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No matter what courses you do or skills you learn in life, you always start at the bottom and work your way up.

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When you started school you were new and had to start from the bottom, then you left school and went to college or Uni, then you left there and got a job.

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There’s a learning curve we all have to go through and doing your teacher training is no different.

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However, because of the emphasis we put on giving YOU 𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒈𝒂𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒆𝒙𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆 your learning curve is so much quicker than what it might be in other situations.

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𝑇ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑖𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑝𝑎𝑟𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝐼 𝑙𝑜𝑣𝑒.

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On the first weekend everyone arrives and you’re all nervous and of course feeling stressed as you have to sit the theory assessment that day. 🤯 ​ (Even I get nervous for you too!)

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By Sunday you’re teaching in pairs and starting to get used to yourself having to verbalise pilates or yoga exercises. ​ ​ ​ ​

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It’s laid back and you can even use books to help you, as the point isn’t that you have everything memorised, it’s just for you to get comfortable talking in front of other people.

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Then as the weekends progress you start needing your book less, you start looking at your fellow teachers and seeing what’s in front of you and again there’s always some exercises to help speed up your learning process.

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At the beginning of the third weekend it’s not unusual to have a wobble and a “I can’t do this” moment and then at some point during the 3rd weekend ….. 🙈

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𝑰 𝒄𝒂𝒏 𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒚 𝒔𝒆𝒆 𝒊𝒕 𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒆𝒏 𝒊𝒏 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒏𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒎𝒚 𝒆𝒚𝒆𝒔.

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There’s a switch from being the learner to the teacher and I can’t really explain what I see.

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It’s like the teachers have a lightbulb 💡 moment and actually 𝑩𝑬𝑳𝑰𝑬𝑽𝑬 that you can teach. 🕺

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You grow taller and you lift your head with this new belief and confidence AND THAT’S THE MAGIC FOR ME and that’s when YOU become a teacher. ​

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Yes a piece of paper might say you’re qualified, but in my eyes being a teacher isn’t just the certificate, it’s the knowledge, skill and confidence that you gain from all the practising that we do and all the ways we make the learning interesting and fun. ​ ​ ​

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If you want to join us on that then just get in touch by message or email and I’ll send you a prospectus and we can have a chat to see if we’re a right fit for each other! ​

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Lots of love

Tanja

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PS my email is info@elitepilatesteachertraining.co.uk

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The post My favourite moment in teacher training appeared first on Elite Pilates Teacher Training.

For those of you that join us on our Pilates teacher training courses. ​ ​ You’re going to recognise Beth from the videos as she was happy to be working on a 1-2-1 basis to help us record the videos 🙂
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Beth did one part of the course with us privately so that we could shoot the videos and then joined us for another course with a group 🙂 ​
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One of the things I wished I had was recordings of all the exercises so that I could refer back to it, but I didn’t and I know how much the teachers really enjoy having the additional resources 🙂
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So I’d like to introduce you to Beth:

