I was so happy when Rebecca Zhu, a pilates instructor I was training with on a one-to-one basis when I was living in Shanghai, agreed to be featured on my blog. She definitely plays a role in my decision to train and attain my comprehensive certification from Polestar Pilates that I’m currently loving every minute of it. What struck me about Rebecca was the level of detail and her knowledge of the practice. I remembered telling myself that she would be the type of instructor that I would want to be – her teaching style, comprehension of the exercises, ability to spot any faulty movements and the clarity of her communication to correct them.
An interesting fact about Rebecca is she used to be a professional Roller Figure Skater, a member of the Chinese National Team for 16 years. She was Chinese National Champion 11 times, as well winning three consecutive Asian Championships and placing 7th in the World Championships. During our first 7am Pilates session, we talked about the importance of discipline to train and compete professionally, and how that has shaped her practice and the way she approached everything in life, including her yoga and pilates training and teaching.
1) How did you first come across Pilates?
I was a Fitness Instructor. I love my work very much! I was looking for options to help people practice better movement and execute their exercise routine safely. During the search, I came across Pilates and never looked back.
2) What is your favorite Pilates exercise?
Teaser!
3) How long have you been practicing Pilates? How long have you been teaching?
I have been practicing Pilates for 13years and I have been teaching for 12 years.
4) What were your doing before your started teaching Pilates?
I was teaching aerobic gymnastics and I was a personal trainer.
5) How did you feel when you taught your first class?
I was very very nervous!
6) What is your favorite Pilate cue?
Imagine the spine as a string of pearls and someone is holding the pearls and slowly lowering them one at the time.
7) Who did you train and attain your certification with? What is the point of differentiation of this school of training?
I did my training with Polestar Pilates and other internationally accredited Pilates organizations for ongoing advancement. I am currently an educator conducting teacher training courses.
8) What reading or resources do you use to further your own Pilates learning?
Anatomy Trains
10) What advice would you give a newly qualified Pilates instructor?
Keep practicing, keep teaching, keep studying, get more experience.