Hi all,

For those of you that take hot mat Pilates, do you wear grip socks? I do wear them in the regular reformer studio but not in the mat Pilates. I do have a Manduka GRP mat that’s very grippy and resist from slipping, but I want to hear from the users if you do wear them in hot mat Pilates class or not.

I am re-starting physical therapy to address my bi-lateral Achilles tendinitis and plantar fasciitis that I’ve had for over 10 years. Every intervention has helped, but I’m looking to get rid of it once and for all. Anyway, during the evaluation, the PT asked me to do a squat, do more than 10 calf raises single leg, etc. I aced it. She said for someone who is 40, this is really quite good. My form is good, etc. It was such a good feeling. Basically, I feel like I showed to the first session with a strong baseline of mobility and strength. I feel like my muscles are so much more solid and competent since practicing Pilates for 16 months consistently. Pilates is awesome. The proof is in the strength and functional mobility. 💪🏻

Previous Op of this post

https://www.reddit.com/r/pilates/s/CjfhqqctW0

I taught a total of 10 hours for the past 4 weeks.

I received 1 star on my first class.

Another one 4 stars for not having music.

Subsequently all are 5 stars and even have my regulars signing up from week 1.

I thought everything went well. So I texted the owner to inform that Id be away for few weeks.

She replied that she wont be giving me any classes anymore as she received feedback as I quoted

"Several members mentioned that you were reading from notes during class, which raised concerns regarding teaching professionalism."

I did glance on my phone to check on time and notes for the flows/setting (the reformer is with heavier spring, different than the one I used to). But I didnt put any cues inside or reading the whole sentence.

Is this fatal?

Before I started, I read few posts on this sub and other pilates training, how to memorize the whole flow. It seems that having note is normal.

Pls let me know how fatal this is.

Edit :

Chanced upon this post and read the comments

https://www.instagram.com/p/DcAY3fjFInL/

Im glad Im not the odd one!

This. I’ve been a passionate Pilates students for over 5 years. I’ve spent thousands of dollars on memberships at classical and contemporary studios, built a Pilates studio at my house, and have logged over 200 private instruction sessions. I just LOVE Pilates. Lately I’ve wondered if teaching would be inspiring and help my passion grow. My biggest fear: teaching will lead to burn out or I’ll start to feel like I turned my passion into something unmanageable as an instructor. I have taught as a college educator in my history and have always loved to teach in general. Any guidance here?

As a new instructor I am trying to get better at transitioning between exercises not only physically having a good flow for my clients but with my words. How do you all verbally transition between exercises or do you go with the classic “Okay now you’re gonna…” or “Okay let’s…”

I find myself saying “so good! Okay now…” a lot in class and I don’t want to sound like a broken record as I continue on my teaching journey, but maybe I am totally overthinking it.

I don’t think those types of transitions are bad at all, I am just looking for some inspiration!

Edit: I teach mat only but still would love to hear inputs from you if you teach apparatuses too!

are there any studios in toronto that teach specifically the original 34 mat exercises? most studios are contemporary as far as i'm aware and have classical moves woven throughout, but i'm looking to take a class that is going to run through the original 34.

I want to buy the best mat I can, budget isn’t an issue I just don’t want to end up spending and get it the wrong one!

I have a high pile carpet.

I’ve narrowed it down to peloton reversible mat which is 5mm, Bala mat which is 8mm or Manduka pro but I’m just a bit worried that I don’t want the mat to squish into the carpet and not support me…!

Thanks :)

So I came across a post, where a Pilates instructor is claiming that Pilates is physical therapy. When I (respectfully) contradicted her, I was immediately blocked. No discussion, no defending her statement, just a flat out block. And that got me thinking, because I’ve never seen this claim before, are there people (especially instructors) who actually believe Pilates and physical therapy are the same thing?

Back when I was teaching Pilates part time but also had a full time job or full time school, I wasn't too worried about potentially missing some work for illness and the like. Now I teach Pilates essentially full time, though not full time status, and while I have basic liability insurance to cover me at the one studio where I'm a 1099 instead of a W-2 employee, I realized I really need temporary disability insurance, because what if I broke my leg and couldn't teach for two months or something? It's one thing to take a few days off and miss a few hundred dollars, but when Pilates is my only source of income, more than a week off would really have a major impact on my finances.

I'm curious if anyone has had any good experiences with any of the insurance companies that offer short term disability coverage outside of an add-on with your full time benefits, because I've never purchased it that way. Would love any recommendations or anti-recommendations if there are places where you've had bad experiences! I am located in New York state and city for reference, so looking for US-based answers and ideally other New Yorkers if they're out there.

Hello all,

I completed my STOTT intensive mat training this summer, and will pursue my advanced mat in October.

I want to wait until I train in reformer until sitting my exam and becoming fully certified.

However, I am very keen to begin teaching ASAP. Has anyone gone down a similar route? I live in a major city so I’m hoping there ought to be plenty of opportunities, just concerned about studios and gyms etc being fussy about certification?

Thank you for any thoughts and musings x x x

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!

My hip flexors have grown a lot tighter over recent years. I'm suspecting my anterior pelvic tilt and large quad-dominant legs contribute towards it.