“It was during the first Covid lockdown that I seriously started researching Pilates Teacher Training courses. I was unsure whether it would be for me, whether I was “good enough” at Pilates myself, worried that everyone could be gym bunnies, or ex-dancers, that I wouldn’t remember the anatomy and scientific bits blah de blah.
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We live in Exeter and Covid aside I knew I didn’t want to travel to London and do either an intensive course there or one that spanned several weekends and even more expensive.
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However, there are a lot more London providers including the big Pilates brands such as Stott, that bothered me. I then came across Elite Pilates Teacher Training in Newton Abbot.
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Tanja and I spoke extensively on the phone and she answered all my questions and concerns. She was so patient, understanding, and kind.
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My main take-home from back then and still is on “wobbly” days is Tanja asking me whether I thought Usain Bolt’s coach could run faster than Usain! Of course he can’t but he knows how to train Usain and get the best out of his body.
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I also now understand that clients actually prefer to have a ‘real’ teacher, one that understands and can relate to their regular body issues and concerns.
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I signed up for the course and set about my revision. I then decided to postpone the course I had signed up for due to personal reasons and start the next course which was no problem to Tanja and Paul and they understood.
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I’m not going to lie; the preparation for the anatomy exam is extensive, you do need to allow yourself enough time to do this prior to the start of the course.
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BUT it makes so much sense to learn that anatomy before the course as you use it all of the time and the rest of the course makes so much more sense.
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The actual course is very thorough and detailed.
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Tanja and Paul are exceptionally lovely and warm people. This isn’t chalk and talk, it is very laid back, lots of practical, lots of Q&A.
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They encourage you to ask loads of questions so that your understanding is very thorough.
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Tanja is only a phone call or email away and gets back to you really quickly.
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They have also created a detailed back catalogue of videos on most aspects of the course that you have access to not only during the course but forever once you have qualified.
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This is amazing, it’s as simple as that!
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The Elite Pilates Course has provided me with the self-confidence and knowledge to set up my own Pilates studio.
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The level and depth of the information provided goes much further than the requirements of the YMCA.
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As well as anatomy and how to actually teach Pilates, Tanja and Paul spend a lot of time discussing typical scenarios and modifications for clients who need specific adaptations for example those who have had hip replacements.
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The basics of Setting up a business are also covered. If you wish to start your own business rather than just be a gym instructor at a leisure center then I thoroughly recommend this course; I feel thoroughly equipped to start a new pilates career.
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I also feel like I can contact Tanja at any time post qualification to ask a question or check something; that is so valuable.
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Tanja gives you her time warm-heartedly. I am so pleased I chose Elite Pilates as my Pilates teacher training provider, I will certainly be returning to do more of their courses.
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I can’t recommend them highly enough if you wish to complete the Level 3 diploma so that you have the confidence in your own knowledge to be a good teacher.
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Thank you Tanja and Paul.”

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It’s so rewarding seeing our teachers go on to have successful careers – it really is like being a mumma bird watching her chicks leave the nest!
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If you’ve got that nagging feeling that this is something you really want to do, but you’re having the same doubts Beth did, then please get in touch (you can email me at info@elitepilatesteachertraining.co.uk) and we can have a chat to see if now is the right time for you ​ xxxxx

Love lots,

Tanja

The post Beth Goodwin appeared first on Elite Pilates Teacher Training.

When Linda started with me, she was in an awful amount of pain after several operations on one foot.
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I know Pilates is great, but it wasn’t going to be helping with the issues that Linda had…..
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BUT……
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Linda opted to have an amputation and it took about 6 months for Linda to get back to the class, less one foot.
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It is amazing what a positive mindset and a sense of humour can do to the healing process.
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Her doctors were amazed at how quickly she recovered from the surgery and she was soon ready to start with learning to walk again.
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I had no experience working with someone who had just had an amputation so it was a big learning curve for me, but I was honest and said to her that we can figure it out together.
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She already trusted me as a teacher and it was absolutely fascinating how getting your foot chopped off affects the rest of the body so much, and how everything in the body is truly connected.
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I don’t teach Linda anymore as I’m not in Plymouth, however, I passed her onto one of our teachers who qualified with us so that I know Linda will continue to get excellent care and service.
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Linda still pops up to the studio for some reformer sessions every now and again and is game for anything and works really hard.
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She had to learn how to use some of the muscles again and we really targeted certain areas to help build strength and stability in the amputated side. The stronger and more stable the glutes and hamstrings could be the better she’d be able to walk.
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One of the consultants she went to see prior to her surgery told her she’d never walk again and really tried to discourage her from having the operation, but Linda is one determined cookie…
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The photos were 7 months after her surgery. She was determined to walk into his office and prove him wrong!
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So…….
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You still think that the impact Pilates & Yoga teachers can have isn’t much???
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Linda is an incredible woman and I was lucky to share that experience with her. It made me a better teacher and taught me so much about how important having a positive mindset is to help heal the body!!!!!
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There are people out there needing teachers like you to help them make their lives better in one way or another…..
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BE A TEACHER AND FEEL GREAT!
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​Lots of love
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PS if you’re interested or have some questions then just send me a PM and we’ll have a chat!

The post Teachers can’t make that much difference can they? appeared first on Elite Pilates Teacher Training.

The post Who is a good fit for our courses? appeared first on Elite Pilates Teacher Training.

You love doing pilates / yoga and you love how it makes you feel after a class 💜

You’ve had a tiny little idea in your mind that perhaps you could become a teacher BUT then….

The little devil voice pops up saying 

“You can’t do that move how can you even think of becoming a teacher” 

And then you put the idea to one side and forget about it for a few months or even a few years, but deep inside is still that tiny little nudge to become a teacher.

