“We do not give our bodies the care that our well-being deserves”.
–Joseph Pilates
I fell onto the teaching path unexpectedly and found that there is so much more to it than meets the eye.
It truly has been an amazing journey that keeps unfolding before my eyes every single day. Read on to see for yourself. I’m happy to answer any questions and comments if you are considering taking the plunge into teaching.
Becoming a Pilates Instructor
Setting the Stage
I became a Pilates enthusiast in college. I loved how worked, but relaxed I felt after a hard Pilates class. Then slowly but surely, class after class, I was hooked. Over time, I realized that Pilates works in different ways in my life: it strengthens and lengthens my body, calms me down, and puts me at ease. With new exercise variations, positions, and equipment, it’s constantly challenging and never dull. Perfect for my “type a” personality.
I thought about becoming an instructor while in college. I was already doing Pilates a few days a week, so I thought to myself, “why not get paid while I’m at it?” At that time, I looked at teaching as a part-time thing – something I loved to do and could make a few extra dollars doing while in school. So naïve of me. I was obviously not ready to take on the role of a teacher, nor did I know how much is required to be a truly dedicated and inspired teacher. After debating whether to become Pilates certified, I decided that I couldn’t fit it in with my class schedule. It just wasn’t my time. I told myself that I need to focus on my internships because they were supposed to land me my “real job” after I graduated.
Six years later, I settled into that “real job” . The internships did help and I was growing my career in politics. Pilates never left me – I continued to practice at various studios in town. Over time, I started to realize that my career did not fulfill me. I wanted more. I wanted to give that gift of Pilates to others. I wanted to show people how strong they could be. I wanted to show others that by connecting deeply to their body and practicing Pilates regularly, they can be strong and confident. Pilates became a part of my mission to inspire others to live a healthy, active, and ultimately a fulfilling life. On a personal level, being a teacher is the hardest thing that I have ever embarked upon. It challenges me to uncover the layers of what make me, “me”, so I can draw from that internal place to be the best teacher I can be.
So what did this all mean?
I decided that if you want something, you have to go for it now. No more waiting and making excuses. You never have time for everything, but you have time for the important things.
Working full time as a public policy consultant, I began taking one step at a time toward becoming a Pilates instructor. At that time, I was consistently practicing ONE Pilates and Fitness in Sacramento. I was taking classes with Sabin Morris, an instructor whom I really grown to love. She has also given me wonderful advice throughout the transition process and encouraged me to get my certification. The owner of the studio, Carol Hockridge, has also been very kind throughout the process. With over 20 years of teaching experience under her belt, and an impressive background of fitness, cycling, and Pilates, she gave me advice different programs and was the first one to give me a shot teaching at her studio (more on that later).
Choosing a Path
I started researching Pilates programs and was quickly overwhelmed by the number of choices. First, there is the decision about the type of program. Do I want to teach mat classes? Or do I want to be comprehensively trained? A comprehensive certification allows you to teach mat and equipment classes. In addition to mat, the comprehensive program includes the reformer, trapeze, cadillac or tower, chair, and barrel. The comprehensive program is obviously the most versatile. Some instructor training programs (like the one I chose) have a reformer option as well. In that case, after receiving the mat certificate, you would train to become a reformer instructor without going through the entire comprehensive program. Not all programs will allow you to do that. Midway through the mat program I decided that I would go all the way and become comprehensively trained. Again, I was hooked. All pieces of equipment have something unique to offer.
As far as client preferences go, some people are perfectly content with taking mat classes, some strictly do reformer, and others like to mix it up. The benefit of doing the full program is that you will be able to provide a really rich experience for your client and tailor a program to fit their specific needs. The good thing is that in most cases, you don’t have to decide between mat and comprehensive right away; you can start with the mat classes, and either stop there or continue on with the training. Different programs have different time requirements, but for the most part, the mat training can be completed in a few months, while the comprehensive program can take about a year. The timing will also depend on your schedule and how much time you can commit to it. The bulk of the work includes, practice teaching hours, observation hours, and personal practice hours. Because of my day job, it took close to a year to do all the required work for the comprehensive training. And that’s because I devote most of my spare time to Pilates.
Choosing a Program
Next, it was time to chose a specific certification program. I decided to seek professional opinions. I always like to get opinions from people who have been there and done that. I talked to my Pilates studio owner and a few very knowledgeable and trusted instructors and mentors. These people have years of experience teaching, and have worked with instructors with various certifications. After doing my research and speaking to the pros, there were a few programs that stood out:
Balanced Body
BASI
STOTT
Ron Fletcher
There may be other smaller (and excellent) programs local to your area. These are just some of the big ones in my area. Each program is unique. Each program has its own class structure and requirements. Each program has its own individual style. But not every program is for everyone. What I loved about the Balanced Body Program (the one I ultimately picked) is that it is broken down into modules. Each module includes a weekend of training, coursework, written and practical test. The weekend modules are combination of learning the teaching skills, practice, practice teaching, and a little discussion/lecture. If you’re curious, you can find the specific requirements of my program, here.
