It can be hard to navigate life after a dance career, especially when it spans two decades. But finding direction can lead to great rewards. During this episode, Natsu Sasaki, a former dancer with a twenty-year legacy and founder of Natsu Face Yoga, joins us to share her wisdom. Tuning in, you’ll hear about her early introductions to the world of dance, and the remarkable story of her unusually lengthy career as a professional dancer. We discuss her exploratory experiences where she searched for a possible path, before happening upon face yoga and finding its rewards in her own life. Learn about her introductory experiences as a dance teacher, how she learned to embrace flexibility and work with her students, and what it’s been like to start a business in an entirely new field she is equally passionate about. Thanks for listening! 

Key Points From This Episode:

• Welcoming Natsu Sasaki, founder of Natsu Face Yoga. 
• Her introduction to the world of dance as a child.
• Becoming a professional dancer and having a 20-year-long career.
• Natsu’s eventual transition to leaving the dance world and what made it difficult.
• The ten-year period she spent exploring alternative careers. 
• Her year-long experience of unemployment and teaching dance.
• Why there was so much preparation time necessary for her to teach classes.
• How she learned to be more flexible in her teaching classes.
• The importance of finding your own authenticity as a trainer.
• How Natsu discovered the power of giving her teenage students options. 
• How she first discovered face yoga by chance.
• Her experience of starting a business.
• Some of the highlights so far. 

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Natsu Face Yoga Studio — https://www.natsu-faceyoga.com/

Natsu Face Yoga Studio on Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/natsu_faceyogastudio/

Natsu Face Yoga on Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/people/Natsu-Face-Yoga-Studio/100088367675592/

Natsu Sasaki on LinkedIn — https://www.linkedin.com/in/natsu-sasaki-ab611b264/

Free Ebook – 100 Pilates Class Themes: https://performance-fit-online.com/100-pilates-class-themes

Free Ebook – Top Teaching Tips: https://performance-fit-online.com/top-teaching-tips

Free Creativity Masterclass: https://mailchi.mp/pilates-studio-nuernberg/creativity-masterclass

Train the Trainers: https://www.pilates-studio-nuernberg.com/train-the-trainers/

Connect with Us: [email protected] 

Performance Fit Pilates: https://www.pilates-studio-nuernberg.com 

Performance Fit Pilates on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/performance_fit_pilates

Performance Fit Pilates on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PerformanceFitPilates 

Hannah Teutscher on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannah-teutscher/ 

As teachers, we have the amazing opportunity to create spaces where growth, freedom, safety, and a spirit of play can thrive! Today, we embark on an in-depth exploration of pain as a complex phenomenon. Pain is a manifestation of the intricate processes within the nervous system, which processes information from various sources. Everything, from the minutest detail of ensuring our clients feel safe and cared for to the language we employ and even our grounded presence as instructors, collectively influences how the nervous system perceives stimuli, ultimately determining whether pain is triggered. Today, we are thrilled to introduce you to the first guest on the podcast, Colleen Jorgensen! Colleen is an osteopath, athletic therapist, pain care educator, speaker, and Therapeutic Pilates, Yoga, and somatic teacher. Having endured a decade of pain herself, Colleen possesses firsthand knowledge of its challenges. And, after sensing a void in available resources, she introduced "Dare to Heal," an indispensable online program tailored to teach those in pain to help themselves. Join the conversation as we hear about how a spinal cord compression issue changed her life, why we must understand that pain does not equal damage, why mindful language matters in our teaching, why we should emphasise play in our classes, and so much more! Don’t miss out on this episode, so start listening now! 

Key Points From This Episode:

• Colleen highlights what brought her to movement in the very beginning.
• She delves into the evolution, taking the functionality of Pilates and incorporating it into rehab.
• How a spinal cord compression issue changed Colleen’s life.
• Why we as teachers must understand that pain is not the same as damage.
• We dive into the discussion on the narrative of “Pain means damage” and normalising pain.
• Three things to check in with if students or clients have pain during movement. 
• From the teacher’s perspective: two things to understand (and do).
• Colleen explains how the body produces pain and why that is relevant: danger vs. safety.
• The importance of creating a safe space where people are seen, heard, and respected.
• How to change the perception of pain being exclusively viewed as a biomechanical issue.
• She illustrates the power of empowerment when someone feels pain in class.
• We discuss why mindful language matters in our teaching and cues. 
• We emphasise how (and why) play is a key element of creating safety in our classes.
• Colleen shares her best teaching tip.
• Let go of the need to look perfect at the front of the class; let your injuries be seen, teachers! 

