According to me, fitness is a cure-all to life. No other place requires you put yourself first in order to succeed. Add music and the tension of life disappears. Incorporate the bonus of dancing and you have officially entered haven! This literally was my way of life while living in Miami & when I got to Vegas, I couldn’t deal with the idea of living without. But when I got the opportunity to teach, I was freakin out on the inside, and that ain’t cool.Life is full of lessons and here are the ones I learned to master my classes.e, fitness is a cure-all to life. No other place requires you put yourself first in order to succeed. Add music and the tension of life disappears. Incorporate the bonus of dancing and you have officially entered haven! This literally was my way of life while living in Miami & when I got to Vegas, I couldn’t deal with the idea of living without. But when I got the opportunity to teach, I was freakin out on the inside, and that ain’t cool.Life is full of lessons and here are the ones I learned to master my classes.
1) Breathe 
So your teaching your 1st class. You’ve practiced your routine 20 times a day, you know your moves and your pumped! Your clients enter the studio, line up & they’re staring at you.Meanwhile,you’re frozen thinking, what did I get myself into? Breathe. Deep breath in through your nose, out through your mouth. I promise you’ll instantly calm you. Say kind things to yourself and remember you are serving a huge purpose. You got this!
2) Know Ur Ish 
To know is to understand. Most of what I teach, I learned through countless YouTube videos. The videos I saw didn’t explain the movement, they just moved. I remembered what it took for me to understand that move and explain it that way to my clients. Rule of thumb: If it was a light bulb moment for you, it will be that for others too.
3) Music 
So your at the club and the DJ is playin ALLL of your faves then he plays that one joint and instantly your feet hurt, you need a drink or you wanna leave.No, you didn’t instantly get tired, thirsty or partied out. Music has power! All dope things in life have a soundtrack. Here’s the process I use when I create mine.
a. find a song that makes me feel something.
I need to feel the song at least emotionally & physically. Every once in a while, it touches my spirit. Listen to the beat, hear the lyrics and respond to the message. Booties jump like basketballs in my classes when we do the “Flawless” routine by Beyonce. Glutes have a mind of their own when Wale’s “MFS” is blaring & baayybeee, we gets it in when Soulja Boy’s “Donk” is played. It’s the perfect atmosphere to embrace & release your alter-ego and go INNN!
b. Play it in the car
If I hear the song in the car and I fall deeper in love with the track, oh it’s a keeper Pal! The acoustics in the car are like no other, in my modest opinion. If u liked it out, loved it in the car then your students will love it in class. Promise.
c. Make a routine to it
Most times, I do b & c at the same time. I admit to bein the crazy lookin woman driving in the car, smiling from ear to ear, singing her lil heart out and dancing like no one is watching. You may ask why, but I’m asking why not? That’s why the artist created the song so make it do what it does!
4) Organized Playlist 
Having the songs arranged in a playlist the way you want it to flow in class is a BIG DEAL! This keeps everyone in the groove, keeps the momentum and heart rate up and creates a flow. Now, I’m guilty of breaking my own rules. My playlist is massive so each class is taught according to my mood. I tested this theory out in 1 of my classes and I got the best response, both verbally and physically, from my clients. Everyone likes to be in the flow.
5) Move Around 
Instructing fitness classes doesn’t have to feel like your teaching an academic class. Standing in front is ideal to introduce movements, but when it’s time to get into it, move around! Stand next to different people. Hang out in the back. This encourages people to pay attention to themselves as opposed to comparing themselves to you. It also creates an unspoken understanding that we are all on the same journey & keeps things fun and light.
6) Be Yourself 
Fitness has the reputation of being super serious and redundant. I focus on revealing the fun side & I’d suggest this to anyone asking. I’m silly. I LOVE what I do and I appreciate my clients for giving me their time. I joke. I’m silly. I make up my own words & phrases. I have my serious PSAs but I smile while I’m giving them b/c I love my clients. Let your clients meet you and enjoy your company. You just may be the only 1 that smiled with them all day.
7) Be Encouraging & Express Gratitude 
Twerk Fitness can be an intimidating format both to teach and to learn. I remind my clients I didn’t create these moves! This opens their minds to learn & not feel intimidated. Say what you wish someone would’ve said to you. Teach the way you learn. Inspire them by constantly advocating for the simplicity of your specific technique. Gratitude is contagious, so don’t only encourage it with others but require it of yourself. I used to bully myself mentally & now in times of distress, I talk to myself like a 2 yr old w/love, compassion and encouragement. Thank your clients for their time before and after class and congratulate them on their progress as often as you see fit.
Follow these tips to instruct a killer fitness class on all levels and let me know how it went. Don’t skim on the details people. Until next time.
Ms. Twerk Out Work Out 