Taught step class today

Connie1

Connie1

Cathlete
At the YMCA. It's my second-ever and went much smoother than the first! I noticed the participants picking up the moves very well. Even better when my cuing was on!

Also, I have decided to get my first dog. I have no clue about dogs so I have read two books (actually more, but these are the salient ones) Don't Shoot the Dog, by Pryor, and The Culture Clash, by Donaldson.

These books have taught me the importance of giving feedback to your learners and not missing opportunities to give positive feedback! It has really tuned me in to more than just dogs in life!

I told my participants they were great and they said, "We AAARREE??" So funny. My YMCA is a great place to work and I am happier with this new venture than I ever have been.

Thank you, Cathe, for your sterling example and I hope all is going smoothly for you!

With much affection,

Connie
 
Wow, that is quite a lot to be proud of! I am very impressed! I always enjoy your posts, though I stick mainly to the Fit Moms forum. I have thought about pursuing instructor certification. I really think I would be terrible at cuing though, so how hard is it really to remember your patterns when you are in front of a class? How long have you trained/prepared for this? Anyway, congratulations! I hope you continue to enjoy teaching.
 
Just thought I would butt in. I used to teach many years ago and I loved it. It is very scary the first couple of classes, but once the music starts and you get moving, it is really not that bad. I was very good at cueing, but I can't take full credit for it. I did not make up my own exercises. I taught for Jacki Sorensen's Aerobic Workouts programs. Jacki provides her instructors will all the training materials necessary to teach a class. She provides videos of the routines as well as cassettes with the music and cues on one side and music only on the other. You use the cued side learning the routines. Once you have the cues down, you turn it over and start practicing with music only and, of course, you teach class with the music side only. I have thought of teaching again as Jacki still has classes and I love them, but it is really hard to get classes going in my town as there are so many other classes already available. I also have to add that I was in the best shape when I was teaching. Not because the workouts were hard or intense, but because I practiced a lot. I would take my step into the kitchen and literally practice different segments while I was cooking supper. I was constantly going over my step patterns.
 
Connie, I used to teach many years ago. Isn't it great? The students are always wonderful. I found out that even if you miss a cue and have to march/jog in place, the students really don't care (unless you do it all the time of course). They are just happy to have a fun class to attend.
 
Connie, I'm very happy for you. I read a lot of your posts, whether or not they apply to me. You always give great advice. Your dog will certainly be happy and healthy in your care.

Pinky
 
Yaayyy Connie! Great accomplishment!

I'm also really happy you are getting a dog. Although this book does have breed info, it's a good read: Dogs Don't Bite When a Growl Will Do: What Your Dog Can Teach You About Living a Happy Life, Matt Weinstein and Luke Barber, 2003, Perigee Books

Congrats!

Gina
 
Connie, that's great! As the others have said, it gets easier & easier the more you do it. Like you, Cathe has taught me so much and has been a great example of how to lead a class. So glad to hear you are enjoying it so much. I KNEW you would!
Your-Friend-In-Fitness, DebbieH http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/wavey.gif[/img] If You Get The Choice To Sit It Out Or Dance...I Hope You DANCE!!!
 
Thanks, Bobbi!

To Emy, oops, forgot to tell you, I had a cheat sheet! I had a 3-ring binder with the moves written on it with Sharpie. It was propped up, open, atop the stereo system so I could really see it. I *almost* know the routine but with a room full of people, I needed my sheet in case distraction emptied my brain, lol!

It was easy to see, and all on the two open pages. Abbreviated moves so it all fit with big letters.

-Connie
 
Connie,

Congratulations on your decision to get a dog!

One thing that DH and I did after we got our second dog, Sophie, was to rent a couple of videos on dog training. I can't specifically remember what videos they were but it was very helpful to view the video as well as read books.

We have used used positive reinforcement religiously with her and it's true, works much better than negative. She has responded beautifully. Well, as long as I can remember not to leave my shoes where she can get them.
 
I highly recommend the two books I mentioned in the first post, to all present or prospective dog owners. Again, they are: Don't Shoot the Dog, and the Culture Clash (the second book is muh better than its name!

I am dead set on getting a Basenji. The earliest one available will be around Christmas. They only come into season once a year.

-Connie
 
Dear Connie,

Congratulations on your class! I recently taught my first yoga class to a PE class at school. The regular teacher had asked me to step in because he was having a hard time getting the class to get along; there are warring cliques of 14-year-old girls. We didn't have mats so I had the girls tape their feet so as not to slip on the gym floor. I goofed up a couple times, but they responded well and it was a great equalizer for the factions. People like to be led when it's friendly and unintimidating, and we've had a great example to follow in Cathe. You always give clear and positive advice, I bet you're a natural.

I have four bassets(usually right after Basenji in the dog show). I enjoyed The Culture Clash a lot, too. Another two about doggie communication that I have found helpful are "How to Speak Dog" by Stanley Coren, and "On Talking Terms With Dogs: Calming Signals" by Turid Rugaas. I'd be happy to loan you the latter (very quick read) if you want to email me your address.

Enjoy your classes!

--Ann
 
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