Im at a loss.

[J. Pickard]

Looking for some insight. Sorry for how long this is, but context is important. Today I had another disgruntled parent quit because I made their teenager exercise. Not an exageration. Their email stated, and this a direct quote, "it really seems like class is just a glorified workout using kicks and forms". We are a TKD/karate school so kicking and forms are a big part of it. We make it very clear that fitness to build a strong mind and body is an important aspect of our training. So its not that we were doing exercises unrelated to our training, its that our training itself was exercise. For yesterdays class the last 40 minutes we had a rule that was to push yourself, not pace yourself and to go as long as possible without taking a break. If a student needed a break they didnt need to ask, they just stepped off. It was made clear that if they stepped off the floor because they needed a break, they would not be permitted back on the floor until the end of class for safety reasons, forcing them to take a much needed rehydration break. This isnt a new thing and exception are always made if there is enough time left in class. If every student stops with time left then we do cool downs as a class and end with some stretching (which we had an instructor on hand in the adjacent training foor just for student who needed a break).

Well, with about 10 minutes left of class a 14 year old had to step off. One of our Master instructor was running this section of the class, so I went up to the student that needed a break and commended them on how well they did and that they should be proud of thier perseverance. I then offered them a free gatorade and snack from our "refuel station" and told them to take their time to recover and rehydrate. I reminded them, with only 10 minutes of class left they wouldnt be allowed back into that class for safety reasons and should instead take this time to recover and use the adjacent training floor for cool down exercises and stretching. The mother instead said "we'll just leave since she cant participate anymore" and left without saying a word. Today I woke up to an angry email. The email was about how the class was exercise. The mom was mad that their kid exercised and was made to take appropriate recovery time.

This is a style of class we only run for advanced colored belts and black belts and only about every other month. For our black belts this is barely a workout but to a 3rd gup, like the student in question, it can be a challenge. I am open to insight, criticism, and any general thoughts.

My main question is, am I in the wrong for running such a physically demanding class and then making students take the time to recover?

 

[Monkey Turned Wolf115 145]

I don't think you're wrong for running a physically demanding class. But there will always be people who leave because it's not the type of class they're looking for, just like there would be people who left if your class wasn't physically demanding enough.

I will say that you're wrong for making the students step out and not being allowed back into class after a break. There are times that you only need a quick rest before coming back, and being told (how it can sound) "You weren't able to do the exercises everyone else could, so now you have to watch them, and they'll all see you unable to participate" can be frustrating and embarrassing, particularly to a teenager. I'm sure that's not how you worded it, but that's the implication people will take from it.

I get the safety concern, but people know their own bodies, and needing a single break over 40 minutes is normal, not something to be penalized or stopped for. I'd actually argue it's a bigger safety concern, as people will push themselves beyond when they need the break, since they know once they ask for it, their class is basically over.

Couple that with them paying for the time. If the class is an hour long, and 40 minutes in, they need water/Gatorade, then aren't allowed to participate in the last 20 minutes, you're essentially stealing 20 minutes of services that they paid for.

It sounds like there are multiple instructors for each class? If that's the case, rather than telling people they can just cool down off to the side, you could have another instructor do a lower-intensity exercise, or switch to technique training, which is open for anyone who needs a break from the heavy workout portion. Or have specific points (my old school did this and I think it worked well), that was basically at the X minute mark, "Okay, all yellow belts, move to sensei J.", then 5-10 minutes later, "Okay, all green belts, move to sensei J.", etc. That way people can get a workout based on their experience level (which the main instructor can monitor and call out at either set points, or when he's noticing those students struggling), without anyone being specifically called out or embarrassed.

The other option is obviously just let them back in if they feel they can come back in. Again, I really think it's a bigger safety issue forcing people (or putting them in a position where they might be forcing themselves) to push through a workout more intense than they need, rather than be able to take reasonable breaks and come back when they're ready.

 

[J. Pickard]

I don't think you're wrong for running a physically demanding class. But there will always be people who leave because it's not the type of class they're looking for, just like there would be people who left if your class wasn't physically demanding enough.

I will say that you're wrong for making the students step out and not being allowed back into class after a break. There are times that you only need a quick rest before coming back, and being told (how it can sound) "You weren't able to do the exercises everyone else could, so now you have to watch them, and they'll all see you unable to participate" can be frustrating and embarrassing, particularly to a teenager. I'm sure that's not how you worded it, but that's the implication people will take from it.

