My success…I have a new career… in pilates!

After more than 40 years of working and juggling a family I finally really retired about two years ago. I found that having time to read, golf and attend endless luncheons and coffees wasn’t really for me. I was BORED and spending much too much time on the computer.

I have always been an active person working out and walking and taking Pilates classes at the Fitness Center, but it wasn’t enough. My Pilates instructor here in North Carolina suggested I join her Mat Training class….and I did! I am more than 30 years older than the other 5 students and I am still struggling with “the teaser’ and open leg rocker, BUT I am motivated and I love it!

I am practicing almost daily, reading books, attending classes at various clubs and viewing tapes to develop a Senior Pilates class. This past Thursday I taught a practice session for 4 friends and they seemed to really like it– so much so that they have asked me to teach every Thursday, and next week, I have 7 students signed up including two men! In January, I am starting a Monday Senior class at NC Pilates in Durham and will be subbing at the Senior Center and a nearby gym. I have a new career starting and I haven’t even finished my certification.

Thanks Leslie for introducing me to Pilates.

Adrienne Braverman (Mom)

Job shadowing a pilates instructor

This was emailed to us, but we thought others might be interested!

My name is Hannah Walker and I’m a high school Junior interested in talking with you about teaching, your training, and your experiences owning a studio, to find out a little more about working as a Pilates instructor.

I am planning on coming to your studio for my Pilates certification and would like to learn more about your instructors as well as your thoughts on the STOTT PILATES method versus other teaching styles.

A little background about myself. I was a serious ballet dancer from age 4 until 15 and discovered Pilates through my dance studios. I stopped dancing ballet but have enjoyed taking some modern classes since then and I still continue with Pilates at Pilates Plus Northwest as well as Gyrotonic and Gyrokinesis at Center Gyrotonic. My objective is to obtain my Pilates certification before I graduate high school, and eventually obtain my Gyrotonic and Gyrokinesis certifications as well.

I know you are very busy, and don’t always have the time to meet with people. I thought that perhaps it would be more convenient if I emailed you some of my questions, and you can get back to me at your leisure.

Hi Hannah:

Actually, I didn’t choose STOTT PILATES, it chose me, and I am feel very fortunate about that. I decided to begin taking pilates classes after acquiring a dance injury (a stress fracture to my left tibia) that wouldn’t heal. It is a long story, but, in essence, I ended up missing nearly a year of my dance career while I was at Oregon Ballet Theatre. During that time, one of my co-workers (another dancer) suggested that I go with her to do pilates. The instructor had also been a dancer and she was a certified STOTT PILATES Instructor Trainer. Well, I had studied pilates in New York City many years before, so this particular style was unfamiliar to me, but as soon as we started going to classes, I fell in love it. I especially liked how anatomically- based it was. My teacher had been educated to work with injuries, and she worked very specifically with me on my imbalances and weaknesses; I began to realize that many of which may have instigated my injury. After I finally returned to dancing after being off for months, I was shocked at the amount of strength and over-all control I had gained. Even my co-workers were amazed.

It is difficult to find positions available that offer full-time work and benefits for pilates teaching only. Typically, in the United States, pilates instructors are self-employed. Nevertheless, those jobs do exist. At large gyms, clubs or resorts, you can find salaried or set hourly positions like this. Sometimes workers have multiple roles to acquire this employee status. For example, you may be a pilates instructor at a large gym and also do personal training or administrative work. At any rate, I think one of the benefits of pilates is that it can be taught in your own home. Because the equipment and initial investment is relatively low, compared to many start up businesses, a certified instructor can do really well. Also, many studios rent space and equipment to certified pilates instructors to run their own business within.

Depending on where you live, pilates can be very competitive or relatively unknown. Certainly, it is more popular than ten years ago, but that can also work to a new instructors advantage; the public does not need to be educated about what pilates is or its benefits like teachers had to do a decade ago. I think an instructor that is considering a career in pilates should do some homework about the region that they intend to work in prior to acquiring their certification. He or she should look seriously that the region’s demographics and if it can support a teacher. Also, I have seen excellent pilates teachers thrive in areas that are not typically supportive of a business like pilates, but because of the individual’s personality, talents and skills as a teacher he or she excels anyway.

