Tag: barre body teacher training

Qualities that make an exceptional teacher

Anyone can be an instructor, that’s a given. But what makes one stand out from the rest? Here, our expert teacher training team unpack what it means to be a world-class fitness instructor.

1. Presence

We can guide people through movement, but being present means to make space in class to pause, look around the room, see what’s going on and then make corrections, rather than just rattling off pre-rehearsed cues. That’s the difference between talking through movement and actually teaching. Another way to cultivate presence is arriving early, setting up the space, using music and props to get yourself into the flow and be 100% there. It also gives an opportunity to chat to clients when they arrive to establish a relationship with them. This way, the class becomes more conversational rather than a performance “in front of them.”

2. Connection

Utilise hands-on adjustments, personal touches, address clients by their names and give them gentle encouragements. In short? Make them feel seen. You’ll be surprised how many clients love one-on-one attention. A good rule of thumb is to try to “touch” every client at least once or twice during a class. Even just a smile to connect with a client goes a long way. You might also like to stand near the equipment at the end of the class where clients put their mats away and thank them for coming. Hot tip: make a comment about how you’ve noticed they’ve advanced to have a final moment of connection!

3. Challenge

Prepare your class with the strongest/most advanced student in mind and make sure that what you’re teaching will challenge them. At the beginning of the class, mention there will be options and modifications so each person can adjust to what their body needs. An exceptional teacher will make their classes accessible to everyone, and one way to do this is to layer. Start with the essence of the exercise and then invite clients to add on progressions. Transitions and not having many breaks can also make feel classes more challenging, as rest time is minimised. Another handy trick is to finish with a very strong exercise. This way, the feeling of working hard will stick in your client’s minds. 

4. Authenticity

This can be tricky at the beginning of your teaching journey as you’re still working hard to follow your class plan, use the right cues and get the words out. But you should absolutely bring you to your classes! If you’re a dancer, sneak in a few of your favourite moves. If you love yoga, incorporate a spicy sequence, and if you love jokes bring your humour to class. Don’t be afraid to be yourself and develop your own unique teaching style. 

5. Creativity

Don’t be afraid to get creative with your class within the format you are given. The secret to being an exceptional teacher is all about showing you the magic of teaching: what exercises go together, how to create flow, layer and transition to create an enjoyable, juicy class. Get creative with how your class feels. It could be dynamic, strong and to the point or it could be more gentle, moving through different poses. And remember: creativity can come back from so many places! Think directions in the room, theming your classes with a body focus or music. 

6. Reading the room 

Being adaptable is crucial if you want to be an exceptional teacher. Read the energy and the vibe. If you have a class planned with a sequence on your belly and three people who are pregnant join, you need to be able to adapt and change up the exercise to provide a great experience for everyone. Or, if you feel that clients are exhausted and you have a very strong dynamic class planned, you might need to tweak this on the go. Also, don’t be put off by serious looking clients, they’re often the ones enjoying the class most!

7. Modifications and levels

How do you cater to different needs, injuries, pregnancies and people who want a very strong class at the same time? 

Speak to your clients about their expectations before class and give them modifications if needed. Anticipate what discomfort clients might be feeling in an exercise and speak to this. For example, “if you can feel this in your lower back, pop your feet down or give me a wave and I’ll come over.”

8. Voice

The tone of your voice needs to ebb and flow with the class to guide the pace and intensity. Beginning at warm up, it will inevitably be softer, but it will need to pick up during challenging sequences to motivate your clients. Pockets of silence are totally okay. You don’t have to cue everything – just what’s relevant for the people in the room! Don’t feel that you have to fill the space with counting, or empty fill words. And always keep your language positive.

9. Musicality 

An exceptional teacher will lean on music to support them. Design a playlist that builds with the class. Softer music for warm up, then more upbeat music, then soft music again for cool down. Music is a huge motivator so it’s worth putting some thoughts into your playlists.

