Just Started Teaching...How much is too much?

[bonbon]

Hi, Cathe! Let me start out by saying how much I've enjoyed your workouts since I've discovered them 3 years ago, and that thanks to your recent Pyramid Upper Body workout, I don't even recognize my upper body anymore! I've gotten amazing results with this workout!

I'm 36 years old (with 3 kids) and I've recently started teaching dance (primarily ballet) to children ages 3-14. I teach 12 classes a week. Because they are mostly beginning and intermediate classes I do alot of demonstrating and full out dancing. I've also continued my regular early morning workouts (primarily yours) and I've added 4 dance classes a week to my fitness regime. I've been very active over the years and consider my self an advanced exerciser, but since I've started dancing and teaching again I find out that I'm verrry tired and fatigued all the time. My questing is....do you build the stamina for a demanding teaching schedule (the studio wants to give me more!Yikes!)? Do you continue your own training regime in addition to your teaching. I feel I need to add my dance classes because I want to brush up my techique and get into "dancer's shape". How much is too much?

I know you're really busy with the new workouts, but any insight as to how you balance everything would be greatly appreciated!!
Thanks! :7

 

[Alexandra]

Just bumping....

 

[Connie1]

Bonbon, I am watching this thread. I hope Cathe will give you some helpful ideas. I am(God willing)going to start teaching some cardio classes and maybe strength too, this year. I already work 4 days a week and I want to keep myself in balanced condition too.

I am going to try my best to start out slowly and really meter my own workouts to compensate for any over- or undertraining the classes may contribute to. I am hoping to teach at least 2 (adult) step classes and one other kind of class per week, maybe as much as 4 classes.

Cathe, what ways do you help yourself cope with adjustments like this? Do you sometimes talk your class through moves or combos? I always assume you are exactly the same in your live classes as you are on video, doing every single move a hundred percent, and reversed right-to-left to boot! I want to do my classes the right way to start out, and not learn any bad habits.

-Connie

 

[meredith]

I'm not Cathe, but I wanted to share my experience. I've taught aerobics off and on since about '87. Right now, I teach only 2 classes a week as I also have a full-time job and 2 kids so time is a lot tighter these days. Anyway, the most classes I ever taught were 9 a week. I also did weight work on my own. My experience is that it's amazing what your body can build up to in terms of endurance and stamina. I did have problems "running out of gas" when I first started the heavy schedule but I quickly built up and after a while I didn't think twice about it. But I also think that you risk injuries - I was always injured in some way. Either my shin splits hurt or my achilles tendon hurt or my lower back bothered me...you get the picture. It's probably not something anyone should do forever. Meredith

 

[bonbon]

Thanks for your replies, Meredith and Connie1! I hope Cathe responds(if she can), for she is my prime example of stamina, energy and health to me!

 

[Bobbi]

Bonbon, I think you've answered your own question. If you are exhausted, it's too much. Cut back and sit around your house NOT eatng bon bons, lol. While we all need to exercise and compensate for the lack of movement in this modern world, you should not exercise to the point that you feel so tired you can't be happy or energized. It's great to teach, to pass on that exciting benefit of exercise, but don't do it at the cost of your health and happiness! Balance is key!
Chicks's Rule! http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/chicken.gif Bobbi