Understanding our role in reciprocity
Embrace your authenticity as a Pilates teacher by turning inward and honing the 'soft skills' that truly connect with your Pilates clients.
When I reflect back on my own pilates journey, I didn't come from a teaching background, I think many of us don't. Today, fifteen years of teaching later, I am super interested in what I wasn't taught on teacher training programs. The 'soft skills' I picked up along the way over years of trial and error. The skills that shaped me as a teacher and helped me navigate my world as a human being. The qualities of how to connect, inspire and teach from a grounded, assured place, from the heart.
I believe there are some key elements that should be taught alongside teacher training programs that inspire you to teach from a place of authenticity. This involves self reflection, a pause from external validation, sourcing and searching, a turn inwards. Pilates teachers love a training program, or is it just me? We are constantly learning, externally sourcing. My teaching evolved greatly when I turned my attention inward, understanding myself, my beliefs, traits and imprints.
This inspired me to write a holistic coaching program called The Platinum Crucible. A fully supported container to guide a process of self reflection, learning valuable strategies, developing a deeper understanding of connection, creativity and flow. To elevate your teaching, understanding your own unique pathway, your strengths, values and direction. Mutual support can help all of us. Connection is much needed in our community. My aim is to encourage a more collective awareness, more a world of support, care and kindness.
I decided to call the Program The Platinum Crucible for many reasons, but second to my story (see below) I like to think that we as Pilates teachers resemble a container, a Platinum (very strong) Crucible. We hold space for others, our studios are a safe space, a place for truth and vulnerability. Spaces for learning, exploring, growth and expansion.
We all have a unique teaching thumbprint, all from one body of work by the man himself Mr J H Pilates. So much has been derived and transcribed since the 1920's when Joseph and Clara opened their "Body Conditioning Gym" in New York City.
There are so many variations out there today, so many thumbprints, all valid, all expressions and interpretations welcome. What we teach shouldn't be fancy or elitist, just honest, authentic connection.
We hold space for lost connections, to restore balance and reignite freedom and expression to move well, mind, body and spirit. It reaches beyond this, we form deep connections and communities. The method is our framework and the depths found within this are expansive beyond words.
It’s incredible to think that we can change the collective timeline just by working on ourselves as individuals. The one thing that each of us can control in this human experience is ourselves and our own behavior. This allows us to truly shine and further our light to others.
Why The Platinum Crucible?
A platinum crucible is used to melt other compounds in. It has an extremely high melting point, making it super resistant to chemical corrosion. The melting point is 1768 degrees C so it can be heated to extremely high temperatures without having to worry about the crucible melting.
A Platinum Crucible was given to me by my Father back in 2009 when I had hit rock bottom, I had a breakdown. I lost my way. The details of which is a story for another day, but it led me to pivot my design career to a holistic Pilates one.
One hopeful spring day, my Father 'gifts' me a beaten, tarnished looking bowl in a plastic zip lock bag (it was his way of showing love). He explained it was Platinum and that it was worth a bit of money. I remember thinking, is he joking? it looked totally worthless. Turns out he was right.
I took it to Hatton Gardens. I nervously approached a buyer and I accepted his first offer, I probably should have shopped around a bit. I was very nervous carrying a large sum of cash through the streets of London. I walked from Hatton Gardens to Great Russell Street, to Body Control Pilates and handed over almost the EXACT amount in cash for my first ever pilates training program.
Details.
Holding space for others is an extension of you. It’s a privileged position that equally allowed me to grow as a teacher and human being, as I progressed through my own teaching journey.
Each and everyone of us takes responsibility for our own corners, inner activists, tending and befriending, nurturing and supporting. Quiet warriors. It takes small powerful corners to impact big societal change. That is the power of our studios and our work.
Maybe this is what true power is? The Platinum Crucible is designed to support your teaching, it's primarily a self development program, a container where I hope to inspire and support you, to share some tools of transformation, elevating your teaching so that you can give the very best to others. It's about reciprocity, who supports you as you hold space for the healing of your community?
Pilates put me back together on so many levels. Becoming a teacher helped heal me from the outside in and still to this day it enriches my life beyond words. The connections I have made, the deep Passion and Joy that it provides. I do what I do because I believe in the method, in its power, in its inner and outer transformation capabilities, in its history and in its present. I could have just honored all of those things by being a student but thanks to my Father and The Platinum Crucible I chose to become a teacher.
Today I am inspired to be shaping, supporting and giving back to teachers. Understanding the role of reciprocity, we can create a life filled with deeper connections, growth and success. It is the life force that connects us all and I feel privileged to be weaving a part of it.
Jen’s training began in 2009 with Body Control Pilates. She has worked with many world-renowned teachers over the last fifteen years. She has supported thousands of people back to health.
She empowers, inspires and supports movement teachers in finding their unique voice and expression, at whatever stage they’re at on their teaching pathway, to become fully resourced, confident and assured. Find out more here.
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FAQs
1. What is "The Platinum Crucible"?
The Platinum Crucible is a holistic coaching program designed to support Pilates teachers in their personal and professional growth. It focuses on self-reflection, building authenticity, and creating deeper connections with students and the Pilates community.
2. How does The Platinum Crucible elevate teaching?
By encouraging inward reflection and offering tools for transformation, the program helps teachers understand their unique strengths, values, and teaching style, allowing them to teach from a grounded, authentic place.
3. Why is reciprocity important in teaching Pilates?
Reciprocity creates a balanced exchange where teachers also receive support and healing as they hold space for others. This mutual support helps foster deeper connections and growth within the Pilates community.