I get the safety concern, but people know their own bodies, and needing a single break over 40 minutes is normal, not something to be penalized or stopped for. I'd actually argue it's a bigger safety concern, as people will push themselves beyond when they need the break, since they know once they ask for it, their class is basically over.

Couple that with them paying for the time. If the class is an hour long, and 40 minutes in, they need water/Gatorade, then aren't allowed to participate in the last 20 minutes, you're essentially stealing 20 minutes of services that they paid for.

It sounds like there are multiple instructors for each class? If that's the case, rather than telling people they can just cool down off to the side, you could have another instructor do a lower-intensity exercise, or switch to technique training, which is open for anyone who needs a break from the heavy workout portion. Or have specific points (my old school did this and I think it worked well), that was basically at the X minute mark, "Okay, all yellow belts, move to sensei J.", then 5-10 minutes later, "Okay, all green belts, move to sensei J.", etc. That way people can get a workout based on their experience level (which the main instructor can monitor and call out at either set points, or when he's noticing those students struggling), without anyone being specifically called out or embarrassed.

The other option is obviously just let them back in if they feel they can come back in. Again, I really think it's a bigger safety issue forcing people (or putting them in a position where they might be forcing themselves) to push through a workout more intense than they need, rather than be able to take reasonable breaks and come back when they're ready.

Fantastic insight. Thank you.

 

[drop bear115 54]

Its a hard one.

We have kids at our gym with an incredibly physical culture. And so are incredibly talented martial artists.

They are out there winning jujitsu matches. Winning MMA fights. And just walking around with 8 packs. Like a bunch of monsters.

People see that and are like. This is the obvious path to being any good. So therefore I will engage in the same process.

I think it would be a lot harder to just push your average teen into that without realising the benefits.

And I don't know how you would get that across.

Seriously. This kid is like 16. And can beat me up.

 

[skribs114 134]

I think this is another post where there are two questions. 1) Is this type of training appropriate/useful and is there any feedback that may improve the training we provide? 2) Is the criticism by the customer (the parent) warranted and (whether or not) how do we handle it?

To the training: @Monkey Turned Wolf already covered a lot of what I wanted to say. I think it's a good idea to push people physically, but if people need a break they should be allowed to come back in. Breaks are built into pretty much every workout, whether it's rests between sets of weights or rests between HIIT sprints. In my experience teaching TKD, we would often have students demonstrate the technique one-by-one to give everyone a chance for a quick break, and in BJJ there's often a 1-minute rest between 5-minute rounds. And trust me, we go hard in every one of those training methods.

To the parent: You're simply not going to please everyone. It's useful to listen to the feedback that folks provide. But some people are just never going to be happy. Let me share with you a similar issue I've had with a student in my cardio kickboxing class.

1. I sometimes run the class based on how my Muay Thai instructor used to run Mondays. You repeat a single hand technique or two-technique combo 100x on each side, and then a kick 50x on each side, and then onto the next hand technique, and so on. This student complains, "This is boring, I've done this many years and that many fights, I don't need to do basics..." just grumbling about the workout. I talked with the regulars in the class and they were fine with it. I talked with the previous coach and his attitude was "screw him, if the regulars are happy, you're doing good."
2. The student came up to me a few weeks later and explained himself much better. Because he feels very strong with his hands and he has bad hips, he doesn't like doing kicks over and over again. He prefers to work on kicks intermittently with his punches. I thought about this, and it also made sense because we had a woman with a shoulder injury, another woman with a knee injury, and a kid with a hand injury. It makes sense to mix the combos in each workout so those with an injury don't just sit out for half the class, but instead can take that side easy for each combo.
3. I start trying to include more advanced combos and techniques because this guy didn't like the basics. Every single technique or every single combo I teach him, "Well I wouldn't do it that way, I'd just use the basics I already know."

So you can't please everyone. If you try to, you'll probably end up losing more students who were happy with the way things were before. It's worth listening to the advice of your customers, but it's not worth taking every piece of advice you're given.

 

[J. Pickard]

I think this is another post where there are two questions. 1) Is this type of training appropriate/useful and is there any feedback that may improve the training we provide? 2) Is the criticism by the customer (the parent) warranted and (whether or not) how do we handle it?

