| Uniting AEA’s IAFC with ATRI’s Symposium, the International Aquatic Fitness & Therapy Conference allows you to customize the week of training to suit your needs – therapy, fitness, or both. Here is a highlight of one of the fitness-focused sessions being offered at IAFTC 2023 in Orlando, Florida (April 30-May 5) from Author and Aqua Fitness Expert Terri Mitchell, BA, PTA. |
| Throughout the 35+ years that I have taught aquatic fitness classes, formats and styles of classes have been created based on trends, research, and creativity of instructors and trainers. Back in the day, patterned choreography routines to songs were the norm. There were certain moves that went with the verses in the song, and certain moves that flowed with the chorus. An instructor without a dance background was often challenged to remember all the moves to all the songs. Freestyle choreography was effective for an instructor who had a long list of moves and understood how to cue for safety, effectiveness, and variety. In the 90s, music was designed for 8-count choreography. The aquatic fitness industry continued to grow and change. Pyramid, add-on, pure repetition or patterned, and the layer technique became common styles of choreography to offer variety, effectiveness, and fun in the pool. Circuits became popular with groups who were self-motivated. Deep-water workouts, interval training, and use of buoyant and drag equipment for strength training also became popular aquatic class formats. Most recently, HIIT, boot camp, and other high intensity water classes are growing as research proves the benefits of fat burning with high intensity water workouts. On the other hand, aquatic yoga, Ai Chi, water ballet, PiYoChi, water walking and arthritis classes continue to be popular with participants preferring a less vigorous workout. As an aquatic professional, what is your preferred type of class to teach and what is your style of teaching? There are several teaching styles that accommodate different types of classes. Here are a few: Being a Drill Sergeant and barking out motivational cues, watching the clock for 30-second intervals, and focusing on increasing intensity is a style that works well with high intensity classes. Shouting motivational cues to achieve higher levels of fitness participants didn’t know they could accomplish in the water is a tough love style. The Teacher educates participants on the components of fitness, shares science of muscles worked, explains the principles and properties of the water, and wants participants to understand what they are doing and why. Teaching is focused on the acquisition of new knowledge and skills. Skills like single leg balancing while bracing with abdominals or being aware of postural muscles. Maybe you have a talent of creating combinations of moves that challenge and engage your participants. Coaching is a style that is focused on refining and developing knowledge and skills. Coaching works with groups to increase their abilities and can be reactionary and spontaneous depending on the group. Coaching is multi-dimensional and aims to bring out a particular aspect from students being coached, such as motivation to repeat and perform the combination correctly with success. No matter the type of class, or the instructor style, an effective aquatic fitness instructor can see the class participants and be seen, can be heard by class participants, and knows how to safely convey movement when teaching from the deck. Using a chair, a bench, or other tools can enhance your style. For your next class, consider what style of instructor you are – which may be a little bit of several styles based on varying classes and participants. |
| AUTHOR Terri Mitchell is one of AEA’s amazing IAFTC 2023 Presenters. Find out more about Terri and the sessions she is offering here. |