Breaking the Ceiling
When Passion Meets a Plateau
If you're reading this, chances are you're already pouring your heart into your teaching. You’ve studied the method. You care deeply about your clients. You give everything during your sessions; and then some. But despite all of that, your bank account doesn’t reflect your effort. Your calendar is full, yet you’re running on empty.
Let me say this clearly: you're not failing. You're functioning within a system that wasn't designed to support your growth; or your wellbeing.
In my 30+ years in the business world (20 of them in Pilates), I’ve seen this time and again. Talented, committed teachers; mostly women; giving their all and wondering why they still feel stuck. This article is for you. Not to fix you. But to free you.
The Invisible Ceiling That Holds Us Back
The Time for Money Trap
Most Pilates teachers start with a simple equation: 1 hour of work = 1 hour of pay. It’s honest work. It’s how we begin. But it’s also the beginning of the bottleneck.
Your time and your energy are finite. Teaching six or more privates a day, five or six days a week, is physically and emotionally taxing. And let’s not forget the invisible hours: planning, commuting, admin, answering messages at 11 pm.
In Pilates, our currency is energy. We teach with our bodies, demonstrate with our breath, and hold space with our hearts. But this embodied teaching style; unlike many other fitness modalities; makes us more vulnerable to emotional and physical fatigue. A 2018 study by Kellmann et al. found that over 68% of fitness professionals experience signs of occupational burnout, especially emotional exhaustion and physical fatigue. We are not alone; but we are at risk.
Undercharging and the Fear of Losing Clients
Too many teachers freeze their rates for years, worried that raising them will upset loyal clients or make them seem "money-hungry." But let’s be honest; your insurance goes up. Studio rent increases. Your expertise grows.
“Keeping the same rate you started with three years ago is not humility; it’s financial self-sabotage.”
Pilates isn’t just a workout; it’s a mind-body investment. The behavioral economics research supports what I’ve seen in my studio again and again: clients perceive higher rates as a sign of higher expertise. When teachers price themselves too low, they unknowingly devalue their method; and often attract less-committed clients. (Wertenbroch, 1998; Zhang & Liu, 2023)
Signs You’ve Hit That Ceiling
Sometimes, the signs are subtle. Other times, they scream at you:
You’re fully booked but financially stressed
You’re turning away clients, but feel chained to your schedule
You crave creative expansion but can’t see the time or space to explore it
You love Pilates, but you’re starting to resent the grind
You teach through gritted teeth, even though your body aches. You haven’t done your own Pilates session in weeks.
“You love your clients, but sometimes you fantasize about leaving it all behind. That’s not failure. That’s fatigue.”
If any of these resonate, you’re not alone; and you’re not out of options. You’ve simply outgrown your current structure. The next step isn’t more hustle. It’s a better system.
Scaling Smart; Without Sacrificing Your Soul
Here’s where the magic starts. You can grow your income, create a bigger impact, and fall back in love with your work; without teaching 12-hour days. Let’s explore how.
1. Raise Your Rates; Gracefully and Guilt-Free
Start with a values-led approach. Don’t just increase numbers; elevate your offer. Can you include postural assessments? Progress tracking? A quarterly check-in? Communicate these added benefits to your clients and explain how it supports their progress; and your ability to continue showing up for them long-term.
Pro Tip: You don’t need to justify your new rate. You need to believe in it. When you do, others will too.
2. Teach Groups and Workshops to Multiply Your Impact
Teaching one-on-one is beautiful. But it doesn’t scale. A well-structured group class or themed workshop allows you to:
Earn more per hour
Build community
Reduce client waitlists
Avoid emotional burnout from hyper-focused sessions
Start small: “Pilates for Runners,” “Pelvic Power,” “Desk Detox.” These short series or intensives bring people together and allow you to serve more, without sacrificing quality.
3. Go Digital: Online Programs and Memberships
You’ve taught that shoulder bridge 1000 times; record it once and let it work for you.
An online course, membership, or video library allows you to:
Create recurring income
Serve international clients
Build your brand as an expert
Take a holiday and still make sales
McKinsey & Co. reported that digital wellness offerings have grown since the pandemic; and continue to trend upward. They also claim that more than one in four respondents reported using digital wellness apps, with Gen Z showing higher adoption rates. This is not a fad. It’s a shift. One that allows you to take your method beyond your postcode.
