Progression is a goal that is on every Pilates instructor’s mind. For an instructor, their students’ progression can be very rewarding and at times very frustrating. As instructors, we want our students to be successful and we know how important it is to retain them. Progressing a student who takes private sessions is one conversation, but progressing students in a group class setting is another.

Currently, my studio offers 16 group classes and I have been thrilled with the progress all my students are making. It has been very rewarding and I am having so much fun. When I think of why my students are experiencing so much success, two words come to mind, safety and technique.

SAFETY

Screening

The first step in assuring future progress, is implementing a screening process. You must have a method of screening every student that walks into your studio. If they are interested in group classes, you must consider their age, conditioning, and their current health status. Remember not everyone is a candidate for group classes. Many students can eventually join a group class after an appropriate number of privates and there are those who need to take privates only. In my 19 years of experience, I have missed out on signing up students because I did not allow them to take group classes and they were not willing or financially able to take privates. We must all be professionals and always make decisions with our students’ best interest in mind. At the end of the day, we are responsible.

Class Leveling

Once you have screened your students, you need to place them in the appropriate class. It is important to start them the right way. This increases your retention and reduces their frustration. Remember what starts wrong, ends wrong. Here are some options, depending on your market: you can require a certain amount of privates be taken before joining a group class. If this does not work for your market, make sure to offer different levels of classes. Make sure your beginner classes provide a strong foundation because their future progression relies on this. Some examples of beginner MVe chair classes are Introductory Mat and Chair class. In this class, teach the introductory mat and Perfect 10 chair exercises. You could also offer the Perfect 10 Chair/Alignment Tools class. In this class combine a cardio warm-up, the Ab Series, and the Perfect 10 Chair exercises with a strong focus on the alignment tools. As for some examples for reformer classes, you could offer Introductory Mat/Introductory Reformer class and layer in the fundamentals. These strong beginner classes will provide a strong spring board into future higher lever classes. It is important that students understand they must have the instructor’s permission to take a higher level class. I have found that students sometimes feel they are a better judge than you. Isn’t this interesting?

Now you have addressed safety, in terms of what you do before they attend their first group class. They have been screened and they are ready to take their first group class. How do we address safety during the class? Although, there are many safety considerations when teaching a mat class, I want to focus on equipment classes. Obviously there are more safety considerations when teaching group classes on the equipment. The following are some tips for offering safe group equipment classes.

Apparatus Scan

Get into the habit of using the apparatus scan. As students transition to the next exercise on the reformer, for example, make sure you scan each reformer from the footbar up to the straps assuring that each student has set-up the apparatus correctly and safely for each exercise.

Skills for Safe Progression

You must take command of your class and make the right choices for your students in order to progress them safely and effectively. Even if you have leveled out your classes, you will find different levels of ability within those leveled classes. The skill of multilevel teaching is an important one to master. As instructed on our Peak Pilates education courses, there are 3 skills you can use to assure safety and to assure that you are challenging each student at their level. These skills take practice, so I advise you to plan ahead and decide which skills you will use and for which exercises.

Skill I – Progressing from Easy to More Difficult Within the Choreography

When teaching a group of mixed ability students move through modifications starting with

easier and progressing to more difficult. In other words, layer in the advancements.

MVe Chair Class Example: When teaching One Leg Pump, first have everyone execute on a 2 count, then on a single count, then everyone in releve.

Reformer Class Example: When teaching Knee Stretch Series: Knees Off, have everyone first hold with the knees off, then everyone pushes the carriage out and in with the knees off.

Skill 2 – Adjusting the Equipment to Make it Easier/ Harder

Sometimes the solution can simply involve adjusting the equipment or set up to

allow for a modification.

MVe Chair Class Example: When teaching Sitting Mermaid, designate spring setting 2 for some students and spring setting 1 for those students who need a challenge.

Reformer Class Example: When teaching Stomach Massage Series, set the footbar on the first setting for some students and for students who might have tighter hips, set their footbar on the second setting.

Skill 3 – Add a Challenge for Students Who are Ready

Another way to approach progression is to provide a challenge for a more advanced student,

or ask a weaker student to stay where they are.

MVe Chair Class Example: When teaching Front Mountain Climb, have students continue to pump the pedal, while those you designate execute the advancement of pumping while extending the arms up and then returning.

Reformer Class Example: When teaching Long Stretch, have some students hold the position without moving the carriage, and designate which students will then move the carriage out and in.

TECHNIQUE

Improving technique is key to progression and accomplishing this in a group setting takes an instructor’s total commitment and planning. The three skills mentioned above, not only provide safety but support the student’s technical improvement. Two other approaches that have made significant improvements in my students’ technique are the concepts of threading a theme throughout a session and taking advantage of teaching moments.

Thread a Theme

Threading a theme throughout a session has been a huge success for my classes. Simply take a Fundamental, a Pilates Principle, a Critical Connection, or Key Concept and bring it to life during the session. Show its application many times during the session to drive the idea home. Then build on this in the next session. It is fun to create a 6 week plan and strategize how you can successively build off each session.

Teaching Moment

We know that we want to teach each class with flow however, there are times during a class when an opportunity to bring more clarity to an exercise presents itself. Please take advantage of that opportunity and make it a great learning experience. This is so powerful! It is an opportunity for you to improve your students’ technique. Be sure to get to the point and then move the class along. There are times when some students still don’t understand what you are trying to address, so ask them to stay after class. Only take one or two teaching moments per class.

Group class progression is such a passion of mine and I look forward to blogging more in the future on his topic. This blog just touches the surface. However, it is a great start. In summary, remember to screen your students, place them in the appropriate class, and make wise choices when progressing them. Have fun with progression by threading themes and taking advantage of those special teaching moments. Following these ideals will allow your students to discover the beauty of movement. In doing this your students will know you care and have confidence in your teaching.

Progressively yours,

Sonia Rodriguez, Master Trainer

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