Visual Cueing in Pilates Instruction aka Demonstrations
Clients can learn movement in multiple ways by using various senses. Some only need to hear verbal cues whereas some of us need to see a clear demonstration of the movement pattern to grasp the concept. Then some of us need to feel the movement or adjustment by tactile touch/hands on guidance in combination with verbal and or visual cues in order to execute the movement successfully. In this blog post I share my top tips on effective visual cueing which I use to reinforce my verbal cues and cater clients who may have difficulty to hear or understand spoken words or the language.
Demonstrating Exercises On The Reformer
Depending on the style of the class and Pilates you teach hopping on the reformer may be a fantastic way to help client grasp the concept the movement. If there is a free reformer for you to demonstrate the exercise this may be a good way to cue especially among small groups or in private classes.
Demonstrating exercises on the reformer can be sometimes really time consuming. Especially if you teach bigger groups and more athletic/dynamic style of Pilates the class often slows down if you hop on the reformer. Clients will stop, watch & wait and may waste some valuable class time especially if every single exercise is demonstrated on the reformer by the Pilates Instructor.
I think exercises that are more complex and newer to clients in the room there is time and place to use a free reformer as a Pilates Instructor. However most exercises can be cued successfully verbally, visually demonstrating without using reformer and helping clients with tactile touch where needed.
Visual Cueing on The Floor
I find that demonstrating exercises on the floor or using Pilates box is a highly effective method to keep clients moving during the class without unneeded breaks. Ideally I find a spot where I can take eye contact and all my clients can see me. This way I cans ee what is happening in the room and whether my visual and verbal cues hit home or not.
I position myself in the direction where I want my clients to face as this is already a great cue for their set up position. If it is a standing exercise I obviously stand on the floor and demonstrate the exercise. If I want to teach a plank, prone, supine or 4 point kneeling exercise and set up I may use the box to elevate myself when possible. This helps me to be more visible to all clients in the room instead of me kneeling/planking on the floor.
I also use my hands and arms to imitate leg movement and set up position especially for side lying gluteals series or legs in straps. You can get quite creative in situations where you do not want to or cannot use a reformer machine do demonstrate the exercises. Energetic physical demonstrations also bring lot of positive energy into the room and can motivate clients to strive for improvement and add that final push. I often scooter and skate on the floor with my clients to finish line to be part of the group and finish together!
Hot Tips For Demonstrating Exercises in Pilates Classes
- I find it useful to ensure the pace of my demonstrations reflect the pace of the exercise. If I want my clients to move slowly in stability lunge sequence my visual cues need to be clear, concise and slow. Whereas if I teach heavy, cardio focused interval double leg jumps utilizing jump boards my movement demonstrations need to be energetic, fast and powerful. Just like I try to match my tone of the voice to exercise pace and the nature of the movement as this gives clients an indication how I want them to move.
- Use a client on the reformer (who is close by) and nailing the exercise to give a visual cue to a client in need. It is often a win win. The newer client gets to see the how the exercise is executed on the reformer whereas the more experienced client can be of service and acknowledged by you!
