Over the past five weeks, I have been involved in the apprenticeship program for aspiring teachers at Pacific NW Pilates. Saying that I learned a lot would be an understatement. The experience of working directly with clients on a one on one and group basis was priceless, and my only regret was that the program was not every day of the week. Jean Leavenworth, one of the instructor trainers at Pacific NW Pilates, was on watch at all times to be the eyes, ears, and hands of knowledge. Her many years of experience were the major piece of the puzzle that was missing from my practice teaching at home and at the homes of my friends and family.

The program involved a one- hour “Quickstart” session in which five fresh participants came to learn the basics of STOTT PILATES. The majority of these clients had no experience in Pilates and, being able to watch them progress from learning how to breathe to moving through the side leg series with ease, was such a joy. There was a definite feeling of pride surrounding myself and the other two apprentice teachers as we assisted Jean in teaching this class. It is hard not to smile when you watch someone finally able to stabilize their spine in imprint and perform an open chain movement with their legs. That sense of control and confidence reminded me of the day that I finally felt new things in my own body; it still excites me to think about it.

The second part of the program consisted of a one- hour private session with clients of several different ability levels. This was where Cheri, Kate, and I took the reigns and guided each of our clients through a series of workouts that we put together on our own. We were given their history and the level that they had achieved so far and we were challenged to push them to new heights in their workouts. Each of the three clients brought something exciting and challenging for us to work with. One client was extremely controlled and very focused on improving her already strong core. Another client was brand new to the studio and brought the challenge of teaching the basic principles in different ways that she might be able to understand it in her own body. The third client brought a wonderful sense of fun and energy to every day we spent with her, as well as the challenge of working with someone living with Muscular Dystrophy.

I could not praise this program enough for what it has given me. I have reached a new found confidence level in my skills as a teacher. If I wasn’t in love with Pilates before, I know that I am now and that I would never be able to turn my back on it. Like many people, I struggled with depression for several years and had lost touch with my previously fine- tuned dancer body. Rediscovering Pilates at Pacific NW Pilates has changed my world and my outlook on life. The teachers that I have had the privilege of working with have all been so wonderful and given me so much.

I would recommend the Pacific NW Pilates Apprenticeship Program to every aspiring teacher. It took my awkward cueing and low self confidence completely away and helped me to break out of my shell. Although I will be moving soon to San Luis Obispo in beautiful, sunny California, I will always consider Pacific NW Pilates a home of mine and a place where I will always come back to learn more. I have also made the promise to myself to always be a student. I learn new ways to control my muscles using my mind every day and I could not do that without the time and energy I have devoted to studying the material I have learned at Pacific NW Pilates.

Thank you so much to everyone who has been a part of this first phase of my Pilates journey.