[Zemien]

Obviously in the 47 sizzler and the official LM forum, there's mention of BodyJam coming in 2 classes with different complexity.

Those who have seen it, can you comment more on it? What are your strategies in teaching it at your gym? Are you synchronizing with all the other Jam instructors to teach one version of the class only, or it depends on individual preference?

AFAIK, there are only minor variations. But from a member's perspective, I wonder how confusing it will be if one instructor uses base version and another instructor uses advanced options? Will members think that Instructor A is a "bad" instructor because he "doesn't follow the DVD" or is unable to teach turns?

I know I'm overreacting, but we should discuss our experience here since this seems to be the way Jam is moving forward!

[TP]

Zemien, on Sep 26 2008, 09:17 AM, said:

Obviously in the 47 sizzler and the official LM forum, there's mention of BodyJam coming in 2 classes with different complexity.

Those who have seen it, can you comment more on it? What are your strategies in teaching it at your gym? Are you synchronizing with all the other Jam instructors to teach one version of the class only, or it depends on individual preference?

AFAIK, there are only minor variations. But from a member's perspective, I wonder how confusing it will be if one instructor uses base version and another instructor uses advanced options? Will members think that Instructor A is a "bad" instructor because he "doesn't follow the DVD" or is unable to teach turns?

I know I'm overreacting, but we should discuss our experience here since this seems to be the way Jam is moving forward!

What's the problem here? This has been in other Les Mills programs for ages.

[teraquis]

Zemien, the intention of the two versions of a release is not necessarily to have different classes on a timetable... this is not the 9th Les Mills program to come out.

The intention is to create some opportunities for instructors to feel comfortable teaching at more of a base level without feeling the need to go all the way to breakout within the first class. Some instructors see the DVD (filmed in front of a class full of instructors and participants who mostly know the moves) and try and emulate that the very first time they teach.

While this may be fine at a workshop/ demo etc, for most participants they never get the feet right in the first place, and ultimately don't feel the success that can come with a great Jam class. I know some of my older members would love to see an option which has less impact, and they don't feel the need to follow the rest of the class. They love the feeling of success when they get the moves and direction, but feel easily left behind if things change too suddenly etc.

The differences between the classes are not going to be that significant that the average jammer will be able to say "you are no good cos you teach base level only". In fact instructors may find that one of their classes is more suited to BODYJAM + more than say for example a morning "mothers" class. Members are still moving in the same direction using the same feeling and base choreography. If there are participants, say "front-row-divas" who know the turns etc, then encourage them to breakout when appropriate - most of the time they will anyways.

Naturally a lot of this will still come down to coaching and the individual instructor. Sure some instructors may be able to do the turns/ jumps with all the bells and whistles - but if they can't coach it effectively to a class, then they should probably stick with the base level and work on getting the class moving in the right direction first.

Since the two classes are not dissimilar, it shoudln't be hard to know when to teach which version. As for team teaching, I would be prepared to teach at breakout level, but be easily able to pull back and stay at a base level. Other instructors who are shadowing should also be aware of who has the mic, and follow the cues accordingly.


TP, what Zemien and Samkung0709 are referring to is there will be (similar to the Attack DVDs) an easier version. Unlike Attack, this is not just providing a low impact option such as low impact side taps instead of side flicks - this is reducing the complexity of the particular track.

[Zemien]

teraquis,

Thanks for your reply. Yup, I know it's up to instructors to mix and match.

I only started doing Jam with 38, and I can still remember the frustration of getting the moves right and moving in the right direction!

From what you write, I expect the changes to be very minimal, e.g. walk instead of spin. I wonder why they don't just demonstrate easy options during the full masterclass?

But I'm not complaining - having an extra hour on the DVD featuring master trainers in action is great value for my money!

[GreekGoddess]

Hey peoples
Ok as I did Body Jam 47 and Body Jam 47 base filmings in Auckland I can confirm that it is not going to be a problem. The variations are very minor. There is a change in some armlines and footstikes but this is minor. Not difficult to pick up at all. I had a ball at both filmings.

After talking to G and Ginny I will probably teach Base to my members so they get the general feel of the moves and then the week after do the complex version of Jam. I think this is the best thing that has ever happened.

And yes it is not simply having a low-impact version we are talking about change in the choreography. As most instructors know we have different members at different gyms. I’ve got one side telling me it’s too complex and the other saying its not complex enough. This gives members the best of both worlds!

By the way this release rocks. It is the best I have seen in a long time. Oh and get ready to see Ginny with the microphone! She will be featured in Body Jam Base. She is a wild instructor!

And yes Teraquis the freak screaming in the front row will be me. Oh and I was also in the Body Combat, Body Balance and Body Vive filmings.

[teraquis]

GG, wait until the 3_2009 releases are filmed... I will be the one screaming this time lol...
I have a mission to get on screen for that filming...

[cbc]

GreekGoddess, on Sep 30 2008, 04:09 AM, said:

By the way this release rocks. It is the best I have seen in a long time. Oh and get ready to see Ginny with the microphone! She will be featured in Body Jam Base. She is a wild instructor!

Please excuse me as a FREAK OUT for a second!!!!! OMG!!!!! I love Ginny! My BFF, Kristin, and I got to meet her in Tampa this August, and she is just the nicest, cutest, and completely modest person! She is just so wonderful! I am SOOOOO VERY excited to hear/see her behind the mic!

I might have to get up and do a cartwheel. :!:

cbc

[danielkvc]

I can tell you one thing ;-)

Filming BodyJam got lot more exhausting now there is regular and + .

They filmed BJ48 yesterday. It rocks! But you they first film the regular chorey, then the plus chorrey. And with some mic problems and all that took us to bit more than 2 hours of filming... man we deserved that pizza afterwards :-)

Dan!

[Special]

Wow - another round of filmings already. Awesome!
How great that you got to go Dan. I am sure you had a fantastic time. :biggrin:

[danielkvc]

Yeah it was great, I loved 48!

The differences between BJ and BJ+ are a bit more outspoken this time though.

Lot's of single footwork that becomes single-single-double in the + version.

So you really have to teach the basic first and then get all your members to + level, you won't be able to do both as options in one class without freaking out your members.

But still BJ48 ROCKS!

[grandnat]

danielkvc, on Oct 30 2008, 10:35 PM, said:

I can tell you one thing ;-)

Filming BodyJam got lot more exhausting now there is regular and + .

They filmed BJ48 yesterday. It rocks! But you they first film the regular chorey, then the plus chorrey. And with some mic problems and all that took us to bit more than 2 hours of filming... man we deserved that pizza afterwards :-)

Dan!

Do they film the whole class twice - or are the warm ups and recoveries etc just done once - they are the same aren't they? How does it work in the DVD - do they branch the more complicated moves in - or can you watch each class in its entirety?

[pamelabrown38]

grandnat, on Dec 31 2008, 11:13 AM, said:

How does it work in the DVD - do they branch the more complicated moves in - or can you watch each class in its entirety?

there's 2 options on the dvd Roger, Bodyjam or Bodyjam + you pick which one you want to watch.

So there's 2 classes. 1 hour each /

[Zemien]

I enjoy the fact that there are now 2 masterclasses for us to watch, but I'm also bummed that the extended training time with Gandalf has been sacrificed. I find those in-depth training to be more useful than the Tips clips.