Mentorship

Throughout my 22-year career, I’ve been fortunate to gain experience in numerous roles in the pilates industry. From apprenticeship to management, to presenting workshops and teaching at conferences, to co-writing a 500-hour comprehensive program, each role has contributed to my enrichment as a teacher. In my apprenticeship and early career, I was privileged to train with amazing mentors, who were generous with their time, always happy to answer my myriad follow-up questions, and patiently acting as my “practice bodies” to refine my language.

I try to honor the generosity of my mentors by offering discounted sessions to new teachers to assist in developing their own skills as they navigate their comprehensive training, and establish themselves in their careers. Familiarity with repertoire is a valuable asset, but new teachers can struggle to find their footing in several fundamental areas of teaching:

• Critical thinking skills for appropriate exercise choice, and knowing when to vary the approach for a better outcome

• Balanced class-planning and time management for groups and private clients

• Developing clear and concise language to effectively direct students

• Balancing use of demonstration and tactile cues to effectively refine students’ movement

• Safely direct students how to mount and dismount equipment while maintaining the flow of class

• Developing the awareness of how your cues are being received by your students

• Creating an environment where people from all levels of ability feel welcome 

• Maintaining the appropriate level of challenge for a novice mover and an expert mover in the same class

• Maintaining your own practice to deepen your understanding of the repertoire

For more information on scheduling mentorship sessions, reach out to me at:

mcdonaldtrainer@gmail.com