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Going from participant to instructor and losing the mirror!

Last post 04-15-2008, 6:39 PM by drmartin. 9 replies.
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  •  03-25-2008, 8:22 PM 25895

    Going from participant to instructor and losing the mirror!

    I am thinking about doing my Step training but i'm a bit worried because every class I take, I find my eyes are glued to the mirror (no i'm not vain!)  I use it to see where i'm placing my foot and to watch my technique. 

    I'm trying to consciously not look in the mirror but then I find myself getting really wobbly and wanting to look down to see where i'm placing my feet.

    Has anyone else found it hard to suddenly be without the mirror infront of you when you become an instructor and how did you get over it!

     Thanks :)

  •  03-26-2008, 12:16 PM 25952 in reply to 25895

    Re: Going from participant to instructor and losing the mirror!

    I've been wondering the same thing! I always stand in the front of the room so that I have a good view of myself in the mirror. I'm CONSTANTLY looking at myself in the mirror and checking my footplacement, form, etc. I would love to know if other instructors had the same issue and if they were able to teach without falling off their step :)
  •  03-26-2008, 12:58 PM 25956 in reply to 25952

    Re: Going from participant to instructor and losing the mirror!

    I guess it did take a little getting used to, but not too much.  Besides, there are usually side mirrors you can glance at occasionally.  Thats also why I try to film myself every quarter to see my form, since I don't have the mirror in front of me. 

     Good luck, as with anything else new, practice makes perfect.

     michelle


    Check out our podcast at www.lifewithtwins.net!!!
  •  03-26-2008, 2:15 PM 25965 in reply to 25956

    Re: Going from participant to instructor and losing the mirror!

    I always liked to be in front of the mirror so I could see the step without looking down.  Moved and went to a different club, filled up with people like me, so the prime spots got taken quickly.  Didn't want to start anything, since I was the new kid in town, lol, so started setting up behind.

    Would have an partially obstructed view when not in front....and then realized that would be a good thing....to get comfortable with where the step is without the visual aid.  So, I'd suggest doing some classes where you can still see...but not in the front row....to give you some visual, but also challenges you to get used to knowing where your step is without the visual.

    Now, I can do step without being in front of the mirror.  Just the occasional glance down at times.  I think it actually helped me keep better form, too.

  •  03-27-2008, 3:08 PM 26030 in reply to 25965

    Re: Going from participant to instructor and losing the mirror!

    Wow! I didn't realise people relied on the mirror so much for foot placement... thanks for the heads up!

    If you're looking at becoming an instructor, I would definately use orkanbobs suggestion of working your way out of view from the mirror during a class. You're going to need to not only be confident with your own foot placement and form - but take in your participants footplacement, technique etc as well... If your busy wondering where your feet are, you could just as well be in a room without any participants at all (if you know what I mean) because your focus wouldn't be on them.....

    Hmmm tricky mate - If it were me, I'd ...

    1.borrow a step from the gym and practise every free moment at home til I nailed it....

    2.if the gym weren't willing to loan the step I'd look at a purchase,

    3.or practising on a bench at the gym as the last resort (without a mirror)....

    4.Crikey, better still - borrow a DVD and do it at home - could even practise learning some choreography - even just a track, and practise not looking in the mirror (cause it's not there) or your feet and running through some chore'.....

    5. set up your video cam at home and video yourself using the bench (just doing some basic moves, regardless of whether you've learnt any choreography) - then watch it back - this will let you see if you 'present' the move the same as you 'feel' the move... and from there you can correct your own technique....(much the same as the mirror aye)

    Just the way I think I'd attack it, but regardless of how you choose to go about it ...

    GOOD LUCK  and happy stepping!!! :O)

  •  03-28-2008, 12:09 PM 26078 in reply to 25895

    Re: Going from participant to instructor and losing the mirror!

    My issue was never about being with or without the mirror...it was my LEFT AND RIGHT!!!

    OMG was that confusing at first! Now that I teach backwards...I took a friends class the other day and it took all of track one to get my brain around the fact that my right foot was now actually my right foot again!

    Its wierd how your brain adjusts!


    Tim
  •  03-28-2008, 11:28 PM 26097 in reply to 26078

    Re: Going from participant to instructor and losing the mirror!

    Haha, I know exactly what you mean! I gave up and changed it to "this" side with visuals... much easier. It's a foreign language between the brain and body Stick out tongue

    When I first started teaching, there was never the option of a mirror so now it's all good. It's really interesting to read about the reliance on mirrors. The reason I love studio 1 as a participant is that there are NO mirrors ;) My only advice, do anything 100 times on your step, and it'll become as natural as breathing. A video is numero uno for checking technique!

  •  03-31-2008, 5:04 PM 26189 in reply to 26097

    Re: Going from participant to instructor and losing the mirror!

    Thanks everyone.  I'm definatly going to buy a Step, I figure i'll need one at home anyway for when i'm practising.  I've been trying to look at my face instead of the step in the mirrow but jees it's hard!  I feel like i'm a beginner again!

     

  •  04-08-2008, 6:07 AM 26572 in reply to 26189

    Re: Going from participant to instructor and losing the mirror!

    Good luck and keep us posted!
    Tim
  •  04-15-2008, 6:39 PM 27893 in reply to 25895

    Re: Going from participant to instructor and losing the mirror!

    Hi Rachel,

    I have had the same concerns. I am going to be a step instructor and I have been doing BODYSTEP for 5 years.

    The best solution for this is after you become certified team teach with another step instructor that will mentor you.

    Remember you have 90 days after certification before you are graded. This is what I am going to do. Fortunately,

    I have several instructors that I can team teach with after I become certified.

    I hope this helps and good luck!

    Sincerely,

    Don M. 

     

     

     

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