RE: Hi, Kim!!
forgiven!
i am going to chat here just casually...
It sounds like you are flying on your own.... so..
while , I am not the person to really prepare you it sounds like you could use someone to talk with.. and untill someone better comes along i will try to be helpful.
check out Moira Stott...
www.stottconditioning.com
she teaches an updated Pilates in toronto..... she puts out excellent tapes and books...
I think she is the very best of anyone you could study with.
She incorporates new medical information for a safer workout but keeps very close to the traditional form at the same time.
They are selling Stott tapes at Borders and Barnes and Noble these days.... check them out!
You had a very well trained teacher from the traditional school of pilates... Same place my teachers came from... Stott will bring you up to date from the old school folks...(who i personally think really do need some updating)
On Pilates being boring....
I suppose either you love the work or you dont.
I love it..... because i am into perfecting each movement and there is always more i can aim for in the movements.. i always try to get deeper..rounder...smoother... more in oposition.
....its challenging no matter how long you do it.
I know it's really smart stuff to do too...
and its a good place to learn how to be honest and do your best of what you can do... you cant progress in Pilates unless you are honest and work at your own ability....but then it works..and thats a great lesson in life as well as exercise.
.. Some of your clients will love it no matter how bored you are with it! some would hate it even if you loved it.
Its not for everyone...but i know alot of people like it.
of course your love of the work will be contagious... your passion to go the extra centimeter (not mile in pilates!) deeper will inspire your students.
You know, Pilates is considered superior ab work because is really aims to strenghten the core all the way around the torso from ribs to pelvic floor... this is really functional in everyday living......( crunches for the 6 pack abs are not near as useful to sitting straight in a chair and saving back pain)
its great for women because it incorportates the pelvic floor (but you have to keep reminding clients to start the movement with the pelvic floor or it wont happen )... this should sell some clients all by itself...
anyhow my advice is :
check out
Stott
www.stottconditioning.com..
she has training books and tapes... get the tapes at the bookstore near you and save shipping...
also you can
go to collagevideo.com and watch stott tape video clips
And...
for a different approach try karen voight's new tapes you can find them at collagevideo.com too. Her 3 newer tapes are the ones to look at... one is called Body Reform... i cant remember the others...but they all have very simple covers with only her on it.
you might check out jennifer kries pilates inspired workouts...
you can look her up at collagevideo too.
i think you can find Jennifer Kries tapes at barnes and noble also.
then.. there are some sort of pilates tapes at costco.
I suggest tapes because you can get routines and how to instruct at the same time while seeing good form....form is everything.
a basic mat class can be over 20 people
but you need to be on aware of each person for current injuries and abilities and be prepared for useful adaptations .... people can get hurt in there. You have to know what a person with any spinal condition can handle .. osteoporosis too...
I think a very important thing is for you to be able to look around the room and easily see if people are using the correct form....
navel to spine, ribs down, etc ..... so its safe...so its effective.... can you look at someone and tell which muscles they are using as they do a roll up, roll down ? are they rolling too far in roll like a ball?
..... can you see the "C" shape as they roll ?... We have new students use a resistance band to help them with the roll ups....
can you tell who can do a teaser safely?
I imagine for any teacher in a group class making sure someone doesnt injure their back is going to be the number a priority.
if you watch moira stott tapes you will become aware of what kind of cuing will keep your students on track...
anyhow... i dont even know if i am being helpful or just tedious...
but if i had your assignment to teach a pilates class with out alot of background or support, I would study form on good videos.....
a good book is "the Pilates Body" brooke siler...... excellent drawings that show you where to concentrate the focus while you move.....
try that too
you might try looking all these things up on ebay or half.com..
get them cheap!