Why Teach Pilates?
Pilates Instruction is a holistic career choice, nurturing one’s own health and the health of others. Stress relief, creativity, emotional satisfaction, community, supportive colleagues, personal freedom and great pay are all part of the job.
Career Satisfaction
A day in the life of a Pilates Teacher is an enviable one. We get to show up and be of service to others. We get to facilitate transformation in ourselves and others. We get a sense of connection and community. We are paid well and there is plenty of work. And we are never, ever bored!
Passion
Most Pilates teachers are drawn to the work through a passion for this truly transformational movement modality. Indeed, many teachers were introduced to Pilates as a result of pain or injury in their own bodies. When they experience the healing, powerful, dynamic results of Pilates, a sort of evangelism results. Soon enough, they are drawn to give back what they have received. This enthusiasm fuels every work day.
Client Relationships
The Pilates Instructor and Client come together at the best part of the client’s day - when they have set aside all the responsibilities and stresses, have sacrificed precious time and expense to show up for themselves. They are ready to work, grow, improve. Within the container of this relationship the client meets challenges, overcomes frustrations, forgives themselves for not being perfect, redefines their expectations of themselves and becomes stronger and healthier than they ever thought they could be. It is exhilarating to facilitate this transformation. Often, a personal bond develops and the teacher’s day is spent greeting and working with a different, dear friend every hour of the day.
Stimulating and Creative Work
Pilates is a huge field of study. As soon the initial training is incorporated, a workshop, a specialty, a focus will appear. Even diving deep on the use of a prop such as a ball or ring can transform your approach and dazzle a client. Pilates and the teacher’s interpretation of the Pilates is always evolving. Sure there’s a list of exercises to learn, but the way the teachers apply them…that’s the critical element. That’s where the art of Pilates lives. The capacity for learning and growth is endless. And in many studios, the most important learning goes on between teachers. It’s so enriching to be part of a group of professionals who are always learning and sharing knowledge in order to serve clients better.
Less Stress
Stress is the number one cause of…well, everything bad. We all fall prey to it. But if your work responsibilities include relieving stress, then it stands to reason that you’d be more aware of releasing it yourself. The Pilates studio is your clients’ happy place. That’s a pretty stress-free set-up.
Self-Improvement
When you spend your day in a Pilates studio, the inspiration to keep your own health up to par and improving is everywhere you look, all day, every day. The work is so powerful that even the short bursts of demonstrations for clients can keep you from falling behind in your own fitness.
Long-Term Health Benefits
It’s not a big jump to imagine that on average, someone who spends 10 years teaching Pilates daily will likely be in better health, have lower medical costs, and generally feel physically better than the average person who spends those same years behind a desk, or waiting tables, or...just about any other profession.
Freedom
While the business structures of Pilates studios varies, in many or most the teacher is an independent contractor, essentially running their own business within the walls of the studio. While benefiting from the studio’s promotions and marketing, the teacher can also have control over their own schedule, including time off and holidays.
Money & Demand
Pilates teachers typically make between $30 and $50 an hour for privates, more for group classes and semi-privates. Most Pilates teachers choose to work part-time so they can can have the flexibility to attend to family responsibilities or continue with other jobs. However, there are plenty of opportunities to work full-time as a Pilates teacher. At our studio and most others, the biggest challenge is finding enough instructors to meet the demand.
