GROUNDED IN GROUP FITNESS
One of the bazillion reasons I love Group Fitness Instructors is they are generally super clear about how they are unique and special. They are also almost always uber passionate about sharing their greatness through workouts. They are not shy about being on this planet for phenomenal reasons. Here are some interviews I had with some of my favorite Instructors who share their experiences in getting to a place of being Present/Grounded, getting real, and in full on Trust in their lives.
Susane Pata has been teaching Group Fitness classes since 1992. She eventually established herself through work with Corporate wellness programs. However, she got real with what she was experiencing at the time. She explains “Corporate healthcare never seemed to offer the same kind instant reward as in the fitness industry.” She then told me about her “A-ha” moment while working in Group Fitness.
There is a certain energy in a group class that is undeniable and addictive. You are being of service to several and contributing knowledge, energy, safe and effective programming, etc. The reward is instant: smiles, form correction, energy transitions from low to high — [which] shows they are actually vibing with you and listening to your cues, actual thank you’s after class, returning members (retention) — this all contributed to my experience and over the years built up more and more… It’s what forever changed my course in life and I never looked to return to corporate healthcare after realizing these things.
Susane also consistently and methodically honors herself and her students by taking the time to get grounded and centered before every class she teaches.
If you are not mentally ready to go with whatever life shakes out to be while teaching (i.e. extreme fitness level variety, equipment shortage/breakage, music fails due to WIFI, I could go on…), then you can easily break apart and that energy is contagious and not favorable… So the prep for that? All the essentials: good sleep, good nutrition, and definitely get your mind right before each class (positive) — so that if and when the time hits, you have everything you need to think on your feet.
Michelle Opperman, a Group Fitness Instructor since 2005 shared this on her process for getting centered: “Before every class I always look at my plan for the class, set my intention, and take a few breaths focusing on how much I love teaching and my students.”
Sarina Jain, a Group Fitness Instructor since 1992 confided that the most important thing she does to get grounded and centered before she teaches any class is to: “[C]heck in with myself to make sure I am in a good mood because what I portray to the Students is the energy that is going to come out! No matter what is happening that day, I get to shift my attitude to make sure that I am giving my all to the Students that are showing up and giving me their all!”
The Truth is we cannot always control or rely on our teaching circumstances. In fact, the COVID-19 era has also taught all of us Instructors that we can’t rely on many things, including teaching classes. There are so many factors beyond our control at every moment of our active lives. There are things we also might perceive we control and in reality, we don’t have any say in what is going to go down. Yet, what we do always have control over is our choices. If we can Trust that we are enough at all times and that we can use all that we are to come up with what to do at any and every given moment, we can then move to acting from our hearts (love). That in turn leads to Connection. Start with Trusting in You and your Truths. We that as our first Step — we will always live in Connection.
