Stay on top of your barre teaching game by understanding the five categories of cueing. These are categories we review during a Barre Intensity instructor training and require our barre certified instructors to incorporate. As trained barre instructors, we’re responsible for leading safe, effective and fun classes and the words we say will help us get there.
Set it Up
First: Set Up
Make the switch from the exercise you’re currently doing to the move you want to do next. Keep the transition quick, seamless and smooth. Cues in this set up category are action oriented, direct and to the point. Want to know how to ramp up your set up cues? Check out our verbal transition tactics.
Line it Up
Second: Align
After the set up, its our job to align. Each exercise has its own set of cues, but alignment carries over across exercises regardless of the action taking place. Understanding alignment principles and how to cue them adds value, and safety, to any class.
Clear it Up
Third: Clarify
Now that you’ve got your class lifting, bending or squeezing AND in proper form, begin connecting the mind with the body. Review the intended muscles being engaged, discuss where the movement should be happening and where it should not. Create imagery to tap deeper into the action. Revisit step two, align, as necessary.
Motivate
Fourth: Motivate
By this point it’s the end of the series and the class is in need of a pick me up. From our facial expressions to the tones in our voice, we all have many ways to motivate our classes. Evoke emotion like “ I know you have it in you”. Use the space you’re in. Walk over to the person who thinks they are unnoticed in that corner of the classroom. Smile, close your eyes, create energy in your voice. Take your personality a little outside of your own comfort zone and turn that “umph” into “triumph”.
Modify
Sprinkle in the modifications
Providing modifications, or options as we like to call it, keeps your entire class feeling included. Barre Intensity classes move at a quicker pace and provide little to no breaks. We want all of our clients to feel a part of the class and able to accomplish a great workout. Make sure you’re giving those options or modifications even when no one is asking. Sometimes modifications are needed towards the start of an exercise and other times we need them at the end when fatigue sets in.
For more tips on cueing be sure to check out our Barre Training Guidelines.