Teaching Mirror Image and Actual Image
In the revised version of the step orientation, 2 were added
for the instructor:
Mirror
Image - facing the participants direct, where they
"mirror" your movements.
Actual
Image - facing the same way
as the participants, where they follow your "actual"
movements.
Some certifications and clubs suggest and/or require instructors
to face their participants in Mirror Image. In practice, there
are several factors that should be taken into consideration
and which direction is best can be dependant on situational
variables.
Mirror Image Pros
Direct eye contact with participants is perhaps
the biggest reason given for teaching mirror image, suggesting
that looking via the mirror is not quite the same as a direct
visual connect.
Some instructors who face the mirror may unknowingly
appear to be watching themselves. I will be the first
to admit to such. Honestly I've decided it's a habit
that stems from my initial self monitoring when I first started
in group fitness as a participant.
I don't always realize it
because my viewing tends to be peripheral
to take in the entire group. I generally
watch everyone to see if someone is not getting something
or is going the wrong way - at which point I will direct my
view and cues to assist the individual.
While it looks as
if I am watching my own movements, I seldom really see myself,
as I am more focused on the overall success of the group and concentrating on what should come next.
It is without a doubt a good thing to look directly
at individuals - both new participants and regulars. Facing
the group forces you to make
direct eye contact with your students, so that's plus ONE for
teaching mirror image.
A large studio, utilizing an elevated stage
for the instructor, offers reason #2 for teaching mirror image.
Not only does it allow you direct eye contact with people in
the back row, it just feels rude to have your students looking
eye level at your rear end for an hour. So, particularly with
an elevated teaching platform, that's plus TWO for teaching
mirror image.
Actual Image Pros
In a small studio setting at floor level, space may make it
a bit uncomfortable to face participants. I equate it to
what it feels like getting on a crowded elevator – most
people will turn and face the same way to
look at the door or the floor indicator lights. If you
face them, it’s hard to know who feels more uncomfortable,
you or the person you are facing!
It really depends on how much room exists between the instructor
and the participants. Very small rooms may force participants
all the way up level with the instructor, so it can make it
difficult for them to follow mirror image from a side perspective.
In this instance, facing the same way in a small group setting
is a plus for actual image.
The second plus for teaching actual image is that, no matter
the pattern, the instructor is always traveling in the SAME
direction as the participants.
Mirror Image Cons
The minus for teaching mirror image is
the change in YOUR orientation to the room. It takes a lot
of initial concentration to reverse left and right, if this
is the directional and lead convention that you are utilizing
in cuing.
If patterns are all from the
front or off the ends with a front facing approach, following
can be easy enough in mirror image. The
second downside with this teaching approach is the confusion
that can occur when going over the platform beyond the "fourth
wall" -
or to the "front
of the step".
Even seasoned participants can show signs of
disorientation when you are moving toward them in simple movements
like "over the top". Some patterns
that face the sides of the room on the ends of the platform
can also be tricky as it may be difficult to visually ascertain
the lead foot.
Teach Both Ways
The best approach may be one that is a blend of both mirror
and actual images. Teach as many possible combos facing the
participants, but transition to actual image to teach where
they can better follow your direction and leads off the ends
or over the top to the front of the step.
If you have
never taught mirror image, you will surely mess up in the beginning
but don’t
be overly apologetic. Laugh it off the best you can with “I
meant your other right” or something else lighthearted. Most
will understand and be forgiving if you remain positive.
Making the transition between Mirror and Actual
Image
The previous section mentioned the
use of the term "away". In my early attempts to teach
mirror image over the tops, I would cue "come
to me" and
then "go away". That's
why I generally don't use the term "away" for the
front of the step with a back facing approach. If you teach
mirror on over the tops, they are moving toward you,
when going to the "away" side, then moving "away" from
you returning back to the "home" side.
I
later discovered that it was just best to change to go with them
in actual image on over the tops. To transition with "over
the tops", you can cue them to "come to me" as you stay where
you are (with a march or tap up tap down), then join them back
over the top - with "now I am with you".
The best technique, used by the majority
of instructors, is a quick hop turn on a single lift step
for a smooth transition to the other side of the step: you
cue the knee or any lift step, but DO the hop turn over to
the other side.
Pure visual learners, even some experienced
students, may try to follow. If you sense that might be the
case, it can be helpful to advise that you're changing
sides.
Again, switching between mirror and actual image
requires you to transition your lefts and rights, but with
practice, it can become second nature just like any other aspect
of teaching.
Next: Step Terminology
Last modified - 3/18/07
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Teach 32 Count Step:
Minding the
Music - the downbeat / musical phrase
ODDs & EVENs Method
Advanced Choreography
Challenge - The Big 64
Odds & Evens Chart
of Patterns & Transitions
Getting Up & Down for
Lunges
Step Orientation - Original
Step Reebok & Revised
Teaching Mirror and Actual Image - you are
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Step
Terminology
Cuing
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