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You just can't help yourself now can you...and no, I don't want a slinging match..here goes..

I've been teaching freestyle since 1982 ( be quiet young whippersnappers), added LM in later.

Freestyle has NEVER been "Free for all"..it is, or should be "pre choreographed" by the intsructor,planned, mapped,even and broken into 32 count/16/8/4 whichever.

I stated this in my earlier post, all the other (teaching) instructors have agreed  on everyone but your points.Erin and Ryan,JPGirl..all of us...

 

To think that someone would step up in front of a class with no plan is ridiculous and it adds to my belief that you really have no idea about instructing.

 

I remember, back in the day, going to a class where the instructor didn't have a plan and led with "a hope and a prayer",  He had all sorts of supposed "certifications" and knowledge.

It's the only class I EVER walked out of because it was SO bad. SO. 

No plan = irresponsibility on the part of an "instructor", although I'd be hard pressed to call a person that. It shows complete disregard for the participants in the class. If you don't have time to prepare, don't teach. I use the same rule for myself as a personal trainer. EVERY client gets a personal workout - not a boilerplate series of exercises - that is planned for THAT day. I'd be remiss in my duties as a trainer if I didn't plan. As I would be if I didn't plan my classes. 

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Certified Body Combat and Body Pump instructor, Spin certified cycle instructor, Certified Personal Trainer.

pipera:

I was also taught freestyle from the perspective that you get a CD or any tape and put it in the cd/tape player and just know how to start the class and then work through the session and then know when the cool down is and know your stretches and know how to safely take them out of the class.

You simply listen to the music, follow the BPM's and MHR and Borg Index. Based on this you can do the class without chore notes.

 

Im just curious... what sort of moves are you doing? what do you mean "just know how to start the class"???  Follow the BPM's?  Wouldn't one do this for group fitness in general???

I am quite happy to try and understand your point of view but it just doesnt seem to make a whole lot of sense what you are saying at the moment???

I teach freestyle step and in no way is my class simply put a cd on, know how to start the class and go??  I plan and choreograph blocks of moves and also work out all my base moves & layering before I even walk into the club. 

As I said... am curious as to what you are actually talking about???

trancendental:

pipera:

You don't choreograph freestyle.

*sigh* For the sake of semantics, let's change point 2 above to:

2. The instructor chooses their own moves and music

So in fact I was actually correct with my original post, and, as such, have changed it back accordingly.

Thank you for setting the record straight to the peeps above.

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The forum member "pipera" is not a Les Mills Instructor, though his posts, signature and profile will claim otherwise.

Since he has been economical with the truth on his profile, read the real facts here.

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I think you all totally missed the boat!

Freestyle is not pre-choreographed.

It never has been or ever will be!

Prove me otherwise!

Cheers!

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From love and the gift of eternal joy comes peace and love!

Cheers :)

Err, yes it is.

I think it's you that "missed" the boat.

For example, would you go into a classroom (assuming you do still teach at a school) with no class plan?

I'd hope not.

Choreography is choreography,whether it was written by the PDs at LM or at home by the freestyle instructors.

Sounds like you were teaching a circuit to me, and a poorly planned one at that.

I think the point that seems to be getting missed here (although I do remember reading it earlier somewhere?) is that "Pre-Choreographed" (LM Style) means every single beat of every single song has a set move that has been choreographed to it. 

Freestyle still involves Choreography however the layers, base moves and learning time will vary depending on class ability and can be adjusted to suit.  i.e.  if you choreograph a routine and you get into your class and realise you have a room full of complete unco's (couldn't think of a better word sorry!) then you may leave some of your layering out and stop at a more basic final combination.

Freestyle is not Pre-choreographed but it is choreographed and planned!

Okay Rod, as you are fond of quoting text..here's some from the AIF from the part of the module on Group Fitness...

1.1 Plan (see that) a class that fulfils the fitness purpose of participants

1.2 Identify the role and importance of warm up,stretching and cool down

1.3 Use exercises suitable for warm up,stretch and cool down section

1.4 Design(again,there it is ) and instruct an aerobic routine with choreographic variation

1.5 Plan a format for classes suitable for beginners,intermadiate and advanced participants in all forms of aerobics

1.6 Discuss techniques to monitor participants' progress towards fitness objective

Need I go on????

Wilkipedia says:

"Freestyle aerobics is an aerobis style in which a group instructor choreographs several short dance combinations and teaches them to the class. This is usually achieved by teaching the class 1-2 movements at a time and repeating the movements until the class is able to join the whole choreography together. Aerobic music is used throughout the class. This is sometimes followed by a strength section which uses body weight exercises to strengthen muscles and a stretch routine to cool down and improve flexibility. Classes are usually 30-60 minutes in length and may include the use of equipment such as a barbell, aerobic step, or small weights.