4. Host Retreats or Immersive Events
Retreats are more than beautiful escapes; they’re transformative containers. I started my retreats after five years in business and realised there’s got to be more than just teaching in the studio. They allow your clients to go deeper into their practice while giving you:
A high-value, premium offer
Fewer teaching hours for higher return
The joy of connecting beyond the reformer or mat
Whether it’s a 2-day immersion at your studio or a 5-day luxury retreat in Spain (you could teach at my retreat finca, www.amanaya.es), these experiences position you as a leader in your field.
5. Step Into Mentorship and Teacher Training
One of the most fulfilling ways to expand is to give back. If you’ve been teaching for a few years, consider mentoring newer instructors or building your own teacher training program.
At the Anita Horry Academy, we often remind our trainees: you are not just teaching Pilates; you are building a legacy. By mentoring, you help shape the future of our industry and diversify your revenue at the same time.
Inner Work Creates Outer Growth
Impostor Syndrome: The Voice That Lies
“I’m not ready to teach others.”
“No one in my area will pay that.”
“I need another certification first.”
Sound familiar?
Your value isn’t defined by letters after your name or how many years you’ve been teaching. It’s defined by the transformation you provide. You don’t need to be perfect; you need to be authentic, consistent, and aligned.
A 2022 meta-analysis in Clinical Psychology Review showed that impostor syndrome disproportionately affects women in service professions—and it directly correlates with undercharging and burnout (Bravata et al., 2022). Awareness is the first step. Action is the second.
Money Mindset: Business Isn’t a Dirty Word
You can love what you do and charge for it. This is not a contradiction; it’s an essential pairing.
Running your Pilates business with clarity, intention, and healthy boundaries is not “selling out.” It’s sustaining your gift. When we undercharge, overgive, and ignore our needs, we don’t just burn out; we model that pattern for the next generation of teachers. And I, for one, refuse to let that legacy continue.
The World Health Organization officially recognises burnout as an occupational phenomenon caused by chronic workplace stress. This is real. And it’s avoidable; if we act.
Self-Assessment: Are You Ready to Break the Ceiling?
Take this quick self-check. Which of the following feel familiar?
I’m fully booked but still financially stressed
I’ve kept the same rates for more than 2 years
I feel guilty raising prices; even when costs rise
I haven’t had time for my own Pilates session in weeks
I love what I do, but I don’t see how to grow from here
I’ve thought about quitting; or pausing; because I’m exhausted
If you ticked more than two, it’s time to change the system; not yourself.
What To Do Next
Start with one shift:
Review your rates
Map out a retreat
Sketch a mini online course
Reach out to a mentee
Say no to one thing that drains you
You don’t need to do it all at once. But you do need to believe that it’s possible.
And I promise you; it is. I’d be honoured to support you through it. Let’s talk:
👉 www.anitahorryacademy.com
👉 Instagram: @anitahorryacademy
Anita Horry is a 2nd Generation Pilates teacher, international teacher trainer, and founder of the Anita Horry Academy. With over 30 years of experience in movement education and business strategy, Anita is passionate about helping Pilates professionals grow sustainable, soul-led careers. Her Academy offers fully comprehensive teacher training programs and a 12-month business coaching journey designed specifically for instructors who want to teach, lead, and thrive; without burning out.
References
Kellmann, M. et al. (2018). Burnout and Recovery in Sport and Fitness Professionals. International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching, 13(2), 198–206.
Wertenbroch, K. (1998). Consumption Self-Control by Rationing Purchase Quantities of Virtue and Vice. Marketing Science, 17(4), 317–337.
Zhang, Y., & Liu, S. (2023). Perceived Value and Willingness to Pay in the Service Economy. Journal of Behavioral Economics.
McKinsey & Company. (2024). What is The Future of Wellness?
https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/mckinsey-explainers/what-is-the-future-of-wellness
Bravata, D.M., et al. (2020). Prevalence, Predictors, and Treatment of Impostor Syndrome: A Systematic Review. Clinical Psychology Review, 91, 102082.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7174434/
World Health Organization. (2019). Burn-out an “Occupational Phenomenon”. ICD-11.