I'll wait until you're done.
Back? Great!
This post on Becoming Supersonic by Kristi was super timely - she offers tips on how to "exit gracefully" when giving up a group fitness class. She offers some tips I've thought about and others I haven't... like having the person who's taking over your class do some preview songs before you leave to ease the transition.
I don't want my students to feel like I'm ditching them, and I know I could teach longer if I really wanted to so I worry that they might think that, too! But, I know in my heart that I have too many things to get done before now and my due date, and I'm not physically or emotionally able to give 100% to my class.
Since I'm planning to go back to teaching this same class when I can in a few months (and because my gym is being SO generous to offer me that option), my exit here is definitely a "see ya later" and not a "goodbye forever". Even still, here are a couple of things I'm thinking about:
- How will I keep in touch with my students while I'm gone? It may not be necessary, but I would love to stay connected to them. I might give out my email and Facebook info at my last class so we don't lose touch.
- How should I create my last playlist? I think I should take requests, but I always have an established playlist ahead of time so I have the right balance of songs, amount of time, etc. (see my thoughts on playlist creation here). I think I'll ask for recommendations the week before and try to get as many in as possible.
- How many new songs should I come back with? Typically, I'd have about 6 new songs over a few months' time... but if I'm out maybe I should come back and do familiar material for a couple of weeks so we can get used to each other again? Maybe that's something I can ask for opinions on before I leave, too.
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