The final test consists of a written exam and the observation of a session with a client or a class. Once you have completed all the requirements for your program, you will get a certificate of completion as a Balanced Body (Mat/Reformer/Comprehensive) Instructor. If you want to take your program further and get certified by the Pilates Method Alliance (PMA), the professional association and the only third-party certifying agency for Pilates teachers in the country, you have to complete the comprehensive training.
Whoa! Isn’t that a lot? Yes! But proper training is so important . You have to know what you’re doing when working with people and their bodies. People come in with injuries, tight backs, postural anomalies and you need to know what to do. People do Pilates for many reasons, but as an instructor you have to know how to keep a client safe first and foremost, and then guide people toward where they want to go (if that’s possible). There are no shortcuts to places worth going.
pilatesdigest.com
The Humble Beginnings – Remembering My First Class
My first weekend of training was challenging. I didn’t have any expectations, so I can’t say I was surprised, but I was certainly unprepared. First of all, there were anatomical terms coming at me from every direction. The instructors and owners of the studio where I started my mat training are physical therapists, and were adamant about us knowing exactly which muscles were recruited with every movement. Having no anatomy background, it was difficult. Although not required for mat training (but required for comprehensive training), I was going to take an anatomy class through Balanced Body a few months after the mat training.
Another thing that took me by surprise was how different people are – in their abilities, bodies, and learning styles, and how difficult it is to cater to each person. It was the first time that I had to talk a person through and exercise in a way that they could understand, and really look at the way their body moved. Spot if they are doing something wrong, and then correct them, all the while following a proper exercise sequence. I pride myself on being a multi-tasker (for better or worse), but this was a whole new level of multi-tasking! To be completely honest with you, I walked away from my first class feeling discouraged. I felt like I could do better. My purpose for telling you this is not to scare you, AT ALL. And I don’t want you to be scared. I was too hard on myself, and I don’t want you to be hard on yourself. Yes, I found a million things that I need to do better. But I also decided to cut myself some slack – it was my first time teaching a class, and I was on my way to do something that I loved. Going up in front of the class and teaching takes a lot of courage! Everything else will fall into place.
Then I started to practice. Carol Hockridge, the owner of ONE Pilates gave me a shot. I got a group of people I knew together (friends, co-workers, friends of friends) and anyone else who has either done Pilates or wanted to give it a try. I started practice teaching this group twice a week every week for months. I have no idea what it was like for them (in hindsight, I should have recorded myself), but that’s where the real learning started to take place. I had to learn how to watch people, cue, and bring all the anatomy knowledge together to make it work. After months of training and completing the mat modules, Carol offered me a mat class on the regular studio schedule.
6 Months Later
About 6 months after my first class, I began to see a change. I started teaching a mat class consistently, and began to feel much more comfortable. Of course, the technical skills improved with practice, but there was much more to my personal growth as a teacher – I started to feel confident. I realized that it was not that I discovered new ideas about teaching, but that I tapped into treasure chest of things I already knew.
I continued on with reformer training at a different studio and began to learn how important it is to have mentors and teachers to help you navigate the turbulent waters - people who inspire you and have qualities you admire and respect. It took me a little time to find teachers and mentors that were just that, but once I did, I was so thankful.
I cannot say enough wonderful things about the Skillful Teaching program. The creator of Skillful Teaching, Chantill Lopez, is a mentor of mine and her program is absolutely fabulous. Skillful Teaching helps you uncover what it means to be a teacher for you personally, and produces results for your success as a teacher, studio owner, or independent contractor.
Pick up Chantill’s latest book, Moving Beyond Technique: How To Nurture Your Passion, Master Your Craft, and Create a Thriving Pilates Business, it offers useful and practical tips, advice and guidance. Whether you are a Pilates teacher, yoga teacher or dance, I guarantee it will help you.
Here are some of my favorites.
Resources for Teachers
Favorite Studios and People (for instructor training/workshops)
Pilates Collective, Sebastopol CA
Turning Point Studios, Walnut Creek CA
Evolved Body Studio, Gold River CA
Master Level Balanced Body Instructors
Tom McCook, Center of Balance, Mountain View CA
Websites for Teachers
15 Comments
Thanks for this article. I’ve been contemplating becoming an instructor, but I know it is so different to be a student than to be a teacher. It was great to get some insight on what the first class was like, and it was exactly as I feared! But your article does not discourage me, it just lets me know that I will want to prepare myself with extra knowledge before I go in there!
Have you gone back for comprehensive yet? (Don’t see when this was written)
Thanks again!
