POSITIVE AFFIRMATION

An instructor’s job is to bring out the best in their students. This is true for any kind of instruction, be it in a classroom, a workplace, or a sports setting.

While attention to detail and critique is required to help a student progress, it is not uncommon for these to be voiced negatively by an instructor, and without any sort of praise for the student’s achievements.

This is not the case at KB Fitness’ martial arts classes, where positivity is the norm and Chief Instructor Kelly KB’s ethos is rooted in building her students’ confidence and self-belief.

Frederike, a KB Instructor who studies Sports Psychology, said to Kelly: 

“Having familiarised myself with Sport Psychology for a few months now, my impression is that you could have written the textbook. One of the (fictional) case studies we designed involved a coach very focused on the little errors the athletes make, but with very little praise – consequently, there is a lot of frustration. At KB, of course, the environment is quite the opposite, and any corrections we get are set in a context of abundant praise, encouragement, and positivity.”

Indeed, Kelly’s way of teaching (which is also utilised by her team of instructors) focuses not solely on performance, but on the effort being made by each person. Kelly and her team treat these things as equally valuable and worthy of praise.

A martial arts class is a very different setting from a football team, for example, where the focus is on winning a match or a championship. However in all cases, the objective of the instructor or coach is for the student or athlete to thrive, to progress, and to become successful – whatever that means, be it taking their next kickboxing belt, or winning a match.

At KB Fitness’ London Kickboxing classes, praise, encouragement and positivity are not just exuded by the teaching team; these things come from instructors and students alike:

“Having Kelly, Dee and Jess encouraging us at the front always lifts my performance, but equally the smile or claps from a training partner also spur me on to give more,” said Beth.

“The idea that anyone could train without motivation and praise from their instructor, and not give up, is surprising to me. I don’t think I could progress in a space where my efforts are not validated, or my achievements – no matter how small – are not celebrated. I think it makes for a very negative training space, and that’s not for me. So, I’m very grateful I found KB,” said Alice.

After teaching over 10 thousand Londoners in the past 24 years, Kelly has tried and tested her approach and concluded that her students make faster progress in an environment of praise.

Frederike added: “I love that any feedback Kelly gives is there to build us up. Anyone who has walked into a KB Kickboxing class feeling pulled down by something going on elsewhere in life can confirm – we always emerge from KB Kickboxing classes taller and stronger than when we walked in!”

Praise and motivation certainly make for a much better training experience than negativity and frustration. Want to see what it is like to be nurtured and encouraged to thrive in such an environment? Book your first KB London Kickboxing class now.