A Good Class
This past Sunday, I took a yoga class at a yoga studio for the first time in months. I usually practice yoga at home for free. For a few weeks now I’d been craving a guided yoga flow with a community of people breathing and moving together so I indulged in a $25 class. Let’s just say that I wish I could have a refund.
The studio felt like a commercial gym not a yoga studio. I had been to this “yoga gym” a few times before but wanted to give it another chance. Boy, did I regret it. Instead of complaining about the class even more, I decided to give you guys my list of 10 things you should expect from your group class instructor.
I’ll admit that I set the bar pretty high and expect a lot out of my classes. Its especially true because part of my normal job is hiring and evaluating instructors.
10 Things you should expect from your group class instructors:
- 1. Class should start and end on time.
- 2. Instructor should ask the class if anyone has any injuries or if its their first time in the class and introduce themselves.
- 3. Play appropriate music at appropriate levels.
- 4. Offer variations of moves, asanas, etc.
- 5. Never make a participant feel bad about not doing something or put pressure on them to do something that is outside their limits.
- 6. Explain each move with verbal cues that will improve the participant’s form or help them to utilize the correct muscle groups.
- 7. Don’t assume everyone knows what your talking about when you say “salabhasana” or “burpee.”
- 8. Don’t give participants false information. I once had a yoga instructor tell me that I couldn’t stretch my hamstring if my knee was bent.
- 9. Thank the class for coming.
- 10. The class should not be the instructors workout!!!
What specific things turn you off from returning to a group class?
Thanks for these tips when looking for a class and instructor. Not fun when you don’t get your money’s worth. I prefer doing yoga at home also.
I miss my Yoga Classes…I had to give up some “luxuries” recently.
I used to take a Zumba Class and the instructor made me not want to go. She never made you feel welcomed, didn’t even say hi or thank us. She was just miserable lol which is a shame because I burned like 600-700 Calories =/
I agree with you on these. I have only taken one or two yoga classes, but most of those rules also work for spinning and aerobics classes. I HATE it when instructors go at it so hard that I can barely understand them, like they are trying to get their daily power workout in.
I don’t take enough exerise classes, but overall I just don’t like them. I’ve never been in a really great one, to be honest. I think once I experience a really great one I will really like them more. For now, I’ll stick with the television workouts, and my gym
Me again =)
in regards to your question on my page…it’s a great workout if you don’t go into it not thinking of it as a kickboxing DVD. It consists of Jumping Jacks, Jump Rope, Punching, Kicks, etc so it’s more of cardio. It keeps your HR at around 80-90 percent, depending on how hard you go. The workout itself is pretty short (about 20 minutes) but it’s cheap on amazon =). I love to do it when I am short on time or combine it with a 30 day shred workout or another DVD =). So yea, I would totally recommend it ha
I’ve also recently been thinking about paying to take a few yoga classes because I usually just do yoga at home and am curious to see if I do all the poses correctly. I get annoyed when fitness instructors don’t start on time and thus shorten your workout!
*if you don’t go into it thinking of it as a kickboxing dvd (I promise this is my last comment lol)
Mari, You’re so funny! You can comment as often as you like!
I used to take a yoga class twice a week with an amazing instructor, who did all of the things on your list…but then my work schedule changed, and I don’t get off work in time to make it to the class anymore. I miss it so much!
Now I go to Zumba a couple of nights a week since it starts later. I love it, but the instructor for one of the nights is AWFUL!! It’s to the point where I consider throughout the class whether or not I ought to complain about her to the management. I’ve taken classes from her at least 6 times now, and she NEVER remembers the steps. She keeps trying to play it off as “a new song”, or that she “was gone for a few weeks and is having a hard time getting back in the groove”, and the one that makes me the most irritated – she’s “testing” us to see if we remember the steps. UGH. Not to mention the fact that she watches herself in the mirror the whole time, and is really horrible at verbal cues BEFORE the next step so you know when to switch. I think the last part is really because she doesn’t remember herself half of the time.
Thanks! Sometimes I forget to say my name. LOL
I love your list. I am on a break from group exercise classes for many of the reasons you mentioned in your list….screaming into the microphone in a high pitched voice is another no-no, and when I’m in better shape than the instructor that’s another fail in my book!
The things on that list seem like such no-brainers, but sadly, I’m sure those rules are often not followed. I don’t take any classes now, but a class that doesn’t start or end on time would make me crazy!
I like your spicy tone lady! I’m not so much for classes. I rarely ever have had an instructor introduce themselves to me or ask about injuries. Since I have a lot of injuries I always just feel stupid if I cant’ do the moves. Therefore I don’t really go.
I don’t like when the instructor doesn’t seem prepared or doesn’t seem to really know what they are doing and the regulars in the class have to remind her what comes next!!!
Courtney
Adventures in Tri-ing
I prefer to work out at home and love doing yoga dvd’s. I am certified to teach piyo and turbokick, so I will keep these things in mind for sure if I ever get the courage to start teaching!!
not sure how i missed this post but it rocks!
i just taught a yoga class this morning and aside from asking about injuries, i did all 10.
It was my first time teaching at this studio so I was super nervous. I hate new places til you get in the groove, it’s super nerve racking so i am glad i hit 1 thru 10
Do you teach? What do you teach? Sorry girl, i can’t keep up w/ everyone’s stuff from memory…
Averie,
I teach Boot Camp, BOSU, Spin and total body conditioning classes. Nice job on hitting all 10!
I like your tips! Especially the one about the class not being the instructors workout. As an instructor, I often feel compelled to participate 100% in the class for the mere fact that I feel like participants might think “if she can’t do it, how does she expect us to do it?”. Then, more often than not, I remind myself of this exact tip. I do not need to kill myself, I am there to instruct and give THEM the workout. The class is about THEM, not ME. It is important that I step away here and tehre and observe and assist when needed ESPECIALLY in a pilates or yoga-based class where form is very important. Nice post… and last but not least… I LOVE that you were able to take your negative energy toward the class and twist into “tips” ahaha, a very positive venting sesh! Nice job and I hope your next yoga class is a better one!