To the training: @Monkey Turned Wolf already covered a lot of what I wanted to say. I think it's a good idea to push people physically, but if people need a break they should be allowed to come back in. Breaks are built into pretty much every workout, whether it's rests between sets of weights or rests between HIIT sprints. In my experience teaching TKD, we would often have students demonstrate the technique one-by-one to give everyone a chance for a quick break, and in BJJ there's often a 1-minute rest between 5-minute rounds. And trust me, we go hard in every one of those training methods.

To the parent: You're simply not going to please everyone. It's useful to listen to the feedback that folks provide. But some people are just never going to be happy. Let me share with you a similar issue I've had with a student in my cardio kickboxing class.

1. I sometimes run the class based on how my Muay Thai instructor used to run Mondays. You repeat a single hand technique or two-technique combo 100x on each side, and then a kick 50x on each side, and then onto the next hand technique, and so on. This student complains, "This is boring, I've done this many years and that many fights, I don't need to do basics..." just grumbling about the workout. I talked with the regulars in the class and they were fine with it. I talked with the previous coach and his attitude was "screw him, if the regulars are happy, you're doing good."
2. The student came up to me a few weeks later and explained himself much better. Because he feels very strong with his hands and he has bad hips, he doesn't like doing kicks over and over again. He prefers to work on kicks intermittently with his punches. I thought about this, and it also made sense because we had a woman with a shoulder injury, another woman with a knee injury, and a kid with a hand injury. It makes sense to mix the combos in each workout so those with an injury don't just sit out for half the class, but instead can take that side easy for each combo.
3. I start trying to include more advanced combos and techniques because this guy didn't like the basics. Every single technique or every single combo I teach him, "Well I wouldn't do it that way, I'd just use the basics I already know."

So you can't please everyone. If you try to, you'll probably end up losing more students who were happy with the way things were before. It's worth listening to the advice of your customers, but it's not worth taking every piece of advice you're given.

Good insight to consider here. Thank you. Just to clarify, almost every class we allow and even schedule breaks. This was a special class that we run every few months where the goal is to find your absolute limit, try one more time, then stop if you cant. It's basically a perseverance/indomitable spirit test for advanced students.

 

[isshinryuronin5 4]

I start trying to include more advanced combos and techniques because this guy didn't like the basics.

This is a common feeling for many students after a few months or couple of years. Some random thoughts on the general (not your case specifically) subject:

Patience is a rare commodity.
To what extent does the student determine the curriculum?
Retention is a consideration in commercial schools.
Most "advanced" technique is built on basic moves.

And my favorite - The most basic single moves can be executed in a very advanced way. The complaining student is one who does not understand this (even those that don't complain).

"Basic" and "advanced" can be ambiguous and misleading concepts. IMO, difficult techniques and complex combinations do not really define "advanced" or ensure success in application. More often than not, what makes a technique advanced are the subtle nuances put into them - some can be taught, others must be self-discovered over many years.

Having said all this, students must be "handled" to a certain extent, for reasons both good for the school business and for the student's advancement in the art. You certainly seem to understand this balancing act. Working to understand the student and sprinkling in some cool challenging stuff is good. Equally important (and more difficult) is getting the student to understand the art. If you can get him to understand and work on doing basic moves in an advanced way it may help keep him from getting bored and seeking mere complexity. Then again, an instructor has to work with what they've got whether it's a gem or a lump of coal, or a gem buried in a lump of coal. Keep up the good work teaching, you'll miss it some day.

 

[drop bear115 54]

Good insight to consider here. Thank you. Just to clarify, almost every class we allow and even schedule breaks. This was a special class that we run every few months where the goal is to find your absolute limit, try one more time, then stop if you cant. It's basically a perseverance/indomitable spirit test for advanced students.

We did one similar. Had those same 16year old kids. Went for 36 hrs.

Log into Facebook

Log into Facebook to start sharing and connecting with your friends, family, and people you know.

www.facebook.com

I think that people reject that because they don’t think they are capable. Or feel frustrated or picked on. Rather than included or inspired.

Or not.

I honestly don't know.

 

[skribs114 134]

Good insight to consider here. Thank you. Just to clarify, almost every class we allow and even schedule breaks. This was a special class that we run every few months where the goal is to find your absolute limit, try one more time, then stop if you cant. It's basically a perseverance/indomitable spirit test for advanced students.

