As a Pilates instructor, it’s so easy to get swept up in the daily grind of teaching classes, managing schedules, and running from studio to studio. When I first sat down with this workbook, I expected a fairly standard guide on movement mechanics. What I found instead was a deeply personal toolkit that completely shifted how I see my career, gently reconnecting me with why I teach Pilates in the first place, and how I truly want to show up for my clients.
Staying Grounded in My “Why”
For me, Pilates has always been a deeply personal journey. Sitting with this book and revisiting my very first experience reminded me that I initially came to the method to improve my shoulder function and instead found something that made me genuinely happy and helped me feel like myself again. Remembering that “aha” moment, and thinking back on the inspiring teachers I’ve learned from, brought my passion right back to the surface. It reminded me of the heart of why I teach: to give people a precious moment just for themselves, to help ease their physical struggles, and to guide them toward moving well.
Balancing Hard Skills and Soft Skills
As instructors, we can easily become consumed by our technical training. This book was a warm but honest reminder that technical knowledge is only part of the story. It encouraged me to care just as much about my soft skills, how I connect with and truly listen to the people in front of me, as I do about my hard skills, like anatomy and method. It helped me see clearly who I want to be for my clients: someone thoughtful, capable, and genuinely present, who can explain not just what we’re doing, but why it matters to them.
A New Lens on Stakeholders and Community
One of the most eye-opening parts of this book was learning to look at my career through different lenses, especially through the eyes of my clients and the wider community around me. Instead of working in a bubble, I was guided to really think about the people in my professional world, particularly my clients and my employer, and what we each bring to that relationship. Mapping that out has helped me build warmer, more balanced, and more meaningful connections, built on mutual care and appreciation.
Building a Business and Shaping Culture with Heart
Beyond the personal reflection, this workbook is also a wonderfully practical guide to building a business and shaping the culture within it. It showed me how to create community, relational, and teaching agreements that help everyone feel like they truly belong. It also took the mystery out of the business side of things, offering clear, step-by-step guidance on running things sustainably, right down to monthly profit and loss (P&L) statements.
The last three chapters of the book focus on key considerations for setting up a business.
I loved exploring colour palettes, logo ideas, and writing my own professional bio, which helped me start thinking like a business owner rather than just an instructor.
The workbook also encouraged me to conduct market research and compare services, then translate broader guidelines into workable internal policies around culture, staff, and stakeholders, moving from theory into something I could actually put into practice.
One gap I noticed, though: as an Australian instructor, I found the book used American business terminology, such as the LLC (Limited Liability Company, roughly equivalent to a Pty Ltd in Australia) and 501(c)(3) non-profit status (comparable to a not-for-profit registered with the ACNC in Australia), as well as American employment classifications rather than Australian ones (such as employee versus independent contractor). This is something I’ll need to research separately to ensure my business is set up correctly under Australian regulations.
Ultimately, this book helped me bring my personal values and my goals into alignment, so that my class feels like a true reflection of who I am. It’s a book I’d wholeheartedly recommend to any instructor who wants to teach with presence, purpose, and heart.
Review by SuetYan Choo PAA member
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