In freestyle aerobics, the instructor choreographs the routine and adjusts it to the needs and wants of her/his class. There is often no difference between base movements in freestyle and pre-choreographed programs."

 

NB:  "The instructor choreographs..." Happy!?

fitgirl1:

Err, yes it is.

I think it's you that "missed" the boat.

For example, would you go into a classroom (assuming you do still teach at a school) with no class plan?

I'd hope not.

Choreography is choreography,whether it was written by the PDs at LM or at home by the freestyle instructors.

Sounds like you were teaching a circuit to me, and a poorly planned one at that.

I agree with all of that :)

I agree I would never get in front of a class without a class plan.

I also agree on the rest of your points.

fitgirl1:

Okay Rod, as you are fond of quoting text..here's some from the AIF from the part of the module on Group Fitness...

1.1 Plan (see that) a class that fulfils the fitness purpose of participants

1.2 Identify the role and importance of warm up,stretching and cool down

1.3 Use exercises suitable for warm up,stretch and cool down section

1.4 Design(again,there it is ) and instruct an aerobic routine with choreographic variation

1.5 Plan a format for classes suitable for beginners,intermadiate and advanced participants in all forms of aerobics

1.6 Discuss techniques to monitor participants' progress towards fitness objective

Need I go on????

I also agree with all of that :)

Thanks :) for the answers :)

Cheers!

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Coming soon a new concept no one has ever done before and it has been in the planning for the past 4 years.

Check out the Latest 1/4 Releases at: Tracklist Central!

Check my profile the truth is out there - X-Files :)

Check out my Training Fitness and Exercise and Higher - University Vocational and Educational Qualifications Here!



From love and the gift of eternal joy comes peace and love!

Cheers :)

Ahh Marcus Irwin! Loved doing his classes and his workshops were brilliant too.  Lets not forget Wendi Carroll, Michelle Dean, Sue Stanley, Ivan Morse and the list goes on......

mlynn:

 

No plan = irresponsibility on the part of an "instructor", although I'd be hard pressed to call a person that. It shows complete disregard for the participants in the class. If you don't have time to prepare, don't teach. I use the same rule for myself as a personal trainer. EVERY client gets a personal workout - not a boilerplate series of exercises - that is planned for THAT day. I'd be remiss in my duties as a trainer if I didn't plan. As I would be if I didn't plan my classes. 

You have a CD/tape loaded in the player. You start the class and then you discover that they are un-coordinated, un-fit and what you planned is not going to work. You have one CD and the class has started. 

You cannot stop the class you have gone past the point of turning back. 

So what do you do then?

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Coming soon a new concept no one has ever done before and it has been in the planning for the past 4 years.

Check out the Latest 1/4 Releases at: Tracklist Central!

Check my profile the truth is out there - X-Files :)

Check out my Training Fitness and Exercise and Higher - University Vocational and Educational Qualifications Here!



From love and the gift of eternal joy comes peace and love!

Cheers :)

pipera:

You have a CD/tape loaded in the player. You start the class and then you discover that they are un-coordinated, un-fit and what you planned is not going to work. You have one CD and the class has started. 

You cannot stop the class you have gone past the point of turning back. 

So what do you do then?

You IMPROVISE mate! That's the whole point of freestyle, it is adaptable..

Most movements in freestyle are taught from a base that anyone can perform and then you add in your layers and more complicated movements. If you have a beginner group you just don't put on as many layers! Simple as that.

If you don't teach or participate in it, don't comment on what you think it "might" be please, you make the rest of us look bad.

Oh Rod,

 

Thought this one had been put to bed.

As Ryan/Scott/Erin/Mymy/JP and myself (sorry if I missed anyone out there) have all said..it's about coaching to who's in front of you..dropping blocks in and out as required..upping the "difficulty" level if required, bringing it back to basics if needed..let's call it "options" shall we?

There's no such thing as "you cannot stop the class you have gone past the point of turning back"..a good freestyler knows exactly how to read a class.

Pffft, and as if anyone would ever have just one CD with them..that's just being a drama queen...

You seem to be suffering from "last worditis". Perhaps if you read each post from start to finish you would have discovered that your last question had been answered a long time ago.

*cues Rod assuming he's being attacked and made to feel unsafe posting* when in truth, he appears to be incendiary.