CALA

 

Charlene demonstrating repeater hamstring with donkey kick  

It is that time of the year when we should take a look at ourselves. Are you still using the same choreography? Are you continuing to develop your skills and knowledge. Have you taken time to learn about your participants needs are? Are you more informed of medical conditions your participants are dealing with? Are you adapting your movements so all get the maximum benefit from each movement?  

Maybe taking a CALA VWT refresher is what you need to get back to the basics. As instructors, we sometime default to the same old exercises. Take time to review your CALA Movement Bank and start adding new movements to you classes. Contact CALA if you are interested in taking a CALA refresher and earn CALA CECs. Consider sharing with other CALA Instructors. They are a great resource when it comes to new ideas. Have you taken time to view the past CALA Conference videos in the private CALA Instructor Group.  

Aquatic exercise better than physical therapy for chronic low back pain, study finds https://www.upi.com/Health_News/2022/01/07/chronic-low-back-pain-aquatic-exercise-study/2921641568031/?fbclid=IwAR1yEx1LvW1TUpFfxTYE3HJnSZ8WF2CjWjko5r74HTV7DOZRtgLXEnMR0jM  

What other suggestions do you have for fellow Aquafit Instructors?  

 

  http://www.calainc.org/Handouts/Participant_handouts/A_Q_Spinal_Alignment_K_Preston.pdf Q: When exercising in water, I sometimes feel a pinch at my tailbone. What am I doing wrong?   Acute pain may occur suddenly while exercising. Causes vary and depend on form, technique, fitness ability, muscular strength, any previous injuries to the specific area, etc. Pain could be mild to severe in intensity. In both land and water fitness, causes may include an abrupt offset of balance, misalignment of the spine, or unequal body weight bearing. Acute trauma may also result from excessive joint loading, ignoring any physical limitations or exceeding the appropriate range of motion at a particular joint. When exercising in an aquatic environment, it is important be aware of the forces generated while moving water. Water is more dense and heavier than air, thereby offering the potential for strong resistance. Balance, footing and stability are always challenged, as buoyancy, turbulen...

Register Now to reserve your spot Registration form -  http://www.calainc.org/Upcoming/2021-08-21&22%20Two%20Booster%20Workshops%20ZOOM%20Poster.pdf  

Remember to take care of your safety mat.  The mat is very durable but if you do not take care of it, it may not last as long as you would like.  

 

  Download a copy of the handout www.calainc.org/Handouts/Participant_handouts/Dealing with Pool Temperature.pdf

  use your chair to demonstrate Stand on your safety mat wear appropriate footwear refrain from walking on wet deck restrict the amount of jumping you do ladies, wear appropriate breast support keep hair out of your face wipe sweat from your face frequently drink water frequently throughout the class wear appropriate cooling clothing be aware of over heating

  I might be biased, but I strongly believe that CALA certified aquafitness professionals offer the best in leadership. Participants love being the focus of our attention: they respond with enthusiasm and delight when they are educated about what they are doing, why they are doing it, and how to best achieve results. We as leaders have to meet the highest standard in the industry in order to call ourselves 'CALA Certified. "'   "Yes, yes," you are saying, "so what's your point?" I am writing this because I want you to be a great aquafitness leader, well into your dotage. I want to see aged, happy, healthy aquafitness leaders motivating participants for years to come. At the present time, I feel that acute injuries, repetitive strain, and burnout are taking their toll. Many leaders express concern over working long, hard hours in a hot, chlorine-filled, and humid environment. These are real issues that need to be addressed.   Our participants e...

 

  View available CALA handouts and other resource links

Aquafit is not a women's activity Be creative in your thinking.   1.      Get a number of men of varying ages and abilities together (ex: personal trainers, club staff, life guards) and video a men’s only class.  You could do something more sports oriented such as a Boot Camp or Aqua Kick Box class and/or a general class.  Keep the intensity at a level that demonstrates Aquafitness is a great workout.  Make sure you have permission from everyone in the class to tape the session.  Make sure you advise the group that this video taped class is for marking purposes.  At the end of the class interview some of the men and include their interviews in the video.  During registration have the video playing where people can see it.  If you have a web site, have the video available on line along with the interviews.   2.      Invite the running team to th...

Discover new ways to communicate the CALA message to your participants.  Use your imagination, be creative and be sure to share with fellow CALA Instructors. As an alliance of leaders, we are support and motivate one another.