Bokwa Level 1 Instructor Training

Think you're good at Bokwa? Try instructor training. 

Here I am pumped for Bokwa level 1 instructor training. It's early Sunday morning. I've barely recovered from flashmobbing around London.

If you've not done Bokwa, please excuse the jargon. The purpose of this post is to explain my experience and offer tips for budding Bokwa instructors. 

My reasons for doing the training are here. But I was naive to think that instructor training is "levelling up" on Bokwa. There are parallel differences between a participant and an instructor. If you've never taught fitness classes before, get into the frame of mind of an instructor long before you do the training. Observe your fitness instructors and watch how they cue and motivate the class.

The day started with a masterclass which is part of the training. The participants were from the flashmob group from yesterday. We were in a huge studio with a view of the trees and sunshine. 

Our instructor was the eloquent, funny and accomplished Akile Alexander. Her fitness company Latin Vibes runs the Bokwa and Zumba classes at my gym.

Akile pushed us out of our comfort zone. My most nerve wrecking exercise was leading my own routine of 1 x 8 count letter, 2 x 6 count letters, 2 remixes and attach them to the letters. We had fifteen minutes to plan it. 

Two people in the class performed before me. Not only did they cue, they were vocal! I was barely getting cueing right-how the heck was I going to lead a class?

When it was my turn, I asked Akile if there was anyway I could get out of it. She said it's not assessable but I'd be kicking myself if I didn't try. She was right. I'd regret whimping out.

So the music came on and I started, one on one, C, etc. I was sheeeeet-petrified, silent but at least on-time and cueing. 

My first Bokwa routine on paper. I had to lay this on the floor and check it as I went along.

Midway I lost the beat and sent a panicked look to Akile who egged me on to continue. This set off encouraging "whoop whoops" from the others behind me. Suddenly I threw my fears out the window and found my instructor voice. 

I started yelling throughout the rest of routine and when I was done, everyone had a smile on their face and gave positive feedback. I was elated!

I CAN DO THIS. I could do it all along.

There was plenty of practical teaching advice in the training. The Bokwa manual has most of the detail. You have to do an easy online test to receive your pdf certificate. I am now a certified instructor!

Here are my top 5 out takes from the training:

1) It is crucial to start a new move on the first beat of the bar of music. This is what makes the routine feel right. There's a bit of math in fitting 6 beat moves as each bar is 4 beats. The easiest way is to do 4 sets of those and then your next move will start on beat 1. 

2) If you lose the beat, don't be afraid to bring back the class to bounce-bounce so you can start on the first beat again.

3) Always try to fit at least one remix in the class to keep routines interesting. 

4) You have to cater for everyone in the class. Keep the moves simple for beginners and the advanced can "flavour it up". Ask at the start of the class who the beginners are. If there are quite a few newbies learning a difficult move, split them on one side of the room. Have the beginners watch you guide the experienced participants and when they've picked it up, you can move on to the beginners and break it down with them. 

5) Cue at the top of the move. That means for the 1 on 1, cue at the kick. It's like learning the Bokwa moves all over again to include the cue.

The customised outtakes from the training was feedback on my "report card" from Akile. This stuff is critical. She went through it with me and it's stuff I've been aching to know as a Bokwa participant as well. 

At the end of a day's training. It wasn't easy but still a lot of fun. I'm pleased to have Akile as a teacher.

I WILL teach Bokwa. It might just be in my friend's living rooms but I will do it! :)