These Pilates Teachers Better Understand Their Clients' Challenges and Can Confidently Help Them Feel Better
“I understand how to break down exercises and how to progress or regress them for individual clients!”
I've been a member of Pilates Encyclopedia now for 5 years already. I first joined during my teacher training. I'm now qualified to teach all apparatus but at the moment I only teach mat to small groups. The membership has taught me several very important things. First, no question is too dumb. As a result, I ask a lot of questions of Mara and I don't feel dumb doing it. 😆 (2) I understand how to break down exercises and (3) how to progress or regress exercises, depending on my need. Last, but not least, I've learned that I don't have to know it all to be a good and enthusiastic Pilates instructor.
During my Pilates teaching career so far I've learned that there is just sooooooo much to learn. That's why my advice to a new teacher is to take it slow, give yourself time to learn and be prepared to make mistakes. Not all clients will like you or what you want to teach them. Be prepared to keep learning. Your business might not succeed at first. That's okay. You may just have to do it another way.
Conella Slater
New South Wales (Australia)
“I have much greater awareness of anatomy and my cueing has improved so much!”
I've been a member of Pilates Encyclopedia now for more than one and a half years. My confidence has increased dramatically during this time, because I know where the movement begins and ends to benefit from the particular exercise. I have much greater awareness of anatomy and my cueing has improved so much!! One of the biggest lessons I've learned is that I must take time for my own practice. My tip for other Pilates teachers is to stay curious! Learn to understand the why and what behind each movement and share this information - through touch & reminders. Your clients want to know how the exercises will help them move better in their everyday lives. They’ll keep coming back.
Vikki Hooks-Bell
Club Pilates
Newport News, VA (USA)
“My clients benefit from Pilates Encyclopedia as much as I do. I would be lost without it!”
I teach small group classes of up to 4 participants, which include Reformer/Springboard (aka Tower), Open Studio (thanks to Mara's support and inspiration), Private and Duet sessions.
I have been a member ever since Mara started Pilates Encyclopedia. Prior to that Mara mentored and coached me while I was planning the opening of my studio and then she guided me as I encountered clients with issues that left me baffled.
I have the member library bookmarked on my desktop and use it almost every day. It is, by far, the most valuable online resource I subscribe to (and I have a lot of subscriptions!)
Many of my clients have several injuries or ailments that used to make me feel like planning a balanced program was impossible. The Special Populations section is the best place to visit for this - I can feel confident that the exercises I provide are both safe and effective.
The exercise lists with suggested cues, regressions and progressions help me to plan classes and private sessions. My work notebook is full of the class plans I printed from the platform. In short, my clients benefit from Pilates Encyclopedia as much as I do. I would be lost without it!
I have also worked 1:1 with Mara. That support has helped me work through the very unique business and teaching challenges that come with being a small studio.
My advice to other Pilates teachers is to trust yourself when it comes to making business decisions. That way, if things don't turn out the way you had hoped, you won't have to wish you had listened to your own instincts. And when things turn out better than you had hoped for, you can take the credit for it!
Resist the urge to feel as if you have to be a Pilates Guru. You will encounter clients who have extensive experience with different types of Pilates.
Continue to learn and experience many different types of Pilates as it is helpful to have some basic knowledge of methods new clients are trained in. This used to intimidate me but I now approach these situations with curiosity and openness.
I have learned that I can still support a client who works in a style very different than mine, and that I can learn a lot in the process. Experienced clients are often very proud of their Pilates accomplishments, are eager to share what they know, and are grateful for your respect of their work.
Stephanie Singer
Uniquity Pilates
New London, NH (USA)
Website
"I now know exactly how to plan for my client, without going beyond my scope."
“I've just been reading your Scoliosis info in detail on Pilates Encyclopedia, and I was compelled to say thanks! So useful to know exactly how to plan for my client, without going beyond my scope. She comes tomorrow for her 2nd session and I now feel competent with what to instruct. Without your website, I would have been doing guesswork and scrambling around on the internet for an age!"
Kate Cunningham
United Kingdom
"The membership clarified the confusion I faced in my practice and self-mastery."
"I joined Pilates Encyclopedia because despite the level of detail in my teacher training, I felt I still didn't understand some basics and I got frustrated at the deliverance of material.
When I stumbled onto Pilates Encyclopedia, I found the information easily accessible, concise, and to the point, which helps clarify the confusion I faced in my practice and self-mastery."
Elle Lee
Australia
"Breaking down the exercise and thinking about it in more depth is hugely beneficial to me!"
"I was watching one of your videos on a busy bus earlier. It made me break down the exercise and think about it in more depth which is hugely beneficial to me! It's so lovely to feel welcomed to ask questions!!!"
