By: Lauri B

Lauri B — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 12:34:18 +0000

I no longer work in the Pilates industry. When I completed my training and apprenticeship (yes, apprenticeship; I quit my full-time job to immerse myself in studying and completing an apprenticeship) I immediately found work. The pay was exceptional and I thought I could finally make a true living doing something I love. Fast forward 10 years later and I no longer work in the industry. It is saturated with teachers who completed one-day workshops, weekend workshops, or are certified in individual pieces of equipment, not Pilates. Sadly, many of those in charge of hiring (from the studio owner to the health club owner) want to offer “Pilates” (whatever that may mean to them) but want to pay as little as possible for teachers, so they can easily hire these “factory farmed” instructors just churned out through the system. Because of this, the pay has also decreased. In 2009, I just can’t teach for $25/hour (and I live in NY state!) So Pilates is now my private passion that I no longer share with others b/c I cannot afford to. I’d like to think this trend will change, but I am doubtful. I’d like to think and used to think the public truly knew the difference b/t a seasoned, experienced well-trained instructor vs those just trying to get certified, but I’m not so sure anymore.

By: Pamela Garcia

Pamela Garcia — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 02:55:05 +0000

There are a lot of good points and valid concerns about the number of Pilates teachers being put into the market and saturation isn’t good for any industry. I’m shocked to think anyone would spend 4000-10,000 dollars on their Pilates education without a plan. Yes, I’m sure there are a few but I don’t think the majority of students hop into a formal Pilates training course with no thought of where they’re going to work. My concern is more about the various “Pilates disciplines” available in the market, there is only one Pilates and that is the Traditional, Classical, Authentic or whatever name has been attached to the Original work, and then there is “Pilates Based”. I also do not believe that there’s only one school of the Traditional work, there are a number schools that do a better job at preparing trainers but I must admit the “Apprenticeship” piece is missing. It’s students coming out of Pilates Based programs that concern me most because the majority of them don’t really understand the work or the reason for the order or progression. With over 500 exercises in the repertoire and the ability to break any of them down I don’t understand why anyone needs to make more up. I’ve never taught a session that got through 1/10th of the work which is why I feel many of these Pilates based schools do more damage to our industry than Daisy’s Wii.

Comments on: Teachers, teachers …everywhere!

By: Lauri B

By: Pamela Garcia