Do You Practice What You Preach?

How often do you have the time to do your own Pilates practice? Have you managed to find a mentor who can help you with your technique? These are questions that might make you feel a little guilty or even frustrated. I understand that as busy teachers it is often difficult to schedule in your own practice.

However, keeping yourself fit and healthy is a necessity, especially if you are in a situation where if you do not work you won’t get paid. Working as a full time Pilates teacher or a teacher who offers a variety of fitness and Pilates programmes; whether in a gym or a studio setting creates physical demands that can result in injury or sickness.

A Pilates or fitness teacher’s working day consists of much repetitive movement - demonstrating exercises, assisting clients, picking up equipment, changing springs and bending down. In addition you are working in a public place, exposed to all sorts of germs or potential infections. Last but not least you are talking most of the time.

Let’s not forget also the psychological burden we carry ( sorry to sound dramatic) but we have to listen to our clients everyday, their highs and lows will effect their mood, and at the same time we must keep our problems to ourselves.

There are many factors that will effect our physical and mental well being if we do not pay attention ill health may be the result.

Natural Light

It is a sad fact that many Pilates studios are under ground with little of no natural light. If you need to spend several hours everyday in this sort of environment you may develop a Vitamin D deficiency.

Optimum levels of Vitamin D will help ward off many pathologies - heart disease, stroke, diabetes, osteoporosis, depression to name a few. Latest news on the website, www.vitamindcouncil.org suggests that Vitamin D is significant in effecting H1NI Swine Flu.

If you think you may be inside for too long each day make sure you get outside for your break, take a walk and when sunshine allows expose as much skin as possible - just 10 minutes a day of sun exposure will help. Of course you can also supplement Vitamin D - check with your doctor about safe levels.

Diet will also help maintain Vitamin D levels - Oily fish, eggs, cereal and milk are some of the foods that contain Vitamin D.

Moving Around Clients

Changing springs and generally helping clients with their technique can cause problems. If we do not take our own advice, bending down in an awkward position to change springs on the reformer or reaching up on the Cadillac can create low back pain, or strain in the neck or shoulder girdle.

Making sure we are in the best possible place to carry out adjustments is key. It may be you are on your feet for long periods of time, often with bare feet which can cause low back discomfort as well as varicose veins. Ensure your “studio shoes” are suitable. Check out www.pilatesshoes.co.uk .

You will need to demonstrate certain moves either during a class or for your personal training clients - take care when those exercises are the more intermediate/advanced or require flexibility. In a class scenario it is easier to prepare yourself for the demonstrations as generally you join the class for the warm up phase.

You might decide this is a good idea with your one to one clients also, it will allow your body time to adjust. Arriving for the session early too is a good idea, apart from the professional angle it will give you time to limber up before your client arrives.

It is easy to forget our bodies need time to get ready for a workout too, just jumping straight into a full Swan Dive is not ideal, you wouldn’t ask your client to do it, so why would you?

Your Voice Is A Tool

Problems with your voice can not only be a health hazard but also put the end to your livelihood. As a new teacher, group classes are usually the beginning of your career, you may tend to accept everything thinking you cannot afford to turn work away and then you find yourself teaching 20 plus classes each week.

Experienced teachers also suffer as they may be working long hours in studios and training teacher too. A few tips to keep your vocal cords healthy.

• Drink room temperature water or juice
• Avoid extreme temperatures for drinks neither too hot or too cold
• Use a microphone if your classes are larger
• Avoid speaking for a long time without taking a breath

If you are prone to soar throats take extra care and do not ignore the early signs - rest your voice when you can and seek medical help sooner rather than later.

Basic Common Sense

During your working day you will be exposed to many people and the germs or potential infections they are in contact with. In addition you are hands on in your work, making physical contact with clients. Take care to practice basic hygiene:

• Wash your hands thoroughly between every client
• Use an anti-bacterial cleanser for your equipment
• Ensure that equipment and mats are cleaned regularly
• Ensure that Pilates equipment is cleaned after every client
• Opening windows between sessions will also help clear the air

If you are concerned about toxic chemicals remember you can use essential oils, Tea Tree oil is a great disinfectant. Eucalyptus with Lemon Oil diluted with distilled water makes a great anti-bacterial spray.

Of course not all of us are lucky enough to work in a dedicated studio, many will have to teach in church halls, gyms and other venues that are not ideally suited to the practice of Pilates. All the more reason to be prepared, always check a new venue to ensure that it is suitable and if you need to make any particular arrangements to make it so.

Ultimately, your best tool for staying healthy is to remain safely active - taking your Pilates practice seriously is important - I often hear teachers say they are too busy to practice, by the time they get home it’s too late. I absolutely understand that, and taking part in segments of the classes you teach is not enough.

I encourage you to practice every day even if you just manage 20 minutes, find the time not only will your body and mind benefit but your clients as well as your teaching technique will too. Treat yourself regularly to a personal training session with a teacher you admire and if you are not fortunate enough to have good local teachers then make sure you continue your education by attending conventions and workshops where you will have access to best practice.

Taking time for yourself is essential to maintain your physical and mental well being, along with your Pilates practice make sure you also pamper yourself now and then with a massage, facial or just a long soak in a warm bath - you deserve it.

Nuala

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