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Colleen Jorgensen — https://www.colleenjorgensen.org/ 

Colleen Jorgensen Email — [email protected] 

Colleen Jorgensen on YouTube — https://www.youtube.com/c/ColleenJorgensenStillnessInMotion 

Colleen Jorgensen on Facebook — https://web.facebook.com/stillnessinmotionwithcolleen/ 

Colleen Jorgensen on Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/_stillnessinmotion/  

Interpreting chronic pain science with Colleen Jorgensen — https://podcasts.apple.com/za/podcast/interpreting-chronic-pain-science-with-colleen-jorgensen/id1547693412?i=1000619120800 

Free Ebook – 100 Pilates Class Themes: 

Making the transition from student to teacher can be a challenging process. You need to go from concentrating on yourself to focusing on leading an entire class and paying attention to every single student in the room! Plus, you’re now using your voice to communicate instructions to a large group of people, sometimes for hours at a time. There is also the difficult challenge of managing teachers who attend your class and struggle to adapt to their role as a student. Today we explore all of this and more as we unpack the do’s and don’ts of being a student teacher, why generosity is such a wonderful characteristic in the classroom, and how to approach tricky scenarios in the studio. We also reflect on the luxury of attending other people’s classes as a student, and the power of starting on a clean slate and allowing yourself to learn something new. To learn more about the journey from student to teacher, and how to let yourself be a student, be sure to tune in!

Key Points From This Episode:

• The challenges of going from student to teacher.
• Learning how to use your voice when becoming a teacher.
• A reminder to use your chest voice, rather than your head voice, when teaching.
• Starting on a clean slate and allowing yourself to learn something new.
• The luxury of taking classes with someone else.
• Sharing is Caring: Why generosity is integral to teaching.
• Teaching other teachers, and how to create space for an exchange of ideas.
• Identifying your expectations as a student and when to share them with the teacher.
• Examples of how coaches can struggle to occupy the role of student.
• Why, as a student or coach taking a class, you should never correct other students.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Free Ebook- 100 Pilates Class Themes: https://performance-fit-online.com/100-pilates-class-themes

Free Ebook -Top Teaching Tips: https://performance-fit-online.com/top-teaching-tips

Free Creativity Masterclass: Creativity Mini-Workshop

Read about Train the Trainers: https://www.pilates-studio-nuernberg.com/train-the-trainers/

Connect with us at: [email protected] 

Performance Fit Pilates: https://www.pilates-studio-nuernberg.com 

Performance Fit Pilates on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/performance_fit_pilates

Performance Fit Pilates on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDvzuZtali0B3uWzVcwOH1Q 

Hannah Teutscher on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannah-teutscher/ 

So many pilates teachers experience imposter syndrome whether it’s because of a lack of skills in the art of teaching or because we feel that we will never know enough to be good enough teachers. Have you ever felt this way? If the answer is yes, then this episode is for you! Tune in today as we delve into the different ways imposter syndrome shows up in teaching and how embracing your authenticity, accepting that you can continue to learn and don’t need all the answers, and framing your nerves as excitement can quell these feelings. Thanks for listening in!

Key Points From This Episode:

• The types of imposter syndrome that occur in teachers and the reasons for them. 
• The importance of embracing your authenticity.
• Why pilates teachers do not need to know everything and have all the answers. 
• A reminder that you are allowed to doubt yourself as a teacher. 
• Relabelling nervousness as excitement. 
• Why being open to learning throughout your journey to better your teaching is important. 
• Hannah defines imposter syndrome and delves into her take on it. 

