Coaching Mat: Silence is golden

Instructing a mat doesn't mean non-stop talking. Instructing means issuing an instruction, and then giving a pause of silence so your mat class can have a chance to do what you instruct, to listen to their own effort without continuous words from you that distract them from listening to themselves. Instruct, and pause, instruct and pause, instruct and pause.

It's not about you, the teacher; it's about them the students. It's about their chance to listen to their own effort after you've issued an instruction. You must give the class a chance to listen to themselves.  If you do non-stop talking, your talking is a distraction from their effort to concentrate on their intention, and to feel what you want them to feel.

Comments

[Diana Bolaños]

Michael, isn't this also true for coaching Machine classes?

[Michael Miller]

Diana, yes, the essence is the same regardless of the apparatus involved.
In re-reading the post, I would go on to say that what you want them to feel is an increase in control, not just wishing for it, but taking it and being able to sense the difference.
And in machine classes, all the more important to be clear in your instruction, and to give time for participants to perform safely and efficiently.

[Jjiq]

So much in life is about self-control. It takes confidence to use it, experience to know what happens when you don't. Being confident that your silence is instructive. That takes trust, and experience.