Another cycle of instructor training has begun and I couldn’t be more excited about the new women who are joining our team! Over the last few weeks I have been thinking about my own experience as I made the transition from client to instructor. There were moments when I fantasized about what it would be like to be a part of such a cool team. A few times I actually had to restrain myself from adjusting the client next to me who needed help with their form. But me? An Instructor? Noooo…
I remember exactly when Erin asked me to become an instructor and I was totally flattered! I was thrilled, but was secretly thinking “hmmm… thanks but no thanks,” I thought there was absolutely no way I could be an instructor. First, I couldn’t even tell you the names of the exercises… you know the one where you lay on your back with your legs up in the air—what body part does that work again? Second, I had never talked for an hour straight in my life. I mean, do you hear how much our instructors talk during class? I was pretty sure there was no way I could retain that knowledge and be able to string words together into coherent sentences. Third, I am a mom of two young kids, I had a job, and a home to run. I could barely fit in time to take class. So I told Erin I would think about it.
In an effort to keep an even longer story short, I won’t bore you with the mundane details of how long and hard I thought about this. The suspense is killing you right?! Obviously I said YES, and then I wanted to pass out or throw up or run away never to be seen again. I said yes. To this day I am so proud of myself for saying yes. I knew it was going to be hard, but I didn’t know it was going to be that hard! I had auditions, workshops, teachbacks, class observations and mock classes. At one point I looked at myself in the mirror and saw my reflection—I looked beyond drained and in all honesty, I was.
Training to become an Alkalign Instructor is a lot of work, as it should be. There is so much to learn, and on top of that you have to know how to properly communicate that info to clients. We learn anatomy, adjustments, modifications for pregnant women and people with injuries. All this info is packed into eight weeks of intensive training. After I taught my final mock class, I drove home, sat in the car, and cried. I was excited, overwhelmed and nervous that now I had to teach real paying clients. The Alkalign Certification Program is not only mentally challenging, it is physically and emotionally demanding as well. I cannot forget to mention how amazing and inspiring all the instructors are. There is an immense amount of self-induced pressure for a trainee to live up to those high standards!
So, here I am three years later writing this blog as the Director of New Instructor Recruitment and Training. It’s my job to make sure each trainee learns everything they need to know to give our clients a polished, challenging, inspiring class every time. Each trainee or “apprentice” as we call them, chose to take this opportunity for their own individual reasons, but ultimately they are learning Alkalign to better your practice—to help you achieve your goals in a compassionate, supportive way with the expertise to back it up. After the training period, and for the first year, we continue to call our new instructors apprentices. They are learning with every class they teach, collecting experiences and retaining so much knowledge. It takes a year to really find the rhythm.
This training session is even more special to me as I will be training alongside my group. I have once again said yes and accepted the challenge to go beyond my comfort zone and teach something new. I will soon be teaching the Cardio Align class. I am excited and a little nervous. There is so much info that I need to learn, but I am committed and up for the challenge. The training process is a very humbling experience. It has also given me so much confidence in my life outside the studio.
Team Alkalign is working hard to give you an hour of strength, flexibility, and inspiration each day you come to class. We always welcome your feedback and love seeing the smiles that show us you liked the class. It truly means so much for all of us to know you enjoy your time at Alkalign.
