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
