Tag Archive for: Pilates instructor training iowa

Why Pilates instructors should touch their clients…

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IMG_6734As a Pilates instructor I use touch on a daily basis as a way to help clients move better, learn new movements and to just remind them what muscles to use or not use.  I do it so often that I usually don’t even think about it.

I had a moment the other day ago that reminded me how simply powerful touch can be.  Ironically this moment happened in the middle of an instructor training workshop day where I  had just been talking to new trainees about using touch as cueing in their Pilates teaching!

My moment started with an unexpected problem with a class that was supposed to be happening at the studio during the same time period I was teaching a workshop in our instructor training program.  We had clients waiting for class but no instructor.  As a studio owner I can tell you that sometimes this happens.  I can also tell you that the perfectionist in me hates it when my business comes across as unprofessional, and we don’t deliver to our clients the best experience possible.  As soon as I realized the problem I went to work on trying to solve it in the most appropriate way possible, checking in with another instructor to sub, apologizing to the clients and trying to make everything right.

Somewhere in the middle of that one of my clients who was taking the workshop came over and simply put her hand on my shoulder.  I obviously wasn’t hiding my frustration of the moment! For that 2 seconds that she did that I could feel my shoulders relax, I had an immediate sense of awareness of my stress level and was able to take a second or two and remind myself that it was really no big deal. Nobody was hurt, everyone was being very understanding and it was simply a mistake that we would get through.  All that from a simple touch.

CareyteachingWhen I’m teaching new Pilates instructors I see and feel their fear of touching someone that maybe they don’t know quite that well.  We spend a fair amount of time going over appropriate cues, asking permission and how to cue so it doesn’t feel awkward.  I encourage them to practice with their practice teaching clients so they get comfortable with touch because so many times it is the most effective cue and is far more effective than just using your words.  When done properly it can put someone at ease, help them engage the correct muscles and make the exercise more effective for them.

Click here to learn more about Pilates instructor training programs at Rivercity Pilates!

 

 

I just don’t know enough about Pilates to teach!

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I clearly remember my mentor telling me when I went through my original Pilates instructor training program:

IMG_2738“If clients do the Pilates work on a regular basis they will get results and as a teacher its OK if you can’t explain every detail of that transformation!”

As a new instructor this is a wonderful thing to hear!   It means that even if I don’t teach it perfectly, even if I mess up every once in a while and even if I can’t answer every anatomy question my client asks me – it will still work!  As long as I keep people safe and keep them motivated to keep doing the Pilates work they will get results.  At the time I’m not sure if I wholeheartedly believed this – but I wanted to so I always kept it in my mind to trust the Pilates process and the genius of the work Joseph Pilates created.

Joseph H. Pilates said,” In 10 sessions you’ll feel a difference, in 20 sessions you’ll see a difference and in 30 you’ll be on your way to a whole new body.”

Again, Joe knew that if people just committed to a regular practice of his method they would see results.  After teaching for 15 years I can tell you there could be nothing more true!  As an instructor I see it over and over again.  When I notice big changes in my clients movements and their bodies I often double check their chart to count how many sessions they have gotten in and what do you know…it is usually somewhere around 30 when those big changes happen!

As a Pilates instructor you are always a student of the Pilates Method and the learning process is never ending.  For me that is something that I love about my career as an instructor.  I think its an important reminder for Pilates instructors where ever they are in their teaching journey to trust the process.  Teach the best class or session you can, get people excited about their Pilates practice and trust that you are making a difference every time you teach!!

Check out our Pilates instructor training programs at Rivercity Pilates and learn more about mentoring with me during your Pilates journey!

Carey

@careysadler

 

 

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

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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!

 

73759_1522883310332_2105133_n(1)            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!