The Missing Piece in Pilates Teacher Training with Amy Havens

"I think self-acceptance and self-compassion... it's gonna keep changing and if you hear the loud stuff saying, I can't do that anymore - no." - Amy HavensIn this episode, Nic is joined by Amy Havens, a veteran Pilates educator, mentor, and movement teacher based in Santa Barbara with over 30 years of experience in the industry. Amy has trained across multiple lineages - including Fletcher, BASI, Kathy Grant, and Madeleine Black - and is widely respected as one of the most thoughtful voices in Pilates education today.They explore what it really takes to become a truly great Pilates teacher - from the qualities that no training manual can teach, like patience and compassion, to the art of learning to see and respond to the bodies in front of you. Amy shares her rich origin story, from discovering Pilates as a dance student in 1989 to becoming injured, finding healing through the work, and eventually committing to teaching as a lifelong calling.They also dig into the current state of the Pilates industry - the growing divide between fitness Pilates and the more healing-oriented tradition, the case for prerequisites before teacher training, and why mastering the fundamentals will always matter more than creative programming. Amy makes a compelling case for mentorship as the missing piece for so many new teachers, and shares what that relationship can look like when it's done well.Timestamps00:00 Intro to Amy Havens00:14 What makes a truly great Pilates teacher02:08 Learning to see and respond to different bodies04:49 Amy's origin story - discovering Pilates in college08:10 Observing from the front desk and falling in love with the work10:42 Getting cold feet before teacher training - and why that was the right call13:23 Amy's formal training with Madeleine Black at the Physical Mind Institute15:27 Learning to teach, not just to do17:34 How injury became the turning point toward teaching21:38 Why the best teachers are often those whose lives were changed by Pilates22:40 The case for prerequisites in Pilates teacher training28:13 What great mentorship actually looks like31:46 Amy as a forever student - training across multiple lineages37:06 How studying different styles shaped Amy's teaching43:29 The state of the Pilates industry - two forks in the road45:14 Fitness Pilates vs. healing Pilates - is it all Pilates?47:52 Why studio owners need to do better at describing what they offer53:00 Don't teach too much too soon - a lesson from Madeleine Black55:25 Why mastering fundamentals matters more than creative programming56:44 Quick-fire questions01:03:28 Where to find AmyIf you're enjoying the podcast, make sure you're following along so you don't miss future episodes. And feel free to share this one with someone you think would take something from it.Connect with Nic:Beyond the Reformer InstagramSoul Pilates InstagramSoul Pilates EducationNic's InstagramJoin Soul at HomeBook a Pilates ClassSign up to Our NewsletterConnect with Amy:Move with Amy WebsiteAmy’s InstagramAmy’s FacebookAmy’s Email Pilates Anytime WebsiteJoin the Soul Pilates Retreat in Cornwall on 19 June for a weekend of movement, rest and nourishment. Find all the details here.Thinking about investing in Pilates equipment? Balanced Body are offering our listeners a special discount! Fill in the form here and mention Soul Pilates when you order.Interested in joining the July Teacher Training intake? Find all the details and book a call here.