New Experiences: Nervewracking or Motivating?

We asked attendees at a recent QiDANCE Foundation Training Course why they decided to devote a full day of their weekend to this new fitness dance program. Their answers revealed not only their motives, but also a huge range of teaching experience. Some enthusiastic cardio dancers had more than three decades’ fitness experience under their belts. Others had never taught and were looking at QiDANCE as their entree into a fitness career. The theme that came up most often was

the willingness to experience something new. All were united in their desire to make the most of the training.

Lyda Sprinkles, Santa Clara, CA
“I heard QiDANCE is the new thing in town. I got certified in (another program) in December and started teaching for a non-profit organization in January. I thought this Foundation training would be good for the people at the non-profit where I donate my time.”

Frances Bowen, Thousand Oaks, CA
“I always like to learn and was curious to find out what the music was like. I already teach a dance program and want to see something new.”

Frankie Fonseca, Camarillo, CA
“I wanted to pick up new moves as I love to dance and am always looking for the next dance fitness program to do.”

Cathleen Clarke, Santa Barbara, CA
“I believe in the program. It’s fun. I am always open for something new and exciting, plus I liked the choreography and music.”

What motivates you to try something new? What helps you break out of any ruts or old patterns? Fear? Desire? Usually motivation breaks down into one of these two categories. Either we want to avoid something negative (fear) or we want to gain something positive (desire). Newness and change are risky. Yet fear can drive us to higher levels if we use it to prompt ourselves into action to avoid the unwanted.

On the other hand, desire prompts us to attain what we want-- the positive “Qi.” Being one of the first in your area to offer a new workout could be a driving force that gets you tackling something different. This is an extrinsic motivator, as it’s a reward that is outside of yourself. Or challenging your brain with new routines and dance styles might satisfy both a physical and mental goal. This is an intrinsic motivator, as the reward is internal and not affected by others’ actions or opinions. The rewards from taking on a new program might outweigh any fears or anxieties. Yes, change and new experiences bring risk, and they also bring the potential for reward.

One of the main factors in motivation is the quality of the teacher. According to learning and teaching expert Barbara Gross Davis, PhD, “research has shown that good everyday teaching practices can do more...than special efforts to attack motivation directly.” If you have taken a QiDance Training, then you have experienced the high quality of the instruction already. If you have not taken a Foundation course yet, you will discover it once you do.

What fears and desires did your QiDANCE Foundation Training bring out in you?