Make that 2 helpings.
In previous posts, I’ve stomped my feet about a various many things but I think I have been the most obnoxious about Jazzercise. Now that I’m training to be an instructor, I have learned quite a lot about the other side of the coin and a little bit about myself as well.
The first uncomfortable thing I discovered was that I am what the text labels as a “Type A” exerciser. My cheeks grew read as I saw myself in the description:
TYPE A:
-position themselves near the instructor or in the front of the room -
esp. with mirrors
-habitually stand in the same “spot” in every class
-become distressed when someone stands in their usual place
-are disappointed when having a substitute instructor
-are very competitive in classtaken from “Fitness Theory & Practice”
I won’t go any further because the rest of the description, although rings true, leaves me feeling a tad more pathetic than I’d like to admit. And I won’t link all of the posts that prove the points listed above either. If you know me, you’re already laughing and possibly cringing.
I have to say that I am a fabulous student. I’m holding on to this not-at-all-humble fact because I am not a great instructor - yet. It isn’t as easy as it looks (insert crow in mouth here).
There. I said it.
There was a practice session over the weekend for us trainees. I didn’t go (company holiday ball) but the other girl I’m training with did. She filled me in the next day and it wasn’t pretty.
I know they were only trying to be helpful, but I felt as if I didn’t know one routine, my form was totally wrong, my cuing was atrocious, and I have no purpose in being there. I know I am being pretty sensitive, but I felt as if they were really being hard on me over the other girls. I’m sure that’s not true, but one girl left almost in tears. (I’m not sure if she will be back - truly). You really needed thick skin and take their advise as constructive…
All in all, it was pretty overwhelming. Knowing the routines, cuing, not forgetting the steps, offering alternatives, doing the moves properly with lots of intensity, and keeping good eye contact and projection is everything. I have to work on a lot. On top of that, I still haven’t finished studying the practice guide for the written test. I think any confidence I had (false or not) was pretty much shattered. Besides that, I know we’ll do fine.
Besides that??? What the hell is left?
My test is on Thursday. What wine goes best with crow?
————————–
1/26/07 8 am: I made it!! Off to my training session.
1/26/07 9pm: Long day. I almost cried. Apparently, I do it all wrong.
————————–
1/27/07 4pm: Another long day but better. No tears at least. I am totally drained but okay…and 100% certified. I will be back to post when I can think straight again.
That description of the TYPE A personality reminded me of….well, you, :rofl: , but also this story of my mom and her senior water aerobics class last summer. She couldn’t hear the instructor very well so for the next class she moved to the front row. One of the old ladies was pissed that she took her spot, but my mom refused to move. So, the lady crowded my mom the entire time and then, got so agitated she raised her hand and pointed to my mom, saying, “She’s splashing me.”
I kid you not.
So cheer up, kid. Your future looks bright.
I’m totally kidding. Not about the story but about your future
You are sooooo going to kick ass in there. One thing your partner doesn’t know about you. You are the queen of auditions, with your theater background. It’s old hat. Right? Right.
Throw in a broadway number if you get flustered.
:sing:
I’ve been reading your blog for a little bit now because I too, am studying to become a Jazzercise Instructor. I won’t go through the workshop till mid-February and am desperate to hear about your experiences when you go through. I’ve taken nearly 15 years of formal dance training and have even danced proffessionally, and I admit I am completely humbled and overwhelmed by the certification process. I guess I thought it would be a quick assessment of dance-ability and I’d be in. Then came that honking huge book and the detailed instruction dvd and the cues (good lord THE CUES) and here I am in a panic! You’ve got your stuff together, from the sound of your blog, so I have no doubt you will have no trouble getting certified. I wish you the best of luck, nonetheless and please, please let us know how it goes!!
Good Luck MommaK………you do have all your s_ _ _ together. It is tough, but you ARE tough and that is why you are a TYPE A.
Sounds as mean and tough as a cheerleaders audition. Don’t you remember how insensitive those New York auditions were - you’ve been groomed for this. You will do your best and then some. Just think of yourself ‘on stage’ and give them one heck of a performance! :raspberry:
i bet you ace it. back in my aerobic days I was a type A. People, includding the gym owners asked me why I didn;t become an instructor. I considered it, but the gym is where I went to de-stress. If it was another job I was afraid I would grow to not like it.
I am laughing really hard as I think back to some of those posts about your jazzercise class. :giggle:
Sounds a bit like boot camp for instructors. Tear you down to build you up kind of thing. I hope it’s not all that bad though!
Oh honey….You may be type ‘A’ but that just means you had a good spot to pay really close attention to the instructor ;-) So, having has such a good spot and view you should do great! As for the other chic…performing while be judged can be nerve wracking! Make your kids be your students and get in some practice ;-) If you can keep them entertained…then you have no probs! hee-hee.
Good luck! Are you practicing on the girls? or Lil? I bet you’ll do great!!
Lots of smiling and clapping! And cheering them on! (I’ve only been to a couple Jazzercize classes, but I remember that it was very upbeat) Just go do your thing!
I’m sure you’ll do just fine, I’m confident in you! Good luck, relax…
I feel so bad because before I read what was in the Type A box I was mentally filing through your posts about jazzersize and compiling that very list. Don’t be mad at me. Hahahahaha! Your test will be a breeze. You are such a perfectionist and in great shape. You will kick ass!
Wow. I never realized so much went into it. Good luck. I know you will do fine. :yes:
Tag, You’re It!
Good luck today, my sweet.
I hate being Type A. I am so hard on myself.
GOOD LUCK! I am sure you will be AWESOME!
That sunds like alot of work. You can do it though. Good luck to you!
Wow! Good Luck! I am sure you will do just fine. I honestly dont see what’s wrong with being a “Type A”. I want to join Jazzercise once I’ve had this baby…but the only place in town is on one of the busiest streets and it’s got wall to wall windows so the whole town can see you as they drive by. Plus, if that’s not bad enough it’s right in front of a stop light, so there are plenty of people to gawk at you while they wait for the light to turn green! ACK! I think I’m going to join Curves instead…they keep curtains on their windows! LOL!
Good luck! I think I’m a Type A as well.
LOL!!! Everyone must be a type A! I don’t know one person who doesn’t love their spot… I don’t like to be too far front, but I get pretty pissy if someone takes my spot even when I’ve been gone for over a year!! LOL!!
Hey best of luck - a few hours too late!! I’m a bad friend…. I’m sure you did just fine!
xo
LBC
So, how did you do? Full report, please. And we haven’t gotten the full report on the big social event either. Independent of either, I know how to send people gift wine…want some?
Listen- that house, all lit up on a snowy night, so open and inviting and warm- it’s simply breathtaking.
You’re going to do great! You’ll be needing that wine to celebrate.
Can’t wait to hear how it went! Details, details! :yahoo:
Congrats!
Yay! Congrats! As if you had any doubts!
Congrats! I’ve been meaning to write, but have been felled the last two days by another damn series of pregnancy migraines.
Anyway, I ‘m so proud of you! And the Jazzercise bitches sound like a novel in the making! There’s something Stepfordesque about the whole thing… :giggle:
The’re just jealous.
Breaking you down before they build you up.
Well. Humpf. They obviously don’t know what they’re talking about.
Cabernet Sauvignon is the best. I had some with the crow I had to eat last night.
_ (”
Š from
Have a wonderful day!
*^_^
(=’:'=) hugs
(”
the Cool Raggedy one
You may be 100% certified, but I am 100% certifiable. Throw me on the next episode of Lost.
:p
Update, woman! Everything is okay, yes?