Should you allow people to watch your class?

Ug Lee

This came up in another thread and I wanted to expand on it rather than straying off topic on that thread.

I personally think it is better for the person to try a class. It depends on the room size but having a stranger sitting in the room can make other people uncomfortable. Also there can be a big difference in what you pick up about a class when you actually take part rather than just sitting and watching. You might see a movement but not understand the context by which it is applied.

Of course I believe the first class should be free or at least you only pay for your trial class instead of having to pay for a month/year in advance. I also feel that you should let people know in advance what they can expect from their first class so that can judge whether it is appropriate for them. Then based on this, they give a class a go and then if they have to pay for a period (month, etc) they do so with firsthand knowledge of what they are signing up for.



Thoughts?</p>

Boston

Speaking from experience, when a few very pretty girls started watching out session from the top balcony, I'd say no. Everyone was more distracted and there where definitely attempts made to impress them.

Make the first session free, no point in just watching.

arybvtcw0eolkf

Sure, let 'em watch - pretty girls or pretty boys I couldn't give a toss.

I was a late comer to Judo (my background is kickboxing), I'd a friend who was always talking about it so I asked could I go & watch a class sometime...

"Sure" he says, "but only if you promise to come three times"..

"Three times, why?" I asked..

"Because if you come just once and its a sh*t night you'll think Judo is sh*t, but if you come three times your bound to get a good night" - best advice I'd ever taken.

I think if its a good style/club and the coaches have confidence in what they teach they should be more than accepting of visitors/spectators.

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Quillo

I think letting them watch is a good idea.

I know that anytime I've considered something new, my preference has always been to watch first to get an overview of the whole operation as once you're involved in a class as a student you're inevitable focused on just the small part you're working on.

Black Swan

We have a visitor's seating area. Prospective students are welcome to view classes in session, provided that they respect our quiet rule and not chat with each other (or use mobile phones) during instruction. We also have introductory discounted rates for beginners to encourage them to experience instruction.

We do not see the visitor's area as a distraction for our enrolled students. We have visitors frequently, and our students become desensitized to people watching them perform. Further, it serves in preparing students for tournaments, where they will be watched by a great number of strangers when they do their poomse (forms) and sparring.