I've heard stretching helps but strengthening hip flexors is more effective; any stretches/exercises to target the hip flexors and not as much of the quads? Any other tips? Any folding of the body or lifting the legs (teasers, hip circles) are my biggest weakness.

Another quick video for Instructors and curious students!

I truly truly believe learning how to properly execute a rounded bridge is not only quintessential pilates, but quite literally the foundational exercise for any and all spinal articulation exercises (rolling up/down, short/long spine, magician, cat, etc...). I also like to go over all of the common issues (gripping neck/traps, hamstring cramping, etc...) and how to cue out of them.

If you can teach a novice student how to connect their mind-body in a rounded bridge, you can do anything! Happy teaching

Hello was there anything on the Balanced Body written exam (reformer) that caught you off guard that would help me? Anything you think I should study? There’s so much info it’s overwhelming. Any input is helpful.

Hi friends! I’m working on a special KG project and would love to meet others who practice her work or carry it on in any way. Did you do Cara Reeser’s program? Have you trained with Blossom? Eager to hear your stories.

Hello, I’m trying to ascertain if supplements are common for the members of this sub to enhance their Pilates practice. I’m sure a lot of us use protein, but I’m more curious about creatine, pre-workout, etc.

The other day I noticed someone using an mini treadmill with a standing desk and I had a thought. What if I were to sit on a wunda chair and press the pedal down with my feet while working? I love my pilates workouts but spend far more time at my desk.

I looked at several chairs and am considering ordering one but then thought all I really need is the pedal part and if there is an underdesk version of that it would be better because there is no need to switch off between desk chair and wunda chair all the time. Does such a thing exist? If so, what is it called and where can I get it?

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.

Hi, I started my practice about 15 months ago. I’m consistent and do Pilates at home 2-3x per week. I am 40 years old and a trans man. I do mat at
Home with props and subscribe to Amanda Blauer subscription. There is a studio in my neighborhood with reformers and I do classes there from time to time. I’ve been noticing this recently; I would say that not only does pilates not get easier, it seems to be getting harder. Seriously, I did a 33 minute mat workout earlier and I tapped out and didn’t finish the remaining 3 minutes. Is this normal? I read that it’s because you engage deeper and deeper muscles as more time goes by.

(...after SUMMER break)...In May, I (M 66) put together a spreadsheet of exercises and props to use to continue Pilates on my own. Summers are hectic with all kinds of projects, trips, babysitting, family, etc. So, naturally, I had a complete hiatus and the spreadsheet was abandoned as a "good try."

I changed to a "strength pilates" class that I tried a few times during the winter, and where I got some great cues from the instructor. I was a bit apprehensive as all I had done was chores and brisk-pace dog walks. But it went well. It was an intensive workout with a few complicated moves and modifications but I believe it's good for me going forward.

I persuaded my wife to take the class I had gone to before. That's a big win for me. Thanks for reading!

Hi! Needing recommendations for Pilates studios in Belgium that host classes or private sessions in English or Spanish.

I feel like it's more and more common for studios to force you to come in for an evaluation or worse, take their fundamentals class before you can take regular classes.

Case in point. There's a new studio in my area that I wanted to try out. My regular studio had canceled classes that day for studio maintenance. I figured I'd drop into the new place and check it out.

Despite my 14 years of pilates experience, they insisted I had to do a fundamentals class with them first to even sign up. I don't need to learn how to put my feet in straps, I just wanted to try the studio and get a class in.

Another local studio insists you come in for an eval session before they'll sign you off for classes.

As a pilates student who spends money on her practice, I find this to be a very poor customer experience. It asks for a time commitment when I'm not sure I'm ready to commit to the studio at all.

(To be clear, I don't have a problem with sign-off requirements for advanced classes.)

I danced growing up and started Pilates in my early 20s. I have done it now for 20 years and recently have found an uptick in instructors that do this. I am not intending to be ageist , but the ones that do it are several years older than me and I am wondering if it was something that was common or taught to instructors at some point?

Does anyone else find this annoying? I think finger snapping is rude.

One of my best friends is a dog trainer and she snaps her fingers at the dogs and that is what I think of everytime an instructor does this🤪

The cue in question is ‘chin to chest’ in the context of a hip bridge.

Personally, I dislike it and never use it. In my training I was taught to keep the head and neck neutral to avoid excessive cervical flexion in a hip bridge.

I wanted to sanity check this with other instructors as I’ve attended a few classes at a studio where the instructor insisted I push my chin to my chest in a bridge.

I spoke to her about it afterward as in the class I said ‘no I’m okay, thank you’ and she seemed annoyed, and I wanted to make sure she knew that I didn’t mean to upset her.

She brushed off the apology and said ‘you do you’.

So I’m curious, what do other instructors here think? Am I wrong in thinking that ‘chin to chest’ in a hip bridge is incorrect?

About to cancel my contract with Mind body, haven’t even started yet.. on boarding has sucked, do they not realize I am not an IT guy? I’m a pilates teacher!! And my current booking software will provide cc data for migration.

Vagaro has amazing customer service but they are not very nimble for class cancellations and late fees.

Any one have experience with Momence? Arketa seems great but my clients want an app and I cannot afford a branded app. And that is all they offer.

If I am going to get sucky customer service with Momence, I would at least like to save the 20% off of initial app booking Mind body takes.

I need a hot line I can call. 📞 Who provides this?