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Free Ebook- 100 Pilates Class Themes: https://performance-fit-online.com/100-pilates-class-themes

Free Ebook -Top Teaching Tips: https://performance-fit-online.com/top-teaching-tips

Free Creativity Masterclass: Creativity Mini-Workshop

Read about Train the Trainers: https://www.pilates-studio-nuernberg.com/train-the-trainers/

Connect with us at: [email protected] 

Performance Fit Pilates: https://www.pilates-studio-nuernberg.com 

Performance Fit Pilates on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/performance_fit_pilates

Performance Fit Pilates on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDvzuZtali0B3uWzVcwOH1Q 

Hannah Teutscher on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannah-teutscher/ 

Taking on a class or training session with an advanced student might sometimes evoke a sense of uncertainty regarding what we, as their instructors, can offer them. This can be especially true when their physical practice looks ‘already perfect.’ It’s in this space, that it’s important to remember that we are here to help people move, enjoy, and love being in their bodies. Today, join in as we explore different tools that can help us deepen the practice of our high-level dancers or athletes. Tune in for deeper insights, which will help you, as an instructor, approach working with professional athletes openly and confidently while catering to their specific needs and achieving exceptional results. Movement is, after all, the joy that integrates us all together. 

Key Points From This Episode:

• What all clients, high-level athletes or not, come into the training room looking for.
• Tool to help someone deepen their practice: dynamics of movement.
• Another tool when working with higher-level clients: letting go.
• The relationship between the student to their movement; a question worth posing.
• An alternative approach to engage high-level performers is through brain work.
• Integrating the freedom to feel compassion, acceptance, and forgiveness into your training.
• The importance of adding fun to your training sessions. 
• Fresh air, space, and the opportunity to ‘just be.’

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Free Ebook- 100 Pilates Class Themes: https://performance-fit-online.com/100-pilates-class-themes

Free Ebook -Top Teaching Tips: https://performance-fit-online.com/top-teaching-tips

Free Creativity Masterclass: Creativity Mini-Workshop

Read about Train the Trainers: https://www.pilates-studio-nuernberg.com/train-the-trainers/

Connect with us at: [email protected] 

Performance Fit Pilates: https://www.pilates-studio-nuernberg.com 

Performance Fit Pilates on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/performance_fit_pilates

Performance Fit Pilates on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDvzuZtali0B3uWzVcwOH1Q 

Hannah Teutscher on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannah-teutscher/ 

As pilates teachers, we are bound to make some cueing mistakes from time to time, and finding ways to fix those issues can make for more effective, results-driven sessions. In this episode of The Pilates Exchange, we are delving into the biggest cueing mistakes teachers make and how you can fix them. Tuning in, you’ll hear all about how spending too much time on the setup can be problematic, why you have to be intentional about your individual notes, the importance of allowing people to make mistakes, and more! We even discuss the multitude of different verbal and non-verbal conversations that need to be had between teacher and student. So to hear all this and be reassured that these mistakes aren’t your fault, press play now!

Key Points From This Episode:

• Why these mistakes aren’t your fault. 
• The dangers of spending too much time on the setup and how to fix this problem. 
• Discussing the importance of being intentional about your notes for each person. 
• Why we need to let people experience exercises for themselves and without intervention. 
• The types of verbal and non-verbal cue conversations we need to have during a session. 

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Free Ebook- 100 Pilates Class Themes: https://performance-fit-online.com/100-pilates-class-themes

Free Ebook -Top Teaching Tips: https://performance-fit-online.com/top-teaching-tips

Free Creativity Masterclass: Creativity Mini-Workshop

Read about Train the Trainers: https://www.pilates-studio-nuernberg.com/train-the-trainers/

Connect with us at: [email protected] 

Performance Fit Pilates: https://www.pilates-studio-nuernberg.com 

Performance Fit Pilates on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/performance_fit_pilates

Performance Fit Pilates on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDvzuZtali0B3uWzVcwOH1Q 

Hannah Teutscher on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannah-teutscher/ 

In our global society, social media often plays an integral part in our livelihoods and in our businesses. So, how can we as movement teachers and coaches make use of it in the most ethical way? Make sure you tune into this episode of The Pilates Exchange, where we delve into the big world of social media! Today, we share our thoughts on the ethics of posting pictures or videos of your clients or students and question the motives behind posting. We also discuss why it is so important to have a social media strategy rather than just haphazardly putting stuff out there. We encourage you to think about how to not just create more noise, but really put an effort into creating content that you truly believe in and that elevates our profession as a whole.

