Network Magazine Winter 2016 | Page 53

Our words can have a profound impact when used at the right time , so practice recognising when participants are most in need of a push , some motivation or encouragement .
Instead of focusing on what is missing or not being done , it is much more inspiring to focus on the possibilities .
Themes for take-home messages include honouring your body ; commitment ; freedom ; giving 100 per cent ; community ; friendship ; and making good choices . The possibilities are endless , and whatever inspires you has the potential to also resonate with your participants .
Planning
When planning a take-home message I start with some brainstorming . Jot down what the take home message is , what it means to you , why it is meaningful to you and how it can be used positively , both in class and beyond .
Write down any supporting words , phrases and quotes that enhance your theme , feeling free to use a thesaurus or wider reading to enhance your notes and diversify the language you use .
Plan Questions
Questions are a wonderful way to allow participants to reflect and take ownership of their own experience .
Reframing inspirational cues as questions can redirect their mental approach : rather than simply relying on you to motivate them and tell them to work harder , it can get them to think about their own ability to direct their fitness , health and life .
By putting them in the driver ’ s seat of their own outcomes , you can empower them with the independence to manage not only the effort they put into your class , but also into their health and life beyond the pool .
It is useful to plan and practice saying a number of questions that relate to your theme before class in order to get comfortable with them and make them come naturally when you ’ re instructing .
For example , if your chosen message for the class is ‘ Giving 100 per cent ’, you might pose the following questions :
• Are you selling yourself short ?
• What if the only chance you had was now ?
• What is your ultimate goal ? Can you focus on that ?
• What would it mean for you and your loved ones if you backed yourself 100 per cent ?
Weaving a message into class
So how can you incorporate the message into your class without it seeming awkward or contrived ? In a nutshell , go slowly ! When people arrive at your class it ’ s likely that they ’ ve just had to deal with traffic , parking , work , family and any other number of stresses – so they may not yet be in the right frame of mind to really hear what you are saying .
For the first 10-15 minutes of class , just include a peppering of words related to your message . As you get further into delivering the workout , begin to really watch and read the unique people in front of you and what they need in that particular moment . This is where your preparation work becomes useful : draw on any words , phrases , thoughts or questions from your planning that will be the most useful to them in that moment .
Our words can have a profound impact when used at the right time , so practice recognising when participants are most in need of a push , some motivation or encouragement .
Empower them before they go home
In the last 10 minutes of class , remind participants of your take-home message and the power they have to bring it into their lives at any time .
By connecting them to the power already inside of them , and inspiring them to take control of it , you can touch your participants ’ hearts and have an impact long after they finish your class .
Claire Sawatzky is an innovative instructor , a hardworking dreamer and a self-confessed anatomy nerd . She studies science and business at university and runs Barefoot Potential , a beachside boutique fitness and wellness hub . Her classes are passionate , playful and held together with a whole lot of sweat and love !
SPECIAL NOTE : The illusion of perfection
When I first started using a take-home message in my classes , it felt clunky and sticky and didn ’ t land clearly for my students . I was trying too hard to deliver perfectly what I had planned before class .
Participants will connect with your message if you deliver what is appropriate for them . It ’ s important to not be constrained by a take-home message just because you ’ d planned to use it . If it ’ s not working for you in a particular class , be prepared to drop it and use it another time when it better suits the participants or atmosphere .
You don ’ t need to feel as though every single person will understand and immediately use your take-home message to completely change their lives . You offer your message from a heartfelt place , knowing that some people may be immediately inspired , while others may be inspired more by a message you deliver on a different occasion .
NETWORK WINTER 2016 | 53