Stepping out of your comfort zone

Pilates Journal talks to Katrina Edwards

We’ve all had times when in our teaching we have felt that we aren’t being as creative as we know we can be. Katrina Edwards knows this all too well after being a lead educator and instructor for over 30 years.  When you’ve been in the Pilates industry as long as Katrina, you also understand the importance of challenging the way you do things to keep yourself motivated as a teacher.

Often we get into the patterns of just doing, just teaching - just getting it done. But when have you stopped, listened to yourself and been open to your own development? Acknowledging that your needs might sit beyond just teaching in the same environment, day in and day out. What else might you need to feel passionate about your craft and stay true to yourself?

Katrina shares her experience and how she reignited her passion by understanding her needs better and what she required in order to thrive as a Pilates teacher.

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by Katrina Edwards

When I look back at the times in my career when I struggled for inspiration – and there were a few - I can identify four defining moments that helped me keep my passion as an Instructor.

For me, it was my introduction to the Pilates world that would shape me into the kind of teacher I am today. I had just injured myself as a young dancer and I started to work with a physio by the name of Craig Phillips. After a short amount of time supporting me with my recovery, he turned around and offered me a job in his Prahan studio in Victoria, Australia. I had felt such a connection with his work that I couldn’t say no. Within what felt like days, I was coaching people on a rigorous schedule - every 20 minutes from the time I started, until the time I finished work. It was about the same time that I was handed a video of Pilates Elder and first-generation teacher, Carola Trier and told to learn the Pilates method. That’s all I got but if it wasn’t for that video, I might not be doing what I’m doing today.

So I leaned in and said ‘yes’ to learning the Pilates method because I knew from this, that I would develop and grow my knowledge to become better at helping people with their bodies and their movement.

Fast forward a few years and building my first studio was another defining moment when I had to trust in the skills I had. While I felt out of depth I knew I had to just go with it in order to grow.

That growth took another leap forward when I began working with Senior Pilates professional Sally Anderson and at her request became a host site for BASI Instructor training in Melbourne. From here it was a natural progression to start my own accredited training courses (RTO) and that’s when National Pilates Training was born.

My next moment of growth came at such an important time - I had reached breaking-point in my teaching career. I was running my own training program, running my studio and doing teacher training on the weekends when I realised I needed something more. After 16 years of seeing 60-70 clients per week and running my business, I had hit saturation point. I was fatigued and found it hard to switch off. I knew it wasn't sustainable but I didn’t know what to do next. I was looking down the barrel of what the next 20 years might bring and knew I needed a change.

It was another teacher who had been coming to regular classes with me who suddenly suggested that I catch up with the Australian Ballet School (ABS) because they were looking for someone to work with in the Pilates world. I remember my partner saying that you already have too much on your plate, but I knew deep down that for me personally I was feeling like I was closed in. And by taking on the role of Head of Strength and Conditioning at the ABS, I saw the opportunity for some much desired personal growth.

Shortly before I also began working with the players of the Melbourne City Football Club. Both of these really stretched my skills and reminded me of the love I have for Pilates. It was only when I started working in these two completely different worlds that I realised that I had been craving a different challenge and had almost reached the breaking point in my teaching career.

 
It was daunting at first, there’s no question. My first year at the ABS I felt like a bit of an imposter. In fact, I’d felt that way my entire career. But I knew I had to give it a red hot go. I felt exposed. I acknowledged that about myself and knew that by putting myself in those situations that is when I truly was able to grow. It’s important to be exposed and to not to have all the answers because you also get to be around such expertise and to learn from those more knowledgeable than you. It's important that you get inspiration from those who are more senior than you in order to grow.

Once I started working with the students at the ballet school I was finally in the driver's seat. I had dancers coming to me with issues and I had to problem-solve on the spot. I had to think outside the box. I had to think about how I was going to produce a program that worked for this group. How I would set a curriculum, drive it and shape a vision of what was needed here. Suddenly I had my energy and my passion back. I saw the world differently again and I felt really free, much like I had been at the very start of my career.

It made me realise that for years I was operating on autopilot. It was my experiences at both the ballet school and the football club that made me realise just how much of an intuitive teacher I am. When I learned the Pilates method there was no manual, no workbook, it was all based on feel and personal experience. And in these settings, I finally had a licence to do that again. I could explore and I realise my appetite to have a growth mindset. I now understand that I sit best in the spontaneous space. I really enjoy stripping down to the core elements and then building them back up and using critical thinking to get to the outcome needed for each particular problem or circumstance.

It also helped that I sold half of my teaching business, which was a really positive shift for me. It allowed me to find more time in my week to work with these athletes whom I loved working with. Their psyche and the way I got to mentor them because of their desire to progress and fine-tune their skills really worked well with my personality and my skill set. They were focused and would zone into what I was trying to get them to do. It meant that I could truly help them shift a recruitment pattern or their performance and get results.

It wasn’t all easy though. And it was the support of two great physios that made me realise I had all it would take to hold my own in this space. I was fortunate to have a support structure around me and people cheering me on, encouraging me to believe in myself and what I could bring to the table. In particular, it was Darren Stanborough (Physio) and Andrew Mackenzie Head of Performance who supported that part of my journey at the football club. They constantly kept reinforcing, supporting and encouraging me which allowed me to grow into my role there. Working with these two guys definitely helped me to develop and hone my skills even further.

I have always believed that you need to surround yourself with people smarter than yourself in order to grow. So when you’re feeling like your lacking lustre in your teaching, losing your groove or not feeling like you are not being true to yourself – ask yourself what is lacking for you and where do you seek motivation?

Ask yourself, when was the last time you went and observed someone else's class? Sure you did it when you learnt to be a teacher but once we finish the course we often have no new input. How could you change that? Do you attend workshops from multiple settings, outside of your original training? Could you go to a physio and hear about how to work with a hamstring injury or listen to a podcast on injuries? There are many ways to evolve and grow as a teacher.

When it comes to new repertoire, consider the skills that are required by working backwards, breaking down the components to create a sequential pathway of progression. This method guarantees success. It’s a strategy that promotes autonomy and builds confidence. And a recipe for success.

I want to thrive. And to thrive I need to feel like I am contributing big or small. If I don’t feel l like I am making a significant contribution then it is time to make a move to create a sustainable future together.

At first, I promoted the product through my personal Instagram page and people started to visit Fuse Pilates. Our first owner was Tara Gordon of 212 Pilates in New York City. She had come to D.C. on a trip and took a Fuse Ladder class. When she opened her studio, she put Fuse Ladders in there. We were later at a couple of PMA Conferences (pre-Covid) and that’s when we started to see some traction. Most of our owners are people who have tried Fuse Ladder at a studio somewhere.

There are still times when I feel like we’re still getting into the swing of things - but we believe in the product and know it helps our clients greatly. The benefits need to be seen to be truly appreciated.

Katrina Edwards oversees three boutique fully equipped Pilates studios known as Aligned For Life Pilates in Melbourne, Australia and is the Founder and Director of National Pilates Training.