Pilates Technique Thursday: The Art of Demonstrating – How Much is Too Much?

A teacher observes while the student moves, highlighting the power of stepping back to guide.

One of the most common habits Pilates teachers fall into, especially when teaching group classes, is doing the entire session with the clients. While there is certainly value in demonstrating movements, we need to ask ourselves, is more always better?

The art of demonstration is just that, an art. When used skilfully, it can inspire, clarify, and connect. But when overused, it can dilute the learning experience for the client and compromise the quality of the teaching.

The Purpose of Demonstration

Demonstration serves several key purposes

• Visual clarity Showing a movement can help clients understand its shape and dynamic

• Inspiration A well-executed movement can motivate clients to aim for quality and control

• Correction through contrast Sometimes, showing a common mistake followed by the correct version helps clients understand the difference

But not every exercise needs a live example. Especially in a group class, we want our attention to be on the room, not just the mat.

With Pilates Beginners: Show More, Guide More

New clients or those unfamiliar with your teaching style may need more demonstrations. Showing a movement before they attempt it builds their confidence and ensures better safety. For these clients, it is often helpful to demonstrate once, then walk around and observe. Use this chance to offer hands-on corrections or layered cueing based on what you see.

With Intermediate and Advanced Pilates Clients: Less is More

As your clients progress, the balance should shift. They need to start feeling the work internally rather than mimicking externally. Instead of demonstrating every exercise, give powerful, purposeful verbal cues, what I like to call “power words”. These are short, meaningful phrases that highlight

• Where to focus

• What to feel

• Why the movement matters

Rather than demonstrating again, say“Think of lifting the ribs away from the hips”“Connect through the inner thighs and lift from the centre”

These types of phrases deepen the work and reinforce the method.

The Pitfall of ‘Doing the Class’ with Them

When you stay on the mat the whole time, your voice can fade, your vision is limited, and you risk losing connection with individuals in the room. Walking around not only improves your visibility as a teacher, it also allows clients to take ownership of their practice. Remember, your job is to teach the class, not do the class.

Demonstration in Pilates Personal Training

In one to one sessions, it is even more important to avoid doing too much. Set the movement, observe, correct, and cue. If needed, demonstrate, but do not take over the session. Allow the client to discover the movement in their own body. This fosters independence and better long-term results.

Final Thought

Demonstration is a powerful tool, but like all tools, it should be used wisely. Give clients what they need to understand and feel the movement, then step back and let them own it. That is when true learning happens.