Observational hours are another one of the key required steps during the process of obtaining a Pilates instructor’s certificate. Completing your observation hours entails a bit of work before beginning. A few very important first steps are finding a teacher who suits your style, energy, and has the same aspirations as you. The most challenging part of this process is that finding a mentor teacher may be difficult. The goal is that you find an instructor who is able to provide you with the support and conversation that you require. While being an observer, you will be sitting in on your mentor teacher’s instructional time, you will be asking your teacher various inquiries, and possibly taking advantage of the use of their studio to explain/demonstrate their teaching. This is why I impose such a stress on the fact that you need to align value-wise with your teacher. This is such a personal process and it is important that during these 30 hours you are receiving all of the experience you require.
During observation hours, it is important that you gather as much information as possible to ensure all of your questions, comments, and concerns are seen and answered. The observational hours may seem daunting as it is a 30 hour requirement, but it will go by very quickly. I have discovered that during these hours you will learn more than you could ever imagine, and you will definitely have some very overwhelming moments. Throughout this process you will see the different strategies and techniques that your mentor teacher uses to guide their lessons and communicate with their students. These strategies may be ones that you choose to implement in your future teaching, but you may also find that these implementations may be something you will not take as a tool. It is important that you are able to identify what works for you and what doesn’t. When you are teaching your own practice, you need to use the tools and methods that work for you in order to have a successful class. Your class will not flow as positively as you want it to if it doesn’t correlate with you. While observing I am now able to recognize when a teacher is trying a new strategy or a move. This is shown through the comfortability that the instructor has while demonstrating or integrating it into their flow. Pilates is a lot of trial and error, even if you are very experienced. It is comforting to see that your mentors are always still learning as well.
In conclusion, I believe that your observation hours will continue throughout your whole pilates journey. You are always learning and observing, even if that is not from another teacher, you can learn through what you are implementing in your class and visualize it through your students. As a teacher you are always adapting, changing, building your skills and strategies to become the most universal and knowledgeable teacher you can be.
