Burnout is an ever-present concern in any professional industry, and Pilates is no exception. You may relate to the insidious feeling of burnout slowly creeping into your teaching style. Whether you notice yourself running on autopilot or struggling to give clear direction, here are some tips on how to combat your Pilates burnout.
First of all, stop and give yourself credit. Teaching Pilates requires the understanding of many anatomical facets and the ability to translate this knowledge into intelligible cues. Having all the Pilates facts in the world does not mean you can transport them into other people’s brains. That’s not to mention the constant level of attention an instructor must devote to all members of a group class. If you can do all of this, congratulations!
Applauding your successes allows you to take a pause and become more in tune with yourself. Noticing areas you need to improve is just as important.
Connecting with Yourself
In the newsletter The Depth You Teach Is the Depth You’ve Gone Part 1, Clare Dunphy Hemani introduces the idea of self-assessment. Hemani argues that burnout is caused by the cycle of teaching information while your own learning remains stagnant. Self-assessment enables you to investigate where you need to improve, giving you the tools to learn something new. The key to reigniting your spark is switching your outlook from instructor to learner.
All Pilates instructors should be regularly keeping up with their own practice. Becoming 100% in tune with your own body is a crucial form of self care that aids in mental and physical well-being. Being present with your body can also help you as a teacher. Ask yourself: are there any parts of myself that I have been neglecting?
Perhaps you have a newfound back pain, or an old injury is flaring up again. Maybe you regularly teach a difficult move without confidently being able to do it on your own. Notice how these variables manifest in your practice. How do you respond to them?
While all of these are areas that could be improved, none of them are signs of weakness. They are all
opportunities to learn what works for your body. This awareness of your body will help you communicate better cues to clients with similar issues. Remember: your clients may feel exactly the way you feel.
Next time you teach a class, make a point to engage with each individual. Make note of each person’s ability level and what areas they continue to struggle with. Even asking students after class what they enjoyed and what they want to work on next time can foster connection. People will remember you for putting forth a genuine effort to make the most out of your class.
Interacting with people on a personal level will help you find inspiration in the idea that you are helping to improve their quality of life. This also ties back to the idea of advancing your learning. You and a student could have a similar issue, but you took the steps to solve it by engaging in your own Pilates practice. You can use this knowledge to create a more personalized teaching plan.
Asking students what they liked and disliked about their class will inform you on how to best accommodate them. Formulating specific goals for your clients gives you a structure and incentive to reach those goals. Connecting with your students can help you to reignite your own passion.
As in any professional setting, communing with your peers might be the one thing that you need to get inspired. Debriefing with your fellow teachers instigates faster mental recovery, allowing you to put the most energy into teaching. Next time you’re feeling Pilates burnout, look around your circle!
While all of these are areas that could be improved, none of them are signs of weakness. They are all
opportunities to learn what works for your body. This awareness of your body will help you communicate better cues to clients with similar issues. Remember: your clients may feel exactly the way you feel.
Expanding your Circle
Another way to fight Pilates burnout is to reconnect with what inspired you in the first place. The easiest way to do this is to expand the people in your Pilates circle.
Next time you teach a class, make a point to engage with each individual. Make note of each person’s ability level and what areas they continue to struggle with. Even asking students after class what they enjoyed and what they want to work on next time can foster connection. People will remember you for putting forth a genuine effort to make the most out of your class.
Interacting with people on a personal level will help you find inspiration in the idea that you are helping to improve their quality of life. This also ties back to the idea of advancing your learning. You and a student could have a similar issue, but you took the steps to solve it by engaging in your own Pilates practice. You can use this knowledge to create a more personalized teaching plan.
Asking students what they liked and disliked about their class will inform you on how to best accommodate them. Formulating specific goals for your clients gives you a structure and incentive to reach those goals. Connecting with your students can help you to reignite your own passion.
Additionally, taking time to interact with fellow Pilates teachers can have the similar effects. Remember that Pilates teachers you work with may also struggle with similar issues. Collaborating with your peers can help you generate new ideas, solutions, and programs that will inspire you.
At Pilates Core Center, we offer a course called Pilates Classes for Pilates Instructors. The course is taught by our master instructor, Jessica Moss, and is tailored to Pilates teachers looking to regularly improve their practice. Jessica created this course out of a necessity to keep Pilates instructors engaged and aware of their own bodies. This is a chance to connect with other Pilates teachers in a structured learning environment. If you’re interested, please check out our Webscheduler page for more details.
At Pilates Core Center, we offer a course called Pilates Classes for Pilates Instructors. The course is taught by our master instructor, Jessica Moss, and is tailored to Pilates teachers looking to regularly improve their practice. Jessica created this course out of a necessity to keep Pilates instructors engaged and aware of their own bodies. This is a chance to connect with other Pilates teachers in a structured learning environment. If you’re interested, please check out our Webscheduler page for more details.
As in any professional setting, communing with your peers might be the one thing that you need to get inspired. Debriefing with your fellow teachers instigates faster mental recovery, allowing you to put the most energy into teaching. Next time you’re feeling Pilates burnout, look around your circle!
Connecting with the Community
In the modern age, the best way to stay up to date on all things Pilates is by having a social media account. Social media allows us to access the largest number of like-minded people in the world. This
is an untapped treasure trove of inspiration!
is an untapped treasure trove of inspiration!
One of the most common uses of apps like Instagram is to advertise local events pertaining to Pilates. Whether a new studio near you has just opened, or a group of Pilates professionals is hosting a panel, it
is important to stay up to date on what is happening locally.
Attending these events is highly recommended because it can be another opportunity to expand your circle. Even though it can be nerve-wracking to put yourself out there, remember that everyone in the Pilates community is here to support you. Often you will find that many instructors around you are also looking for ways to combat their burnout.
Even if you do not attend any events, liking, commenting, or reposting events is necessary to show your activity in the online space. Interacting with a post shows other creators that you are engaged,
supportive, and committed.
Not only can social media provide you with information regarding local Pilates events and seminars, it can also connect you with educational creators. Simply searching “Pilates” on a social media app uncovers an unprecedented level of content. From vlogs, to class videos, to infographics on every conceivable subject, Pilates content creators have a wide range of knowledge to share. Take the time to find creators on social media that appeal to you. Pilates content does not have to be solely educational, it can be funny, relatable, and creative. Seeing Pilates in a different way may help to reignite your passion by giving you new ideas.
One of the most common topics seen online in the creator space is about the balance between giving clear and simple cues while taking Pilates students through new moves. Teachers often struggle with formulating a clear game plan when it comes to teaching something new. This is one of the many topics you can delve into with the help of social media.
Perhaps you would like to share your own expertise on social media. This is a great way to extend your online network and facilitate connection between you and other Pilates-lovers. It is also highly recommended for fighting Pilates burnout. Making creative content activates your brain, allowing you to associate Pilates with something new and exciting. This recreates the feeling of novelty that many instructors experience when they first start teaching Pilates. Hold on to that feeling, and you will never
lack inspiration.
If you’re feeling Pilates burnout, know that it doesn’t have to be permanent. The key to maintaining your practice is connection with yourself, your peers, and your community. Building these strengths will help you keep up with Pilates, even on your off days. Investing time into your Pilates practice manifests growth as a teacher, but more importantly, it helps you thrive as a person.
If you’re feeling Pilates burnout, know that it doesn’t have to be permanent. The key to maintaining your practice is connection with yourself, your peers, and your community. Building these strengths will help you keep up with Pilates, even on your off days. Investing time into your Pilates practice manifests growth as a teacher, but more importantly, it helps you thrive as a person.