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Teaching from the Heart
A Prologue to the upcoming Happy Teacher series on The Pilates Show!
by Jennifer Gianni
I have been thinking a lot lately about having more compassion and more heart. Not only for others but a deep sense for myself. And when I include myself I feel more vulnerable and that is a lesson in acceptance and love for self. I have been highly aware that i can forgive and am gentler to others than I am to myself. This seems to be heightening as I get older (or I now can’t avoid noticing it). I chalk that up to there being more expectations (real or perceived) on what and how I should be. I have been noticing that this makes me not only rigid in my mind but also in my body. I have put on more armor to withstand the world and my own thoughts. There is no doubt anymore that I am my harshest critic. I am relating this exploration of self to all facets in my life, especially my passion for teaching others.
So how does being easier and more accepting of ourselves relate to teaching and all things Pilates? When we set that intention of Compassion for the self, it filters into every relationship that we have. This is especially true of our teacher/client relationship. If we haven’t figured out how to be kind, gentle, forgiving, and soft to ourselves, there is no way we can be teaching in a consistent, effective way. It will end badly. Not necessarily in the loss of a client or a bad situation in the studio per se, but at some time the teacher that isn’t constantly caring and forgiving of themselves will eventually run out of fuel and explode and/or collapse. I have seen it happen so many times.
We are in the business of serving. That is what we do . No way around that. We need to define that for ourselves. I have heard many times from teachers something that goes a little like this: “It is her fault. She is not trying hard enough. I am teaching her the exercises and she just can’t grasp it. There is nothing I can do.” And there are definitely times when we are presented with a client that we need to refer out. A client that has needs that are beyond our scope of practice. It may be that they need to be referred to a senior teacher or a body worker or a physician. But a good amount of the time the teacher isn’t thinking outside of the box. She or he already has an idea of what they are going to teach even before they see the client move. I see teachers layering on too much, not detailing the subtler movements, and basically confusing the client. When this happens, the client gets tangled in her thoughts and the body constricts.
Instruction that is detailed and intention driven takes time to refine. And to be crystal clear, it is not about spoon feeding or being a crutch for the client. It is nothing of the sort, and actually is the complete opposite. We must be the teacher who builds confidence little by little in the client. The goal is for them to be self sufficient. To show them that the body can heal itself 1000 fold when given the right impulse and stimulation. We are that impulse. We are that stimulation.
As movement educators we stand in service to the public. Our job is to take care of our clients. It is a great honor and responsibility. When this hits home, when we truly realize what it means “to take care of” and what our responsibilities are to the people coming through our door… THIS is the make it or break it time for teachers. They either leave the business or they step up to the plate. All of the facades are lifted at a certain point if you want to Teach, Instruct, and Nurture. This is a Discipline. This is an Art. And it takes years and years of hard, constant work before you feel proficient.
Most of us have realized that we didn’t get into this profession for the money. The ego has no place in the life of a teacher and that you must be compelled utterly by the physical and the psyche to stay connected to the work of the body. That is a huge step for our profession and industry. But in my opinion one that can’t come fast enough. We are the end of the line for a lot of people that are in pain, disgruntled, and have had enough with the world. They want a way back to the joys of their bodies. Maybe they aren’t having any luck in the doctor’s office, with medication, or with Fitness Fads .
This is why we desperately need better teachers in our field. Teachers that can teach outside of the Pilates box. Who have a liberal arts degree in Pilates and are critical thinkers. Teachers that can invite other disciplines into the Pilates Method and make those vital connections between the amazing resources that we all have at our fingertips. And we the teachers have to constantly come back to ourselves. The crowning glory in this whole gig, the thing that will make it last and grow for you as a teacher is Compassion and Heart for yourself. The world needs you and your teaching.
In the months to come I will continue to write on practical ways that the Pilates teacher can cultivate Self compassion and heart for oneself. I am practicing these exercises myself and am happy to report what I find so they might be of help to you or someone you know.
View all of the Happy Teacher posts here.
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Jen, well spoken! In my sharing of Pilates it’s only been 2 1/2 years! And I am my worst critic, and the more I learn, the more I want to know. You are such an inspiration to others. When we quit learning we are no good to anyone else. I will say (to myself) I just can’t do that..then I see someone can’t either, and I tell them it’s OK. I forget to tell myself it’s OK.
As always, thank you!
Ginger!!!
Yes, we are so hard on ourselves. When we become easier with ourselves we naturally have more fun, we are open to seeing and hearing more and different things and we become better teachers.
We are so proud of your progress. Thank you for all your support. Your feedback means the world to us.
Love
Jen
This is so very true, and so hard to actually accomplish. Wouldn’t the world be a nicer place if everyone could be compassionate toward others, starting with themselves. Less judging, less criticizing, more accepting. I think it’s a life-long journey. Thank you for being a wonderful teacher and for this reminder!
