Integrated Body Studio

Archive for the ‘General’ Category

1. Ask the Trainer for their credentials – education, degrees, certifications – although too many certifications are suspect due to the lack of standards in the accreditation process. While the subtext of “certification” is that the instructor is knowledgeable and qualified, this is not always the case. I sat in a yoga seminar where a “certified” teacher asked the presenter why it wasn’t okay to take her whiplash-injury student into a headstand to help strengthen her neck! And don’t even get me started on those instructors who teach “intermediate” Astanga classes to students who can’t even do a safe Cobra let alone an Upward Dog!
You might even consider asking the instructor where he/she got their certification and research that.
2. Unlike teaching aerobics where the instructor can just learn a pattern and repeat it, good Yoga and Pilates teachers practice. Practice makes an above average teacher. A lot of practice makes a good teacher. A lot of practice for years makes a great teacher. Don’t hesitate to ask your teacher about their practice.
The fitness industry has, I believe, let us down big time in its hurry to always market the Next Big Thing. There are many fitness professionals who are very passionate about their work but there are just too many so-called fitness pros who are more passionate about making a buck. The fitness industry, instead of working to clean up the snake oil, seems to just shrug its shoulders – maybe they make some ad money off of these guys, I don’t know. I just wish they’d do more to protect the fitness consumer.
There is a movement to license personal trainers, yoga and pilates teachers and I for one am all for this as I think it will immediately clear out those “weekend certified” trainers. I am a bit unhappy that the oversight committee will be made up of physical therapists because I’ve had experience with too many of them who’ve been certified in yoga and Pilates themselves over a weekend. Somehow they think they know the body better because they are PTs. Maybe. But that doesn’t mean that they automatically understand Pilates or Yoga. But considering the apathy of the fitness industry, it may be necessary to join up with the licensing board.
What I know for sure is that a qualified, passionate trainer in any specialty will be happy to answer any questions you have about their training, practice, education, etc. and you should not hesitate to take the time to ask.