Life as a Pilates teacher
can be challenging. Not quite the “wafting about” experience people might think (an earlier blog!) but physically demanding, emotionally testing and sometimes very isolating. Talking “at” people for hours a day is not the same as “chatting with” and burnout is something we can frequently experience if we are not careful.
With the advent of social media, now we have a huge other world of demand that we feel we ought to be meeting in order to keep up and be current. Along the way, ironically the thing that we can see fall by the wayside is our own practise: the last thing we should allow.
“Never trust a teacher who doesn't do their own practise”
I regularly attend workshops, events and retreats for my own personal development in many ways. I love learning and am always trying to hoover up as much as I can, but also to be around my peers and feel a connection. I don’t teach in a studio so spend a lot of time on my own for work, which although convenient is not always constructive and I get so much from being around fellow teachers. The energy, comparing experiences, getting new ideas and receiving and offering support. There is generally an equal mix of “OHMYGOD ME TOO!!” Versus “OHMYGOD WHY HAVE I NEVER thought of that before?” which is reassuring and reaffirming.
However, what sort of teacher would I be if I didn’t work on my own practise? Demo’ing in front of a class is not the same thing as for this, I am moving in a way to best describe what I would like to see from my group whereas my own practise is about doing what I need for me and to work on my own imbalances, weaknesses and areas that need attention.
That is why when I go on a teaching event with Michael and Malcolm, I can sit back and fully immerse. I have been learning from my mentors for so many years, I have been with them to Crete, Athens, London, Devon, Scotland this August, (I had to cancel LA - still can’t bring myself to talk about that! Knee surgery. Let’s move on) and I have had the pleasure of getting to know them very well and love how they teach and the knowledge, experience (and great stories) they bring. In addition to teaching all over the world, Michael wrote all the original L3 Pilates teaching material that all the UK teaching schools have gone on to use and he and Malcolm are absolutely passionate about The Method so the work we do never deviates. While you know I love a bit of a funk and a mash up, I am, behind it all, a Pilates nerd and trust and believe totally in the origins and thinking of Pilates's work and to that end, love a deep dive into total purist practise with two supremely knowledgeable teachers.
One of the things that makes Michael and Malcolm so special is how generous they are with their time. I have been on retreats and workshops where the teacher is just a little "too important" and unavailable, choosing, away from classes, to separate themselves from their paying students and clients as though they are on a higher plane of some sort. I absolutely kid you not. M&M are totally available to help, support, advise and teach no matter when. Such is their love and passion for their work. A love I really share. If you are totally passionate about and fully believe in your craft, you just want to share and promote it to let others have the experience.
Something that brings me huge pride and satisfaction is when one of my class members tells me that they trust me and my knowledge and feel safe in my hands. That is something I value enormously but likewise is how I feel when I am working with M&M. Two very different teaching styles, different approaches but a feeling of being in a safe space. I love being pulled to pieces and put back together again, to help me focus on the many, many areas I need to work on! I trust totally what I am told and what I need to change or work on.
Likewise, it is a space for me to question things, to seek a deeper understanding of or revisit something that I have not fully understood and totally trust in the guidance and opinions offered. During our week in Crete, we had up to 6 classes a day and it is full immersion in “The Method” - no funk or deviation here!
Well, I say that… this last week, we had the pleasure of some “break out” classes where we took part in dance. Now, I use the word dance and indeed I use the word “we” but in the royal sense as this individual, dear reader was as close to dance as a 3 legged, arthritic donkey. I jigged and jogged about at the back and even treated everyone to my singing from time to time but it is fair to say that what I was doing was nowhere near the beautifully choreographed moves in front of me. However, the music was superb ( we had a Burlesque class and a Showtunes class) and it was FUN! Just when we thought we were too exhausted to move, off we went, straddled over a chair, taking off our top hat or sashaying around the room, swinging our hips. It was hilarious and when we were treated to a disco dance class with my friend and fellow teacher Nicola and Gang nam came on, this shy and retiring individual elbowed her way front and centre and whap, whapped in her own style, doing her best!
We also had the privilege of two classes of Wu style Tai Chi with Jonathan (the same who kindly gave us a Teatime talk last year and hosts the History of Joseph Pilates FB page) who trained directly with the Wu family so we really were working with second generation. It was fascinating, not least to see some subtle cross over with Pilates principles and to learn about the history of the art from a superb teacher. Such a treat.
Not for the faint of heart was the 6am sunrise swim (not as chilly as we feared but ugly beach shoes are a must) followed by the 7am walk. Would I really even be me if I didnt have a dog rescue mission (on the last day - dog safely returned home) before a day of Pilates classes (don’t worry - still had time to read 2 books, get in a daily snooze and pick up a decent tan!).
I return home exhausted but at the same time, re energised, motivated, inspired and having reconnected with old friends, while making some new.
So you can rest assured that for me, ongoing learning is essential. Adding in a beautiful venue, sunshine and great company is a bonus but if you don’t work on your own practise, how can you progress?
The more we learn, the more we realise how little we know.
And finally.....
I totally respect people's life choices and situations beyond our control. Ill health and accident can fell the best of us. However I continue to say over and over "It is attitude not age".
Never use age as an excuse.
I am just reminded of this as I have just shared a post on the gram of Daphne Belt (British) who started doing triathlons in her 50's as she was fed up being a photographer and supporter for her triathlete husband. She has lost count of how many half Ironman's she has done, (you know, like you do?!), but has now done SEVENTEEN FULL IRON MAN TRIATHLONS and is just off to another FULL ironman. How old you ask? 86..... EIGHTY SIX. I think the best bit is her husband, (same age, still competing) is her coach and packs all her kit for her and makes sure she always has everything she needs.
We don't need to do an Ironman Triathlon but perhaps the next time someone tries to say they won't try that new sport/hobby/activity because of their age, they might consider that if they really want to, stop making excuses and start taking action? It's not age holding us back - it's attitude.
A little post I saw this week -
If everyone in the world wrote down their problems and put them in a hat, would you risk grabbing one or keep hold of yours?
Maybe we need to consider this more often,
Have a great weekend and remember to check your inbox - once I have established the situation chez Scilly, I hope to run a class or 2.
Jx
