Successful CALA Aquafitness leadership involves the integration of the following:

• Ability to design appropriate aquafitness classes (warm up, work out, stretch and relaxation)
• Effective verbal and visual cueing skills
• Honouring participants with a holistic leadership style
• Ability to accurately demonstrate and cue the CALA movement bank
• Ability to move and cue effectively to music
• Practical knowledge of aquatic exercise physiology
• Knowledge of anatomy required to analyze / design aquatic exercises
• Ability to manipulate the Magical Properties of water in aquatic exercise design
• Willingness to honour and nurture yourself in your leadership journey

Gradually harmonize new knowledge and skills with the design and delivery of aquafitness classes.  Along the way, ask your colleagues or a CALA mentor to evaluate specific areas of your leadership. The small risks you take as you work toward your goals can result in outstanding progress.

Leading

• The aquafitness leader is a fitness professional trained to teach class members to execute movements safely, and effectively.  This requires skillful cueing.
• Body alignment, limb position, intensity options, breathing and safety cues can all be demonstrated well and seen clearly when the instructor is is elevated and visible on deck.
• Aquafitness leaders are trained to select movements appropriate for the water.  This ensures that the class is purposeful and enjoyable.  Leaders must practice doing the moves in the water before leading the class from the deck.
• Speed, range of motion and intensity of movement are very different on the land than they are for the participants in the water. Trained leaders understand these differences and demonstrate movements from deck which are suitable for the various ability levels in the aquafitness class,
• Leaders choose music which is motivating and at the correct speed for aquatic movement (118 - 124 bmp). Tempo varieties which range from 2X tempo to 1/4 tempo will be selected and cued to suit the desired movement speed and range of motion.
• Each participant has different abilities and fitness levels. On deck, the leader can clearly show participants how to modify the movements and make the workout harder or easier to suit individual needs.
• Instructors assess how hard participants are working by observing skin coloration, breathing rates and the ability to talk.
• The leader works hard to lead safe, effective and enjoyable classes for their participants.

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Cueing

The aquafitness leader will cue:

• Postural alignment
• Buoyancy
• Surface area
• Range of motion
• Joint safety
• Alternative moves

Communication

• Used to educate, motivate and inspire.
• CALA leaders use two way communication.  They practice being a good listener.
• They accept and celebrate individual differences and accomplishments.
• They value the level of experience and knowledge of participants.
• They consistently offer alternatives in a non-judgmental way.
• Our leaders get to know their participants both in and out of the class

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