I’m a Pilates Teacher. Nothing else. Just Pilates. Until the Corona Virus outbreak in NYC I’ve taken lessons religiously for two decades. I’ve taught over 1000 hours of education (someone’s counting – not me). I’ve written and conducted continuing education for archival programs and special cases. I’ve watched students become good teachers and then great teachers.
First, you cannot learn to teach online but you can be a student and learn about Pilates. I know you’re all anxious to take advantage of the C-19 Virus and get your certifications but there is absolutely no substitute for real hands on teaching. Even if you get certified right now, once someone is there in front of you, I wonder how easy it will be to teach them properly. I can bet it will be extremely difficult. That’s ok. It’s takes patience and time.
Second, being #PilatesStrong#RocPilates means you must do more than Pilates. Check out some stolen goods on the floor next to me. Weights and Kettle Bells. There’s no cheating when it comes to physical fitness, no cheating when it comes to Pilates as a client, and no cheating to become a competent student or teacher.
In every archival photograph of their NYC studio Joseph and Clara Pilates were there with their clients, day in and day out. Not one of the Elders learned Pilates on their own. Not one of the 1st Generation Master Trainers learned Pilates on their own. I did not learn Pilates on my own and my Pilates Family far and wide from Italy to Seoul worked hard and did not do it on their own.
Don’t buy the hype. Don’t believe the advertisements. Pilates cannot be exploited. If you work with real teachers who’ve taught real people in person, you’re in good hands. If you take Pilates online with someone who just became certified, you might get benefits as a client in the short term but the long term?
Stay true to the method. Honor people and their bodies. Now is a terrific time to learn from absolutely divine teachers online who never would make themselves available unless you traveled to work with them at their studio in person. I can give you a long list of these absolutely brilliant teachers but I hope you find just one good solid teacher and don’t cheat. Don’t do it on your own. Work at your craft and one day you can be proud of your accomplishments.
Please share your story with me via email, on Facebook or some other way. Let me know about your journey, your training so your passion, years and sweat you put into your craft are acknowledged.