Key Points From This Episode:

• The wonderful world of social media: the good things.
• Getting a little bit deeper: sharing stories.
• Being conscientious about showing people (do they want to be there?)
• Social media posting regulations and ethics (especially in Europe).
• Posting on social media for business or commercial gain. 
• An ethical question: should we be sharing people at all?
• The trolls of the internet: becoming the subject of critique or ridicule.
• The legal considerations and signing a waiver. 
• Creating promotional content while being clear about your intentions.
• The questions we need to be asking ourselves about our use of social media.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

‘Private Concerns’: https://bodyorganicseducation.com/blog/private-concerns/

‘What relationship is that? Ethics considerations for pilates teachers and studio owners’: https://www.bodyorganics.com.au/ethics-pilates-teachers/ 

Hey Marvelous: https://www.heymarvelous.com/ 

Free Ebook – 100 Pilates Class Themes: https://performance-fit-online.com/100-pilates-class-themes

Free Ebook – Top Teaching Tips: https://performance-fit-online.com/top-teaching-tips

Free Creativity Masterclass: Creativity Mini-Workshop

Read about Train the Trainers: https://www.pilates-studio-nuernberg.com/train-the-trainers/

Connect with us at: [email protected] 

Performance Fit Pilates: https://www.pilates-studio-nuernberg.com 

Performance Fit Pilates on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/performance_fit_pilates

Performance Fit Pilates on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDvzuZtali0B3uWzVcwOH1Q 

Hannah Teutscher on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannah-teutscher/ 

As movement coaches and teachers, we want to focus on creating environments that are shame-free and fun for all our students, no matter their age or competency levels! Our conversation today stems from the idea of how we grew up as dancers, with different teachers, all who inevitably had an influence on us. Whether that influence was on our psychological, mental, or physical well-being or impacted how we view movement now. Our encounters with teachers and choreographers range from us as young impressionable dance students to older, more mature, professional dancers. There are some techniques of teaching that worked and some that simply back-fired. Join us as we talk about how shame-based corrections are never helpful, why previous professional dancers should consider learning pedagogy before going into teaching, and what great teachers are able to do! We also discuss why it is essential to create safe and supportive environments for our students in order to allow them to make (numerous) mistakes and ultimately benefit their motor learning. Don’t miss out on another insightful episode, so start listening to the Pilates Exchange now!

Key Points From This Episode:

• The influence teachers have and how that can stay with us as dancers and professionals.
• Challenging movements: giving people the space and freedom to learn.
• Why shame-based corrections are not helpful.
• When teachers don’t learn the pedagogy before going into teaching.
• What great teachers are able to do.
• Why mistakes are essential for motor learning.
• Creating an environment for happy hormones to be released.
• The enormous responsibility to create a safe and supportive environment.
• Our thoughts on the balance of giving everyone the same level of attention.
• The main point for today’s episode!

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Christian Teutscher on Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/christian_teutscher/ 

Free Ebook- 100 Pilates Class Themes: https://performance-fit-online.com/100-pilates-class-themes

Free Ebook -Top Teaching Tips: https://performance-fit-online.com/top-teaching-tips

Free Creativity Masterclass: Creativity Mini-Workshop

Read about Train the Trainers: https://www.pilates-studio-nuernberg.com/train-the-trainers/

Connect with us at: [email protected] 

Performance Fit Pilates: https://www.pilates-studio-nuernberg.com 

Performance Fit Pilates on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/performance_fit_pilates

Performance Fit Pilates on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDvzuZtali0B3uWzVcwOH1Q 

Hannah Teutscher on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannah-teutscher/ 

We are often so concerned with the physicalities of movement in our sessions, however, part of our role as movement teachers can be to create awareness of what is happening on the inside of the minds of our students. In this episode, we explore that inner critical voice, or inner monologue, that many of us have experienced. We talk about what to do about it, the impact it may have on movement, and how we can identify when it’s happening to our students. Our conversation steers toward the two different cycles of inner self-talk and their manifestations, and Hannah sheds light on different tips to support someone undergoing this experience. We hope that the content of today’s episode sparks new ideas of thinking about what our students are experiencing during a Pilates or movement session. Don’t miss out on this conversation, start listening now! 

