DiscoverBeyond the ReformerHow to Build a Pilates Class That Transforms Your Clients Without Burning You Out
How to Build a Pilates Class That Transforms Your Clients Without Burning You Out

How to Build a Pilates Class That Transforms Your Clients Without Burning You Out

Update: 2025-11-10
Share

Description

Behind every powerful Pilates class is a teacher who understands subtlety. In this solo episode, Nic shares how to create classes that help clients find ease, awareness, and lasting change.


After years of teaching and now educating other Pilates instructors, Nic has noticed a recurring question from listeners: what does it mean to teach with subtlety?


In this episode, she breaks down the art and science of structuring a Pilates class that helps clients move with more awareness, ease, and confidence.


Nic explores why starting supine allows students to unwind tension and reset their nervous system, how to layer exercises to set them up for success, and why spine articulation and standing integration are essential for taking Pilates beyond the studio and into everyday life.


She also shares her philosophy on mindful cueing, unlearning old teaching habits, and how to guide clients towards noticing change.


Timestamps

00:00 – Understanding subtlety in Pilates teaching

01:32 – How to plan and structure a balanced class

03:54 – Why Nic starts most classes supine

09:20 – Bringing in spine articulation and extension

11:11 – Incorporating weightbearing and full-body integration

12:51 – Creating a full movement experience for every client

13:10 – How to layer full-body exercises effectively

14:10 – Avoiding burnout through smarter class planning

16:04 – Setting clients up for success, not perfection

17:18 – The importance of progressions and regressions

18:21 – Empowering clients to notice what feels good

19:46 – Techniques for clear, mindful cueing

21:51 – Finding ease even in challenging movements

24:19 – Why Pilates is about being good at life, not just good at Pilates


If this episode helped you see your teaching in a new way, share it with another instructor who would love it too.


You can also subscribe, leave a review, or send Nic a message with your biggest takeaway! She loves hearing how these conversations land with you.


Connect with Nic:

Thinking about investing in Pilates equipment? Balanced Body are offering our listeners a special discount! Simply fill in the form here and mention Soul Pilates when you order.

Comments 
loading
In Channel
loading
00:00
00:00
1.0x

0.5x

0.8x

1.0x

1.25x

1.5x

2.0x

3.0x

Sleep Timer

Off

End of Episode

5 Minutes

10 Minutes

15 Minutes

30 Minutes

45 Minutes

60 Minutes

120 Minutes

How to Build a Pilates Class That Transforms Your Clients Without Burning You Out

How to Build a Pilates Class That Transforms Your Clients Without Burning You Out

Nic Lenny