10. Self-development

To keep growing as a teacher, you need to observe yourself as a teacher. Watch how your clients are reacting to different sequences. Are clients repeatedly rolling their shoulders during your arm sequence? If so, ask “is there something I need to change to balance it out more?” Continued development is also important to keep feeling inspired. The key here is to attend workshops, courses (we also have plenty of short courses), and participate in as many classes as possible. 

How to make a living from your love of movement

If you’ve found your way here, chances are, you have a passion for fitness or wellness. Which means you’re in luck, because not only is that a passion that will reap rewards for you personally for many years to come (hello, fit and flexible forever), but it’s also one that can be transformed into a thriving, rewarding career.

Tapping into your passion often feels joyful and stimulating. When you’re working in an area of personal passion, you tend to feel energised, like time passes quickly, like you’re equal parts challenged and confident, and often, the effort you put in usually means that you’re doing your best work. Working in your space of passion isn’t just about feeling good … Great performance usually follows.

After working with thousands of teachers and students from all over the globe, one thing we do know is that the best teachers are those who truly have passion for what they do. Because when you unlock that passion, you unleash all the positive energy you need to be the best teacher that you can be. That energy is contagious – and your students feel it too.

If you’re contemplating a career shift, a new endeavour or adding an additional string to your bow – step one is tapping into what it is about this opportunity that really makes your heart sing. Let’s be real… There’s a bit of work ahead – and tapping into your passion, and what you really love about wellness, fitness or helping and inspiring others – will be the rocket fuel that keeps you going.

So… What is it about teaching that lights you up inside? What are you most passionate about when it comes to inspiring others? What are you most curious about learning? Answer these questions wholeheartedly and you’re well on your way to unlocking that passion… Look out world!

And as for step two?

Marrying your passion with purpose.

(Here’s where the fun really begins). You can be passionate about something, or simply have a strength or interest in a certain area, and receive satisfaction from the work that you do. But when you couple your passion with a purpose-driven career or role, your work (and life!) reaches a whole new level of meaning.

It’s simply human nature to want to do work that really matters, and when you work with purpose, you are motivated and rewarded by the understanding that the contribution you make to the world really does matter. You are driven by the positive impact that you make to the lives of others, and work fulfills a role that is beyond just paying the bills.

Working as a Barre, Pilates or Reformer teacher is definitely one of those rewarding, motivating careers. Every day, we hear clients say,

“I’ve never enjoyed fitness until I found Barre Body.” 

“My body has changed in ways I never dreamed of.”  

“You’ve made me fall in love with my body and all it can do.”

Magic? Just a bit.

So if you can tap into your passion, and pursue a purpose-driven career that brings meaning to your life because of the impact you can make – then you’ve hit the career jackpot! This is exactly the thing that our most successful graduates do, and what often makes the difference between a good and an exceptional teacher.

5 things to consider before choosing a training provider

teacher training

So you’ve decided you want to make your passion for fitness your career? We love to hear it!

Now, it’s time to determine who is going to hold your hand throughout that process. Finding the right training provider can be likened to a long-term relationship. And boy oh boy, do you want to get that right! This is the company – and the people – who will guide you, teach you, support you and encourage you. They’ll be there for you when you’re finding things tricky, and they’ll be your biggest cheerleaders when you’re at your peak. So, how do you go about choosing the right partner in your training?

This really comes down to what is most important to you. Spend some time thinking about the type of company you want to be aligned to and the type of teacher you want to be. Do you want to have a deep understanding of anatomy, or do you want to really know how to make an exercise burn? Do you want to create technically perfect classes, or do you want to instil a love of movement within your clients? Do you want to graduate quickly and move on, or do you want to enter into a community of like-minded instructors (who may go on to be your closest friends and mentors)? There is no right or wrong answer here – simply personal preference. This is your career you’re carving out – and a significant investment to get there – so it’s invaluable that you take the time to select the right training provider.

Now how do you determine who aligns best with your values? Do your research. Who are their alumni, and where are they teaching? What does the company stand for and how do they present this to the world? (Instagram is a great place to start.) What are they known for?