And once you've rested a minute, you shouldn't be at your limit anymore and should be fine to get back.

 

[philwhite44 1]

Just wait till you judge tounaments and a parent yells at you because their kid didn't get the point. Like others have said, you can't please everyone, and if you try to then you'll end up losing everyone.

I do like the idea of letting the others who sit out do something is more appropriate though. They could could do light forms or stretching on the side. If they are just sitting it does seem like a bit of a waste of their time.

 

[Kung Fu Wang115 145]

My main question is, am I in the wrong for running such a physically demanding class and then making students take the time to recover?

Students come to class to learn and go home to train. IMO, to push students too hard in class make no sense.

Some MA class asked students to do push up, sit up, running around room, .... I asked the instructor, "I can do all of these at home. Why do I need to do this in your class?" He then told me, "Most students may come to class to train and go home to rest."

It depends on which kind of students that you want to teach.

 

[HighKick]

Looking for some insight. Sorry for how long this is, but context is important. Today I had another disgruntled parent quit because I made their teenager exercise. Not an exageration. Their email stated, and this a direct quote, "it really seems like class is just a glorified workout using kicks and forms". We are a TKD/karate school so kicking and forms are a big part of it. We make it very clear that fitness to build a strong mind and body is an important aspect of our training. So its not that we were doing exercises unrelated to our training, its that our training itself was exercise. For yesterdays class the last 40 minutes we had a rule that was to push yourself, not pace yourself and to go as long as possible without taking a break. If a student needed a break they didnt need to ask, they just stepped off. It was made clear that if they stepped off the floor because they needed a break, they would not be permitted back on the floor until the end of class for safety reasons, forcing them to take a much needed rehydration break. This isnt a new thing and exception are always made if there is enough time left in class. If every student stops with time left then we do cool downs as a class and end with some stretching (which we had an instructor on hand in the adjacent training foor just for student who needed a break).

Well, with about 10 minutes left of class a 14 year old had to step off. One of our Master instructor was running this section of the class, so I went up to the student that needed a break and commended them on how well they did and that they should be proud of thier perseverance. I then offered them a free gatorade and snack from our "refuel station" and told them to take their time to recover and rehydrate. I reminded them, with only 10 minutes of class left they wouldnt be allowed back into that class for safety reasons and should instead take this time to recover and use the adjacent training floor for cool down exercises and stretching. The mother instead said "we'll just leave since she cant participate anymore" and left without saying a word. Today I woke up to an angry email. The email was about how the class was exercise. The mom was mad that their kid exercised and was made to take appropriate recovery time.

This is a style of class we only run for advanced colored belts and black belts and only about every other month. For our black belts this is barely a workout but to a 3rd gup, like the student in question, it can be a challenge. I am open to insight, criticism, and any general thoughts.

My main question is, am I in the wrong for running such a physically demanding class and then making students take the time to recover?

For clarification, you have regular classes that these students attend AND offer an advanced/competition program that is Fully optional? If so, is this class by invitation only?

Regardless, I suggest you look more into (modern) sports science methods. It sounds like you may be following more of an older military method.
You are wise to offer hydration, but if the person came into class mal-nourished/under-hydrated, they are going to struggle. A source of hydration must always be available to anyone. Period.
May I ask, what is your stated purpose for going balls-out for 40-minutes? What is the intended gain?
IMHO, there are better training methods to extend endurance. And it seldom involves such a steep and intermittent peak. Instead, it takes consistent, smaller but more frequent pulses (like HIIT).

As to people leaving, attrition has always been fairly high in the martial arts. Quite often there is nothing we can do about it since it was of no fault of our own. The person simply decided MA's was not for them. It happens. Don't get caught up in the weeds.
As a school owner, I parse attrition as much as possible to understand what caused the person to leave. For example, if I consistently have a certain age group with the most attrition, I focus on the 'why'. This can be everything from the season, to school starting, to change in format, etc... I go to great lengths when parents are involved to do my best to make them understand that they are giving full responsibility of their child to me while in class, and that the (average) parent will not understand everything they see their kids doing. And that there is a great amount of repetition to the training. In short, I frame it as the 'buy-in'. Oftentimes you get the verbal buy in but know in your heart they aren't really 'all in'. Just part and parcel in the trade.

