Claim OwnershipCore with Shawna Beardsley | A Pilates Podcast
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Join Shawna Beardsley, owner of In Balance Pilates in Tucson, as she explores the business, art, and impact of teaching Pilates. From industry insights and studio growth strategies to teaching tips for new instructors, this podcast is your go-to source for thriving in the world of Pilates.
50 Episodes
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You didn’t become a Pilates instructor because you wanted a job—you became one because you loved Pilates. You loved how it made you feel, how it challenged you, how it connected you to your body. You practiced constantly, often daily, before teacher training ever began.
And then something shifted.
In this episode, I’m talking about a pattern I see every single year—and one I personally lived. When I first started teacher training and then began teaching, I dropped off my own personal practice hard. And looking back, that was the biggest bottleneck in my teaching.
Personal practice isn’t optional. It’s not extra credit. It’s skill development. When instructors stop practicing Pilates, they stop growing as teachers. They lose sensation, clarity, language, and connection to the method—and that always shows up in the way they teach.
We’ll talk about why this happens, why the excuses feel valid (especially after long teaching days), and how to realistically rebuild a consistent personal practice—even when you’re tired, busy, and tempted to just go home and turn on Netflix.
As a Pilates studio owner, teacher trainer, and employer, you end up wearing a lot of hats—and one of the most important (and uncomfortable) ones is learning how to have direct conversations. In this episode, I talk about why clear, honest communication matters so much in a Pilates studio setting, especially when you’re leading a team, hosting a teacher training program, or giving and receiving feedback.
We’ll dive into texting vs. phone calls vs. in-person conversations, why in-person is always best, and why a quick phone call can clear the air faster than a dozen messages ever could. I also share how I’ve learned to ask for conversations early—before resentment builds—and how direct communication creates trust, stronger relationships, and better teaching environments.
Whether you’re a studio owner, manager, or Pilates instructor, this episode is all about learning how to give feedback clearly, receive feedback without defensiveness, and grow as a professional and as a person.
Pilates is everywhere right now — and while accessibility can be a beautiful thing, the rapid rise of watered-down certifications and weekend “teacher trainings” is quietly eroding the integrity of the method. In this episode, we talk about what comprehensive Pilates education actually means, why Joseph Pilates’ original work (Contrology) still matters, and how both instructors and consumers have a responsibility to protect the quality of what’s being taught.
At In Balance Pilates, our 450-hour comprehensive teacher training spans all apparatus, anatomy, biomechanics, history, and real-world application — because teaching bodies is not something you master in a weekend. Whether you’re a teacher, a studio owner, or someone just trying to find quality Pilates in a saturated market, this episode is your reminder: depth matters, lineage matters, and not all Pilates is created equally.
In this episode, I reflect on a question from teacher training that stayed with me long after the room went quiet: Where do you see the Pilates industry going?
What came up—again and again—was accessibility. A shared desire to make Pilates more inclusive, more welcoming, and more available to people across different bodies, backgrounds, and income levels.
At InBalance, we hold accessibility as a core value—and we believe deeply in running a healthy, sustainable business. These two ideas are not in conflict. In fact, they depend on each other.
This episode is a conversation about balance: how profitability allows us to give back, how thriving studios create free education and community resources, and how the future of Pilates can be both inclusive and sustainable—without apology.
As Pilates instructors, it’s easy to confuse our own physical abilities with our role in the room—but you are the coach, not the player.
In this episode, I break down what that really means, especially during our Posture Perfect theme at In Balance Pilates, where we’re focusing on prone work, spinal extension, and helping clients stand taller and stronger.
One of our peak poses this month is High Bridge on the Reformer—a powerful, advanced extension exercise. And here’s the truth: I’ve been teaching Pilates for over 10 years (going on 11), and I cannot personally do a High Bridge.
But that doesn’t mean I won’t teach it.
We’ll talk about why your job as an instructor is to coach technique, progressions, and confidence, not to prove your own physical ability—and why holding back clients because of your own limitations does them a disservice.
If you’ve ever avoided teaching an exercise because you couldn’t do it yourself, this episode is for you.
this episode, we’re talking about a type of inquiry we see more and more often—clients who discover Pilates through YouTube, come into the studio asking for very technical sessions, and want to focus heavily on things like rib flare, diaphragmatic breathing, and “perfect” form from day one.
We’ll break down why Pilates is a practice, not something you intellectually master in one session, why obsessing over technique early on can actually slow progress, and why some popular online Pilates talking points lean more toward pseudoscience than evidence-based movement.
