To think this is unprofessional in a Pilates class?

[MsMonday]

I attend Reformer Pilates regularly, and in my class yesterday, my instructor kept telling me to look at “Bridget” (another student) for guidance during certain exercises. She said it a couple of times when coming over to help me, instead of giving me direct instruction.

It felt like I was being compared to Bridget, which I found off-putting. I go to these classes expecting personalised guidance from the instructor, not to be told to look at another student. I’m fit and active, and I do other sports as well, so it felt a bit frustrating to not receive direct feedback.

AIBU to feel this comparison is unprofessional, and should I stop attending these classes?

I've not read the full thread but I saw the grumpy early responses so thought I'd offer the OP some support! I'm a yoga teacher and would never do this. Comparison is not helpful - people have different bodies, capabilities, injuries, head spaces etc etc. Plus the 'isn't Bridget wonderful ' vibes are unhelpful x

Ha ha yes indeed! 😁

In yoga/pilates classes I always wonder why the supposedly experienced super-flexi people take up the front row. I've always thought that newbies should be in those spaces so that they can see the teacher.

(although i know that newbies are often too shy to go near the front).

Well you were being compared to Bridget as you couldn't do the thing and she could! But what's wrong with that ? if it's reformer then not as easy for the instructor to demo if she's not on the thing. I think you may need to look internally as to why this was an issue for you rather than looking to apportion blame to the Pilates teacher.

@Brownhairdontcare you have said what I was thinking with more eloquence than I am capable of at the moment.

I used to love going to dance classes and found it v alienating to be told constantly to look at X.

I've been doing reformer Pilates for years and that's a huge 'no no' at the studio I attend. Instructors come and instruct you one-on-one to help you improve your form, they never say to watch a classmate, even if the classmate is another instructor.

Only for some people. I learn best by doing something which means I need guidance while I'm in the act of doing the thing. I then have a physical memory to use to help me know what to do. Not everyone has the same learning style.

I hope you're not triggered. Honestly, you're reading far too much into this. In a mixed ability group it's fine to use other attendees as an example of good practice or posture etc.

I ❤️ Bridget.
😉😁😁

I completely agree. But without knowing the context, ie size and level of class lts hard to know. Unfortunately if people have booked into say an intermediate class when they are beginners they will need a lot more attention than those regulars, which is not fair. It's more than 6 reformers it becomes hard to manage everyone and keep them safe.

I'd not say "look at Bridget" but I might ask Bridget to help show an exercise and possibly correct her form to help the rest of the class, assuming I've not had to do eleventy billion modifications because I've found out that one person is pregnant, one has a fused spine and another has arthritis. That's all part of the job in a group class. It's never just about one person.

And there is always the person who decides they know what to do before you've explained the safe way and ends up falling off.

But that's exactly the point, isn't it? Exercise is not about "smashing it" We aren't Olympic athletes or anything. We are all just normal people doing functional exercise that will help us to physically navigate everyday life and hopefully ensure that we can be active for our whole lives.

I go to s pilates class. The teacher often says look at X to see how to do it.
I don't see it as the teacher comparing one student to another it's just pointing out someone who is doing it right and someone to follow.
I am never the person to watch as I always do it wrong but I'm not offended just pleased there is someone I can copy!

I don't do pilates, but I do do yoga and I agree with you OP, I wouldn't like it. I've also been 'Bridget' before too and it made me really uncomfortable and self conscious!

I'm actually trained as a yoga teacher and would never point out another class member, I'd either offer the person I was trying to correct an adjustment, or I'd demonstrate at the front of the class. That being said, I don't know how a reformer pilates class is generally taught.

The other thing I find annoying about the "look at Bridget" comment is that Bridget is almost always what is thought of as conventionally "attractive". I have never been to a class and been told to look at, say, a fat person - even if that person is experienced and performs the moves correctly.

I find yoga and Pilates classes are rife with body comparison. Many of the people who go look at Bridget because they aspire to look like Bridget rather than focusing on appreciating their own body.

I think it's OK if they have someone else who is advanced it doesn't bother me. I do expect guidance from the instructor too though. Sometimes it might be someone who is training to be a teacher for example.

YANBU.

My yoga teacher says at the start of every class that there are people there who have been doing yoga for years and have a more advanced practice than others, and some people who may be making adjustments due to working with injury. So it's about your own practice and not anyone else's and you should not compare yourself or try to copy someone else. She will also come over and gently help people.

I have been to yoga where I felt shouted at and over corrected for doing it wrong, and Tai Chi where I got laughed at so there are good and bad teachers and ones that don't suit you. I agree with you, OP, I would find that unprofessional and rather like a school PE lesson with a teacher's pet.

You're getting a pasting on here OP! But I agree.
Fair enough to use someone else to point out a specific aspect (e.g point your toes outwards - like Bridget for example).
But not just 'look at Bridget''.
Instructor should give your adjustment instructions themselves not delegate this to other people.
Also if I just wanted to copy people why pay for a class... Could just do a home workout video.

Surely the oddest comment on here by far??!

You don't think a person taking money to teach an exercise class (or to do anything really) should be professional????

That's a bizarre take.

If it makes you feel uncomfortable then I'd try another class. It's not about right or wrong, more about a good fit for you.

Hope it works out.

There is no need for that reply at all.

I understand what you’re saying OP. I’m assuming these classes aren’t cheap. If you wanted to ‘look at Bridget‘ you could do a YouTube video where the instructor said ‘look at Bridget‘. The whole point of a yoga or Pilates class is for the instructor to go around students making actual corrections to what they’re doing. It’s unfair on you and unfair on Bridget. I wouldn’t go back tbh.

Agree OP, that's unprofessional. Pilates is a form that you need to practise with internal focus, finding out how movements resonate in your body and developing good proprioception through body awareness. Looking around outside is a distraction and quite the opposite of the form's intent. I would look for an instructor who has completed a thorough course such as PBBA and who engages in continuous learning, if this teacher has not done so. Or look elsewhere for someone who is serious about teaching and helping others.

It's a shit teaching method. Fair enough to say "copy Bridget" the first time, but if you weren't for whatever reason achieving what she was hoping to achieve with that instruction she should have tried different instructions, like "raise your hips" or with permission manually adjusting you.

Repeating the same instruction (whatever it is) multiple times if the student isn't getting it, isn't helping the student, and it's likely to be destroying the student's confidence when you should be building it. YANBU.

It's not unreasonable to expect a teacher to manage this in a group class.

I teach Reformer, in a class with a maximum of 7 members. I do hands on correction after asking for permission to touch. I would never ask a member to copy another participant.
I also teach in a Club with 17 participants. Due to the large numbers, when I need to correct, I do so verbally, addressing the whole class.
I endeavor to be mindful of people’s feelings.

I agree with you, OP, I would expect hands on instruction, that's what I get at my pilates. The poses are so extremely intricate (to me) that I wouldn' be able to 'see' them on other students. It would just look like what I'm doing, despite being very different. My instructor adjusts my arms/legs etc, and it makes a world of difference.