Motor learning refers to a set of internal processes that facilitates acquisition and retention of a skill. The widely agreed upon stages of motor learning are cognitive, associative, and autonomous. During each stage of learning, the optimal amount and type of feedback varies, as does the amount of time spent before progressing to the next stage.
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| Summary of stages of Motor Learning (1) |
During the cognitive stage of learning individuals are aiming to understand what is being asked of them, so it is imperative that they receive detailed information on what the skill entails. As such, this stage requires a lot of visual and verbal feedback; tools such as video analysis and slow motion drills will come in handy here. For example: when we first start working on a new trick, our coach Dom gives us A LOT of feedback. There is nearly consistent talking about, and dissection of, the various components involved in the trick. The cognitive stage can be rather messy, as trial-and-error is a crucial component. Controlling the environment by removing distractions will facilitate learning during this stage. Note: large gains in performance will be seen during the cognitive phase, however skill execution will be inconsistent.
Once someone knows what to do, they need to know how to do it, and thus begins the associative stage of learning. Feedback during the associative stage is mostly proprioceptive - meaning that learning occurs through practice, and by developing an understanding of what is going on in the body from a more kinesthetic and internal sense. When we train with Dom, we do the same trick over, and over, and over again... usually in lines, and often we will do the trick 4 or 5 times without any talking. In fact, Dom will often tell us to stop over-thinking it and just get the feeling for it. The associative stage of learning is defined by refining skills with small adjustments and stringing together movement patterns. We spent almost two years working with Master Lu Yi at the circus center, on hand-to- hand, every week, doing the same drills, getting similar variations on the same feedback. The associative stage can take a long time, and will often be frustrating for students. Remember - learning as adults often involves a process of re-learning ... and this simply takes time.
The final stage of learning may take years, but once attained allows for attention to details beyond the movement task itself. During the autonomous stage of learning the student can perform the skill with very little thinking or processing. Imagine being performance ready - once in this stage of learning the body responds automatically, leaving you available to attend to your audience and respond to your fellow performers. As an example - being in the autonomous stage of learning is when we start to play with leg variations in hand to hand.
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| With Niko Douwes 2014 |
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| With Master Lu Yi 2013 |
So how does motor learning relate to the semi-private coaching workshops we are offering?!? Perfectly. Working with a coach or trainer who is familiar with this process will improve your efficiency. Our semi-private coaching sessions will help progress you from the cognitive stage into the associative stage of learning.
For the majority of our acrobatic career we have sought out private instruction from coaches. These sessions offer us direct and immediate feedback on our "performance" which allows us to progress our skills and develop a deeper wisdom of the mechanics of acrobatics. This style of learning has been invaluable to us, and we want to share it with our students.
Why train with Precision Acrobatics? Because we teach as a duo, we can specify the program to include base and flyer beta (i.e. we can provide you with detailed information on the skill based on your specific role). In addition, drawing from Liz's experience as a physical therapist, and Ariel's years of experience with personal trainers and handstand coaches, we have a bevy of strength training drills and injury prevention strategies to share.
What to expect: Before each session students fill out a short questionnaire about their practice and their goals for the session. This allows us the time to devise a customized program for each student and pair.
The session itself is structured as follows:
- Warm up
- Flyer and base specific strength training
- Skills assessment, practice and training
- Clarification of progressions for home program
- Cool down/self care
Our semi-private coaching sessions are limited to four pairs, which provides a learning environment with fewer distractions. This allows ample time for individual instruction and feedback, safety through spotting, and time to practice for skill refinement.
We have loved this style of training and hope that you will too! Follow the link below to register and join us in April for our next semi-private coaching session. Keep training and see you soon!
Registration link for all workshops: bayacro.com
Upcoming workshops (with FB event links):
Hand to Hand Series: March 7th, 14th, and 21st
Semi-private coaching: April 4th, June 6th
Shoulder rehab for Acrobats with Liz: April 18th
Beginner Acro Intensive: April 28th-30th
Series 3: POPS!: May 2nd, 9th and 16th
Master's Handstand Workshop with Ariel: June 20th
References:
(1) http://www.humankinetics.com/excerpts/excerpts/understanding-motor-learning-stages-improves-skill-instruction
(2) Physical Rehabilitation: Assessment and
Treatment. O’Sullivan, S. B., Schmitz, T. J. 1994. pgs 366-367
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