As Pilates instructors, we want to give our clients our very best. We want to provide them with creative, supportive, and challenging classes that keep them motivated and inspired. But how do you do that? How do we continue to grow and evolve as instructors? Here are some tips that I’ve found helpful on my journey as a Pilates instructor:

1. Keep learning:

Once you’re qualified as a Pilates instructor, there is still more to learn and discover. I recommend completing further training and attending workshops on topics you’re interested in. I’ve been very lucky at PPF to get in-house training in Barre, Jump-board, and Reformer Stretch. This means I’m able to teach a variety of classes, which has been very fulfilling and has helped me grow as an instructor.

I’ve also attended workshops with allied health professionals on a range of topics, including pre- and post-natal Pilates, hypermobility, prolapse, and post-hysterectomy. These workshops have helped me better understand my clients’ experiences and have equipped me with the knowledge and skills to assist clients with different abilities and injuries.

2. Stay inspired:

There are so many Pilates resources out there, especially online. And whilst I don’t blindly follow things I see on social media, there are so many instructors out there who are happy to share their ideas and experiences with you. So, if you see something that looks fun online, try it. See if it works for you, consider if it will work for your clients, and try incorporating it into one of your classes.

There are also many community groups on Facebook that you can join. I’m a member of a few of them, and they are a great place to learn from others and ask any questions you may have. PPF also has a Facebook group for Pilates instructors where we share our favourite exercises, post different flows, and answer questions you may have.

3. Attend other instructors’ classes:

We can learn a lot from each other, so it’s a good idea to attend other instructors’ classes. It’s an opportunity to learn new exercises, flows, and different ways to cue exercises. I do this weekly and have gained a lot of knowledge from my fellow instructors. I have learnt different ways to instruct my classes, including verbal and tactile cues. So many times, I’ve had an “aha moment” in another instructor’s class when they’ve used an effective cue I’d never thought of before, and it resonates with me. I then use it in my own classes, and I see how much it benefits my clients.

4. Continue your own practice:

By keeping up your own practice, you will know how an exercise feels, and this is invaluable to your instruction. I won’t ever teach an exercise I haven’t done myself because I need to understand how it feels for my clients and whether it will work within the class I’ve planned.

I know it’s not always easy getting to a class, but there are affordable online classes you can do at home. My go-to is PPF’s online studio because it always has new content, but there are many options out there, so find some you like and make time for your own practice.

5. Take time to program your classes:

I’ve always been a planner. I write lists, plan out emails before I write them, I even wrote out an extensive plan for this blog. I just love planning things! And my classes are no exception. But my process is quite simple. I usually start by identifying what my focus will be for the class. Maybe it’s a prop like the circle, or it’s working on mobility, or maybe it’s having a seamless flow where clients don’t have to change their springs. Then, once I’ve identified the focus, I sit on my mat or reformer, and I go through different exercises and see how they work together. And my class builds from there. I write it down and take it into the studio when I teach. I feel way more confident walking into class knowing I’ve got something I can refer to. And because I’ve planned it and done it myself, I’m able to instruct more clearly, and my clients can feel confident that I know what I’m doing.

Planning your classes also means that you don’t have to think on your feet as much, and you can be more creative. Now, there have been times where I’ve had to last-minute cover a class and I don’t have anything prepared. At those times, I go back to the fundamentals, and there is nothing wrong with the fundamentals. However, being able to add a new exercise or flow to your plan is a great way to challenge your clients and challenge yourself. Just think, every time you teach something new, you’re adding to your repertoire as an instructor.

6. Don’t take on too much:

We’ve all been there. Saying “yes” to every class offered to us, especially when we are starting out. But it’s important to set boundaries for yourself so you don’t burn out. Avoid taking on so many classes that you lose the love of programming. Make sure you have time to attend classes yourself. And remember, you need downtime away from work and away from Pilates to recharge and keep your passion for Pilates alive.

7. Be open to feedback:

At the end of each of my classes, I always invite clients to provide me with feedback because I want to know what did or didn’t work for them. And whilst this can be daunting, it’s helpful. Any feedback I receive informs my future classes and has helped me develop a great rapport with my clients. It’s also wonderful if you can work at a studio where management takes the time to provide you with regular feedback.

8. View your clients as your teachers:

I was a teacher before I was a Pilates instructor, and when I first started, I would sometimes get frustrated when my students wouldn’t understand me. But it wasn’t their fault. People learn and process information in different ways, so it’s up to you as an instructor to accommodate that. Learn from your clients. If they don’t understand something you’ve said, think of another way to say it. If half the class is doing something different to what you cued, think of how you could have explained it more clearly. Since I adopted this way of thinking, I’ve come up with some creative, albeit sometimes strange, ways to cue my classes.

9. Be patient with yourself:

Finally, your learning will never end. The longer you instruct, the more you will learn and grow. So be patient with yourself and stay open to new ideas and information.

‍

If you are interested in learning more about becoming an instructor then check out Paige's Pilates Instructor Journey and 7 Reasons to Become a Pilates Instructor.