26/03/2020
What is cueing? It’s the heart of the Method as a unique mind-body discipline. It’s complex and powerfully individual (check out Pilates Cuing is An Art insights from industry leaders). That’s what makes it so very interesting!
26/03/2020
What is cueing? It’s the heart of the Method as a unique mind-body discipline. It’s complex and powerfully individual (check out Pilates Cuing is An Art insights from industry leaders). That’s what makes it so very interesting!
While there is no one “right” way to cue: the aim is to be well-versed in the different types of cuing, to be accessible to your clients.
Cueing is a learned communication skill. In practical terms, it is about using communication devices to help a client move through an exercise with specific intention.
Effective Pilates Instructors hone cueing skills throughout their career, and constantly challenge their repertoire according to experience, trial and error, and intuition.
While there is no one “right” way to cue: the aim of the game is to be well-versed in the different types of cuing, to be accessible to and provide effective instruction for all clients.
What are the four main types of cues, and how can they work for clients with differing learning styles? Pilates Elder and BASI Pilates Founder, Rael Isacowitz, MA, explores this in an article for IDEA Health and Fitness Association.
Visual learners respond best to demonstration: this means Instructors must always be adept at executing an accurate example of an exercise or movement.
Here we see the importance of knowing the work in your own body! You must further your own practice to “stay connected with the movements physically, mentally and viscerally.”
Auditory learners engage most effectively with explanatory cues: articulate a movement using words. Types of verbal explanations include:
Clients who learn through experience want to launch into the exercise straight away. In this case, it is often most helpful to allow the client to experience the work before offering direction or correction. “Step back and let the process “happen.”” Then follow with reason, says Rael.
Tactile learners prefer touch prompts from the Instructor to make sense of a movement or exercise. Rael says touch cues are the most valuable of all methods in Pilates: however, it should be applied with care to avoid misinterpretations. Not all clients will be comfortable with touch cues. Always be professional, deliberate and confident.
It is only with practice that you gain confidence, and become skilful at selecting the right cueing tool for the task and client before you. Of course, the best way to learn is to teach!
If you’re looking for some support in refining your teaching skills, register for a Teaching Clinic! Simply go to your State or Territory’s Course page and jump to Course Dates.