368: Body Language &
Non Verbal Cue Techniques.
By Katrien – Kataqua – Lemahieu
With credits to Kim Geeroms!
In this classroom laboratory you will learn how to maximize your body language for deck demonstration
and how to do so safely. Understand how body language works and learn proper hand signals for
instructional cueing. Join Katrien in the classroom and learn how to improve your deck teaching skills.
Chapter 1: What is…?
Wikipedia states that:
Body language is a kind of nonverbal communication, where thoughts, intentions, or
feelings are expressed by physical behaviors, such as facial expressions, body posture,
gestures, eye movement, touch and the use of space. It is also known as kinesics; the
interpretation of body motion communication.
As in the AEA manual (6th edition, page 370) a cue is a specialized form of
communication to instigate action. A signal to class participants that might indicate a
transition, provide information on safety or form, offer motivation, share feedback,
involve imagery, or encourage relaxation.
Look at AEA manual (6th edition, pages 140 to 144 for more information about cueing
The page "Non verbal cue techniques" does not exist in Wikipedia.
So let’s make that happen! As in every job, there are different cues. Like transport,
where they need to sign each other to let your partner(s) know where you are. Next to
that, you will see differences with signs in every culture. Where a thumb to the side in
one country means you want to be picked up, in another culture you are offending
people. In Aquatic fitness, the lead is what you do and what your participants
understand as your signs. In this classroom you will learn examples, but feel free to use
whatever works for you! We will work on different things and learn about the reason why
and how.
What would you say is needed by any aquatic fitness presenter as competences to
teach classes? What do you say they would need? What is unique or special?
Chapter 2: Body Language.
• Body: mirroring, body assessment, own safety awareness …
• Language or Body Talk: facial expressions, eyes, feet, …
Katrien – Kataqua – Lemahieu
[email protected]
www.kataqua.nl
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What about ‘attitude’? ‘A problem well stated is a problem half solved”
And what about personality: check that! What you mean is not always what others
see… the Black Box is always around the corner…
Chapter 3: Non verbal cues: basic moves and there cues (and practice!)
Basic moves shallow (and there cues):
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WALKING: movement has an acceleration down, buoyancy resisted
JOGGING: movement is mostly up; buoyancy assisted
KICKING: execution in all planes
ROCKING: side to side or front back, body weight transfer
JUMPING / BOUNCING / PROPPELING: two legs or one
JUMPING JACKS: abduction & adduction, frontal plane
SCISSORS: abduction & adduction, sagittal plane
TWIST: trunk-twist or leg-twist
Deep water also adds:
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CYCLING: circular move of the lower extremities
Basic cues on hand positions: slicing, fisting, cupping, flat hand, and webbing.
Chapter 4: Non verbal cues: types, techniques and try outs.
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Form and safety cues: posture, safe joint actions, level, breathing…
Motivational cues: encouragement, positive, challenge…
Transitional cues: timing is best!
o Directional cues
o Numerical cues
o Movement or step cues
o Footwork cues (see chapter 3)
o Rhythmic cues
Relaxation cues
Imagery cues
Feedback cues
Types of cueing: tactile, audible and visual
Chapter 5: Let’s practice!
Always remember: you are here to learn! All of us are in here… to grow!
Katrien – Kataqua – Lemahieu
[email protected]
www.kataqua.nl
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