Key Points From This Episode:

• Where the topic for today’s episode stemmed from.
• Why you should always ask students/clients to notice what’s going on in their minds.
• Noticing self-talk in the approach to movement.
• Two different qualities of self-judgment talk.
• Being aware of how internal dialogue can manifest its way in different physicalities.
• Hannah talks listeners through a real-life self-judgment example.
• She sheds light on a few tips on how to support someone experiencing that inner monologue.
• The voice of comparison and what it sounds and looks like.
• The psychological effect of controlling or choosing where the eyes go.
• A real-life example of a comparison loop.
• Why comparison isn’t always a bad thing.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Free Ebook- 100 Pilates Class Themes: https://performance-fit-online.com/100-pilates-class-themes

Free Ebook -Top Teaching Tips: https://performance-fit-online.com/top-teaching-tips

Free Creativity Masterclass: https://mailchi.mp/pilates-studio-nuernberg/creativity-masterclass

Read about Train the Trainers: https://www.pilates-studio-nuernberg.com/train-the-trainers/

Connect with us at: [email protected] 

Performance Fit Pilates: https://www.pilates-studio-nuernberg.com 

Performance Fit Pilates on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/performance_fit_pilates

Performance Fit Pilates on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDvzuZtali0B3uWzVcwOH1Q 

Hannah Teutscher on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannah-teutscher/ 

As movement teachers, we know or have observed that growth is never linear and opportunities to fail greatly impact the growth trajectory. Today, we dive into a topic that is very much a pop culture phrase going around at the moment, the ‘growth mindset’. We explore what it means as it relates to movement teachers or studio owners and discuss what it looks like, the approaches toward it, and why it is important. We then take a look at how we can work toward cultivating a growth mindset as movement teachers and in our studios. Hannah then takes us through the C.O.U.R.A.G.E model as a tool for growing a growth mindset, including modelling opportunities for failure, being authentically you, taking action, and what grit means for movement teachers. Our growth mindset is what sets the tone for our student’s learning environment and is a fundamental and important skill because by us growing, our students will as well. Don’t miss this insightful episode, so start listening now.

Key Points From This Episode:

• The concept of growth mindset in the corporate culture; what it is and how you get it.
• An integral part of learning: failing. 
• Hannah expands on the C.O.U.R.A.G.E model. 
• Excellent teachers grow: what happens when we, as teachers, embrace growth and change.
• We discuss the importance of setting an atmosphere as a movement teacher.
• Where we can grow as movement teachers.
• Why it’s important to facilitate and model opportunities for failures.
• The authenticity of you and bringing a uniqueness when you show up.
• Recovering from difficulty and trying again.
• Action is more important than perfection: moving it forward.
• What grit means for movement teachers. 
• Leading with inclusion and making room for experience. 

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Angela Duckworth — https://angeladuckworth.com/ 

Free Ebook- 100 Pilates Class Themes: https://performance-fit-online.com/100-pilates-class-themes

Free Ebook -Top Teaching Tips: https://performance-fit-online.com/top-teaching-tips

Free Creativity Masterclass: Creativity Mini-Workshop

Read about Train the Trainers: https://www.pilates-studio-nuernberg.com/train-the-trainers/

Connect with us at: [email protected] 

Performance Fit Pilates: https://www.pilates-studio-nuernberg.com 

Performance Fit Pilates on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/performance_fit_pilates

Performance Fit Pilates on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDvzuZtali0B3uWzVcwOH1Q 

Hannah Teutscher on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannah-teutscher/