The Importance of a Pilates Instructor

The importance of a Pilates instructor cannot be underscored enough as to the importance of providing proper Pilates instruction. A certified Pilates instructor is charged with maintaining the integrity of Pilates instruction.

This integrity allows for the Pilates instruction to be taught the way that it was intended to benefit those who derive value from this exercise program. The proper instruction will minimize potential injuries to the student and will optimize the results gained from the proper performance of the exercises techniques.

History of Being a Pilates Instructor

From the early beginnings of Pilates, the founder Joseph H. Pilates saw the need for requiring the proper instruction and certification of Pilates instructor. In fact, early certification began with the founder himself as he saw the need to maintain the integrity of this beneficial exercise program.

Because the movements of the Pilates are deeply seeded within dance movements, the early day instructors were dance teachers. In addition to the roots being grounded in dance motions, the early day recipients of Pilates instruction were dancers who were undergoing physical rehabilitation.

The Pilates Instructor of Today

Pilates instruction is a serious physical rehabilitation exercise program. So much so that in the country of Great Britain there are government standards in place for its instruction. There are no such licenses or standards required outside of Great Britain. However, there are several centers available that provide instruction for a Pilates instructor. In addition, there are movements that are calling for Pilates instructor accreditation.

One of the moving forces behind this movement is the PMA. The Pilates Method Alliance is a United Kingdom nonprofit agency that has been charged with providing accreditation for the Pilates instructors. Their movement is sincere in their approach in that they want to maintain the integrity of the Pilates instruction.

Today, there are many schools who have added variations to the Pilates instruction. The new instruction facilities use the basics of the Pilates movement, but have added modern movements to the instructional routines.

On the other hand, there are certain movements afoot that assert the notion that strict adherence to the original Pilates exercise program would negate the integration of new medical findings. The incorporation of these new medical findings into a modified Pilates exercise program would provide enhancement benefits to the person utilizing the Pilates method.

One such example of a modification would be the position of the spine when utilizing Pilates. Originally, Joseph Pilates taught that the spine should remain straight when performing the routines. Subsequently, medical research conducted around the use of exercise and its impact on the spine has suggested that flexing the spine is needed. These new studies have indicated that flexing of the spine is important for physical and nervous system reasons. In fact, they assert, that keeping the spine straight may be detrimental.