This episode is also an honest look at why not every studio is the right fit for every client—and why that’s okay. If you’re new to Pilates, curious about form, or feeling overwhelmed by conflicting information online, this conversation will help you reset expectations and refocus on what actually builds strength, confidence, and long-term results.
In this episode, we dive deep into the often-overlooked world of Pilates sub etiquette—one of the biggest indicators of professionalism, teamwork, and long-term success as an instructor. Whether you’re brand new to teaching or a seasoned instructor refining your standards, this episode breaks down why subbing responsibly matters, how your habits affect your reputation, and the systems we’ve put in place at In Balance Pilates to keep things fair, supportive, and sustainable for everyone.
We’ll talk about giving proper notice, reducing spontaneous sub requests, building goodwill by helping your peers, and meeting studio expectations. If you want to grow as a reliable, respected Pilates instructor, this episode is a must-listen.
Breaking into the Pilates world isn’t just about having a certification—it’s about finding a studio where you truly belong and showing that you’re invested in the community. In this episode, I’ll share what studio owners like myself look for when hiring, why culture and connection matter more than a cold email, and how you can take real steps toward landing a job in a Pilates studio you admire.
In this episode, we’re unpacking the difference between instructing Pilates and teaching Pilates. There’s a big difference between simply guiding movement and truly educating clients about their bodies and the purpose behind each exercise. Whether you’re a new instructor or a seasoned teacher, understanding this distinction can completely transform how your clients experience their sessions—and how connected they feel to their practice.
Behind every confident Pilates instructor is someone who offered guidance, reassurance, or wisdom along the way. In this episode, I share my own story of starting out as a teacher—without an official mentor, but with my sister encouraging me not to be fearful—and why mentorship is essential in the Pilates world. Whether you’re looking for a mentor or hoping to become one, we’ll explore how these relationships shape careers, build confidence, and help the entire Pilates community grow stronger together.
Every business owner and instructor will eventually receive feedback that stings—whether it’s a Google review, a client comment after class, or critique about your teaching style. In this episode, I open up about how client feedback can sometimes feel personal, but how we can choose to use it as fuel for growth rather than letting it shrink us. Together, we’ll explore how to reframe criticism, learn from it, and keep showing up as better leaders, teachers, and humans.
In this episode, we dive deep into one of the most powerful tools an instructor has: cueing. Great cueing isn’t just about guiding movement — it’s about building trust, creating flow, and elevating the entire Pilates experience. We’ll talk about how to avoid the common mistakes of over- or under-cueing, how to use your voice as a dynamic tool, and why the way you say something is just as important as what you say. Whether you’re a new instructor or a seasoned teacher looking to sharpen your skills, this episode will help you cue with more clarity, confidence, and connection.
In today’s digital world, having an Instagram presence isn’t optional — it’s essential. Whether you’re building a client base, filling up classes, or simply standing out in a saturated market, Instagram is your visual resume, referral engine, and personal brand all rolled into one. In this episode, we break down why instructors must be on IG, how it actually drives success, and tips to stay consistent without getting overwhelmed or inauthentic.
What happens when you leave behind the corporate grind for a career in mindful movement? In this episode, we dive into the journey of transitioning from the structured, fast-paced world of corporate work into the more personal, purposeful environment of teaching Pilates at a small business. We talk identity shifts, money mindset, autonomy, community, and what it really means to trade a 9–5 for a career centered around wellness, people, and passion.
In this episode, we break down the real ingredients that separate a good Pilates instructor from a great one. It’s not just about the cues — it’s about the connection, the energy, the delivery, and the creativity you bring to every class. From remembering a client’s cat’s name to using your voice like a conductor’s baton, we cover all the ways instructors can build community and deliver a killer workout that keeps clients coming back — sore and smiling.
In this episode, we’re diving into the often overlooked but absolutely essential topic of punctuality in the Pilates industry. Whether you’re a client, a new instructor, or a seasoned pro, understanding how time works in a class-based business like Pilates is non-negotiable. We break down why showing up early is the actual standard—not just a bonus—and how respecting the clock ultimately means respecting your clients, your coworkers, and the integrity of your work. If you think arriving at the class start time is good enough… this one’s for you.
Pilates is everywhere right now—on your feed, in your group chat, and on every boutique fitness corner. But behind the trend is a serious truth: the industry is unregulated, and not all “Pilates” is created equal. In this episode, we unpack why Pilates is blowing up, the risks of studios using undertrained instructors, and what both clients and aspiring teachers need to know. We’ll also break down why a 450-hour certification should be the baseline—and how cutting corners in training hurts everyone.
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