ETM. Eternally Talking Muppet.

I have six days until the first assessment for my Exercise to Music qualification (ETM). I don't think I will think about much else for the next 6 days.

I've been teaching bellydance for the last 9 years. For at least four hours per week, I stand in front of a class and instruct them in a physical activity. I thought this would mean that working for an ETM qualification would be something I would find fun and within my comfort zone.

Ha!

I'm glad that I have confidence in standing in the front of the class, because there are so many other elements to juggle that it's good to be comfortable with *one* aspect of it.

Getting the choreographies prepared has taken a really long time. Ensuring that there are changes at the right time, in the right direction, and the right kind of movements to the right kind of music has made my brain hurt. It's not like dancing because you never *respond* to the music, you only count it. Which is less fun than I had expected.

But here's the bit I like least. When I'm delivering the class, I have to talk non-stop. For each section of the 22 minute aerobic curve (warm-up, peak and warm-down, ranging from 128BPM to 140BPM and back down to 132BPM) I have to give my class

• 5 teaching points
• 5 posture points
• 5 ways to make the move harder
• 5 ways to make the move easier
• 5 alternatives to the moves I'm demonstrating.

That's 25 sentences. The shortest section is only 4 minutes long and I have to say 25 things at the same time as I'm demonstrating choreography at 140BPM.

I'm daunted.

The only real advice I've had is to practice, and that it all gets easier the better you know your choreography. So I'm getting as much practice as I can, all alone, in my house, annoying the crap out of my downstairs neighbours.

I think I am enjoying the course. I like a challenge and this is one. But I won't be sad when it's over. Which hopefully will be sooner (if I pass on Friday) rather than later (if I don't and I have to resit!)

Back to college!

I'm very excited to be going back to college this term! Hurray!

I'm sticking with my decision not to study for an HND, but I still want to increase my knowledge. I'm going to Edinburgh College's Milton Road Campus to study four credits, two in Applied Nutrition and two in Applied Exercise Prescription. I am optimistic that the teaching quality will be better than most of what I experienced last year at the College's Granton Campus, although I am nervous about meeting a new group of people. It's only for one day a week (and not even a whole day) so hopefully it will keep my brain occupied and keep me consciously working towards my career goal.

Then on Fridays, I'll be back at Granton Campus studying for a CYQ Exercise to Music qualification! This is something I've wanted for years and I'm really looking forward to it. As a dance instructor you might think this might be something I can already do, but the fact is that Egyptian bellydance is more about responding to the music and interpretting what you hear than it is about doing a certain number of moves and changing to another move at the right time. I really enjoy music-based exercise classes so I think I'm going to love this course!

In January I plan to study for a level 3 Personal Training qualification at Milton Road Campus. This is the one that I really want, and I'm sad I have to wait until next year for it! But it gives me some time to get on with other things that need my attention, like organising a loft conversion!

This week I have an appointment with a business adviser at Business Gateway. I've been trying to set this appointing up since June so it's been a long time coming. This is outwith my comfort zone but I hope it will keep me focused on preparing to build my business when I'm fully qualified as a personal trainer and a post-natal fitness instructor.

It's an exciting week with so many new things to look forward to - bring it on!