With that in mind, we’ve put together a checklist of things to consider before choosing a training provider:

1. Does the training just cover repertoire or all components of teaching?

Be it music, sequencing, flow, cueing, modifications, or touching clients correctly, there’s so much more to teaching than the exercises.

2. When was the curriculum last updated?

The world of Pilates is ever-changing, and it’s important that your training is up to date with the latest science and research.

3. What support will be offered after graduation?

Becoming an expert instructor is a journey, so it’s important that your provider is there every step of the way, with no question ever going unanswered.

4. Is the training certified?

If you’re already registered with a leading health or fitness body, it’s a no-brainer that you should be able to claim professional development points upon graduating.

5. Are there any ongoing fees and commitments?

Will you be restricted to teaching under a certain brand or style? Decide how you would like to teach, and what feels right for you.

While we can’t speak on behalf of our competitors, we can tell you about the values of Barre Body. We celebrate every body. The magic of the individual. The beauty in diversity. And this love extends from the way we approach our clients, right through to the way we teach our instructors. We don’t produce cookie cutter graduates. We encourage you to do the work. To discover who you are and how you can bring your own teaching brilliance to your classes. Because at the end of the day, this is what will have clients coming back for more, time and time again.

With Barre Body Teacher Training, we also focus on what we know best – which is creating extraordinary experiences for clients. Having run successful studios for many years, we know what it takes to create life-changing classes and to create a multi-million dollar business in the process. What’s more, we know what type of instructors we look to hire. And that’s precisely what we teach in our Teacher Training programs. Because we don’t just want you to walk out with a repertoire of anatomical terms and a few class plans (although that certainly does come into the mix) – we want you to graduate as a highly employable Barre or Pilates instructor, ready to teach incredible classes, immediately.

Finally, we pride ourselves on the support we provide our teacher trainees. We don’t send you off with a manual and hope for the best. We’re by your side, every step of the way. With our thriving Facebook community, our master trainers who are available around the clock, and our weekly online group mentoring sessions, we make sure you’re supported and feeling the love, both during your course and far beyond your graduation. Because once you’re part of the Barre Body family, you’re in it for life.

Of course, our approach isn’t for everyone, and there is nothing wrong with that. So do your due diligence, and discover the training provider who best resonates with you, and the you you’re about to become.

Spotlight on Scholarship winner, Chey

Meet Chey Fletcher, one of our 2021 Teacher Training Scholarship winners. She’s resilient. She’s kind. She’s smart. But we’ll let her do the rest of the talking.

Chey! We’re so glad to have you. Could you introduce yourself?

I’m from the Northern Gold Coast. I work in the birthing space, so I’m a hypnobirther and a doula as well. I also have a meditation qualification and a Pilates qualification is always something that I wanted to do – it’s what I can offer pregnant women and their families.

Wow, that’s such inspirational and important work. What is it that attracted you to Barre Body?

I’d seen it around on social media a lot, and when I went looking into different programs, I thought that the Barre Body program offered the most support and continuity of support. There are a lot of online ones where it’s run at your own pace but you’re left on your own as well.

I felt it was really important to have the experience so that you don’t hurt anyone but also so that you know what you’re doing and when people ask about your qualification you can share that you have gone through an extensive process.

Why does the scholarship mean so much to you?

It has been a very rough year for me and my family as I experienced a stillbirth with my first daughter in August last year, so that’s what prompted me to go into this line of work. A lot of the programs I’ve looked into have been really, really expensive and it’s just not something that’s been in our budget with the cost of our daughter’s funeral and all the other dilemmas that have happened through this year that we weren’t expecting. So it’s just been that huge pressure taken off and that really nice gift that I just can’t repay, and that I wouldn’t be able to do so quickly if I didn’t get this opportunity.

Thank you for sharing that, that can’t have been easy. We’re honoured to be able to take some of the pressure off. Can you tell us what movement means to you?

