Not what I was hoping for

[clevermanka]

Last night I finally got to meet the regular teacher for my Thursday yoga class. She's very sweet, but I don't like her teaching style. She doesn't explain things in ways I understand. For example, we were standing in front of the wall, bent 90 degrees, with our hands on the wall, so we made a right angle. We were supposed to lengthen through our bodies and then dip our chests while still pulling back through our hips while pushing into the wall with our hands--thus lengthening the body. I didn't realize that we weren't supposed to let our backs arch down. Instead of saying "don't go into a cat tilt/backbend," though, she just said "keep lengthening" and then (after asking if she could touch me) pulled my hips back. I thought she meant I needed to be further away from the wall, so I started to back up with my feet. "Without moving your feet!" she said. And I was flummoxed. She wasn't giving me direction about specific anatomy or anything. Just "keep lengthening." She eventually demonstrated, but I still don't understand how what she did was any different than what I was doing originally (before I let my back arch). And then she just let us lie in silence during Savasana, instead of talking us through or occasionally reminding us to relax certain areas. *sigh* It's not that she's a bad teacher...she's just not my style of teacher. She's not Gopi. I miss you, Gopi.

I'm also less than thrilled with the West Coast Dance classes. The teacher continues to be annoying (he's yammering a little less, at least), and I don't like his teaching style, either. I don't get anything out of doing the footwork alone before leaning how to lead a move, and it seems we spend a lot of time doing that.

Basically, when it comes to learning physical things like dance and yoga, I need someone to give me specific anatomical instruction--where does the movement originate, where is the momentum. Give me technical details, please. Neither of these instructors use that in their methods, so I'm frustrated and bored because I am not learning from the class. Well, frustrated and bored in dance class, anyway. I have enough background with yoga that I can at least fake/make it through most of that class, even if I'm not feeling really into it like I used to with Gopi.

BLAH.

Comments

[msmitti.livejournal.com]

boo for incompatible teaching/learning. I can totally relate.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Are you getting anything out of the class? I'm starting to worry I'm wasting our time.

[msmitti.livejournal.com]

I was totally unfamiliar with this dance, so I am enjoying it. I don't think it is the best class ever, but I don't think it is a waste of time. It is probably different for me though since I am following. If we get a chance to just try dancing sometime, maybe between the two of us we can answer the questions teacher dude is not answering by working our way through them.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Good idea! I'm glad you don't feel like it's a waste of time. OH FOR MORE TIME.

[renniemom.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry that you're having two less than impactful experiences. I know where you're coming from. The first few months at the gym I would ask "what muscle groups is this affecting?" or "where should I feel this?" and they'd look at me like I was nuts and then explain and/or show me (either on the diagrams on the wall or on my body). Several of the trainers commented that they aren't used to people asking. Now they tell me when they're giving me a new component to my workout. UM--WTH? How can you do anything physical without knowing what your body is supposed to be doing?

Sorry--that became about me. Hopefully you can either find a way to get what you need from these people or find new people.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

No apologies! I like hearing that other people have the same experience. It's one of the things I liked about the guys at CrossFit. They know anatomy and use it to describe a movement.

[redheadfae.livejournal.com]

oh lawdy, I do understand.

I am sort of going through the same learning difficulties in my new job, only it's mental. I wish we could spend some time comparing notes.

THIS is why exercise/dance instructors should be trained in a certification.. and why Parks/Rec fails. ngngngnng. "lengthen WHAT?" legs, back? arms, shoulders? so many ways this can fail.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Well, the yoga class is through Yoga Center of Lawrence, and she is certified. Just...not my style.

I'll certainly never sign up for another class with Mike Salerno, though.

[redheadfae.livejournal.com]

AH.. I see. I misunderstood.

[shanmonster.livejournal.com]

Certification doesn't mean much. I know some people with certifications who are terrible teachers with dubious knowledge, and people without certifications who are excellent and highly knowledgeable.

[shanmonster.livejournal.com]

As a personal example, I got my certification for group fitness training about 12 years ago. I didn't know very much. I haven't been certified since then, but I am far more knowledgeable and skilled now than I was then.

[aprilstarchild.livejournal.com]

I tend to be the same way. Tell me exactly what I should be doing, and where I'm supposed to be feeling this. Otherwise I'm just kinda flailing in the dark.

Seriously, you cannot be too specific. TELL MEEEEEEE.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Last night I asked another physically technical question and the assistant instructor (whom I like a lot more than the lead instructor) asked me if I was an engineer.

=D

[msmitti.livejournal.com]

boo for incompatible teaching/learning. I can totally relate.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Are you getting anything out of the class? I'm starting to worry I'm wasting our time.

[msmitti.livejournal.com]

I was totally unfamiliar with this dance, so I am enjoying it. I don't think it is the best class ever, but I don't think it is a waste of time. It is probably different for me though since I am following. If we get a chance to just try dancing sometime, maybe between the two of us we can answer the questions teacher dude is not answering by working our way through them.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Good idea! I'm glad you don't feel like it's a waste of time. OH FOR MORE TIME.

[renniemom.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry that you're having two less than impactful experiences. I know where you're coming from. The first few months at the gym I would ask "what muscle groups is this affecting?" or "where should I feel this?" and they'd look at me like I was nuts and then explain and/or show me (either on the diagrams on the wall or on my body). Several of the trainers commented that they aren't used to people asking. Now they tell me when they're giving me a new component to my workout. UM--WTH? How can you do anything physical without knowing what your body is supposed to be doing?

Sorry--that became about me. Hopefully you can either find a way to get what you need from these people or find new people.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

No apologies! I like hearing that other people have the same experience. It's one of the things I liked about the guys at CrossFit. They know anatomy and use it to describe a movement.

[redheadfae.livejournal.com]

oh lawdy, I do understand.

I am sort of going through the same learning difficulties in my new job, only it's mental. I wish we could spend some time comparing notes.

THIS is why exercise/dance instructors should be trained in a certification.. and why Parks/Rec fails. ngngngnng. "lengthen WHAT?" legs, back? arms, shoulders? so many ways this can fail.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Well, the yoga class is through Yoga Center of Lawrence, and she is certified. Just...not my style.

I'll certainly never sign up for another class with Mike Salerno, though.

[redheadfae.livejournal.com]

AH.. I see. I misunderstood.

[shanmonster.livejournal.com]

Certification doesn't mean much. I know some people with certifications who are terrible teachers with dubious knowledge, and people without certifications who are excellent and highly knowledgeable.

[shanmonster.livejournal.com]

As a personal example, I got my certification for group fitness training about 12 years ago. I didn't know very much. I haven't been certified since then, but I am far more knowledgeable and skilled now than I was then.

[aprilstarchild.livejournal.com]

I tend to be the same way. Tell me exactly what I should be doing, and where I'm supposed to be feeling this. Otherwise I'm just kinda flailing in the dark.

Seriously, you cannot be too specific. TELL MEEEEEEE.

[clevermanka.livejournal.com]

Last night I asked another physically technical question and the assistant instructor (whom I like a lot more than the lead instructor) asked me if I was an engineer.

=D