
When we talk about being a Pilates method teacher, we're stepping into a role that goes beyond simply directing exercises. It’s not just about movement; it’s about educating, inspiring, and guiding clients to connect with the underlying principles of the Pilates method. This is what sets us apart from someone teaching a general fitness Pilates class.
What Defines a Method Teacher?
Teaching Beyond Exercise
A method teacher introduces clients to the concepts and principles behind every movement. These principles, control, centring, concentration, breath, flow, and precision, are the foundation of the Pilates method. They aren't just abstract ideas but are present in every cue, adjustment, and explanation we provide.
Balance in Communication
About 50% of what you say should be directional: guiding clients on how to execute movements with clarity and precision.
The other 50% is about education, helping clients understand why they are doing the movements. This involves explaining:
The benefits of each exercise.
How it applies to their posture, alignment, or strength.
How the Pilates principles enhance their practice.
Using Visualisations
A method teacher uses imagery and visualisation to help clients embody the movements. For example:
Asking clients to imagine their spine as a string of pearls being lifted one by one.
Encouraging them to feel their body "gliding through water" to promote fluidity.
Encouraging Connection
Pilates is a mind-body discipline. As method teachers, we’re guiding clients not just to move, but to connect their breath with movement, to be present in their bodies, and to carry these principles into their daily lives.
Fitness Pilates vs. Method Teaching
A fitness Pilates teacher might focus on delivering a workout, leading clients through exercises to increase their heart rate or target specific muscle groups. There’s value in this, but it’s different from method teaching, where the emphasis is on educating the client in the method as a whole. It’s not just what you do, but how and why you do it.
The Role of a Method Teacher
You’re a guide: leading clients on a journey to improve their movement patterns and overall understanding of their body.
You’re an educator: offering insight into how the principles of Pilates benefit their health and well-being.
You’re a communicator: balancing directional cues with meaningful explanations to create a transformative experience.
By integrating these elements into your teaching, you embody the essence of the Pilates method. This is what makes the difference between leading a class and truly teaching Pilates.
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