Natasha Haresign
United Kingdom
"My Clients Find a Deeper Connection In Their Bodies."
"I first found Pilates Encyclopedia during my Polestar comprehensive training. I really resonated with Mara’s teaching style, extensive knowledge, and variations on exercises. Once I signed up I was hooked! There is so much information here including cueing, equipment setup, benefits of the exercise, regressions and progressions, related exercises, and sequencing. The site is perfect for me (a beginner Pilates instructor) to dive deeper into the exercises which helps me for the classes I teach. So happy I stumbled upon Pilates Encyclopedia! Thank you, Mara!"
Angela Horswill (US)
“I have such a huge appreciation for the Pilates Encyclopedia. When I was just a student of Pilates, I thought it was a good idea, but being a teacher-in-training now, I feel like it's essential to put this information out there. There are so many times I need an answer to a teaching question and the encyclopedia tells me the information I need so simply and clearly!”
Kristi Paciello (US)
"I am so happy I found Pilates Encyclopedia. I learn so much and I can integrate your input into my style of teaching much more effectively than just doing a class on Pilates Anytime, where you tend to copy something, but often feel it’s not really yourself."
Theres Hergott (Austria)
"The Special Populations chapter is very useful for giving me new ideas or confirming I am on the right track if I have someone who has a specific goal or injury."
"I use the Encyclopedia regularly and love the cueing lessons. The videos with their very detailed explanations are great for covering everything you need to know about each exercise. I like the variations to expand the ones I use already. The special populations chapter is very useful for giving me new ideas or confirming I am on the right track if I have someone who has a specific goal or injury."
Wendy Galbraith
Lake Hood Pilates (New Zealand)
"It's a one stop shop for all things Pilates."
"New content posted regularly."
"very friendly. passionate. informative."
"The information you provide is critical for understanding the method and being able to teach it to help others improve their movements."
"Pilates Encyclopedia has everything you need. Whether you're a new instructor, or a seasoned instructor who is teaching 20+ classes a week. Any questions I have, this is where I turn first."
"When you're working alone, it's nice to have help!"
"Because it has everything I need in one location and covers almost every piece of equipment and manufacturer!"
"I love the content and how content is always being added and improved upon. Mara is great about going into the details of the why’s and how’s of doing things!"
"The content is invaluable to supplementing my original pilates training and continuing education."
"Excellent resource for Pilates exercises and teacher learning."
"It is an amazing resource for Pilates instructors who need guidance on special populations, exercises etc."
"I've really enjoyed and continue to enjoy Pilates Encyclopedia. So much information. When my brain is feeling foggy, I know I can reach for this and make sure I'm on track with my cues, ideas, self work and teaching."
"I like being able to look up an exercise to review and refresh before teaching, to study while I'm away from my studio, and for the teaching tips."
"I love how each exercise is talked about in great detail, I like the Focus of the Week. There is great value here."
"Great content overall. I can locate specific information when I need clarification."
"It’s easy to search for what I’m looking for and then there’s so much information! I really appreciate how well organized the site is!"
"Great information that will help our clients."
"Truly an encyclopedia - you can look up what you don’t know!"
"It’s a great resource of information & you are extremely personable and a great realistic mentor… even if we only know you online."
"It’s a great reference point. I use it when I get stuck with clients who find an exercise tricky. I actually use your site more for learning than Pilates Anytime. I do love your site. Thank you for what you do."
"It is amazing! I’ve just passed my mat exam and PE is my go to for all information and questions. It is an invaluable resource to carry on learning and new instructors like me. Thank you."
"I really appreciate the guidance on special populations and I also like the sequences."
"I can access everything I need in one spot. [I appreciate the] Personal attention and the ability to ask questions and receive answers in a safe environment."
"Pilates Encyclopedia is the most accurate and complete source of knowledge on the Pilates method that I am aware of so far. I truly appreciate all of Mara's efforts to keep up and provide us with every new information."
Pilates Teachers Are Better Prepared For Their Everyday Teaching Challenges
Cherie
"I find the website extremely helpful. I became a Pilates teacher just 3 years ago, so I still have times where I feel completely overwhelmed by getting it right. Your website helps ease that sense and is a fantastic tool to continue my learning and development."
Tana
"I found all the information in the career advice section very helpful for me. It actually showed me the way to think about these things."
Anonymous
"This site is amazing. I am a student instructor and the information, videos, cueing, progressions, regressions have been so helpful in my learning. I love that there are templates, breakdown of exercises by program and there is just so much more. I recommend this site to everyone, students and instructors. I love the daily tips, conversations, questions and have found this site such an additional benefit to my learning. Thank you so much for such an amazing learning tool! I plan to keep my subscription long into my pilates career. Thank you so much and look forward to everything you have to teach and bring to us!!"