Movement is a physical and a mental thing as well. I definitely believe in the mind-body connection. You have to stay moving physically for your health, so your body doesn’t break down, but in terms of movement with pregnancy, it has been shown to have lots of really good benefits in reducing labour times and also helping with the mental aspect of pregnancy.

What are you most excited about getting out of the training?

To be able to support pregnant women and their families.

And finally, what impact do you hope your training will have on your community?

It’s not really offered in my community, there are lots of places that do Pilates, but nowhere specifically specialises in antenatal, postpartum, and pregnancy Pilates. The closest one is an hour drive away.

It was great to chat, Chey. We look forward to seeing you thrive in the training and spread the Barre Body love in your community.

Do you want to teach Pilates on your terms? Is it your dream to bring mindful movement to your community? Have you experienced obstacles – financial pressures, mental blocks, time restraints – and need extra support? We’ve got you.

Our 2022 Teacher Training Scholarship applications are open and give you the choice of Barre, Pilates Mat, or Reformer Pilates training. We review applicants quarterly, so you can apply right now, next month, or whenever you want.

APPLY NOW 

Spotlight on Scholarship winner, Nicole

Nicole Stanton is many things: a new mum, a community activist, and one of our 2021 Teacher Training Scholarship winners. She’s also a woman on a mission. A mission to carve out time for herself, and encourage those around her to do the same. What a star. 

Hey, Nicole! So great to chat. Can you tell us a little bit about yourself? 

My name is Nicole and I live in Northland, New Zealand. I was brought up in the Bay of Islands in Kurri Kurri and later moved to Matauri Bay which is a little coastal area on the east coast of New Zealand. I’m a mum to a one-year-old son, and I have a beautiful partner who supports me through all of life. I work for the Family District Councillor as a Community Development Advisor and basically, I’m just really passionate about supporting our community to be resilient – especially up here in Northland. 

We love that – community is everything to us. So, what is it that attracted you to Barre Body?

I’ve always been quite into health and fitness but since I had my bub, my world’s just completely shifted. I’ve really struggled to find the time to prioritise it.

I started following Barre Body on social media and definitely was attracted to the softness and kindness that was coming across. I’m a complete beginner to Pilates – I’ve probably only done 5 or so different classes over the past five years. And when you’re interested in learning, it can be quite daunting, especially in a studio situation where everyone looks like an expert. 

That’s what I felt locally. Here, there’s maybe two Pilates studios, but everyone who goes is at that expert level. So it’s quite daunting to step into that when you’re starting from the beginning. That’s what drew me to Barre Body. I found the messaging really inviting and warm. So when I saw the opportunity for the scholarship I thought, “that’s awesome I’ll go for it.”

And we’re so glad you did! What does movement mean to you?

Movement for me is not really about the body, it’s really about the mind. 

Your mind shapes your body, and having a clear mind shapes your movement and what you do and how you do things.

We couldn’t agree more. Tell us, what are you most excited to get out of the Pilates mat training?

I’m really looking forward to having this ‘me time’ since I had bub, and to master Pilates for myself. Also, the support. I think physically I’ll be able to navigate the course, but it’s that mental guidance and mental support that I’m most excited about. When you have great support, it allows you to dig deeper and find what’s already inside you and bring it out.

What impact do you hope completing the training will have on your community?

To me, community is my family and friends, so I’m looking forward to sharing this with them, having fun and helping those who perhaps don’t have the best health and fitness. 

It’s been such a crazy time with covid, so whether someone is looking for a supportive mechanism, an outlet to wind down, or just wants to give it a go, hopefully I can encourage them to have that experience.

Thanks so much for being with us today, Nicole. Here’s to enjoying your “me time” and sharing a little Barre Body love with your nearest and dearest. 

Have you ever wanted to teach Pilates on your terms? Is it your dream to bring mindful movement to your community? Have you experienced obstacles – financial pressures, mental blocks, time restraints – and need extra support? We’ve got you.

Our Teacher Training Scholarships applications are open and give you the choice of Barre, Pilates Mat, or Reformer Pilates training. We review applicants quarterly, so you can apply right now, next month, or whenever you want. 

