A Pilates instructor journey: from a birthday gift to a teaching career

Every Pilates instructor journey starts somewhere, and for one of our graduates it began with a birthday present. Below she tells her story in her own words: how she discovered Pilates as a teenager, lost touch with it, found it again while studying, and went on to qualify and teach at Pilates Dynamics. If you are wondering whether your own love of Pilates could become a career, her experience may sound familiar.

It all started with a 15th birthday gift

At 15 I talked endlessly about how exercise made me feel and how much I loved discovering new ways to move. My friends didn’t share the interest, but they listened, and on my 15th birthday one of them gave me a Pilates kit: a manual, a soft ball, a mat and a CD.

I had no idea what Pilates was, but I remember the excitement of learning something new. I tried the first few exercises and was hooked immediately. Over time I noticed my posture improving, I felt stronger and more aware of my body, and as a bonus I lost a few centimetres.

What surprised me most was the mind-body connection. Pilates kept me completely focused for the whole session. I started reading everything I could find about it, and I remember putting my phone down and thinking, “Well, this is amazing, let’s do it every day.” I was the girl who forgot her homework but never forgot her Pilates.

Losing the habit, then finding it again

Like most teenagers, I soon got busy with schoolwork. One missed week became two, and you know how it goes from there. My manual was buried under other forgotten books, my soft ball became a soccer ball, and my mat made a perfect bed for the cats.

Years later, while I was completing a degree in Biokinetics, we had a workshop on the benefits of Pilates and how it can be used in rehabilitation. I rushed home that day and searched high and low for my old manual. Reading it again with a better understanding of anatomy, the exercises made far more sense, and that was the moment my Pilates journey began again.

Training as an instructor at Pilates Dynamics

Shortly afterwards I had the opportunity to complete the Pilates Mat course at Pilates Dynamics, and I went on to work at the studio. That is where I learnt how much more there is to Pilates than a list of exercises.

What stood out for me in training:

• Learning how to teach, not only what to teach. Knowing an exercise is very different from being able to cue it clearly for someone else.
• Understanding the “why”. Each exercise is taught with its muscle focus, objectives, variations, recommendations and contra-indications, so you can adapt it safely for different bodies.
• Support throughout. Experienced, well-qualified instructors guided me from my first lecture to the exam and beyond.

I can’t fully describe the impact Pilates has had on my life. For me, it goes deeper than movement: it is a real understanding of your own body from the inside, not a superficial experience. I see myself always including Pilates in my life and helping others discover it for themselves.

Where to go next on your Pilates instructor journey

My own journey started with mat work, and that is a good starting point for most people. Once you are qualified on the mat, there are two natural next steps at Pilates Dynamics.

The Comprehensive Conversion course

If you already teach mat Pilates, the Comprehensive Conversion course covers an extensive repertoire on the large equipment: the Reformer, Cadillac, Wunda Chair, Tower, Ladder Barrel and Arc Barrel. You also learn to bring small equipment such as balls, the magic circle, ballet barre, TRX, Bosu, free weights, resistance bands, foam rollers, air cushions, step barrels and rotation discs into your classes. When you finish, you are comprehensively qualified.

The Intensive Reformer course

If the full conversion feels like too big a step right now, the Intensive Reformer course is a more focused option. It covers a broad Reformer repertoire with the same detail on muscle focus, objectives, variations, recommendations and contra-indications.

If you’d like to hear from another graduate about what training is really like, read what one trainee wishes she had known before starting her Pilates teacher training. For the bigger picture, our guide on how to become a Pilates instructor in South Africa sets out the steps.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a background in exercise science to train as an instructor?

No. A degree like Biokinetics helps, but our courses teach the applied anatomy you need. A genuine interest in movement and regular Pilates classes are the best preparation.

Can I start with mat and add equipment later?

Yes. Many instructors qualify on the mat first and then add the Reformer or convert to a comprehensive qualification when they are ready.

How are the courses assessed?

You complete practical hours, tests and log sheets during the course, then sit an exam. The pass mark is 70%, and exams run three times a year (March, July and October).

Begin your own journey

If this story sounds like yours, take the next step. Explore our teacher training courses or download the information pack for current dates, fees and payment plans. When you are ready, you can register for a course, or call 011 792 5459 or 072 999 2229 and someone will guide you through the process.