Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by LoveLeighHooper on August 20, 2010 at 3:22pm

I've actually gone up to my students (kids), placed my hands over top of theirs and guided them over and over and over and then I tell them i'm going to take off the training wheels, I let go and USUALLY they've got it.... every once in a while they just naturally go back to their wonky way. If that happens I just tell them they just created their own trick and let it go. I don't know if adults would "fall" for that though....

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Permalink Reply by Amanda of Hip Flick Hoops* on August 23, 2010 at 10:26am

Yeah this happens to me too and I'm not sure how to handle it because I don't want to nag.... lol But I guess just show them a few times, if they still dont get it review it next class.

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Permalink Reply by Tink in Tokyo on August 20, 2010 at 4:49pm

Sometimes you don't make it happen. Attitude plays a big role in learning and that is something you can't change in another person. But you can:

* Give as much positive encouragement as possible. "Gorgeous!" "I love the look of concentration on your face" "Woooo, ten times around; you are rocking it!" "Where did you get those earrings; I have to have a pair!" The praise has to be sincere, but it doesn't have to be hoop-focused. Make your hooper feel good about herself somehow. This will trickle into the hoop.

* Relax. Yourself, I mean. Sometimes people who take a while to "get it" can be hard on themselves and stressed. If you are relaxed and upbeat about their experience, they may be, too. And that will help them hoop. It is a toy. Let's play. Smile!

Last night a friend came to class who is convinced she can't hoop but she wants to learn for health and fun. She was so uptight about doing it "right" that she was even stressing out when we jumprope skipped through the hoop. Waist hooping smoothly is not an option for her right now. But the more she plays with the hoop - and I mean literal play not tricks or dance - the more relaxed she will be and soon enough she will be able to hoop just as well as she wants. But that relaxation has to come from within herself. I can offer chances to play and laugh but I cannot make her interact with other students, find the rhythm of the hoop, or love herself in a way that allows the hoop to spin.

Despite her "can't" attitude, she enjoyed the class and wants to hoop more. So it was a success for both of us and I know she will eventually shift into a more positive attitude and really be able to hoop.

Don't get down on yourself if you get student's who say they can't. Offer them love and support and let them do what they do at their own pace.

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Permalink Reply by LoveLeighHooper on August 21, 2010 at 7:40am

Awesome advice Tink! Thanks!

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Permalink Reply by Joan Warburton on August 21, 2010 at 5:42pm

In many cases the person who is really struggling may just have to be left alone for a few minutes. The more you hang around, encourage and watch some people, the more uptight they get. I see this in a lot of fitness classes, not just hooping. Sometimes a person needs to be out of the limelight and in their own corner to figure it out themselves. As long as they're not doing anything to hurt themselves I leave them alone.

It happens, you've given them the demos and all of the words and they can't put it together because now they're feeling under pressure. It helps to learn to read these people and understand when to let them be.

During my explanation in the beginning I try to impress upon people that we all learn differently and in our own time. I also tell them that if they're having a lot of trouble they should try turning their back on the class and just try to "feel" the hoop. I might suggest that they close their eyes until they can connect the movement of the hoop with their muscles.

We have mirrors on three sides of our big aerobics room. If I'm reading total frustration in someone I'll turn the whole class around, away from the mirrors and I'll address them all, not just the person or people who are not getting it and having a problem. I've found that some people reach a point where they absolutely do not want to be noticed and singled out.

So far this has worked every time. Some people just take longer to "connect" and I feel our job is to let them learn at their own pace, in their own way and not let them get frustrated. I was one of those people. :)

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