Becoming a More Confident Pilates Teacher

Whether you’re a new or experienced Pilates instructor, becoming a more confident Pilates teacher will be something you’re always going to be working on. I’ve been teaching for twenty-ish years now and feel very confident in my knowledge and ability to share it – yet I’m still learning and tweaking my own skills. 

Over the past few years, I’ve expanded into teaching new Pilates teachers and leading workshops focused on specific areas of Pilates. This has required a new level of building confidence, too. As I’ve been testing some of the teacher trainees, I’ve been thinking about the phases of becoming a more confident Pilates teacher. From knowledge to practice to continued learning, it really is an ongoing process. 

Build Your Knowledge

The first step in becoming a confident Pilates teacher is, well, learning Pilates! New teacher trainees most likely have been practicing Pilates for a while. They probably know the main exercises, how to set up some apparatuses properly, and do their own matwork at home. As a student teacher, however, there is a lot more to learn than that.

There are the basics of movement and anatomy, industry protocols, safety, certification requirements, and aspects of running a Pilates business. Then, of course, there are the exercises. With over 500 exercises in the Classical system of Pilates, there is a lot to take in. Tied to the exercises is how to teach them. It’s important to understand how to safely introduce the exercises to clients, what modifications they may need, and what other exercises they may need to help them build up to others. 

For instance, the teaser on the long box on the reformer is a very challenging exercise. Most clients will have to work up to accomplishing it. This means preparing them by getting them solid with the hundred, teaser prep, teaser on the cadillac, pull up on the chair, and so on. With time, practice teaching, and through your own Pilates practice, you will better understand how the different apparatuses and exercises support others. 

Yes, this takes time! But all of these things will contribute to your understanding of the method and help you on your way to becoming a more confident Pilates teacher. 

Teaching Takes Practice

A new Pilates teacher will have had some “teaching practice” as part of their training, but teaching your own client or class is a whole new experience. You are the expert now, with people looking to you for direction. And yes, you are going to make mistakes. I remember feeling stressed about the springs and the order of exercises, and I felt bad if I messed up. It turns out that most people don’t really notice or get upset by these things. For all they know, you could have just decided to do things differently that day. And if they do notice? We’re all human, and mistakes are how we learn. 

Becoming a more confident Pilates teacher will come with time. You’ll find your groove and your teaching style will evolve. I’m a much different teacher now than I was ten, fifteen, and twenty years ago. I recall in the beginning, I felt like I had to teach every aspect of every exercise. Soon, I started to see my clients remembering on their own, so I could do less explaining.  Teaching them the names of the exercises was key, as it gave them confidence in what they were doing, and it freed me up to give more cues and tips to improve their practice.

Keep Learning

A big part of becoming a more confident Pilates teacher is to keep learning. I attended a class for Pilates teachers every week for years, and I went to the PMA conference for many years, as well. In the beginning, I attended conferences, sessions, and workshops that sounded interesting. I still learn things when I attend these types of things, but now I know better who I want to learn from. 

Whether it’s through attending events like those above or simply dropping into a new Pilates studio, being taught Pilates helps you to teach Pilates. You don’t need to chase every certification, just keep learning. I started with my mat certification, later did my full comprehensive training, and then seventeen years later, I did a Classical progressions program. The more you learn and expand yourself, the more confident you’ll feel with your teaching.