What I learnt whilst NOT teaching!

​I lived and taught fitness in Australia for ten years​ ​ When I returned I decided not to teach for a while and I decided to join a gym/fitness group. In fact I joined many, many different ones, sometimes only lasting a day! ​ ​ ​ I did outside group training, joined go hard or go home circuit style classes , mums groups and general corporate type gyms. I really think I've tried most in the area!​ ​ ​ The reason why I joined so many was because I wasn't getting what I needed; I wasn't being motivated, I wasn't getting my technique corrected, I wasn't having fun, I wasn't being included into the group, I was left to watch others in the class almost break their backs until I had to go over and help them out (not my job!) ​ ​ ​ But instead of this being a frustrating time, I actually saw it as a window of opportunity for me. For the first time in 20 years, I was not the teacher, I was the participant, something most instructors never are. And this left me in a great position of seeing a class through YOUR eyes. ​ ​ ​ I did classes that I thought were awful and I could take a step back and see why it was so awful; what had the instructor done/not done? What could I have done to make it better?​ ​ ​ I also did some amazing classes and again I could take a step back and think about what that instructor had done to make me feel so, so good about the class; what made me leave feeling exhilarated?​ ​ ​ I also talked to other participants and asked why they love this certain instructor, what does he/she do to make them keep coming back week after week. ​ ​ ​ I learnt a hell of a lot in that time when I didn't teach. As a teacher you do all the courses and you update your knowledge, but we don't always see our classes through our participants eyes. I did and I'm so glad I had that opportunity.​ ​ ​ So taking time out from teaching did me the world of good and I now think, well I know that I am a much better instructor because of it. I'm not perfect, I make mistakes, I don't always have time to correct everyone's technique in every class, but now I have a really good idea as to what YOU want and I try my hardest to deliver!

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