05/28/2024
This past year, I’ve been nurturing what I had felt is a natural progression of a long love affair of this work, both in my own body and the gift of getting to teach and share it.
The “how” I want to add more to “studio owner”, “full time instructor,” “busy mom” etc presented the questions of “what feels good”, “what am I able to do well” and what, as an entrepreneur is “smart to do”.
Presenting this work in workshops, mentoring new and seasoned instructors, consulting, retreats and podcasts is what I had arrived at as what I will be working on.
Lori Coleman-Brown gave me and our awesome team she handpicked, the opportunity to nurture the “presenter role” on my list and I am forever grateful.
While I may be new to adding this role to my resume, weekly lessons since 2000, several workshops and trainings every year since that same time period no doubt have helped prepare me for this exciting new challenge and role.
Throughout the year, with every workshop, the trust Lori had in us deepened and we were given more responsibility.
The advanced seminar was our finale and the “ask” was big.
Where previously, newer instructors were the majority, Atlas Pilates has cultivated the secret sauce to attract the reverse where curriculum seminars are also continuing education weekends!
The attendance was filled with seasoned instructors, teacher trainers as well as some international presenters.
Romana Kryzanowska, who I was fortunate to train with and who certified me used to say to expect the unexpected.
I remember the week of my testing and prep for my practical final testing with her . (A practical with a body and a mat class). She had trained us with “never teach a full magic circle mat”. So, I did not prepare that as it would not be on the table.
Romana had magic to help you be better in all ways and to also educate and humble you if you needed to develop in some way.
My assignment for that mat class all of those years ago was “a mat class using the magic circle for anything you can”
SURPRISE!!
Some of my greatest lessons as an instructor have been to grow to be adaptable in the moment to the body or bodies I have in front of me, to expect the unexpected, adapt quickly, and to teach good Pilates!
Back to the attendance of the advanced seminar, I had my planned assignment and then on the fly was asked to teach more the next day. I did have permission to say no, but because of long standing training, the trust of my mentor Lori and knowing this is what I want to do, I accepted the challenge.
It was an amazing weekend and I know I’m on the right path.
I have been working with my business coach of 4 years, Juliet Lauren Clingan and know piece by piece, these goals will be met!
Last week, unexpectedly, I received an email from a peer who flew in for the seminar.
It brightened my day, brought tears to my eyes and solidified any lingering questions I had about next steps in teaching!
The subject in the email was
“THANK YOU!!!”
“….I’ve always so enjoyed your approach with people and your style of teaching, so what a treat it was to be in a seminar with you presenting!!! I LOVED your moments, I think you have so much to offer and now I’m just waiting for your Pilatesology teaching tutorials! You are a gift to the world of Pilates—I feel so grateful to know you…”
Thank you my friend!!