Hi Aimee,
Yes, the first class was a bit intimidating, but I think it’s because I was being too hard on myself and wanted everything to be perfect. Which of course never happens, in anything! I wouldn’t be too concerned about preparing yourself by studying, just have an open mind, and remember to be kind and gentle to yourself. I think my circumstance was also a bit unique because I was in a group full of physical therapists, so there was a lot of anatomy right off the bat, but even then, if I just realized that I’m new to this whole thing and it will take some time, I would have handled it a little better. It just takes time and practice. I am now teaching mat and just completed the Reformer modules. I’m planning to start on the rest of the apparatus closer to the end of the year. Right now I’m just getting all of my practice hours for the Reformer. Are you in California? Great to hear from you! Let me know what program you decide to do.
And the beauty about the Pilates work that I discovered is that you are always a student even when you are a teacher
Thanks for your response. I am in Miami, FL. Might I ask you a couple of questions? Your insight would be very helpful to me.
- I read that you had been practice-teaching some mat classes previously…how did you get into that?
- Do you have any suggestions for job hunting? I’ve googled for jobs in my area, but find very few. I know there are a ton of Pilates Studios around, so I’ve got to assume someone is working there, but is there another secret to job hunting in this industry I am not aware of? How did you get started?
- Is it intimidating teaching a class on your own at first? Did you get used to it? Any tips?
Thanks for your insights!
Sure, I just started teaching my friends and acquaintances just to get comfortable teaching. Then a couple more people heard about it. If you don’t have the space to do it at home, you may ask your own Pilates studio if they would let you use their space and get a small group together to practice. Perhaps you can do it in the “off” hours.
As far as job hunting, I agree, it can be hard. I am no pro at this, and looking myself, but I find what helped me is just to get involved in your local Pilates community. Take classes from instructors in your area, attend workshops, and that will get you networking with other instructors and studio owners. A lot of this business is word of mouth. I’ve been doing the same, and really enjoying building relationships with people. You’ll probably find that your local Pilates world is actually much smaller than you thought, and many people know each other, so it helps to be a part of it.
Yes, my first class was intimidating! But it just takes practice. You can start with people you know, just for practice and to get comfortable. The more you do it, the easier it gets. One advice that someone gave me that has been extremely valuable is “teach what you know”. Teaching from where you are, rather than jumping into something you may not be as familiar with will help you build self-confidence.
Also, there is a wonderful blog for teachers that I’d love to share with you. It has been such a wonderful resource to me on this Pilates journey. Check it out: http://www.skillfulteaching.com
I noticed that the link is not working properly at this moment, so if you click and nothing comes up, just try again later. It’s an amazing website.
Hope this helps, Aimee.
Soooo helpful, great advice! Thank you so much! Everyone I’ve talked to in this industry has been incredibly responsive and helpful thus far! Pilates seems like such a respectful world, I am so impressed!
Thanks again!
Hi Maria,
I am from Boston, Mass and have been practicing pilates for the last 7 years. I have always had a passion for, but never thought I could make a profession. Just wanted to let you know that i enjoyed reading your blog. I started in a stott studio and have just recently changed to balanced body. I start my mat 1 certfication mid sept and am really excited. I found your blog after doing a google search between stott and balanced body.
All the best,
Carrie
Hi Carrie. Glad you stopped by! I’m always excited to meet other instructors like yourself. I am so happy with Balanced Body and have been able to connect with some great instructors and master level teachers through the program. I was especially inspired by all the talent at the Pilates on Tour. Good luck with your training!
Thanks Maria!!
All of your insight has helped me so much! I have been contemplating the idea of becoming certified for a long time, the problem is I am only 17 and I don’t think I am eligible yet. Pilates became part of my life at age 13. I was a competitive ballet dancer who traveled all over to preform with companies and participate in summer sessions. All of that dance really took a toll on my body and my injuries started to pile up. However, 2 years ago I underwent severe open knee surgery, which ultimately ended by ballet career. Pilates saved my life and brought me back after I was unable to walk for 13 weeks. It has also given me the ability to dance again, even though it will not be my career, I can still be happy. Now I take classes 3 times a week and I even have my own chair and reformer for those days when I can’t make it to the studio. I desperately want to get certified and I have been saving up for some programs once I settle into my college routines next year. Do you have any suggestions or advice for someone like me? Thanks again!!
Sincerely,
Catherine
Hi Catherine,
Wow, sounds like you’ve been through a lot! So happy that you found Pilates and that it worked for you. I think you will be a wonderful teacher considering your experience as a dancer, and someone who has been through a life-changing injury. You would be able to offer so much to your clients who are going through the same thing because you have been through it before. That’s something you can’t learn, but only get from experience. It sounds like you are certainly on your way – you already love Pilates, practice consistently, and even have equipment at your house. I am not sure whether you have to be of a certain age to start your training, but if I were you I would pick a program (or programs) that you like, and call them to find out. I personally love the Balanced Body program, but there are many others and a few of them are a little more dance-based. They are all different, so I would encourage you to do some research and find a program that you think will work for you, and feel free to ask me any questions you have as you do that. Good luck!