We have two-three weekly classes for our competition folks. They are 2-hour sessions but never have I had anyone go 40-minutes non-stop at a near full-on intensity. Hell, we never did that in 2-a-day camps in football. This is part of why I suspect you are leaning into a military format. We have guys that are getting ready for an open format 5-round circuit, so we work on the peak AND the valley (ebb & flow) of the entire match. Not to go all in to the point of exhaustion and have no gas left in the tank. It is a better way to condition and extend endurance. These are the Only classes where we do alternative, purely calisthenics drills (ala, non-martial arts movements).

All that said, there is no denying that the old model of teaching only a single style of martial is drastically on the slide. People are just more informed nowadays. Unless your single style is very comprehensive and offers some form of takedowns, rolling, and groundwork it is hard(er) to attract new people. It is why you see fewer and fewer (insert name/style) TKD or Karate, or Isshinryu, etc... schools. Instead, most all are 'hybrid' schools now offering a 'stated' mix of several styles. This really, really puts the onus on instructors to grow and expand their own knowledge base or utilize other means within their business model.
Thankfully, I saw this trend coming and was already in a good position to stay ahead of it. The best way IMHO is to offer classes that are attractive to groups: age range or ability/rank. This way, there is something for 'everyone' while still keeping what we do pure to the style.

I am NOT trying to step on your style or school, just trying to give you some things to think about.

 

[J. Pickard]

Students come to class to learn and go home to train.

I have not found this to be the case for the past 10-15 years. If students, especially teenagers, aren't getting the reps in during class then it isn't happening at all. Home practice is something I highly encourage students to do but it rarely happens. That's why we opened up multiple programs 5 days a week (floating 6th day) to give lots of options. It amazes me how often people will complain that they aren't improving when they only come to class once or twice a month and never practice at home.

 

[J. Pickard]

For clarification, you have regular classes that these students attend AND offer an advanced/competition program that is Fully optional? If so, is this class by invitation only?

This class is part of our black belt prep course. It happens once every 2 months roughly and is only advanced rank students. The first half hour or so we take our time to break down technique. Basically class time, but when this class comes around everyone goes and grabs some water, and when they come back out its go time; Push until you can't push anymore. The confusing part is this is like the 8th class like this the student has been through with no issues, this is the first time the Mom sat in and watched.

May I ask, what is your stated purpose for going balls-out for 40-minutes? What is the intended gain?

It is purely to build perseverance and indomitable spirit. To teach students not to give in to discomfort and to keep going. It's purely mental and not so much to build physical ability. My thought is, what's the point of a strong body if it's supported by a weak mind? They are all made aware that they are not expected to go the entire remainder of the class, but to go as long as possible. Usually we get down to the last person or two with about 10 minutes left so we all cool down together and they like to point out all of the spots of sweat that I get to mop up

I am NOT trying to step on your style or school, just trying to give you some things to think about.

I appreciate the feedback and I am verry open to change for the sake of improvement. All feedback is welcome.

 

[Kung Fu Wang115 145]

I have not found this to be the case for the past 10-15 years. If students, especially teenagers, aren't getting the reps in during class then it isn't happening at all. Home practice is something I highly encourage students to do but it rarely happens. That's why we opened up multiple programs 5 days a week (floating 6th day) to give lots of options. It amazes me how often people will complain that they aren't improving when they only come to class once or twice a month and never practice at home.

Assume you teach a MA form that contains 100 moves. You teach 5 moves each class. You will expect students who will repeat at home so next class you can teach them the next 5 moves. This way, you can finish the whole form after 20 classes. If students don't do their homework, how will you be able to finish teaching your 100 moves form?

This form contains 108 moves. How did ancient people be able to learn this form if they didn't train at home?

 

[skribs114 134]

It is purely to build perseverance and indomitable spirit. To teach students not to give in to discomfort and to keep going. It's purely mental and not so much to build physical ability. My thought is, what's the point of a strong body if it's supported by a weak mind? They are all made aware that they are not expected to go the entire remainder of the class, but to go as long as possible. Usually we get down to the last person or two with about 10 minutes left so we all cool down together and they like to point out all of the spots of sweat that I get to mop up

In my opinion, part of perseverance is coming back when you think you've had enough. Part of what we do in BJJ is learn how to overcome being tired in a fight, find the points you can rest and quickly catch your breath to get back in the game.

