Introduction to Cueing

Some people are visual, some others are listeners. When you teach a class, it is rather easy to spot if people are mostly listening or are looking at you for cues. Say the names of the moves at a fast pace, and see how many can follow you! If you are a participant, make effort to learn the names of the moves and listen to what the instructor is telling you. Each indication can be used to make your workout safer and more agreeable. Usually, the instructor will use gestures to signify basic orders such as the number of steps, a repeat, etc. Look for hose clues.

Most people rely on what the instructor is doing and just repeat everything they do. As for dance, you have to use your head as you get along with new moves. Aerobics is very challenging because it forces you to pay attention and concentrate a great deal while the instructor is cueing. Aerobics develops your listening skills as well as your sense of discipline, this is why it is a complete sport. Aerobics requires also from you to memorize a combinations of movements either short term, or long term if you are working continually with the same instructor.

Most of the time people rely on sight because they do not associate what they are doing with what you are saying. The body needs to memorize the move, that's why we repeat the same move many times over during class. Your body needs to react directly to a word; it becomes a reflex. Doing so, you can feel at ease and concentrate in other parts of the workout such as posture and combinations. If you are an instructor, give your participants a list of the names of the moves and go through some of them during class or while you are waiting for the class to begin, when everybody is relaxing. Describe what you are doing, the reason why a particular move is named that way, and do comprehension checks while exercising. Try to develop good listening skills in your participants, so they can be on their own, work more safely, and be more aware, in control of what they are doing. From time to time, stop demonstrating and lead them by your voice for a few minutes; they will learn to listen to you. Beware your participants are not specialists. You may challenge them a little bit by explaining what you are doing but you are also responsible if there is any misunderstanding. Make sure they know you are not a doctor or a therapist.

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