Why is this such a big deal in Zumba/studio classes

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  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 49,515 Spam Moderator
    history_grrrl wrote: »
    I don’t have any particular insight about this but do want to say that I appreciate the feminist voices present in this discussion and, related to that, consideration of larger context when trying to understand individual behaviour and group dynamics (as opposed to, group X is culturally such-and-such a way).

    For myself, I’ve never had an issue with other students. I have disliked classes with instructors who don’t give explicit instructions about what to do but simply say, “Watch me and do what I do.” I also have one eye that’s basically useless, so I do need to position myself so my good eye can see what’s going on.
    Many dance classes are that way. Zumba is basically continuos dancing and many who've been there long enough catch onto the choreography, however if you're new at it and not really coordinated to catch up fast, it can be frustrating.
    In my kbox class, we do everything in sets, so I show the move, do it half speed, then after about a set go to full speed.

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  • history_grrrl
    history_grrrl Posts: 221 Member
    edited December 2023
    ninerbuff wrote: »
    history_grrrl wrote: »
    For myself, I’ve never had an issue with other students. I have disliked classes with instructors who don’t give explicit instructions about what to do but simply say, “Watch me and do what I do.” I also have one eye that’s basically useless, so I do need to position myself so my good eye can see what’s going on.
    Many dance classes are that way. Zumba is basically continuos dancing and many who've been there long enough catch onto the choreography, however if you're new at it and not really coordinated to catch up fast, it can be frustrating.
    In my kbox class, we do everything in sets, so I show the move, do it half speed, then after about a set go to full speed.
    Yes, I’ve experienced the “just watch me” approach in a few yoga classes (many years ago; I’ve had various wonderful instructors since) and with one particular aquatic fitness instructor who probably wasn’t used to a new person showing up even though it was a drop-in class. I switched to a different class because I just could not follow along, especially when she was in the pool.

  • SoCalSwimmerDude
    SoCalSwimmerDude Posts: 509 Member
    edited December 2023
    nevemrind
  • springlering62
    springlering62 Posts: 10,560 Member
    edited December 2023
    history_grrrl wrote: »
    ninerbuff wrote: »
    history_grrrl wrote: »
    For myself, I’ve never had an issue with other students. I have disliked classes with instructors who don’t give explicit instructions about what to do but simply say, “Watch me and do what I do.” I also have one eye that’s basically useless, so I do need to position myself so my good eye can see what’s going on.
    Many dance classes are that way. Zumba is basically continuos dancing and many who've been there long enough catch onto the choreography, however if you're new at it and not really coordinated to catch up fast, it can be frustrating.
    In my kbox class, we do everything in sets, so I show the move, do it half speed, then after about a set go to full speed.
    Yes, I’ve experienced the “just watch me” approach in a few yoga classes (many years ago; I’ve had various wonderful instructors since) and with one particular aquatic fitness instructor who probably wasn’t used to a new person showing up even though it was a drop-in class. I switched to a different class because I just could not follow along, especially when she was in the pool.

    Oh wow. I’m so sorry you experienced that. Our instructors’ approach is to demonstrate the basic pose, then level 2, then the most advanced version. Everyone is encouraged to try, but also encouraged to master what’ s at their own level. They make a huge effort to make sure all levels are accommodated, that getting into the pose is slowly walked through, and that those wanting more challenge have that as well.

    Some instructors even give everyone a “hands on” or “hands off” card so they can choose their level of assistance and if they want hands on adjustment. They are also careful to ask before class who is new, or considers themselves inexperienced.

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