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We have all experienced that perfect hour when the cosmic forces of fitness unite to electrify the music, the mood, and the moves. The feeling is unmistakable, and the experience leaves you exhilarated. You have just taught a perfect class. 

For most instructors, the satisfaction is fleeting and the next perfect class beckons. We spend entire Sundays working on a new routine, hoping to re-create that perfect moment. Unfortunately, the new routine often falls far short of perfect, and chaos erupts in the pool, as half of the students spin haplessly in circles, and the other half make a beeline for the ladders.

Another stinker routine, which means it’s back to the lab again. We construct, create, and perfect, waiting for that elusive bolt of lighting to strike. Why do some classes feel perfect, and others far from perfect? What makes a class perfect? Here’s what I have learned. 

Reflections on the perfect class.

The perfect class. Trying to please everyone, and pleasing no one. In my efforts to create routines that pleased everyone, I designed prototype classes that failed to inspire for fear of offending. I scaled back intensity to accommodate less fit participants, and muted choreography to appease the rhythmically challenged. My efforts to please everyone resulted in mediocre classes that failed to excite anyone. I have discovered that the easiest way to deliver up more exciting classes is to incorporate multi-level formatting for intensity and intricacy. Perfection is offering options and entrusting your students to choose the appropriate level to get the workout that they need. I have also learned to never again pre-judge students and ASSUME they won’t or can’t do something because of their age, their size, or their perceived coordination level. My seniors LOVE to kick butt in my aqua kickboxing classes. And yes, I have finally accepted the fact that there are some people who will never like my class.

The Perfect Class is inclusive. Monkey see, monkey do. A class that is taught on deck provides equal opportunities to all students, allowing a visual advantage that promotes a safe and enjoyable class experience. When a new student comes to class and can’t see the exercises, it is likely they will never show up again! A class is made more perfect when the student can see the instructor, AND the instructor can see the students from the elevated vantage point of the deck, thus assisting them with form and alignment corrections. With this said, I believe that the perfect class is taught from the heart, and I would never negate another instructor’s passion or devotion, regardless of whether they teach on deck or in the water. Essentially, I teach on deck because I want my classes to be more inclusive and user friendly. A class is less than perfect whenever a new person leaves frustrated because they felt excluded. 

The perfect class is inclusive, Part II. Lead me not into temptation, for I already know the way! There is more than one way to frustrate and exclude a new student. I have done it time and time again. My name is Mark, and I am a choreography addict! I am happy to report that it has been six months since I last tried to make my students do a triple axle- reverse tuck-mambo-side aerial. I am slowly and painfully learning that perfection is not about the choreography I concoct. The perfect class is watching our students working hard and improving their fitness level by fully participating in the moves that we create. If our moves are so amazing and intricate that only half the students can fully participate, then they aren’t so amazing after all. When we finally realize that our class is more about moving people, than it is about the moves, then we will experience more perfect classes. 

Perfection is just a smile away. Lights, camera, ACTION!! A class is made more perfect by the smiles we give. For many, attending a class may be less about fitness, and more about socializing. I have no doubt that many of my students get more out of my smiles, my enthusiasm, and my energy, than they do from the workout. Students are more likely to adhere to an exercise program if they find joy in the activity. Smiling and acting enthusiastic is the easiest way to light up a class.

Perfection is just a smile away, Part II. Beware the apologist instructor. For all the times I chose to conceal my light because of bad moods, physical ills, and minor annoyances, I rarely did so without tremendous guilt. My adaptive solution to this problem was to prepare my classes and preempt them with an opening apology or explanation that would justify a diminished performance. A class quickly veers from perfect when we feel the need to announce beforehand that we have a headache, or that our foot hurts, or that we don’t have a new routine as promised. I have learned that these announcements serve only as a buzz kill for the students. They come to class ready for a good work out, and quite frankly they don’t want to hear about the instructor’s woes. It is information they do not need to know. On any given day, I have at least ONE body part that aches, I’m usually exhausted, and there is always something I’m aggravated about. I have learned to just shut up, put out, and do the best I can. We are not bound to any performance standards. We are simply required to perform the best we can under the given circumstances. Making excuses and apologizing to your students only detracts from your professionalism. 

Perfection does not have to be rewarded. Beware the fragile ego. The perfect class does not have to be validated with praise from students. Expecting or fishing around for compliments only makes you appear needy and lacking in confidence. You can tell whether or not your student’s enjoy the material, you don’t have to ask them. Yes, it is nice to have our efforts rewarded, but I have learned a couple of things about praise. First of all, you get back what you give. I am by no means a “touchy, feely” type instructor. I tend to be loud and sarcastic. I am more likely to bust on one of my students, than I am to praise them. Instructor of the Year, I am not!!! Fortunately, my students understand and appreciate my humor. However, I recall many times feeling unappreciated after class because no one clapped or thanked me for what I perceived as exceptional efforts on my part. Naturally, the voice of the Bad Mark silently accused my students of being INGRATES, while the voice of the Good Mark intervened, “Ok Mark, are you really surprised that no one praised you or thanked you for a job well done? Did you thank your students for their hard work? What praises did you offer them for their exceptional efforts???” I have learned that you cannot expect, what you do not give, whether that be smiles, praise, or excitement.

Perfection does not have to be rewarded, Part II. Silent appreciation. Recently, a lifeguard shared with me some comments from one of my students. The student’s name was Gallina, and she was visiting from Russia. After talking with the lifeguard, I recalled Gallina’s presence in class over the previous month. She was hard to miss. She always had a terrible expression on her face. I never met her, because she always scooted out early. The lifeguard, a Russian immigrant, informed me that the awful expressions on Gallina’s face were due to the fact that she couldn’t understand English! Before she left, Gallina told the lifeguard she was happy to return home, but very sad because she wouldn’t be able to come to my class anymore. She said she wanted to adopt me and bring me back to Russia with her! Gallina thought my class was perfect. For me, it was a lesson in silent gratitude from a woman who never smiled, who never clapped, who never said thank you, and who basically looked miserable! Your students may not smile, they may not clap, they may not say thank you, and they may even look miserable, but they pay their respects by showing up each week. 

I have learned that the perfect class is neither myth nor reality, but rather a manifestation of my own thoughts and perceptions. If I focus more on moving people, rather than focusing on the moves, my classes can be made more perfect.

As I travel and present choreography workshops, it seems like I spend less time presenting choreography, and more time presenting ideas designed to re-invent the way we move our students. Embracing these ideals will ultimately do far more to inspire, motivate, and educate our students, than any sheet of fancy moves could possibly do.

Wishing you a perfect class. 

Stay Fit and Motivated!
Mark

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