attitude is what keeps instructors motivated and innovative. Find out what makes a class enjoyable for you then implement it into your class, creating the type of class that you would love to participate in. Aqua can be more than just a workout; it can be an experience.
So go out there and be Hydrofabulous!
MUSIC / CONCEPT |
MOVES |
“You’re The One That I Want”
Partner dance |
|
“Greased Lightening”
Partner dance |
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“Born To Be Wild”
Arm and leg combinations Fingers spread wide |
|
“Centrefold”
Stationary arms and rhythm changes |
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“Grease”
Core stabilization |
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“Summer Nights”
Combining jumps and kicks |
|
“Hound Dog”
Speed work Stabilization |
|
“We Go Together”
Drop down, shoulders under water Speed work |
|
“Think”
Combination kicks and propulsion jumps |
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“Shake A Tail Feather”
Partner dance |
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“Do You Love Me”
Partner dance |
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“Minnie The Moocher”
Suspended dumbbell exercises Side lying actions |
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“Grace Knight”
Suspended dumbbell exercises Criss Cross leg actions |
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“A Swinging Safari”
Suspended dumbbell exercises Prone |
|
“YMCA”
Chorus catching Semi suspended
|
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“Something Stupid”
Partner cool down |
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