I am almost finished with my Pilates teacher training so I am a total newbie when it comes to being a teacher and would greatly appreciate any tips/advice you all have.

Because of positive feedback I got from teaching a one-on-one session to on of my teachers long standing clients, my teachers asked me to teach a duet to another one of their clients and a friend of hers - this did not go well at all. From the onset they both (and I mean from saying hello and introducing myself) acted defiant towards me - not listening to my cues at all, not letting me make any corrections in any way, talking to each other, complaining when it was too easy/too hard, doing a total different exercise than the I one I was trying to lead them through... One of the women never even made any eye contact with me at all from start to finish. I had no idea what to do!

Robyn you must remember that you were asked to take on someone else's clients. You'll see in time, that that can be hard to do, even for just an hour. That instructor trusts you. She entrusted her clients to you. Do you value her opinion? If so, do your best to take charge next time knowing your colleague "has your back" so to speak. (Cont)

Oh gosh sorry to hear this happened to you. Its so odd how some clients react to other teachers. once they get used to having someone else teach them. Of course its no excuse to treat anyone rudely!! If your teachers had complete faith in your abilty to teach their personal clients and friends it says alot about you as a teacher. We cant always find that good repoire with every client. Its a challenge to teach difficult clients that for whatever reason dont take you seriously. All you can do is lead them to the best of your ability. You will encounter all kinds trust me.. Just keep the faith in yourself and a positive attitude.
Sometimes when I have clients not responding or who are distracted and talking is to stand between them and keep going.. I may even pick out the difficult one and compliment her in some way. It works sometimes.. distraction and brings them into the work. Good luck to you and congrats on doing such a good job.

I teach at a corp training facility, the classes are usually full of ppl that know each other. I warn them ahead of time that if they can talk I am obviously not challenging them enough and kick it up a few notches if they complain it gets to hard I tell them in a tongue and cheek way that they brought it on themselves this usually gets a laugh and I then give variation options again. In a smaller setting if someone is complaining it isn't hard enough then I will do one of two things to make it harder go back to basics try to get them to work deeper and keep an emphasis on connections or I will step up the intensity of the variations. If they complain it becomes too hard then politely say ok and back them down still emphasizing connections. I had a master trainer tell me once a basic class can make an advanced client poor sweat if you can get them to work deeper and concentrate on connections the entire time. She proved it by taking me through a basic Level 1 reformer class. cont

I looked like I stepped out of a shower when we were done. I do agree with everyone else the instructor obviously trusts you with her clients. I will jokingly say when subbing- I know I am not who you are used to and we probably do not teach exactly the same but I promise you will do my best to give you a phenomenal workout. That usually sets the expectation that yes it will be different but shows your confidence in your ability. I had instructors that would do that when I was a student and I found that yes I always got something different from each instructor I took from. Did I necessarily like all the instructors I have had over the years - no. But you wont always be the instructor for everyone. But it was very rude for them to do that to you.