My question to you is this…..

Do you think Usain Bolt’s coach can run as fast as he can?   NO of course not or he would be the one winning the medals!   In fact, I have no idea what his name is!

The coach’s job is to be a facilitator and to guide Usain to keep him on track (excuse the pun) and watches for any small changes that Usain needs to make to gain that 1 second advantage.   

His job is not to be in the spotlight, his job is to empower Usain Bolt to WIN and I’m sure you’ll agree he did a very good job at being a coach!

You can be an amazing teacher even if you can’t do a specific move and it does not mean you cannot be a good teacher for other people.

👉  You can still teach if you broke your leg.

👉 You can still teach if you’re 8 months pregnant.

You having an injury or you not moving in a certain way doesn’t impact your ability to guide others.

 In fact your clients will actually appreciate your example if you have a physical limitation…..

They’ll say “it’s nice to see she’s human too!”   🕺

There’s nothing more off putting that Perfect Pam in the corner that can do every single thing with perfect precision and I do know there are people that won’t even come to your class if you’re like Bendy Wendy!   

Yes I won’t lie – You do need to know how to do it – but just because you can’t do a few movements doesn’t mean you’re not going to be a good teacher!

In fact when we take people through our Elite Pilates Teacher Training Qualifications, they get to see some things we can’t do – some days the body might be a lot tighter and it’ll restrict certain moves.

I’m quite happy to acknowledge to my clients that my hamstrings are tight and I can’t always touch the floor….  And they like that I have issues too – and it helps people to resonate with you.

AND…. We teach you how to modify everything.   We teach you how to make the exercise fit the body – not the body fit the exercise!  

So, if you want to become like Usain Bolt you’ll focus on running, BUT if you want to become an amazing coach you focus on teaching him to run so it’s the same for you, as a Pilates or Yoga teacher!

One of our most popular teacher training exercises when we do our teacher training courses is the “NO NAME / NO DEMO” skills exercise.

Teachers get the opportunity to experiment with lots of ways of explaining things, without demonstrating or saying the name of the exercise☺. 

It’s a great listening exercise too and we always have lots of laughs 🤣

Being able to watch people while you’re telling them what to do and correcting them, being fully present with them and looking after them is what makes you a good teacher.

And don’t let anyone tell you otherwise!

If you’re passionate about yoga and pilates and considering teacher training, what’s stopping you is not your lack of flexibility or inability to do a certain move……

It’s your expectation of what you think a teacher needs to look like or be like.

 NOW you know that a good teacher is someone that is really good at empowering others regardless of what their own body can do! 

You can do it!

We have a few courses scheduled for 2023 so if you’re interested then send me a PM and I’ll send you a prospectus and the dates 🙂

Lots of love

Tanja xxx

The post Usain Bolt appeared first on Elite Pilates Teacher Training.

If this is how you feel right now…. 

I’ll let you in on a secret……

When I first did my teacher training, I didn’t actually have any intention of teaching classes.   ABSOLUTELY NO WAY!

I wanted to do some courses before, but pulled out of because I was so nervous about talking in front of people and I’ve missed some amazing opportunities because I was a scardy pants!

Just the thought of standing up there with my sweaty hands and armpits (and other things!) and just thinking about it would make me feel sick!   In fact I could feel my face going really red, my mouth drying up like a fish out of water and not being able to string a sentence together….

Jumping off a bridge felt far more appealing!

When I did my very first Teacher Training course, which was Pilates,  my intention was to teach private clients.

And then I started one group class….

And then another…… 

And another …..

And another …..

And before I knew it I had 10 classes and I REALLY FELL IN LOVE teaching the classes and I still do!!

So how did I overcome this fear? 

No 1 – I volunteered to go first so I could just get it out the way!! The longer I had to wait the more nervous I felt so I’d jump in and get it done asap.

No 2 – Once I did my course and decided to start a class I made sure that I was VERY prepared for that class.  The more I knew my stuff the less I had to worry about in terms of the actual Pilates.

No 3 – Another thing I did was visualisation.   

I know many people think it’s a load of nonsense, but I used visualisation and taught my class over and over and over again and the class went exactly how I planned it.  Even right down to the clothes I wore on the day!!!

At the end of the class I was buzzing!!! 

No 4 – I wrote down how I felt at the end of the class so that each time I got nervous I could read about how awesome I felt after the class.

