by Laurette Ryan
Just back from the PMA 2011 conference in Palm Springs. I got to connect with so many awesome teachers and benefactors of our Pilates world. It’s in those moments I know I am so lucky to have found and discovered my calling as a teacher of Joe Pilate’s work.
I am also re-energized to move this work, as a true profession, forward. In 2012, I personally, will be re-doubling my efforts to achieve critical-mass in awareness of teacher training, qualifications and certification. I feel it is essential for us (Pilates Teachers) to uphold the foundations and standards of our work and move forward together, blazing the trail on the pathway to professional recognition.
The percentage of truly “certified” teachers is still small. This does not reflect the percentage of “qualified” teachers, whom I believe there are a great number! Helping the public have some idea who to go to for “real” Pilates, (not referring to style or lineage-but instead-*not core class,ab class etc.) becomes more difficult everyday as more and more fitness instructors read an article online or in print and suddenly add “Pilates” to their repertoire of “can teach”! AND the public has no idea!
We are in the days of the Barber/Dentist. 200 years ago, if you had a bad tooth you went to your local Barber to have it extracted. Today people would never consider that- but they will go to their aerobic instructor for Pilates , and it’s basically just as outrageous. In the 17th century,Pierre Fauchard, “the father of modern dentistry” was probably not well-liked by the Barbers of his day. The Barber/Dentist continued well into the 19th century, let’s hope it doesn’t take 2 centuries for Pilates to become it’s own field of study! Barbers, I am sure, felt they were in fact, very qualified to take care of dental concerns, and resented the implication that it would take an entire educational experience devoted to that practice to do such. (sound familiar yet?) The parallels here are uncanny. Now Barbers are great at what they do -but they are not Dentists and we all, easily, see that today. I long for the day that will be the case in our profession. The day when we appreciate what our group exercise and personal trainers can do for us, but would never consider going to them for advice or lessons in Pilates.
You’ve heard my rants on the benefits of 3rd Party credentialing and true “certification” -I know this is a huge part of getting us to the goal of being a Profession, a real career. At this point, those of you who cannot see or understand this, have their heads in the sand- the time is now to look up and look forward. We join hands and heart together, inclusive. (Feel the Pilates love-I’m calling it Pil-love -that’s what happens after 4 day love-fest with your Pilates peeps in the desert!) There is room for all qualified Pilates teachers in this, by getting “certified” “3rd party credentialed” yes- PMA-certified (the ONLY 3rd party credential) we help each other and we sustain our profession. *(BTW the PMA is a not-for-profit! We are the voice! We are the PMA! We need you and your voice! Again it is a not-for profit and it’s books are open to all-so if you’re wondering – go educate yourself on the finances of this thing- it’s your absolute right and you should be cautious about where you put your time energy and money- kudos to you.)
My crusade this year will be to begin to educate the public about our profession and credentialing. I feel a little like Joan of Arc and wonder if I shall be burned at the stake- but I love my profession and I suppose when a passion grows so deeply in one, this is what one, is compelled to do. Wish me luck and send fire extinguishers and water.
Sincerely and with the deepest Pil-love,
Laurette Ryan



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Pilates Instructional Video, how to rolling ball, abdominal 5 series, spine stretch. This is an intense set of deep ab work. Enjoy this instructional fitness Pilates Video! Get your core exercise, try it out.
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Today I demonstrate one of my favorite
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Pilates is an exercise technique that can help sculpt your body’s muscle tone, including your abdominals. Find out a few Pilates sculpting exercises with help from a fitness expert in this free video clip.