Tag Archive for: Pilates Cedar Rapids Iowa

What kinds of skills does a Pilates teacher need?

One of the things I love about teaching Pilates is all of the different roles I get to play as a teacher. The Pilates Method and movement itself has so much depth and is so individualized to unique bodies that you really need to incorporate a wide variety of skills to effectively teach clients.  Here’s a quick list I made of some of the many things I get to do on a daily basis:

  • Teach people how to connect and integrate movement and breath in their body
  • Instruct how to move (do this, do 5 more…) My job is to not only teach them how to do a movement but also guide them through a workout, instruct them on how many to do and at what pace.
  • Planner–  I watch clients’ movement, assess their needs and plan their next movement/exercise and their next sessions.  This is a constant process going on.
  • Problem Solver:  As a teacher I am constantly looking at clients bodies trying to figure out how to help them to create balance in their musculature, balance in their movements and keep progressing in their practice.   This means I am always trying to figure out the best way to teach them an exercise that will help find that balance in their body.  If something doesn’t feel right in their body I help them troubleshoot what might need to be adjusted and how we can individualize the exercise to them.
  • Motivational and inspirational coach: Keep them excited, accomplished and moving forward….  This is probably one of the most important roles I play. Because let’s face it…if someone hates what they are doing, they are feeling like that can’t do it, or just plain are not motivated…they are not going to make a practice of Pilates….and without them showing up I have no work to do!

 

Share and Win!

Book-15As an instructor, I am inspired by my clients every day.   Every day I work with amazing clients who have used Pilates to keep their bodies and souls strong so that they can live their lives to the fullest.  There is nothing I love more than when a client comes in and tells me little things about how their Pilates practice has infiltrated into their life.

Things like:

  • I walked around the zoo with my grandkids without pain!
  • I can bend over and touch the floor!
  • I just realized I haven’t had back pain in months!
  • I found myself thinking about my posture in the car!

I could go on and on, but what I want to do today is to ask you about you Pilates story!  We want to know what Pilates has done in your life so we can celebrate and share your story with others.  We’re pretty passionate about sharing Pilates with the world and we know there is nothing more inspiring than hearing from people just like you who have used Pilates to make changes in their life.

Have you told your Pilates story-Do you have a Pilates story?    Will you share it?   You can send via email or just bring it in on a piece of paper and we’ll type it in!  It can be as short as a few sentences or as long as 3-4 paragraphs.      We’d love to hear from you!     Share your story and be entered to in a free private Pilates session!  Entries must be received by September 5 to be eligible for the drawing!

My Favorite things Mat Workout!

When it comes to Pilates exercises I think most people would admit that they have some favorites and they have some that they would skip if they had the option.  Today’s Mat Workout sequence is all my favorites.  Just like Oprah had her favorite things I have my favorite Pilates exercises!  And even though I often practice all of the Pilates Mat exercises, there are many days when I just want to be able to do the exercises I like…so I do!! Enjoy!

Nine things to look for when researching Pilates Teacher Training Programs

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pilates ttIf you want to become a Pilates instructor, you know how overwhelming it can be when you start looking at all of the different instructor training programs out there. Learning to instruct the Pilates method is a journey and it is important to find a training program that will best fit your needs and life. We encourage you to do your research and look at three or four different programs to find the best fit for you! Here are some tips to think about:

1. Get to know the instructors who will be teaching the training program and the instructors at the studio where you will be training. You are going to spend a lot of your time at workshops, taking lessons, and observing. Make sure that you enjoy the instructors’ teaching and are comfortable in the studio where you will be doing your training.

2. Many programs have a mentoring portion of their program. This simply means a particular person will guide you throughout the process. Your mentor will be there to answer questions and check in periodically on your progress. Ask who your mentor will be, how you can contact this person, and what the mentoring portion of the program entails.

3. Talk to other instructors who have completed the program. Firsthand experience is priceless and talking to instructors who have gone through the program will give you a good feel for what to expect.

4. Know what the program prerequisites are. Some programs require that you be at a certain level in your own Pilates practice before starting the program, while others may require previous movement or teaching experience.

5. Learn how many hours are required to complete the program. Depending on the type of program you are doing, you will be required to log in your hours and complete them in a timely fashion. Figure out how many hours you will need to dedicate to your training weekly and make sure this is reasonable and that you are able to schedule these hours. Many programs have a time limit. Ask how long you have to complete the program and what happens if you do not complete it in that time frame. If not completed within a certain time frame you may need to retake workshops or pay an extra fee to extend your time to finish the program.

6. Ask about the program costs. Be very specific and make sure you know what is included in the program price and what is not included. Sometimes training manuals and books are included in the pricing, but often times they are not. Ask if any of the required lessons are included in the price and if not, whether there are discounts on sessions while in the program. Some programs will include the use of the studio for your practice teaching in the program price, while others may charge you to use their space and equipment. Are tests included in the program price or will you have to pay extra?