No 5 – I did it more and more and more and really it wasn’t long before I was used to it

When I did my course I only taught twice!!! (shocking I know!), but on another course I did we taught every day and it does make a huge difference to your confidence.  

The more I got up and taught the more at ease I felt.

And this is why I’ve designed our Level 3 Pilates& Yoga Practitioner training the way I have.   

The training allows you to have plenty of opportunity to teach and all the training exercise are designed to have fun with – which soon helps you to feel more at ease when you’re teaching!

I love watching our new teachers when they start their training and how nervous they are and at the end of the weekend they’re glowing with confidence and it’s like watching butterflies spread their wings for the first time!

So if currently you feel afraid I totally hear you I’ve been there myself and I want you to know it’s ABSOLUTELY POSSIBLE le to lose the fear and so that you can follow your passion and teach and help people to transform their lives.

Don’t let fear freeze you into doing nothing and never pursuing something you really want to do … whether that’s applying for another job or doing your Pilates & Yoga teacher training.

There’s so much waiting for you on the other side of the fear! 

Lots of love

Tanja xxx

The post Can’t stand up and teach appeared first on Elite Pilates Teacher Training.

I’m a huge believer in “if it feels light, it’s right” and I use that to make many of my own decisions.

HOWEVER,  when it comes to doing your pilates or yoga teacher training, if you don’t have the information you need, you can’t make the right decision without all the facts and as a result, it may mean that your investment is a waste of time, money and energy!

I’m going to share with you the top 5 things you need to know in order to actually successfully teach after your training instead of thinking “that was a waste”.

Here are my 5 top Things to find out before you say yes….

1. Is the training provider currently walking their walk or do they teach all the gym qualifications under the sun❓. In other words are they a “Jack of all trades/master of none”  OR are they experts in their field?

Apart from offering teacher training at our studio in Devon, we actually run a pilates and yoga studio that offers classes and private sessions daily.  We serve over 100 clients and have built a successful business, which both Paul and I are a part of and it supports our lifestyle.

2. What training materials/resources do you get with your course❓  Will they actually give you a deeper understanding and materials that you can continue to use long after your training course.

Apart from the standard YMCA manuals, we have actually created our own beautiful manuals which you get as part of your course with us AND you get a library of recorded content for each exercise there’s over 9hrs of Anatomy videos specific to Pilates and Yoga.    In your library, you also have access to videos that will teach you about the more common medical conditions that will crop up in your class and how to deal with them so that you can look after people properly.

3. What’s the time commitment for the course and will I be able to meet it❓  

Our YMCA courses are 360hrs blended learning so there’s a home study and there are 11 practical days to attend.  The days are set over the weekends so it’s easier for most people who work full time to attend.

4. Is the course delivered face to face OR all online ❓   Will you get to practice in real life with real people that are directly in front of you so that you can see what is going on with their movements and body.

Our course is delivered face to face.    Yes, you have access to recorded content but you still have face-to-face training with us where you get to see actual bodies in front of you and you’ll learn how to use hands-on correction techniques, which you cannot learn online.   As a studio owner, I would not employ any teacher who has not done ANY face-to-face training.

5. How many people are on a course and will I actually get any individual attention❓

Our courses are limited to 10 per course to ensure everyone gets enough teaching practice and individual time with Paul and myself or even ask as many questions as you want.    Some courses may have 20 people or even more and then there are not going to be many teaching practice opportunities.  

Those are the 5 top things I feel are so important when you are shopping around and deciding who you want to train with.   The last thing you want is to get to the end of your training and not feel confident, skilled, or knowledgeable enough to start your own classes.

There are other things to think about like travel expenses and whether or not the facility is nice to do your training in.   I once did a course in a gym with badminton going on and it wasn’t great when we were trying to practice meditation!

Once you have gathered all the information, pick the schools that sing to you the most and see if you can actually go and visit them.  

We 💘l meeting aspiring teachers like you and it gives us a chance to get a feel for each other and you’ll know then if we are the right school for you and we’ll know if you’re the right teacher for us 🙂   

If you are interested and you want more information about our courses then send me a PM and I’ll pop over a prospectus to you and we can take it from there 🙂

Lots of love

Tanja x

The post 5 top questions to ask appeared first on Elite Pilates Teacher Training.