Self Care For Pilates Teachers
A lot of people in our industry are burning out, or at least heading in that direction, or at least looking for ways to try and prevent themselves from heading in that direction. I think we are all aware of the tendency of Pilates teachers to wear themselves out in an effort to be a great teacher, a good business owner, and to make money.
It’s not just Pilates teachers – this extends to other fitness professionals as well, including Personal Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors, and I would also include Small Business Owners in general.
Every day on social media, Pilates Teachers are asking: How can I prevent burnout?
What can we do to make sure we earn enough money to cover the bills and live the lifestyle we would like to, without using up all our energy on work?
Well, we can look after ourselves first.
But first, we need to take some time to really think about what do we need, what do we want for ourselves.
Upon reflection, I have divided self care into three simple categories for us to ponder. Three Types of Self Care
— Basic needs eg. food, water, sleep, exercise, fresh air
These are the things you literally need to survive as a human. Some of these things are debatable, but that doesn’t matter. Deciding what your basic needs are is up to you and you alone. They might be what I have suggested above, or they might be something different.
You are probably already at least attempting to include basic needs in your life without really having to make a conscious decision to do so.
I would also include the question: ‘How much do I need to earn to survive?’ when establishing your basic needs. It’s important that you understand how much money do I need to make in order to cover the absolute basics. It’s also important to create space and time to think about basic needs as that too can be a basic need.
— Broader needs eg. exercise, facial, bath, sauna, walk, wash hair
These are the things you need in place to be able to function well in daily life This can also mean having enough energy and confidence to be in the world and interact with people of all kinds especially if you are an introvert. I would include space and time to think about needs, in this category, but really it is up to you what you consider your needs to be.
Have a think about how would you feel if all your needs were being met. How would this change the way you face the world and interact with others?
— Lifestyle needs
There are no limits here. What would you like every day of your life to be like? Who am I? What are my values?
How would you feel if you had what you really want right now? How do you get there? Could it change on the way?
What makes you happy? – does this align with what you are doing in your life currently, and the choices you are making?
Spending some time thinking about these three types of self-care could help you figure out what you need, and how to get it as a teacher. Once you start fulfilling these needs, you’ll have more energy to give to others. Teaching and sharing your craft will become more natural and easier because it aligns with your values and your purpose. You might also find that teaching Pilates isn’t for you ….. and set off on a different path altogether. That also is o.k.
Another form of self care, is self practice. Meaning, actually practising Pilates for yourself. Through self practise, we discover the variability and the exploration of Pilates. Self practise is so much more than something you tick off your to do list and, it can look quite different to what you might think. Here is a list of somethings that I consider to be different forms of self practise relevant to Pilates:
— 10 minutes of Pilates
— 60 minutes of Pilates
— Presence
— Breathing exercises
— Any type of movement practise that is not Pilates
— Intentional rest
Once you’re a qualified teacher, you are free to use your self practise time in any way you choose. It no longer has to be about learning the repertoire, but it can become more about addressing your own needs – you being your own client, treating yourself as a client, being a client unto yourself – because after all, you only deserve the best. By being your best self you’ll also serve your clients in the best way too.
Jane Brewer is from Train with Jane Pilates in Cairns in Queensland, Australia and has been in the Pilates industry for 15 years. She is a Pilates Teacher, Movement Therapist, Personal Trainer and Pilates Teacher Trainer for Body Organics Education in Far North Queensland.
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