We went to a concert in Bristol last night, and it highlighted what we teach instructors on the LES MILLS AIM2 training …. have an external focus and engage me!
For those of you who read my posts and are not a LES MILLS Instructor, you will have no idea what I’m talking about. In a nutshell, we’re saying that by having something external to focus on, e.g. by the end of this lecture, the students will be understand the effects of exercise on their cardiovascular system, … or,
I want my class participants to really enjoy the music in this BODYBALANCE class, … or,
By the end of this meeting, we will have an action plan for our next project.
Having something external to focus on can help manage your perceptions of stress. More importantly, the event or situation becomes more productive and engaging.
This concert felt very self-indulgent and to a point, it felt like he was hiding behind the music, which is a shame as he has an amazing voice. I felt disengaged, and when we left during the encore, there were loads of people at the bar chatting and drinking. Never have I seen that at a concert. We also noticed people leaving part-way through, and lots of people just getting up, wandering out and then back in again. Very weird, considering this was at the Colston Hall and not a small, informal live music venue.
The same also applies to a teaching environment. Over my 25+ years of teaching group exercise classes, I have seen self-indulgent instructors who are there for themselves, rather than their class participants. They stick to the routine and almost bully their participants to work harder and take the more advanced options of exercises. They love the sound of their own voices, and also hide behind the music by turning up the music excessively.
I have seen trainers and lecturers who love the sound of their own voice and have an “I know better than you” attitude, and who tend to belittle any questions asked from the audience.
Get over yourself and engage me!
Focus on the people whilst playing all out.
Give 100% vs showing off 100%.
What are your thoughts?
