It’s no surprise that lately I’ve been seriously considering certifying to become a group fitness instructor. This would allow me to teach various fitness classes like aerobics, yoga, pilates, etc. Although I have over four years experience practicing yoga, I have quite a bit less with the other forms of class-style aerobic exercise. As “fate” would have it, my awesome fitness instructor has given me opportunities to practice combo routines during our step aerobics classes. It couldn’t be that hard, right? That’s what I thought anyway.
Coming up with a combo and practicing at home wasn’t that hard. Even getting up in front of a large group of people and acting the part of a fitness teacher—you know really enthusiastic, silly, fun, bright, and happy—wasn’t that hard. But you know what was hard? Counting! I ain’t got no rhythm.
Coming up with a combo and practicing at home wasn’t that hard. Even getting up in front of a large group of people and acting the part of a fitness teacher—you know really enthusiastic, silly, fun, bright, and happy—wasn’t that hard. But you know what was hard? Counting! I ain’t got no rhythm.
This is probably surprising to those of you who know my high school alma matter. I’m quite sure my former b-ball teammates would be disappointed in my lack of rhythmic skills, along with my many music teachers over the years who would wonder how it is I still can’t count on beat.
Apparently, there’s more to this teaching aerobics thing than I realized. There is actually a structure to the music and choreography of a step aerobic routine. Who knew? It makes total sense…it’s just that I didn’t think much about how the music coordinates—the down beats, up beats, 32 counts, etc. I didn’t realize it’s basically teaching a type of dance class. It’s poetry in motion—the movements coordinate with the cadences.
To fix my defective skills, I am currently practicing combos at home to an official aerobics CD. This is helping me to listen to the beat of the actual music and not the fabricated schizophrenic beat of my head. (Perhaps I get off beat because I start musing upon the larger implications of the lyrics of songs. I can’t help it. I graduated with a degree in analyzing words, i.e. English! But how much can you really analyze a song like “Dontcha wish your girlfriend was hot like me?!”)
Anyway, it is a fun challenge that I welcome because I desire to be fit through eternity (not too lofty of a goal, is it?) and perhaps to motivate others to be healthy spiritually, emotionally, and physically! I’m grateful for the chance and hope that I can shine and continue to improve one step at a time (pun definitely intended!)
2 comments:
I think you'd be great. That's something I've thought about trying for off and on, but my problems extend beyond my lack of rythm. I also lack flexibility. And that chipper attitude most instructors have...
Awww Emily, you're getting it. Stay with it and remember, just like yoga, keep practicing!
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