Do you know why you want to teach Pilates?

This seems like a simple question, right? Why do you want to be a Pilates teacher? There are many different reasons some have in wanting to teach Pilates but, knowing the true reason why YOU want to teach Pilates is probably the most important question to ask yourself. It will not only make you a better Pilates teacher but, your Pilates teaching career fulfilling and rewarding for years and years to come. There are 3 Reasons which I will share with you why knowing your answer is so important.


Understanding why you want to teach Pilates is key and this is a question I give every student who comes into my Teacher Training Program. Exploring that answer with them, seeing where they are coming from and where they are wanting to go to is very important as it tells me a lot about who they will be as a teacher.


When I discovered Pilates I was in pain. I had been teaching group classes from aerobics to spinning and my knees were starting to feel the effect. I had been active my whole life so, now having something stop me from what I loved, moving was not something I was going to be able to live with. A friend who was a Pilates teacher got me onto her apparatus and from the minute that Reformer moved in footwork I was saying “why did I not know about this before?” I could feel my whole body react, engage, and move in ways I had never gotten in any activity before. From that moment on I never looked back.

Pilates made such an impact on my body and got me out of pain that I wanted to do that for others. I wanted to make them feel better when they left after working with me than when they came in. It is still what drives me with my clients. To get them moving for their body and challenge and guide them. That has never left my focus as a teacher and is in every session with every client. It is also the thing that makes me happiest in my teaching.

A fully Comprehensive Program is a big commitment not only with time and money but, you will discover a lot about yourself just as if you are in college. There will be times you question if you are good enough, is this right? will I ever get this? Those that know WHY they are on that journey will see that end goal and work through and challenge themselves. I see that happen for those in my Teacher Training Program as they start their journey and when they came in knowing why they wanted to teach Pilates.

Take one of my students who just this past winter took her Practical exam. She is out in the teaching world now. She had those moments during training and asked herself many times those questions but, she knew why she was there in the program. She had that support and herself to say YES this is right! I am doing what I want to do.

Just the other day I got a text from her and in the text, she said “ I have taught 6 times this week and every time has confirmed that yes, this is what I am supposed to do!” How wonderful is that? To be in your job and confident with no questions you know you are where you should be! Not many people can say that right?

In reality the question “why do I want to teach Pilates” is the most important one to ask yourself as you begin to look into taking this journey. Knowing why is key to maintaining that passion and purpose your entire Pilates career.

Here are 3 Reasons to ask yourself why do I want to teach Pilates?

Your answer will help you decide what Teacher Training Program to explore- Do you want classical, contemporary, traditional, fusion or more physical therapy based? Setting that foundation for your Pilates teaching is important in terms of how you will teach, who you will teach, and what environment you will teach.

2. It will guide you in your journey of continuing to learn after your training- Workshops, Bridging or Mentorships will be something that will continue to feed that passion of why you got into teaching Pilates in the first place. You will seek out those that help guide you further down your path keeping that focus and joy for you.

3. Confidence! This is the best reason of all! Being sure of why you are becoming a Pilates teacher will get you through your Teacher Training and those first-time clients, clients that have done Pilates longer than you, going into a new studio, and all the “firsts” that you will encounter as you go through your Pilates career.

I can say that after teaching Pilates and teaching those that want to be teachers that knowing why you want to teach Pilates is key to so much on your journey!