Greetings blogosphere! First let me say that although I am not always on top of updating ye olde blogge, I still check everyone else on my blog list out as they update. Thank you for being entertaining.
Now onto stage fright. So the process of becoming a fully certified BODYCOMBAT instructor is loooong and kinda drawn out (for good reason...it's no easy thing!). I went through initial training, then endured another two weeks of practice, then I "passed off" to team teach. This entailed me having the entire release memorized so the group fitness manager could randomly pick 2 tracks for me to teach. After passing off I was assigned to an experienced instructor (I heart Cindy!) and a specific class time slot (5:15 am on Tuesdays...I know, I'm a bad A). Anyway, since then I've been on stage 4 times and it's sooo much fun. BUT...day 1 (Feb. 15 - I wasn't originally going to teach on Sundays too, but it's worked out that I get to and it's giving me more practice) on stage, I was so nervous before class started that I almost vomited. I was probably pale as a ghost. I was introduced to a few people, gave a quick tutorial on how to put on boxing wraps, and completely forgot EVERYONE'S names. I'm getting better at remembering. And the nerves didn't transfer on stage. Once the music started, I was comfortable and did fine. The nerves have gotten better...now I'm more excited about teaching than anything else. Yay!
Side note: word is that the next release's theme is cage fighting. Interesting...can't wait to get the new release in the mail!
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
death by committee
Today I was sitting in the monthly full-time staff meeting the organization I work for holds, and I felt particularly antsy. I was sitting next to my birthday twin, Mike (of the Guad squad), which added to the squirelly-ness I was feeling. Anyway, when I get antsy....I doodle, scribble, otherwise write random things down (even if I don't need to) just to have something to keep my mind occupied. Usually because whoever is speaking really isn't holding my interest, but I am fighting valiantly to look like I give a darn. It's a habit I picked up in college, primarily graduate school. =)
The result of this incessant writing? A seriously scribbled all over meeting agenda. Mike even commented on the volumes of notes I took. My favorite scribble was "DEATH BY COMMITTEE!" surrounded by little dashes. I wrote that one down when it was suggested we form a committee to plan the youth basketball finals. Seriously? It seems like the person who plans the finals has done just fine (FOR YEARS mind you) without the aid of a committee. Maybe I'm just not much of a fan of committees being in place for everything.
Although, DEATH BY COMMITTEE! would be a pretty awesome band name. That's something I could be a fan of.
The result of this incessant writing? A seriously scribbled all over meeting agenda. Mike even commented on the volumes of notes I took. My favorite scribble was "DEATH BY COMMITTEE!" surrounded by little dashes. I wrote that one down when it was suggested we form a committee to plan the youth basketball finals. Seriously? It seems like the person who plans the finals has done just fine (FOR YEARS mind you) without the aid of a committee. Maybe I'm just not much of a fan of committees being in place for everything.
Although, DEATH BY COMMITTEE! would be a pretty awesome band name. That's something I could be a fan of.
Monday, February 9, 2009
I DID IT!!
So the blog topic makes me feel/look/sound a little like I'm a toddler who's figuring something out for the first time, getting excited, and yelling "I DID IT!" But I did do it...and here's what I did.
I survived the initial instructor training modules for BODYCOMBAT (tm)! Training was nearly 2 weeks ago, but life got busy so here I blog. It was 25 hours of masterclass, technique, reviewing choreography, talking about music/timing, learning the 5 key elements of group fitness, presenting 2 tracks 2 times each (that's 4 presentations for those of you who are counting), more technique, advanced drills, some sadistic training ritual called "THE CHALLENGE," learning how to coach, discussing what creates or breaks connection with participants, more movement. And all in 3 days. I squeaked out demonstrating competency in 4 of the 5 areas in which we were assessed. I knew my choreography, I got 2/3 areas in technique (execution and timing, but inconsistent in position), and my coaching was pretty good (I nailed pre-cueing and follow up...need to work on initial cues).
I practiced presenting 2 more tracks this past Saturday with Melissa, the Group Fitness Manager at Fitness Works. It was my first time with the mic on and teaching on stage. W.E.I.R.D. But I did ok. This weekend Melissa is going to pick 2 tracks at random for me to present to pass me to team teach. I should be on stage shadowing as soon as this Sunday - crazy.
For all of you out there reading in the blogosphere, exercise has never been something that has come easily to me. I haven't ever been the most physically fit person, and the only team I ever made was the tennis team in junior high (no one got cut). I had to swim in the 2nd to the slowest lane in my advanced swim classes in college. I have mitral valve prolapse, which makes hard cardio workouts even more difficult for me because my heart has to work that much harder with a faulty valve. I just love this class, and I love being a part of it. Teaching was sort of terrifying at first, but I felt at home on stage. I wasn't nervous once the music started and I was shouting out cues. I have to work hard to be able to make it through 10 rounds of COMBAT and still look sharp, but I am getting there. So far, all that matters to me is that I did it. And I keep on doing it.
I survived the initial instructor training modules for BODYCOMBAT (tm)! Training was nearly 2 weeks ago, but life got busy so here I blog. It was 25 hours of masterclass, technique, reviewing choreography, talking about music/timing, learning the 5 key elements of group fitness, presenting 2 tracks 2 times each (that's 4 presentations for those of you who are counting), more technique, advanced drills, some sadistic training ritual called "THE CHALLENGE," learning how to coach, discussing what creates or breaks connection with participants, more movement. And all in 3 days. I squeaked out demonstrating competency in 4 of the 5 areas in which we were assessed. I knew my choreography, I got 2/3 areas in technique (execution and timing, but inconsistent in position), and my coaching was pretty good (I nailed pre-cueing and follow up...need to work on initial cues).
I practiced presenting 2 more tracks this past Saturday with Melissa, the Group Fitness Manager at Fitness Works. It was my first time with the mic on and teaching on stage. W.E.I.R.D. But I did ok. This weekend Melissa is going to pick 2 tracks at random for me to present to pass me to team teach. I should be on stage shadowing as soon as this Sunday - crazy.
For all of you out there reading in the blogosphere, exercise has never been something that has come easily to me. I haven't ever been the most physically fit person, and the only team I ever made was the tennis team in junior high (no one got cut). I had to swim in the 2nd to the slowest lane in my advanced swim classes in college. I have mitral valve prolapse, which makes hard cardio workouts even more difficult for me because my heart has to work that much harder with a faulty valve. I just love this class, and I love being a part of it. Teaching was sort of terrifying at first, but I felt at home on stage. I wasn't nervous once the music started and I was shouting out cues. I have to work hard to be able to make it through 10 rounds of COMBAT and still look sharp, but I am getting there. So far, all that matters to me is that I did it. And I keep on doing it.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)