[ahmendoza]

Our club has this BJ instructor who can't seem to fill up the studio and she's the one who has the least number of participants. The particular time slot assigned to her used to be jampacked but since she took over, most the participants have lost interest. I love Body Jam and would never get tired of it but lately, i find myself not finishing the class. She dances very well, comes to class prepared meaning she rarely commits mistake, doesn't lack verbal cues, is pleasant to the eyes (it that matters but her class is boring! She really doesn't connect that well with the participants. She has enough verbal cues but she delivers them flatly. The few times she "shows off" (one time she did a split to make a big finish and the other time, she jumped off the stage) fails to elicit a reaction from the participants. Are the instructors taught how to connect with the participants? I think it's an important factor in teaching classes like Body Jam.

[Placebo]

Gee, I feel very sorry for her. Obviously she is trying desperately to live up to the former instructor, to no avail. I have to ask, did anyone give her a chance?

I have taken over from popular instructors before - it is at times, horrendous. It depends on what has gone on for the former instructor to leave. If it's ugly, then participants often hold the next instructor accountable.

From an instructor point of view, I see her turning herself inside out to please you all rather than relying on her own different approach. That is so sad for her, and for participants as well.

Please, instructors are human too, we're not made of steel, we have emotions, when we're cut we bleed. To actually walk out on someone during class, trust me, it's not a good thing - and for an instructor, it just eats away at your confidence and can become so soul destroying that you give up. A kind word never hurt anyone, but maybe it could be the beginning of a great new BJ class, with a new instructor that could become a powerhouse and an inspiration.

I'm hoping that with a bit of 'friendship' from her participants, maybe things may slowly change for her, and ultimately for you guys.

Do you think the previous popular instructor started their BJ career with huge numbers? Every instructor has to learn with each class they take on!

[ahmendoza]

I can't really speak for the other participants but personally, I am really trying my best to like her class. What's more important to me is to get a good workout whoever the instructor is. My gauge is, if I start sweating by the isolation track and my heart rate (i use a heart rate monitor) is in zone 2 by then, it's bound to be a good workout. Lately though, we are already half way done with the 1st cardio block and I still feel sleepy. I don't walk out, i still stay until the end, "to give her a chance" and the class ends without me breaking any sweat. The few times I didn't finish her class, I step out during the water break and signals to her that I have to leave.

I really feel bad for her because I know she's trying her best. She has good work ethics....is never late, is always prepared, knows the choreo well, always has a reliever if she can't make it and is a rule abider. It's just that her presence doesn't command attention. I hope she gets to read this and get tips from her fellow instructors.

[cbc]

ahmendoza, on Oct 17 2008, 04:54 AM, said:

Are the instructors taught how to connect with the participants? I think it's an important factor in teaching classes like Body Jam.

Like all other LM programs, all Jam instructors go through a portion of their training that is directly related to "connecting" with participants. I do agree with you- in Jam it is an extremely important factor for many reasons, but one of the more important, IMHO, in making people feel comfortable with the program. For some people dancing in public is a big "risk."

I do have to ask- is this instructor new? Do they carry any other programs or teach any other freestyle programs?

Much like those who have posted above me, I do feel terribly bad for this instructor. It sucks to have people walk out of a class for whatever reason. I also agree, that perhaps once participants get to know her on a more personal level the enjoyment of her class(es) may increase.

cbc