Blog
September 11, 2023
Are any of these statements true for you?
Have you ever found yourself feeling unsure about the deeper meaning behind the Pilates work? As if there are some big secrets that no one has ever shared with you? If so, you are not alone. Many Pilates teachers have experienced this same sentiment, craving a deeper understanding of the work they offer to their clients.
You know there is still so much more to learn, but you're not quite sure about what to do next. The constant pursuit of knowledge and growth is a characteristic that great teachers have in common. Feeling curious and eager to discover more about the thought process behind super-effective Pilates sessions is okay.
Attending workshops and gathering information is a great way to expand your knowledge, but it can be difficult to incorporate all that you've learned in a way that feels right to you. It's important not to get discouraged. Many teachers have faced similar challenges and have found ways to integrate new information into their teaching practice effectively.
One common fear that many Pilates teachers face is the fear of judgment. Teaching is a vulnerable profession, and it's natural to feel worried about how you teach and what you teach. However, it's important to remember that true growth comes from stepping out of your comfort zone and embracing the possibility of making mistakes. Great teachers not only face their fears but also do it anyway.
Feedback is crucial for any teacher or practitioner to grow and improve. It's disheartening when you've not received feedback on your effectiveness since your training. You're left wondering if you're on the right track or if there are areas that need improvement. Remember that you are not alone in this journey. Seeking feedback from mentors, peers, or even your students can provide valuable insights into your teaching and help you identify areas for growth.
Feeling lonely and burned out from teaching is a common phenomenon. The responsibility of being a Pilates teacher can sometimes be overwhelming, and it's important to prioritize your own well-being and personal development. Great teachers understand the importance of self-awareness, self-care, and continuous personal growth.
Now, let's talk about the next steps you can take as a Pilates teacher to find clarity and further your career. It's time to refocus your Pilates career and prioritize your personal development. This means setting aside dedicated time to reflect on your teaching values, your ideal as a teacher, and your vision for growth. Consider using a self-assessment tool to identify your strengths and weaknesses as a teacher. This will help you better understand where you need assistance and guidance to overcome your blind spots.
One of the ways to accelerate your growth as a Pilates teacher is by finding a mentor. Many times, people confuse the role of a mentor with that of a teacher trainer. While a teacher trainer focuses on imparting knowledge and skills specific to Pilates instruction, a mentor goes beyond that. A mentor guides and supports you in the technical aspects of teaching and your personal and professional development. They help you move towards your goals, beyond trends, towards clarity, and ultimately inspire and empower you to become the best version of yourself.
So, if you're still wondering if a Pilates mentorship is the right step for you, consider how it can benefit you in moving towards your goals, giving you clarity, and guiding you into the future. Embrace the idea of lifelong learning and self-improvement to ensure that you continue to develop as a Pilates teacher.
Remember, you are not alone in this journey. Many great teachers have faced similar challenges and have found their way toward clarity, growth, and fulfillment in their careers. Take the next step, prioritize your personal development, and embrace the support and guidance that is available to you. Your journey as a Pilates teacher is just beginning, and endless possibilities await you.
Filed under: Business Matters,Lifestyle Matters
February 22, 2023
MAT CLASS fundraiser!
March 19 @ 4 PM EST
Since the early 1990's, even as the Pilates field has expanded and grown, our ability to reach back into our collective history has been stymied by Sean Gallagher and Richtone. Joe Pilates was far ahead of his time, and there is still much to discover about his method and insights. This is why it is so important that our community retain access to historical documents. Moreover, as Pilates practitioners, we must preserve our right to refer to the founder of the Pilates Method, not just in words, but in images.
We need your help! Come together to help affirm in a court of law that Sean Gallagher and Richtone have no rightful claim to own the visual materials depicting Joe and/or Clara Pilates and/or reference Pilates exercises.
We have a unique moment right now to defend our history. In 2000, our community united to defend the word Pilates for all of us to use- and we won! Help us finish this fight!
Contributions Welcome!
https://progressivebodyworks.podia.com/pilates-transparency-project-fund-raiser
Filed under: Business Matters,Lifestyle Matters
October 16, 2022
Over the years, I’ve come to appreciate Pilates as a lifestyle choice providing an opportunity to meet ourselves in the moment and reconnect with our inner energy, life force, and commitment to well-being. And I find it difficult to explain or describe what it is and how it feels. So I hope this article captures the feeling and gives some thoughts on leading our students into a space where they can feel likewise.
