I mean obviously I would like to say you find a cheerful blonde lady in her mid 50's who teaches online and all will be well, but of course other varieties are out there!
So, you have decided to take up Pilates, or you have relocated or you have decided on a change. Whatever your reason, there is so much choice out there, how do you know where to go for classes and to make sure you will be taken care of?
I am always amused by people who say "Oh I tried Pilates but I didn't like it/found it boring/didn't like the teacher".....if you go for a haircut and you don't like the results, do you just not have your hair cut anymore? No of course not. You ask friends, you look around, you try again... and so the same applies here. If you really don't get on with it, then fair enough but don't give up after one class or one teacher who doesn't suit you.
I would say first of all, be very clear on what it is you want to achieve. Are you attending because you are recovering from an injury and your clinician has told you that Pilates will repair you in order to return to lifting weights/running marathons or whatever? Do you want to go because all the other mums at school are doing it and you don't want to be left out? or is it because you have heard so much about it and understand that it will only enhance your life in so many ways by building strength, mobility. balance, mind body connection and will help you to do all the other things in your life with more efficiency?
For my part, I don't mind if you don't really love Pilates but you understand that it makes such a difference to your cycling or tennis. Great because then you will be committed and work. If you are just tagging on because your neighbour says it is brilliant, then your attitude is going to be different. So as I say, be very clear on what you hope to achieve.
I have only ever once been asked if I am insured and what my qualifications are. Once. In 20 years. Please ask your teacher. Where did they train? How long have they been practising? Are they insured? Are they CIMSPA registered - this is a good source as in order to be registered, you are required to provide evidence of ongoing learning which would be my next question. Never trust a teacher who doesn't "practise what they teach" and are they committed to further learning?
Do you want an instructor or do you want a Teacher? Yes, there is a big difference. If you are looking for a full body workout that looks like Pilates, then you can find many, many instructors. If you want to practise Pilates, you need a Teacher. Someone who understands the Method, the history, has researched and learned about the origins and adaptations and who fully understands what makes Pilates the unique form of exercise it is. Either is fine of course but again, be clear on what you are looking for. An instructor will give you a super class (hopefully) but a Teacher will want you to learn more about your body, how you move, connect to the Mind Body connection and leave the class slightly. more aware of this than when you arrived.
I spent 6 years working as a teacher trainer and through that, have made many friends, learned a lot about people and seen a lot of very successful teachers evolve and grow. There is room for so many different types of people on this earth but for me, someone who turns up late, flustered, with paperwork in chaos and a bag full of excuses is not someone I would choose to have a class with. I would expect my teacher to be clear on what the purpose of the class is going to be, a brief overview of what to expect and an appropriate welcome and intro.
One of my big no no's and something I harped on and on about with my students was "Get off your mat!" - a teacher who doesn't leave their mat is a lazy teacher! I have occasionally been challenged on why I am not doing the class with my participants but if I am, then how on earth can I observe you from different angles, and correct where necessary? While there are music based classes with choreography that need the instructor at the front, leading the class, Pilates is not one of them and if your teacher treats your class as though it is her/his own, look elsewhere.
No-one can know everything and it might be that you need a more specialised teacher - someone who perhaps works more on orthopaedic conditions, or perhaps pre/post natal. Again, ask your teacher and if you have a very particular need, then you are best advised to find someone who is more trained in that area.
Your teacher needs to be able to adapt and modify to be all inclusive. Of course you need to make sure the class is the level best for you which might well mean that you need to go at a different time to your friend or that you can't drop in after work but it will pay off in the end. Either way however, your teacher should be able of offer alternatives for you and break down the moves if required. My own personal take on an advanced class is that you are not required to do all the moves at an advanced level but you have enough knowledge and experience to adapt for yourself without holding up the class.
A good teacher will challenge you and push you but also support and encourage so that you come away feeling you have achieved in some way. Maybe you managed to do 3 reps with both legs in Table top this week or you performed the seated work with your legs straight - a little win from when you started a few weeks ago.
Personally, I do something different in every class and would completely lose the will to live if we had to repeat the same class for 6/8 weeks but I know for some, this works. However if you find you could run the class yourself and are on automatic pilot, then perhaps you are due for a change of teacher.
If you want to chat a lot then you will need a different teacher perhaps from someone who wants to concentrate and focus. If you fancy a workout that is low intensity but are not really bothered about understanding Pilates then perhaps choose a class that is more general as believe me, it can be really challenging to manage a class where everyone is focused in their practise and there are those one or two who are not as considerate about timekeeping and concentration!
Your teacher should be able to give you some time before or after the class for any reasonable enquiry and if they can't answer on the spot, agree a time to follow up. This can be tricky in the larger chain type gyms where classes can be huge but you chose this class, you have paid and you are entitled to be cared for. Talking of huge classes - really not ideal AT ALL but that may be all that is available to you in which case, please make sure that your teacher allows you to move places so you are not in the back corner every week and that he/she is always walking around to see that everyone is working correctly. If you cannot see or hear clearly, please do speak up and ask to be moved.
It is SUCH a personal thing too. You need to feel safe, supported and understood in order to achieve. I also believe you need to have fun! If you don't like me, please find a different teacher who is a better fit. We cannot possibly all like everyone and you will do a lot better if you like and "get" the person teaching you.
This is YOUR class. If your instructor spends more time talking about their domestic problems than teaching, look elsewhere. If they haven't corrected you in any way or given any feedback, look elsewhere. If they are constantly late, distracted by their phone, have obvious class favourites or short change you on time, look elsewhere. If they do not check your physical well-being on a regular basis or adapt for that strain from gardening or that crick in the neck, look elsewhere. If they are reluctant to offer information on insurance, qualifications or training, run elsewhere.
However, if they understand how to best accommodate your level and adapt accordingly, if they have a class prepared and offer support and encouragement and give you time to ask questions and feel a sense of achievement then do please thank them. We work very hard you know!
Next week - what makes a good client... mooowhahahahahah