Income varies widely depending on the region in which you live. An instructor that I know in Los Angeles makes over $80,000 per year. She doesn’t work at a studio but instead has built a business catering to the affluent people in that region. She requires her students to purchase STOTT PILATES equipment, and she teaches them in their homes. She is an excellent instructor and uses word-of-mouth referrals to gain new students.

I am not sure that this same kind of business could thrive in a city the size of Portland. There are people in this city with this same level of affluence, but compared to population there are fewer. Also, the Portland mind-set is completely different than L.A.

In a city like Portland, an excellent, hard-working, full time teacher (30-35 hours per week) can probably earn about $45,000-$60,000 per year, depending on their circumstances (if they are a business owner and how many hours they work.)

I think an Exercise Science Degree could be helpful to someone interested in pursuing a career in pilates. In fact, I have met many college students getting a degree in Exercise Science or Physical Therapy pursue the pilates training as a means to be employed while in school. Because of the ability to have a flexible schedule and be self-employed as a pilates instructor, it is a great job option that is complementary to their academic pursuits.
Business courses are definitely helpful to individuals considering opening a studio.

Yes, word-of-mouth referrals are the primary way that we acquire new students. Initially, when we opened our studio, we had to invest money into print advertising, conventions, and offer ongoing specials and discounts etc. After about four years in business, we found that most of our clients were finding us through referrals and on the internet. After seven years, we discontinued all of our print advertising. Having excellent instructors and keeping our clientele happy has been the best way to build loyalty and a consistently positive reputation in our area.

Thanks, again, Hannah, for contacting us. I wish you the best of luck, and I look forward to meeting you one day.

Thanks much,
Leslie

Growing a Pilates Instructor

We just finished an Intensive Mat Plus course at the studio this weekend. I love teaching the mat courses as this is usually (along with our Functional Anatomy Course) the first course that students take. They are often equal parts nervous and equal parts excited to start the training and I love watching them settle in and start the growing process.

The first step to becoming a pilates instructor is to take classes and private sessions (as many of the latter as you can afford!) Pilates is such a challenging system of exercises and techniques (See Leslie’s great article on Pila-tease!) that it is best learned one-on-one whenever possible. The subtle corrections that an excellent instructor will provide will give a new student the foundation to become an excellent instructor themselves.

Of course, becoming a certified STOTT  PILATES® teacher is only the first step to growing into an excellent instructor. Teaching pilates is  a constant challenge and an ongoing learning experience. I consider that one of the great gifts of being a pilates instructor. I will always be learning. I will always be improving my skills. I will always be wanting to know more.

It’s sometimes hard to let a class go. They are like my little pilates chicks that I am pushing out of the roost to test their wings. I know they have the skills and the knowledge, but I still feel protective of them. The nice thing about this process though is that they almost always come back to visit. Whether they are taking another course or a workshop or preparing for their exams, I am always delighted to see how much they have grown. It takes a long time to grow a pilates teacher, but every step in the process is a joy.

IMP group Feb. 7, 2009

A slice of pilates heaven in Puyallup, Washington

Just spent the weekend in Puyallup, Washington (just outside Tacoma) teaching a STOTT PILATES level one Barrels Module at lovely Studio Malulani www.studiomalulani.com

Because of the flooding on I-5, I had to fly to Seattle and then drive south to the studio. Of course, the second I arrived, all signs of stress disappeared as I was warmly received by Johnette Schiesz, the owner of Studio Malulani, a STOTT PILATES instructor and Reiki practitioner. The studio is like a slice of pilates heaven.

The girls learned all the essential and intermediate level one barrel work this weekend, and they did beautifully. Each year, Studio Malulani hosts Pacific NW Pilates to teach one or two courses or workshops. In fact, the studio has already trained about ten students to become STOTT PILATES instructors. This spring Melanie will be going there in July to teach the STOTT PILATES Injuries and Special Populations course- I’m jealous!