Expert: Linda Erwin, M.S. - 1/3/2010

Question
I have a question I am hoping you can assist me with or advise me on. I have been involved in Tai Chi, Chi Kung and Kung Fu for 39 years. I am going to be teaching some group classes a gentle but very active form of movement which promotes an aerobic, cardiovascular workout. There are 15 sections to this particular form. Each section is 4 counts to the left and 4 counts to the right (one side is the mirror of the other). The form is done rhythmically and at a pace which is comfortable for each participant. This leads more to my question. As I learned the form approx 39 years ago in a martial arts environment the way things are taught have changed and, I think, in many regards improved. The format in which I was taught was very safe but also very rigid. I am seeking to make the form as easy for participants to digest, remember and practice on their own as possible. I am looking for thoughts, ideas and/or suggestions on ways I can present this sequence of exercises in a good format that will allow the students to learn in the most efficient way. My class will be 1 hour long for 6 weeks which is ongoing and I am thinking that I will spend the first 30 minutes of class on learning the beginning portions of the form, perhaps 3 sections spending 10 minutes on each section, going over them slowly to learn the movements properly so that the body, joints and everything is position correctly and not creating stress anywhere. Then, at the end spend the remainder of the time picking up the pace of the form a bit so that a good workout can be had.

I am CPR/AED/first aid certified and I am familiar with optimal heart rates and I keep an eye on students to make sure they are not exceeding their abilities and that they are doing exercises correctly. So I am very safe first and foremost in class but I am just looking for some good suggestions on how best to present this particular sequences of exercise. Any input you have would be greatly appreciated. Thanks and have a great day.  

Answer
Use what you will do in the body of your class in the warm up... Use the warm up to teach the moves and then in the body of the class pick up the pace so it's aerobic.  People catch on quickly and will appreciate you moving them through it instead of slowly teaching it.  They will have to stay on their toes to keep up and not have time to think about how long the class is.