Whether it’s a phrase you say or one you have heard in class.
I recently heard “fight for it” when I was in a class during one of the really challenging parts and I really liked that one. I also love the classic “yes you can”
I’d love to hear some phrases you use or have heard in your classes!
Hello! I am a new teacher and my goal is to be able to teach a full mat class with no props. I like to teach more classical leaning but I feel like I keep running through my class plans so quickly that in the end I am throwing in some ring work to make up time. I am by no means a prop hater and I do like to use them in class but I would like some no prop classes.
Where I find the most difficulty is that for some of the mat exercises my clients (usually first timers) have a hard time doing like roll over and honestly even roll ups and teaser, so I tend to stay away from more intermediate or advanced mat exercises but then that cuts down what I can do. I know there are some beginner variations for some exercises but for others there isnt much room for modifications.
I was trying to stick to my manual and the reps they recommend which is usually 6-8 per exercise but that makes the class so fast.
Maybe I need to slow down more. I feel like I go pretty slow as is as i want people to really feel the work. I already got feedback after my first class that it was “slow and easy”. I have observed and done mat classes with no props that are extremely challenging and a full 50 minutes, but for some reason when I am trying on my own I am missing something. Open to how others do no prop group mat classes that are intentional, challenging, and for all levels.
Our city did a contest for local dogs and the top 10 got chosen to be painted on a wall at the dog park. TECHNICALLY he was #11 on the list but apparently one of the city employees dog’s made the top 10 and that wasn’t allowed so he got bumped up. A win is a win!
Some time ago my pilea was being dramatic and losing leaves and I was not sure what was going on. Turns out I was being the dramatic one because I had repotted her AND moved her away from the window. Idk why, I am a new plant mom I am still learning. Anyway, I moved her back to the window and she has been THRIVING. She is starting to outgrow this little table and I am not sure where to put her but love her so much.
I am a new instructor and someone asked me if my classes are pregnancy safe. Of course I want everyone to feel like they can take my class safely, but how do I create a class this is challenging to everyone but still modify for pregnant clients?
Do I only offer modifications to the pregnant client only in class? I feel like this path would take up time in class? Or do I just modify the whole class to be pregnant friendly and not even mention that is what I am doing?
Edit: For context, I teach mat only.
I am a newbie mat instructor and have only taught maximum of 4 people and those people were my friends. I am going to be teaching locally with my city soon and I will have a maximum of 10 people in class. I am nervous to be teaching that many people at one time.
I remember one of my mentors said “a group class is not a private” meaning we literally cannot correct every single person in a group class. We just do our best.
What other pieces of advice do you wish you were told when you first started teaching larger classes?
Studio is used loosely as I don’t have an actual
studio I just do sessions at my house currently or at other’s homes. But I recently wanted to start teaching for my city I live in and they require a business license and that requires a name and while I know I can just use my name as is, I think it’d be nice to start to brand myself for if and when I want to expand.
I am trying to find a name/ word that feels unique to me but isnt so overused that it will get a million eye rolls. I recently came across the word “aurea”.
“Aurea” is a feminine given name of Latin origin that translates directly to "golden" or "made of gold". Derived from the Latin word \*aureus\*, it symbolizes brightness, preciousness, radiance, and warmth.”
My name is Desiree so I thought okay cool it has the “ray” sound in there. I also live in a desert area so thinking about golden hour here and how pretty it is. Then there is the translation of the “Golden Ratio” as “proporcion aurea”. And if I really wanna stretch it, the Golden Ratio is about many things, but also about balance and Pilates is about balancing mind, body, and spirit.
Anyway, Aurea Pilates is currently on my drawing board and idk if im just stretching the meaning to be what I want, or if it truly is a good name. I have friends who think that words that people have to look up aren’t good business names and honestly at this point, I have looked at so many different variations of words on this venture, they’re all starting to lose meaning anyway.
Open to thoughts!
Studio is used loosely as I don’t have an actual
studio I just do sessions at my house currently or at other’s homes. But I recently wanted to start teaching for my city I live in and they require a business license and that requires a name and while I know I can just use my name as is, I think it’d be nice to start to brand myself for if and when I want to expand.
I am trying to find a name/ word that feels unique to me but isnt so overused that it will get a million eye rolls. I recently came across the word “aurea”.
“**Aurea** is a feminine given name of Latin origin that translates directly to "golden" or "made of gold". Derived from the Latin word *aureus*, it symbolizes brightness, preciousness, radiance, and warmth.”
My name is Desiree so I thought okay cool it has the “ray” sound in there. I also live in a desert area so thinking about golden hour here and how pretty it is. Then there is the translation of the “Golden Ratio” as “proporcion aurea”. And if I really wanna stretch it, the Golden Ratio is about many things, but also about balance and Pilates is about balancing mind, body, and spirit.
Anyway, Aurea Pilates is currently on my drawing board and idk if im just stretching the meaning to be what I want, or if it truly is a good name. I have friends who think that words that people have to look up aren’t good business names and honestly at this point, I have looked at so many different variations of words on this venture, they’re all starting to lose meaning anyway.
Open to thoughts!
This is really more of a rant than anything. I recently started my mat certification through Balanced Body and I only have one more class to go until I am able to test out. I have been teaching family and friends some classes to get in my student teaching. I only just taught my 7th class yesterday and I am just being so hard on myself.
Cognitively I know that learning to teach bodies takes time but I so badly want to be on the other side of the growing pains. I find myself getting overwhelmed with wanting to cue correctly so clients have proper form AND watching their bodies AND making corrections AND counting AND all the things. Then on top of that i’m like well dang maybe i’m just not cut out to be an instructor I guess.
I keep trying to remind myself that it all comes with time and that this is the point of practice and student teaching is to refine. But it still is so uncomfortable!
To all my instructors out there, how long did it take you until you felt comfortable with your style of teaching, and cueing, etc etc?