Your primary focus in leading a BOOM class is safe, effective, and universally-accessible instruction. Here are some guidelines for creating the ideal physical environment for your participants:
Floor and Surrounding Area
- Ensure your studio floor is clean and free of debris.
- Clear all clothing, bags and other items from your exercise space.
- Provide adequate space for each participant to exercise safely.
- Set your studio’s thermostat to an appropriate temperature for exercise.
- Know and follow the specific safety guidelines for each format.
Appropriate Clothing
Movements and exercises in BOOM MIND require a large range of motion. Participants should wear loose-fitting clothing that allows freedom of movement but still allows the instructor and participant to gauge proper form. BOOM MIND is a “shoe-friendly” environment. While participants may remove their shoes and exercise on a slip-resistant mat, some participants may be more comfortable exercising in their shoes.
Instructions and Injury Prevention
Encourage your participants to inform you of any injuries and pay attention to form and modification cues. Educate your participants on the purpose of a pose or exercise. Often in mind-body classes, participants focus on trying to imitate a very flexible instructor or other class participants. The “full expression” of a posture can look different for each participant because everyone is uniquely proportioned and has inherent gifts and challenges.
Although it is important to demonstrate a posture or exercise, options are essential to injury prevention. Participants need to understand that the purpose of a posture is not “what it looks like” but “how it feels” and that pushing to the point of pain or into an unsafe range of motion risks injury.
General Guidelines
- Provide frequent reminders for breathing, hydration, perceived exertion and posture.
- Consider how conditions and diseases should inform your intensity options:
- Participants with osteoporosis and heart disease need modifications to lessen impact and work at an appropriate heart rate.
- Arthritis and joint replacement patients should pay attention to range of motion and avoid forcing stretches.
- To avoid wrist pressure for participants with arthritis, a plank may be modified to be held from the elbows with forearms out in front.
- Be careful of participants holding their breath when asked to hold a pose.
- Have participants ask their doctor which actions are beneficial and which should be avoided. Follow all physician’s guidelines.
- For safety and liability, avoid hands-on adjustments.