Here’s Jen’s preview of the upcoming Happy Teacher series… https://fusionpilatesedu.com/2015046extra-the-pilates-show-extra-upcoming-happy-teacher-series/
Hi Heather,
It is so good to hear from you. Thank you for writing in. It means so much for us to hear that others are connecting to the work we are doing on the site!
It is a life long, daily journey of setting the intention to be kind, compassionate and open to ourselves first and then to those around us. I think for our profession to truly be impactful in the years to come we have to incorporate this type of consciousness into teaching movement. The energetic body creates our physical body. If our clients are getting negative messages their tissues will hold onto that.
Can’t wait to hear from you again.
Love
Jen
I believe teaching is about holding the door open for our clients to discover their own inner teacher.We certainly are not in it for the money and I would say that the true satisfaction and fulfillment of my own purpose in serving others is when I see someone let go of something that is preventing them from moving with ease. It is in the moment to moment practice of choosing to either not contract or to let go of accumulated tension that creates a pathway to ourselves.
Jen, this series is so amazing!! I have burned myself out teaching & instructing to many hours a day. I felt depleted and started to despise my career choice. Oh, and it was “not my fault” my clients just weren’t getting it. Well, it was me who wasn’t getting it. I had to step back and start looking at myself and when I finally figured out that I needed stronger boundaries so I could care for myself everything turned around! Thank you so much for once again reminding me of the importance of us looking at our career and why’s and how’s, but also asking ourselves some tough questions. AMAZING!!!
Hi Heather,
I love what you wrote. Beautifully said and I could not agree more. It is great to hear from you. Hope to see more.
Love
Jen
Hi Darcy,
So many of us in this industry have been there! Me included. If we don’t take care of our selves we definitely cannot mentor and guide our clients. Takes lots of discipline. Thank you for your excitement about this new series. I am so into it and have been working on some deep material for all of us to delve into. More to come. Yeah!!!
Love
Jen
Beautifully expressed, Jen. Thank you for sharing your thoughts, support and passion.
Hi Lisa,
I am so happy you are reading these. Thank you for all of your spectacular work. We got some really good people in our tribe!
Did you see the dates for the Fascial Web in the Pilates Studio got changed to Dec in Asheville? Can you still make it? I hope so!!
Love
Jen
I’m loving The Happy Teacher series, Jen. It definitely resonates with me and I’m especially excited for you that you’ve created a venue to share your beliefs and practices with so many. Your thoughts and ideas are supportive of much of the work I’ve been practicing and I’m greatly appreciative of your warmth, guidance and additional reinforcement you are offering here. Your authenticity and passion transcends the screen and warms my heart each time I have an opportunity to view. Thank you for helping me continue to grow!
I didn’t see the Fascial Web dates were changed, but December actually works better for me. I will absolutely be there. Thanks for the heads up!
With love and gratitude,
Lisa
Hi Lisa,
Thank you for being so supportive and giving me feedback. I see so many teachers struggling and I feel like our profession is so important . So many of us are helping to guide change in people’s bodies and psyches for the better. It is so exciting what good movement can do.
I am so excited you can still attend in dec! Not to overwhelm you, but did you see MJ is coming at the beginning of Nov? She is teaching her new course here in asheville, Striding Ahead! I think you need to get a second home here and teach at Fusion!!
Love you
Jen
Jen,
A few years ago, the idea of compassion for myself was introduced and I’d been entertaining a very foreign concept in my personal life. I barely scratched the surface of addressing compassion for myself as a teacher, but a year ago that changed. I attended the SmartSpine workshop you hosted and the way I thought of myself as a teacher went into a tailspin. I was embarking into new territory, not knowing what I was doing, but being encouraged to give myself some time and a chance to learn. That’s when compassion and heart moved into my studio, and the reflection I’ve seen around me is astounding. Not only have I changed, but I’ve seen a tremendous change in my clients. They have grown from my growth. I’m more compassionate with myself and with them, so they, in turn, have become more compassionate with themselves, allowing for the change to happen in their bodies and minds.
I’ve been teaching Pilates for 16 years and this past year has been more expanding and rewarding than I could have ever imagined. What I find most exciting is that it feels like my journey has just begun. What a gift after all these years. I can’t thank you enough for igniting this excitement and passion in me as I share yours with you.
With love and gratitude,
Lisa
So did not mean to ignore the last portion of your post! I need just a little more time to wrap my head around two workshops back to back, and also will need to make another withdrawal from my life’s savings for my continuing education. Hahaha! Oh, and also for that second home in Asheville so I can teach at Fusion. Big smile just thinking about that. The mere suggestion is humbling.
Yes, I hear you about continuing education! See you very, very soon.
Love
Jen