The Long Game
At a time when Pilates teachers can gain visibility faster than ever, through social media, group reformer environments, and rapid certification pathways, the pressure to feel “expert” early in a career has never been greater. As Pilates professionals, we often focus on the destination, the dream of becoming an "expert." Yet, after 35 years in this industry, I have come to realize that the true richness of our profession isn't found at the finish line, but in the texture of the journey itself.
To understand this evolution, we can look to a framework established by brothers Stuart and Hubert Dreyfus in their work Novice to Expert. They identify five distinct stages of professional development. When we map these onto the life of a Pilates teacher, we see that each phase isn’t just a steppingstone, it is a vital season of growth that deserves to be honored, not rushed.
The Beauty of the Beginning: The Advanced Beginner
The Novice stage is where we all start - learning the rules and the rote movements. But it is the Advanced Beginner stage, reached upon graduating from a comprehensive program, where the magic begins.
In many skilled professions, development is understood to take time. A nurse may spend years refining clinical judgement. A doctor trains for over a decade before being trusted with complex decision-making. Yet Pilates teachers are often expected to feel fully confident within months of certification. This disconnect can create unnecessary pressure and even burnout. True teaching expertise is not rushed; it is accumulated through repetition, observation, and responsibility.
When we understand this, the early years of teaching begin to feel less like a test and more like an apprenticeship.
At this level, you have the tools, the safety protocols, and the theory. It is a glorious, high-energy phase of discovery. My advice to those in this season: Don’t hurry through it. This is your time to seek out mentors and find a "studio home" that nurtures you. In fields ranging from nursing to law, this foundational period takes two to three years. Enjoy the "Aha!" moments when theory finally meets the living body. This isn't a period of "not being good enough"; it is a period of spectacular unfolding.
The Strength of Independence: The Competent Practitioner
As you move into Competency (typically after 2–3 years of full-time teaching), you find your wings. You can work independently and achieve excellent results for your clients. This is often the stage where teachers begin managing fuller schedules, navigating mixed-level group classes, or supporting clients with more complex needs. It can feel like you are constantly making decisions in real time- adjusting springs, pacing, or cueing, while quietly wondering if a more experienced teacher would handle it differently.
This stage is about immersion. It is the time to attend conferences, join collegial circles, and begin mutually beneficial mentoring. The "Competent" stage is where your confidence takes root. By staying present in this phase, you build the stamina required for a long career. You are learning the "why" behind the "what," and that slow-cooked knowledge is what eventually tastes like mastery.
The Shift to Intuition: The Proficient Professional
After a decade or more of dedicated practice, you arrive at Proficiency. Here, the work becomes a dance. Assessment, class flow, and complex modifications happen spontaneously. When a student asks why you chose a specific cue, you might find yourself saying, "It just felt right."
This is the birth of intuition. At this stage, many teachers feel a natural pull toward a niche, a specific population or a specialized area of movement science. Proficient teachers are the heartbeat of our industry and make the most profound mentors because they still remember the climb.
The Lifelong Student: The Expert
The Expert is a teacher whose niche has fully blossomed into a legacy. They write the books, conduct the research, and lead the international stage. But even here, the secret to their success is often their willingness to return to the start.
The Wisdom of the Path
Three decades in the studio have taught me is that joy is available at every single stage. We often fall into the trap of thinking we will be "happy when" we reach the next level. But if we rush the process, we risk burning out and bypass the very experiences that make us great.
My invitation to you is this: Pay your dues joyfully. Whether you are navigating your first year of teaching or your twentieth, maintain a level of curiosity. Occasionally, intentionally "put on the hat of the novice" and learn something entirely new. Engage in collegial conversations, stay curious about your clients, and remember that developing your craft is a marathon, not a sprint.
“Ultimately, the teachers who will thrive in today’s landscape are those who are curious and willing to invest in their future development.”
The future of Pilates will not be shaped by the teachers who move the fastest but by those who stay curious the longest.
By honoring the time, it takes to grow, we don't just become better teachers, we ensure that our passion for Pilates remains as vibrant in year 35 as it was on day one.
Brent Anderson
With over 30 years of experience in rehabilitation and movement science, Brent Anderson, PT, PhD, OCS, NCPT is Founder and CEO of Polestar Pilates Education and Polestar Pilates Center. He is also an Assistant Professor at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences in the DPT department in Miami, FL. He teaches as an adjunct professor in the Physical Therapy departments at the University of Miami, University of Southern California, and New York University. Brent is passionate about the power of positive movement experiences and is dedicated to sharing Pilates with the world. and He is an active consultant for hospitals, universities, and wellness organisations internationally.
Purchase Brent’s book PRINCIPLES OF MOVEMENT