The Bookends

The Bookends indicates the 15-minutes immediately before and after class. Within those
15-minutes, you have a tremendous opportunity to influence your student’s perception and affect how your students feel.

You see, a class doesn’t begin when you start teaching, and it doesn’t end when you stop teaching. Your impression on your students begins the moment your first student arrives and continues until your last student leaves.

Students will not remember the details of your sequence or your workouts. They won’t remember the wit of your words, nor precisely what you said to motivate. And they definitely won’t remember the exact songs on your playlists, either. What students remember, though, is how they felt before, during, and after your class. 

Humans are hard-wired for connection and belonging. When students enter a Barre Eclipse class, we make it a point to see them and acknowledge that we’ve seen them. Then, during the ass-kicking, you support them through the onslaught. Finally, once it’s all over, you give them a proverbial pat on the back for a job well done.

As with everything in this method, it takes practice to develop great facilitation skills to create a first impression that is memorable, desirable, and worth revisiting.

The First 15-Minutes

• Ensure you are 100% ready and available for students when you allow them to enter your class. Arrive early to set up your props and music so you can greet your students the moment they walk into the door.
• If students arrive before or at the same time as you, ask for forgiveness for being tardy or thank them for their punctuality. It’s also OK to ask them to wait a hot sec while you “set the mood.”
• Play music that is fun and inviting. We want our students to feel great to be alive upon arriving. Play a song that is upbeat and energetically sets the tone. Your choice of music has the potential to excite your students, unconsciously reassuring them they have made the right decision to come to class.
• Like any good hostess with the most-est, greet as many students as you can. Learn their names and use their name during and after class. If it is their first time to your studio or class, talk about what to expect, show them around, and assist them in picking out their props. Help them select a spot in the room in a visual line with your mat. Hint: you may employ someone’s help in this case so you can watch the door.
• Be genuinely interested in people. Ask your students about themselves. Dig a layer deeper than the pedestrian statements like, “how are you doing?” and “I’m good.” These negate the chance to connect. Ask instead, “how are your children,” “what’s new and exciting in your life,” or “how are you feeling today?”
• Learn how to navigate buns in the oven and how to cue to, and help lead, pregnant students. Creating life in your belly is hard in and of itself; maintaining an active lifestyle also has its difficulties. Combine the two—well, the odds are stacked. So when pregnant people join your class, ensure you bring them along for the ride. With that said, there is an art, and a fine line, in trusting your students know what is best for their bodies. Refine this art of trust.
• Give your students modifications if they are working with injuries. Your students are your best opportunity to grow your classes moving forward. When students feel a real connection and feel seen, they come back, and this is how your classes and your community thrive.

Right before you begin teaching, ask your students to introduce themselves to their neighbors. You’d be amazed at how this small step helps people build community and make friends. Your students follow your lead. If you are warm and welcoming, so, too, are they. Your positive attitude creates an environment that people are likely
to revisit.

The Last 15-Minutes

To round out the class and ensure your students leave on a high note, follow these tips:

• At the end of class, initiate a round of applause. Groups love to celebrate
  their successes.
• Remind students of your name and when they can take class with you again.
• Let them know you are available for any questions they may have. As they begin to trust your authority on the subject of barre, they will approach you with commentary, compliments, and concerns.
• Hang out near the exit to say farewell to everyone. If there is a tight turn around between classes, clean your area first so the next instructor can slide right in.
• Check-in with a couple of students on their experience of the class. Point out something positive that you noticed about their energy and effort during a specific part of class (specificity is vital here). “How are you feeling, Jamie? You were slayin’ the scorpion tail today! You were tiny lifting your heart out!”
• Important: while holding your conversations, be sure to acknowledge everyone as they leave.
• Imply that you’ll see the student again, “see you next week!”
• And remember to use names when you can!
• After your last student has gone, and only then, may you begin your closing duties.

These seemingly small details make a big difference for your students. Your availability and support go a long way. When you facilitate opportunities for connection, your students bring positive vibes and engaging energy that your entire community can enjoy!