Hi Roberta!
Wow, it really has been a long time. How nice to hear from you again.
You are not alone in your anxiety about teaching kickboxing. I felt, and at times still feel, a little uncomfortable when it comes to the class delivery from a technical aspect. This is because after talking with several kickbox experts, martial arts experts, and karate experts, plus attending and two kickbox certifications, and experiencing numerous other kickbox classes, I have heard various opinions pertaining to the hows and whys of the delivery of this art form.
With all of these mixed opinions, how can a group fitness instructor learn and understand the basic principles of kickboxing which is very much needed in order to lay the foundation for a safe and effective class. I, too, found myself very frustrated and "picking the brain" of each person that I spoke to in hopes of finding the answer I've been looking for. I was waiting for something to click, a light to go off, something to grasp onto that made 100% sense to me.
Finally, one martial arts instructor told me that there are many different ways to deliver this art form based on what your background is(meaning martial arts, karate, or kickbox)and there is no 100% right or wrong way to position yourself. This instructor said that everyones center of balance/gravity is different and therefore may have to angle their body slightly different to get the same level of comfort as another when kicking or punching. Now this made sense to me and relaxed me since I always felt like I was doing it wrong if I didn't look exactly as the person teaching it.
So I went on further to share my feelings with this martial arts instructor and asked what someone in my shoes should do who has not trained and mastered the moves of this kickbox/martial arts/karate movement style? He said that I can not expect to develop and master the skills of what takes these "art form" experts years to do in a few classes. He especially chuckled when I mentioned these weekend kickbox certification coarses offered in the fitness industry. I told him(with a great deal of respect)that the audience that I pretty much have is interested in kickbox because it is a hot trend, and not necessarily because they are interested in earning a belt. He was well aware of the trend and seemed somewhat disappointed that is was not giving the art form the respect that it deserved. He truly was more interested in teaching students who wanted to learn the mastery of technique and not view this process as a one hour kickbox workout.
This is the discussion that opened my eyes to the whole situation. I realized that as a group fitness instructor, I am in the business of catering to the health club customer who wants to experience kickboxing as it pertains to the one hour workout and not as a lesson in martial arts. Therefore, over time I have slowly designed my own class making it my interpretation of what a kickbox class should be in the health club environment. I made it to be a fun, light spirited class "flavored" with kickbox moves. Its for for the person who has less interest in mastering the art form but more interest in getting a heart pumping workout. I have decided that since I myself will not be able to master the art form during the time that the demand for this workout is hot, I will deliver a workout that works within the limits of my abilities and the demands of my audience.
Wow, sorry to be so long winded.
I recently added it to my list of certifications but since it wasn't something I had practiced and perfected like the other people who were in the certification course, I felt awkward and very frustrated! Even though I am trying to practice at home my body just doesn't seem to want to do the moves properly!