My Journey to Becoming a Pilates Instructor- Here we go!

We are excited to announce that our Fall Body Precision Comprehensive Teacher Training Program at Rivercity Pilates has started!  We are lucky to have one of our current staff members, Abby, participating in the program, and she will be updating us every so often on how it’s going, funny stories, and any struggles or successes that she experiences on her way to becoming a Pilates instructor!

            Hello! My name is Abby, and most of you know me already but I’m going to tell you a little more about myself anyways.  I am 23 years old and born and raised in the Iowa City area.  I went to college at Smith College, in Massachusetts, and have returned to Iowa because you truly can’t get better weather, landscapes, or people anywhere else.

I have just started my Master’s at The University of Iowa in the College of Education and when I graduate I will be licensed to teach Social Studies courses at the high school level.

For funzies, I like to do Pilates (obviously), run, hang out in the garden, and bake.  I also spend way too much time watching Netflix (Madmen is my current obsession), because honestly, what else do college students do?

Why did I decide to do the Pilates Comprehensive Teacher Training Program?

I decided to the teacher training for several reasons: first, I love Pilates. Absolutely adore it. There are very few exercise programs out there that you will be able to do when you’re 20 years old or 90, and this is one of them. After a class, I feel strong, stretched out, relaxed, and at peace with my body, even on those days where I just really wanted to stay in bed (which happens more than I should admit).

Second, the success stories that I see come in the studio door every day are inspiring. Movement is so important for not only our physical health, but also our mental health, and while working here I have been lucky enough to see many women (and men) walk through that door and have less pain, more strength, more mobility, and more happiness every day because of Pilates. And I want to be a part of that.

Finally, this studio is my escape.  Whether I’m taking yoga, Pilates, Barre, working behind the desk, or even just studying, the atmosphere that Carey has created in this studio is addictive.  Bad day? Sad day? Stressful day? Even an awesome day? Walk through this door and you will feel even better.

Ok, so I want to be a Pilates instructor, but why now? One reason.

Why not?

I’ve been in school my whole life, studying and learning is second nature to me, I love it. Yes, I’m in graduate school and will probably have a lot on my plate, but this is different. This is movement. Taking a Pilates class counts as studying (how cool is that?), and it will keep me in shape and happy.

In two or three years I will have to get a “real job”, and we all know that means less hours in the day for yourself. If I insert Pilates into my life now, before the stress, the possible kids/partner, midlife crisis etc. show up, I’ll have better tools to deal with all of that and remain mindful and healthy.

So, here’s my to-do list before the second workshop (end of September):

1.)   Find a practice teaching client (or 2!)

2.)   Start observing classes

3.)   Work on making Pilates a daily occurrence, whether that’s a Reformer class at the studio or a teaser before bed.

Disclaimer:

This whole writing about myself thing is new to me, so if anyone has questions or something they want me to talk about, tell me! I’ll be checking in every few weeks and letting you know how the program is going. So stay tuned!