7. If you are interested in teaching at the studio you will train at, be sure to ask about apprentice teaching opportunities as well as future employment opportunities after you finish your training. Many studios offer apprentice teaching positions. This is a great way to gain experience, get your required hours in, and make a little money to offset your costs.

8. Many Pilates programs offer a Certificate of Completion instead of a Certificate of Certification. The Pilates Method Alliance (PMA) has encouraged training programs to do this in order to encourage instructors to take the Pilates Method Alliance international professional exam, and as a way to create an international standard of Pilates instruction. Different studios, gyms, and fitness centers have different requirements for their Pilates instructors. If you are planning on teaching in a particular setting it, make sure you know which education requirements are necessary.

9. Most Pilates programs require some sort of continuing education to keep their certificate of completion current, and PMA certified instructors must complete sixteen hours every two years. Ask about continuing education requirements and inquire about continuing education opportunities offered at the training studio.

Butt-watching at Pilates?

IMG_6675Today’s blog starts with a client story…. A client was doing her her long stretch on the reformer and I cued her to reach through her left heel more and engage her left butt. She adjusted and then when she transitioned to the next exercise (Down Stretch) and was getting set up I said the cue again as I could see that she wasn’t engaging her left gluteus muscles and I wanted her to find the balanced work in this exercise. She laughs and says,”Really? How can you tell that? Are you looking at my butt?” My answer was,”Yes, of course I am. I’m looking at muscle engagement in your whole body as you are are moving which includes your butt!”

After teaching movement for 16 years sometimes I forget that not everybody looks at bodies like I do. Part of teaching the Pilates method of exercise is helping clients figure out what it means to create balance in their body and do balanced movements. By giving cues and instruction to clients on how to work more efficiently and more balanced you help them figure out how to notice and adjust in their own body without you always having to tell them.

If you are contemplating wanting to teach Pilates and this concept seems foreign or maybe complicated…..don’t worry you’ll learn how to do it!  When you go through workshops we’ll look at different bodies doing different exercises and talk about what we see and how we could help that person do the exercise better in their body. You’ll learn about what to look for and really how to become an observer of movement and muscle engagement. As you integrate your own personal practice time, with observation hours and practice teaching hours you’ll have plenty of chances to look at bodies and figure out how to hone this skill of observing and then cueing to create balance! I promise by the end of the program you won’t think twice about looking at someone’s butt while they are moving!!

SHhhhh…….I have a Pilates training secret…

IMG_3316I have a secret that you may not know if you don’t know me that well. If you are a regular client of mine you may have figured this out already. I think it’s OK and actually encourage my clients to not always give 100% in their workouts!!

Let me explain. First let me just say that I know how challenging Pilates can be. When you are giving 100% and paying attention to every little detail of your alignment, engaging your core and staying balanced….it can be intense! When I’m teaching you and you’re giving it everything …I can feel that work! If you work with me on a regular basis you know there are times I’ll “ask” for that effort more often than not and you always do your best.

BUT…if you work with me on a regular basis you’ll also find there are times when I specifically don’t ask for it. There are days when I really believe that the most important thing you did for yourself that day was to show up! Not because I don’t think that you can do the work, but because I truly believe that not every movement experience needs to be an all out 110% effort kind of movement session to be an effective part of your movement practice.  There are some days when a little extra stretching and breath work will allow you to reconnect with your body, de-stress and just plain feel better than if we did your most challenging Pilates Mat workout. (And even if you are not working at 110%…I guarantee you are still working! You are still strengthening, gaining flexibility and working on maintaining a strong balanced body!)

When I say some days, I’m talking about the days when it would have been so much easier just to shut the alarm clock off and go back to sleep instead of coming to the studio, the days when you had a really stressful day at work and would much rather have a glass of wine than go to your Pilates session, or maybe the day when you are feeling a little sore and would love to just take another few days off. Even on those days I truly believe that doing something movement wise (even if it’s at 75% instead of 100%) will make you feel better and keep you and your body much happier in the long run!

2exerciseAs an instructor I really try check in with my clients and tailor their workouts to what their body and their life needs on any given day. You might wonder does this mean clients aren’t getting the most out of their workouts? Absolutely not! The way I see it, by tailoring workouts to the person(and their life on any given day) I’m encouraging clients to show up more often, listen to their body more often and create a more regular movement practice in their life.  I call it balance!

Life is about balance and that includes your movement and workout sessions. I hope that next time you’re considering skipping your movement time you’ll think about this and maybe decide to just do something….. Listen to your body, move it in a way that feels good to you and be proud of yourself for making movement a part of your life!!