Here’s a simplified way I have found helpful to break it down. Start with the groundwork by building our sessions from a simple foundation - the A, B, and C’s of all good movement: Alignment, Breathing, and Conscious Awareness (movement with purpose). Then weave these qualities into each session with a balance of fun, humor, and discipline. I like to view Pilates as recreation or “re-creation.” A time to re-create ourselves and get a break from the routine stressors of our lives, and I firmly believe that it’s through re-creation that we keep our inner spark alive. I also like to capitalize on spontaneous moments that might trigger a laugh, a flash of inspiration, or an ah-ha experience and not let those moments whoosh away.
Regardless of your teaching experience or background, helping others keep their S.P.A.R.K. alive and thriving attracts them back to you and their Pilates. Because at the end of the day, we can’t really “teach” anyone Pilates; we can only guide them to finding it (and the rest of the goodies that come with it) for themselves. And once they “get” it, they’re usually hooked for life. So here’s what S.P.A.R.K. means to me.
S: Self-discovery (being inspired, taking risks, trying new things)
P: Passion (igniting the imagination, awakening the senses)
A: Accountability (taking responsibility for one’s health in body, mind & spirit)
R: Recreate (keeping fitness fun, fulfilling, and playful)
K: Karma (keeping ourselves fit and healthy to have more to give back to our family, friends, community, and work)
Did you know that our clients perceive only 7 percent of our actual words, and the remaining communication comes from our tone of voice and body language? You can see how vital is our non-verbal communication! Our body language, facial expression, and intention, all offered with positive cueing, being in the present moment, and capitalizing on opportunities can turn an everyday moment into a magic moment. Hold the possibility open for clients to do their best each day, to reach just a little further than they thought they could. Hold the belief that they can do it and never allow negativity, self-doubt, or the word “can’t” to be part of the experience.
Come with me on this mini ski experience…..imagine we’re skiing down a mountain in a ski lesson. We both agree that our goal is to go down to the bottom, right? It’s certainly logical, and our ski teacher explains that we must lean into the place we’re going (which is down the mountain) and not lean away from where we want to go. Yet it can be scary to lean down the hill; it feels counter-intuitive. It requires us to trust ourselves, our equipment, and our teacher and often take the risk to try something new and different. It’s not that we don’t want to; it’s just that our minds can get in the way. We might feel fearful of the unknown, yet it’s hard for us to understand that on the other side of fear is, well… often nothing horrible, maybe something extraordinary. It is about our mindset. So actually, the most valuable real estate in the world is the 6 inches between our ears! We aren’t our worst enemy; we are our only enemy; far too often, we are hard on ourselves. When we recognize this is true for most people, we can be that cheerful voice for our clients until they adopt that positivity and own it for themselves.
Supportive and encouraging words go far in creating a bond with our students. Be that person. Step into the shoes that set you apart. Be clear and confident in expressing how Pilates feels in your body and about the positive experience, feeling, and result we experience. Be in the moment, be present enough to check in with the individual or class, and regroup when needed to pull it back together. From time to time, we all need to be pulled back to our center, our midline, our rhythm, and flow, so we aren’t flailing about but in dynamic flow….in freedom of movement, with the musicality of the movement, without fighting the apparatus or gravity. Being in the life flow, rhythm, and breath is exhilarating and powerful, and it’s here for all of us. And the best part about our relationship with Pilates is that it can always grow, expand and deepen. I hope your Pilates journey reveals the wonders of the work to you.
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August 10, 2022
Get your NPCP CECs..... relax and learn at your own pace!
Evolving Pilates Perspectives
These three workshops are collectively called Evolving Pilates Perspectives. Watch all three, take the assessment, and submit to the email on the assessment form to receive 14 NPCP CEC's. Each workshop is broken down into 2-hour sessions to make viewing easier.
The topics include:
1. The Lost Art of Sitting, Standing, and Squatting
2. Right Rhythms as Game Changers
3. Tech Neck Rescue
Learn More!
Filed under: Business Matters,Movement Matters
February 27, 2022
Pilates teachers, what's next for you on your Pilates teaching journey? Are you cultivating YOU? Is it your time to get re-inspired? What are the questions you should be asking yourself that you didn't know you should be asking? Get a front-row seat to see what Elevate Pilates mentorship looks like in action! Be assured it is like no other program offered anywhere.
Come and join us for a free group chat, SO NOW WHAT? if you are wondering what your next step might be on your Pilates journey. Are you curious about what a Pilates mentor experience is all about? Join Clare and the Elevate mentor team to get a taste of what it's all about. It's free but you need to register. Register today for SO NOW WHAT?
When: Friday, March 4th and March 18th at 4:00 PM EST.
Where: Zoom (It's free, but registration is required to get the code)
Filed under: Business Matters,Movement Matters
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