3 Questions to Ask Before Becoming a Pilates Teacher
Pilates remains one of the top wellness trends worldwide in 2016. With growth expected to continue into 2017 and beyond, has the thought of becoming a Pilates teacher been on your mind? We often hear from students who would love to become instructors, that they feel “too old” or “too out of shape” to become instructors. You don’t have to be the strongest or most skilled student of Pilates to become a great instructor – you need to be passionate and dedicated to teaching others.
Don’t be fooled – this isn’t a quick-fix to a cool and simple career. It takes significant time and dollars committed to education to prepare your skills as a Pilates instructor. If you are serious about this rewarding profession, you will need to invest some time to investigate the wide range of educational associations that exist.
It’s likely that your studio offers instructor training, so if your heart is set on eventually teaching at the studio you currently attend now it’s worth investigating that first. Pilates in Guelph offers instructor teacher training through BODY HARMONICs. Click here or contact us at the studio for more information.
Before you go any further, maybe you’re wondering if Pilates instruction is the right fit for you. There are some questions you should ask yourself – Answer the 3 accompanying questions to decide if teaching Pilates is a good fit for you.
1. Are you a social butterfly?
Good communication is central in any successful Pilates program. Visual, verbal and kinesthetic correspondence occurs between client and educator throughout the class, making Pilates a personal and mindful experience. Additionally, Pilates is extremely physical. Touch if often an important piece of Pilates instruction, and it’s unquestionably a piece of educator training. If you can’t stand the idea of adjusting the posture of a sweat-soaked student, take a break and re-assess.
2. Do you love to teach?
Teaching isn’t the same as doing. Pause for a minute to consider whether you’re only enthusiastic about performing Pilates or you are truly inspired by teaching. Teaching Pilates requires a great deal of empathy and consideration that is centered with others. You may be astounded to discover that a standout amongst the complaints Pilates instructors most often register, is that it becomes elusive to find time to do Pilates for oneself. Becoming a Pilates instructor doesn’t mean you will be working out more.
3. Are you interested in exercise science and excited to learn more?
Be aware that great Pilates teachers also strive to understand the science behind Pilates as an exercise philosophy. When you finish your basic Pilates teacher training, you will be able to continue your studies, specializing in equipment and specialty methods. The best teachers proceed with their own training well into their careers as Pilates instructors. Are you willing to diversify you professional offering and become an expert in the field? The opportunity is there if you grasp it.
Teaching Pilates can be a phenomenally satisfying low maintenance employment path, or a specialized profession for the highly invested individual. Regardless of the fact that some of your responses to the above inquiries may have been just a conditional yes, simply look ahead and look further into the potential outcomes to decide if Pilates teacher training is right for you.