APPLY NOW 

Spotlight on Scholarship winner, Emily

Hi, loves! Last year, we introduced our Teacher Training Scholarship – we had so many applicants, that we couldn’t help but award ten full scholarships. 

To celebrate our winners, we’re introducing a new Q&A series to help you get to know them a little better. We hope you love them as much as we do. 

Today, it’s all about Emily.

Hello, Emily! Thanks for making time to chat. Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

I’m Emily Fox, but you can call me Em for short. I live up in Nhulunboy in East Arnhem Land, so right up the top of Australia in the Northern Territory with the crocs and the dingos and the water buffalo. I have a strong background in dance and I used to be a professional dancer. I’m now teaching dancing, ballet, jazz, hip hop, contemporary – the works.

Oh, and I’m 34-years-old with three children who are 2, 4, and 7. 

And what attracted you to Barre Body?

I’ve really enjoyed the Barre fitness classes, I’ve done a couple up here. With my ballet training and knowledge, that has obviously led me towards it too. I also love my Pilates – reformer Pilates and mat Pilates. So then this scholarship came up on my newsfeed on Facebook as I was scrolling. And I thought, “Oh! What an opportunity! I’d love to give it a crack!” I would love to bring it to Nhulunboy because we have limited services up here, being such a remote community.

We love that attitude. Why does the scholarship mean so much to you?

I was a little bit lost. Yes, I do all the dance teaching but I was wanting to do something more. I wanted a bit of a change, I didn’t know what direction to go into – after having the three children I spent so much time parenting and putting them first, which I’ll still continue to do, but I found with Barre, it’s something that can bring calm into even the most hectic day. To focus on yourself, and give yourself the time for your mental health as well as your physical health. 

So I was just blown away and so excited, it’s something I can bring to the Nhulunboy community. And it’s all online so I can become an online instructor wherever I am.

And we’re so excited for you, too! Can you tell us what movement means to you?

Movement is happiness. I find movement in myself with my dance background, moving the body gets us happy, it gets endorphins going, and it gets everything lifted and light. The stress of the world disappears. It also helps teach the way that your body works and the way that you can move your body – you can push it to limits that you weren’t aware of, especially with the dance technique and training. It can do so much more than you think.

Everyone always laughs at me because of the movement of my walking style. They say it looks like I’m gliding along clouds when I walk, even just in aisles and shopping centres. I don’t mean to, I think it’s just built in my body from years and years of training. So yeah, movement is happiness for me. It brings less stress, it brings less tension. 

We couldn’t agree more that movement is happiness. What are you most excited to get out of the training?

More knowledge, and different styles of teaching. I’ve been teaching dance to students, younger children, and adults for about 14 years now. So I’d love to get more knowledge, there’s always space to learn and space to grow, and different styles and different techniques of teaching. So, that’s a big part for me, to get more of the yoga and Pilates side and incorporate that into my teaching styles. 

And finally, what impact do you hope that this story has on your community?

To show people that if you’re umming and ahhing, just take a step forward and do it, and see what comes from it. With the whole Barre style, I think there’s going to be a lot of people that really appreciate it because it’s that gentler flow on the body. 

We have a wide range of ages in our community up here, so it is something that each and everybody can do. You don’t need to be of a certain fitness or a certain structure to be able to partake in a Barre class. So it’s opening the doors for the community, to show that you can move your body, no matter what. There’s no harm, you’ve got nothing to lose. 

Thank you so much, Emily. We can’t for you to get started with your scholarship, and see the joy you bring to your community. 

Do you want to teach Barre on your terms? Is it your dream to bring mindful movement to your community? Have you experienced obstacles – financial pressures, mental blocks, time restraints – and need extra support? We’ve got you.

Our 2022 Teacher Training Scholarship applications are open and give you the choice of Barre, Pilates Mat, or Reformer Pilates training. We review applicants quarterly, so you can apply right now, next month, or whenever you please.

APPLY NOW