 

[HighKick]

This class is part of our black belt prep course. It happens once every 2 months roughly and is only advanced rank students. The first half hour or so we take our time to break down technique. Basically class time, but when this class comes around everyone goes and grabs some water, and when they come back out its go time; Push until you can't push anymore. The confusing part is this is like the 8th class like this the student has been through with no issues, this is the first time the Mom sat in and watched.

It is purely to build perseverance and indomitable spirit. To teach students not to give in to discomfort and to keep going. It's purely mental and not so much to build physical ability. My thought is, what's the point of a strong body if it's supported by a weak mind? They are all made aware that they are not expected to go the entire remainder of the class, but to go as long as possible. Usually we get down to the last person or two with about 10 minutes left so we all cool down together and they like to point out all of the spots of sweat that I get to mop up

I appreciate the feedback and I am verry open to change for the sake of improvement. All feedback is welcome.

Well said and well intentioned.
I do NOT want you to think you Need to change anything based on one person's actions. If your current format has been working for some time, there must be more right than wrong.

I fully subscribe to the triad of mental, physical, and (for us) spiritual aspects of training. Of course, the latter is delicate to say the least, so I will leave it out of the conversation. FWIW, here is a link to our mission efforts World Christian Taekwondo Mission

My only thought is that teaching indomitable spirit to kids is hard(er) and I feel takes longer. And teaching it purely by pushing to physical extremes may not be the best method for kids. There has to be a time for maturation as it is definitely upper-level thinking.
Contrast this mindset with the mindset of a mom with zero MA's experience worrying about 'little Johnny', and some people are just going to balk.

That said, I commend you for having an environment that pushes everyone, even the elite. It is a much-needed aspect of any healthy program. I too often class programs that are 'soft' because they look at the average student and leave little to nothing for exceptional people. I don't know how many times I have said that one of the coolest things about training in the MA's is that it is a personal endeavor we can do in a group setting (paraphrase).

I suppose I question the frequency of the class you mentioned compared to the expectation of the session. Now do you work them up to being able to go for 40-minutes? I understand that this is Not a hard requirement.

Any chance to reach out to the family now that emotions has cooled down and have a more thorough conversation?

 

[Prince_Alarming114 144]

To be honest, I'm just as baffled as you are. Who in their right minds would show up to a dojo and not expect it to be hard work?

 

[Simfers115 22]

You'd be surprised. Seen quite a few people who figure that if technique trumps all, then there's no point to hard physical work, is there?

I remember a pair of teenagers who showed up and did basically no work all class. When asked, after a few weeks of this, why they even showed up if they were gonna do nothing (I was doing the asking and was quite exasperated, so add some more colourful vernacular as appropriate), they said they figured they could just show up and get a black belt in around a year.

I think I may have offended them when I burst out laughing, they stopped coming after that. I was unbothered.

 

[J. Pickard]

Well said and well intentioned.
I do NOT want you to think you Need to change anything based on one person's actions. If your current format has been working for some time, there must be more right than wrong.

I fully subscribe to the triad of mental, physical, and (for us) spiritual aspects of training. Of course, the latter is delicate to say the least, so I will leave it out of the conversation. FWIW, here is a link to our mission efforts World Christian Taekwondo Mission

My only thought is that teaching indomitable spirit to kids is hard(er) and I feel takes longer. And teaching it purely by pushing to physical extremes may not be the best method for kids. There has to be a time for maturation as it is definitely upper-level thinking.
Contrast this mindset with the mindset of a mom with zero MA's experience worrying about 'little Johnny', and some people are just going to balk.

That said, I commend you for having an environment that pushes everyone, even the elite. It is a much-needed aspect of any healthy program. I too often class programs that are 'soft' because they look at the average student and leave little to nothing for exceptional people. I don't know how many times I have said that one of the coolest things about training in the MA's is that it is a personal endeavor we can do in a group setting (paraphrase).

I suppose I question the frequency of the class you mentioned compared to the expectation of the session. Now do you work them up to being able to go for 40-minutes? I understand that this is Not a hard requirement.

Any chance to reach out to the family now that emotions has cooled down and have a more thorough conversation?

All of our advanced rank and black belt classes are pretty physically demanding. The only difference is for this special circumstance we dont take a 30 second break every 10 minutes and i dont want the students to pace themselves just to make it to the end of class.

When I recieved the email I was a bit bagffled by the parent being upset about exercise so I requested to talk in person instead of over email so we can have a constructive conversation. We'll see how it goes.