Foreword From Seasoned Reformer Pilates Instructor
As a Reformer Pilates Instructor and Mentor I do follow many Fitness and Pilates Education organizations around the world as well as “famous” Pilates instructors, educators, mentors and a wide range of other Health and Fitness industry professionals online. And a while ago I decided to start to write my own thoughts, opinions and biases on the paper to offer some food for thought. I will share my point of view on some juice topics in this “just a thought” blog post series. I hope sharing my thoughts helps someone to widen their perspective. Or message me and challenge my thinking process so I can keep learning and becoming the best Reformer Pilates Instructor I can be.
Of course you will also find more educational content rather than just my personal opinions&thoughts on SPTM website platform where I also want to share my Reformer Pilates knowledge and experience to inspire you, provoke some thoughts and challenge you to keep learning, asking questions and becoming the best Pilates Instructor you can be.
Before you get bored and start to think what is the point of this blog post here it comes; I am going to share a thought about ” Science Based Pilates Teaching/Cueing”. And I am throwing myself under the buss in the eyes of those who strongly believe there is only one way or my way.
Are We Here to Impress Science?
When I scroll instagram and read the posts about how this or that study (based on xyz scientific research, over xyz years, including xyz participants) proving for instance there is no need to cue breathing in Pilates or tell clients to squeeze the specific muscles. Before you do your eye roll I want to say that I strongly believe in Science and I base my programming and teaching methods on Exercise Science. I keep learning, adjusting and evolving to my best ability. However I do also believe that it is important to use both objective (programming and delivery based on Science such as progressive overload/mechanical tension) and subjective teaching methods (such as my own judgement of the situation, my OWN reasoning behind what do I and say, clients perception and abilities). This is why I do not like absolute extremes or when someone claims there is only ONE WAY, “you are wrong”, you are stupid to say this or that. No Karen there are other ways to teach Pilates too. And I am constantly trying to learn and be open to see both ends of the spectrum as the Pilates world is shaking and evolving.
Science Based Approach In Pilates Education
Now I do understand that lot of these instagram post that debunk the myths etc. want to challenge the educational institutes/programs and outdated training curriculums. And that is absolutely a good thing. I also know that most of these type of instagram post are provocative and use extremes on purpose to get more attention, eyeballs and followers. Fair – marketing job well done! The intend is all well meant I believe to educate Pilates Instructors and challenge their thinking.
I am often called “The Switzerland” – the neutral, middle fielder, no opinion. Stays away from conflict, pretty quiet and just does her own thing. Fair enough. But it is not a bad place to be. Switzerland is doing pretty well. They have one of the most precious nature on the planet, the air quality is top notch, their economy is healthy and the people are happy and thriving. Although I do have many opinions (like Switzerland) and I voice them out. I am doing my best to find a diplomatic way to do so. But I am not always succesful but I am trying my best. I do not like conflict but I do want to challenge people and Reformer Pilates instructors around me and I am prepared to face disagreements and debates. Debates and disagreements done right can be fruitful, healthy and important part of learning and provoking thoughts! Ok side track I know. My point is on its way.
What is A Wrong And Right Way?
So lets go back to my second heading “Are we here to impress Science?” If you stare at Science based approach in Reformer Pilates Teaching blindly you most likely forget the individual needs of your clients. I think most of us are Reformer Pilates Instructors to serve our clients the best possible way instead of impressing the science or boosting our ego by being ” I know it all instructor” who has the greatest vocabulary of fancy terms and words to use that none else understands. In saying that we absolutely need to know our stuff and educate ourselves.
Now to the point. For instance as mentioned before cueing the breathing pattern with some of Pilates exercises the “right” way does not make a difference when it comes to strengthening your clients glutes (its rather important that they just keep breathing to stay alive and moving). Science based fact. Cool. But what if your beginner client finds focus and feels more at ease when you cue the breath with movement, what if they feel more in control and find it really helpful? Sure you can help them to unlearn this habitual Pilates breath thing but for what? None gets hurt if you cue the breath or if you do not. If it serves a means to an end just cue it. If it keeps your clients coming back rather than sitting on the coach GO FOR IT! Cueing the breath or not cueing the breath does not make your Pilates class any worse or better in my eyes. Rather ask your clients what they think and need from you. They know better than me or the Pilates police.
But Perhaps There Is Rather Less Effective vs More Effective Way
There does not always need to be wrong or right way nor good or bad thing to say. I think there are often more effective and less effective ways to do things instead. There are post going around telling how silly someone is by saying “activate your core” or “squeeze your xyz muscles”. Or that there is no use for internal cues.
I am strong advocate for external cues (yes my clients understand better when I say “reach your fingers up towards the ceiling” than ” extend your elbows and flex your shoulders”). And I use external cues most of the time but this does not mean I would never use internal cues. Once again it depends WHO do I teach and what I am trying to achieve. I think we should pay more attention to why we say something and what we are trying to achieve by saying what we say. If you are clear on that WHY, your verbal cues hit home, clients reach their goals and love your classes SAY THE HECK YOU WANT TO SAY. And as long as you stay on top of your game by investing some of your time in learning & educating yourself SAY THE HECK YOU WANT TO SAY. I am here to serve my clients NOT to impress science.
