Many of my students that go through Pilates teacher training finish their courses and get started practicing. Then they realize that they learned so much that they don't know where to begin. So when teacher in training Mary Cobb came to me with suggestion for how she organized her study time, I had to share it with all of you!
You’ve completed your first Pilates teacher training course. Hurrah!
My first course was with STOTT PILATES® on the reformer. Now that my in-course hours are done, I need to also complete additional self-guided study. For my program I need to complete 40 hours of physical review, 25 hours of practice teaching, and 10 hours of observation. Gulp!
You’ve just done a ton of work learning new vocabulary, anatomy, and over 100 pilates reformer exercises - not to mention navigating your way through breath patterns. It can feel like a lot of information, but these practice hours will help solidify all the new concepts you learned in class.
Remember, teaching is an opportunity to practice what you've been studying!
Always introduce yourself to each new client and learn your client's names.
This personalizes the experience and allows you to give targeted cueing.
Make sure you are aware of any injuries and offer modifications where you can.
Write out your programming before class.
Include your warm up and 18 reformer exercises. You will probably only get through half but this way you are over prepared.
The warm up should last about 5-10minutes. Warms ups on the mat first are a great way to begin. Keep in mind that clients who signed up for a reformer class usually want to get on the reformer as soon as possible.
Writing out a script for each exercise is a really helpful way to make sure you're covering the 5 Basic Principles.
This will help you memorize the 5 Basic Principles and find a way to apply them to each exercise. This will also help you from sounding too clinical the first time you teach.
Always ask for permission before giving a client a tactile cue. Some folks just don't like being touched.
Play around with imagery and find a few ways to visually describe what you are looking for in an exercise.
What makes perfect sense to one client, may not click with another. Some clients may like the anatomical cues, but others may understand an imagery cue better - i.e. squeezing a blueberry between the scapula during retraction.
Focus on using short, simple language to get the initial movement of the exercise out.
As your clients continue with reps of the exercise, add in information about the movement such as; where the movement is initiated, whether to square off shoulders and hips, imagery to encourage abdominal engagement, and what the breaths for that exercise should be. By layering the information, you're giving yourself time to make each point.
Make sure you tell people about when and where you're teaching next.
Social media is a great way to market yourself and let friends, family and future clients know what you're up to. This will help you build a client base. For example, record yourself doing an exercise and post it online with some tips on movement and information about how to take a class with you.
Remember, you’re learning as you go. It will only get easier from here.
I come from an acting background, so my biggest tip is to convey confidence. Even if you don't feel confident in getting the words out yet, act like you do. Just think to yourself, 'What would a Pilates instructor do?'
If you behave like a pilates instructor, people will treat you like one.
After all, if it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck....
Good luck in your teaching!
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