Hi!
Thanks for the helpful post! I am considering becoming a pilates instructor part-time while in graduate school. I’ve enjoyed pilates for many years and also really enjoy teaching! Can you tell me how long to I should expect to be in training before teaching my first class? I think I would take a course that focuses on mat only. I’m also wondering if you know of a course that is well known nation-wide. I live in Oregon but plan to study on the east coast. Lastly, it seems like it would be challenging to land that first job post-training. Any recommendations for that? Maybe teaching a volunteer class for a while to gain some experience?
Oh and one more question – though feel free to skip if you’re not comfortable sharing – I’m wondering what kind of income to expect from teaching part-time. Say, 4-6 a week. Do you know if working for a gym, community center, or other small organization makes much of a difference in the amount paid to teachers.
Thanks very much for any thoughts you may have! I’ve found this site quite helpful already.
Brie
Hi Brie,
Happy to help. The timing really depends on how comprehensively you would like to get trained. If you want to teach mat only, then you are probably looking at a couple of months if you stay at it. The workload includes course work, anatomy, personal sessions, and student teaching hours. For example, the program I went through required 16 hours for Mat 1 and 16 hours of Mat 2, but that’s just the course work. You then have to practice teaching, either with family, friends, but preferably at a studio under the supervision of other teachers just to get some feedback. I know that’s not always an option for everyone (it wasn’t for me), but if you can do it, that would be great. It was a little over 100 hours for work until you can test out and get your certificate of completion. So to answer your question directly, you will be practice teaching right away, but not necessarily be hired as a teacher until you completed all of your student teaching requirements.
I think the key to getting a job right away is starting practicing/student teaching at a studio you go to or know. If that’s not an option, try to land a student teaching job at any other studio or a gym (but you will have to get a separate group exercise certificate to teach at a gym). The more you work with people, the easier it will get to become comfortable teaching.
Balanced Body (my program, and also available on the East Coast): https://www.pilates.com/BBAPP/V/education/education-finder.html
STOTT Pilates is also nation-wide: http://www.merrithew.com/education/wheretotrain
Romana’s Pilates is another one: http://www.romanaspilates.com/aboutus.html
Romana’s Pilates is a classically based training taught by those who learned directly from Joseph Pilates. All 3 have different styles and up to personal preference.
My experience with money is that mat classes are generally going to be bring a very similar hourly rate (whether at a gym or a studio). Some studios do provide a benefit – more people you bring in, the more you get paid. They may give you an hourly rate and then a small bump per class per student once you reach a certain threshold to incentivize you to find clients. But this is rare and not usually the norm form mat classes.
Do you have any DVD suggestions to practice mat classes at home?
Hi Beth,
I like the merrithew.com mat work DVD collection – there you can chose from a variety of workout (props/no props, slower pace, faster pace, and all kinds of variations). If you order from them directly, they are a little slow to ship (unless you are in Canada). I also like Ellie Herman’s DVD’s. You can find those on Amazon. She had a Beginner and Advanced DVD. If you are an instructor or instructor in training, Pilates Anytime is a really great resource as well.
My daughter is considering getting classically trained in Pilates and is being asked to pay $4,500 over one year with 600 hours of training over three modules. It seems well detailed and broken out and her instructor has been doing this for several years and is connected to a respected east coast dance university. It also requires a 9 hour annual re-certification to be done at the original studio. What happens if she moves to the West Coast? Is annual continuing education/re-certification typical and would another studio re-certify her if she could not get back east? It seems like a long and expensive program?
Thanks
Great questions. I can answer the first part of your question with confidence, but since I’m not classically trained myself, I don’t have the expertise about classical training. $4,500 is actually a comparable price-tag for the training. Other training programs end up costing about that much once you add up all the modules. The rigor of the program seems comparable too. Not having completed a classical program myself, but just looking at the required hours, they are close to what I had to do through with Balanced Body for a Comprehensive Program with Anatomy courses. However, my program does not require an annual re-certification, but does require continuing education units.
As far as I know, there are studios on the West Coast that are classically-based. Depending on where your daughter moves, she can find a classical studio here:http://www.romanaspilates.com/FindLocations.html. I’m sure there are other websites, I just came across this one. I’m sure that whatever training program you chose, they would be able to give you more details about re-certifcation and continuing education units.
Overall, Pilates training is expensive, but picking a good program is worth it. There are many possible routes to take. Make sure that you visit with the trainers and explore all your options before making the commitment. The program you are looking at sounds wonderful and rigorous so I wish your daughter all the best.
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