I am in training as a Pilates instructor (1 year course Scott Studio UK). From participating in many classes I am beginning to get the impression the teachers use their same set cues regardless of who maybe attending their classes. So I was interested to hear from anyone who takes note of the body types in a given class and adjusts their cueing accordingly. Thanks Lyn

I just finished my first year of training. It just takes time to start seeing bodies. It is difficult in a class setting to switch your language for every client, but if you use a cue and notice that no one understood that cue, don't be afraid to take a second, pause, and try again with a different cue. See how that works and remember who responded well to what cues and use those cues for those individuals again.

You definitely have to adjust your cuing, not just for different bodies, but for the whole person! I try to include cues that are visual and kinaesthetic in my classes as well as just using my voice. In other words, I demonstrate and make a lot of physical corrections as well. There are some things that everyone needs to do regardless of what body they have, like engage their abdominals, stabilise their spine etc. So you'll hear those cues a lot. But I adjust my cues for different spines (lengthen vs. add an extra vertebra vs direct your tailbone away vs stick your bum out! ) If I see someone is sinking in the lower back, it's often "add an extra vertebra" vs my clients who round the lower back and tuck their tails to achieve stability, they're more likely to get a "lengthen your tailbone away" or "stick your bum out!" (Not that I want buns in the air, but because it usually corrects to a neutral lumbo-pelvic position.)

Also, perhaps you are hearing the same cues because the instructors are trying to reach as many people in the class as possible with their cues, and so they are keeping them general. Depending on the size of the class, they may simply be doing the best they can. I hope that they are not just repeating rote cues, both for them (that's no fun to teach like that!) and for their clients (a teacher should help you find the work in your body.) I've noticed a similar phenomenon in observing my fellow instructors, and the motives for this type of cuing are varied and often the person has good reason for repeating themselves. Maybe you could ask your teachers about their cuing style to gain more insight?

Thanks for your view and taking the time. Judging by what you said I do think some of the teachers are cueing by rote. I am beginning to appreciate that the quality and scope of their training has a large part to play in that respect. There is quite a gap in attending a crash weekend course in Pilates as a module to add on to a fitness instructors qualification from a dedicated stand alone course.

As STOTT Pilates instructors, we are trained to have a good mix of cues: verbal/auditory, imagery, demonstrating/visual and tactile.

Note that there is a difference between CUEING and CORRECTING. Personally I will use mostly auditory, imagery and visual CUES, and auditory, visual and tactile CORRECTIONS.

I like using gentle tactile corrections because I can continue speaking cues to the rest of the class while I correct someone who needs help.

//www.merrithew.com/stott-pilates/articles/cueing-for-pilates

I'm a newly minted Fletcher teacher; I think all the answers here are good ones, but would like to add that if you want to have a repertoire of cues suitable for use in classes with different bodies and different problems, one of the best ways to discover those cues is to take other teacher's classes or, if possible, observe, and write them down. The better the teacher, the more they will be able to adjust to the bodies in front of them. It does take practice! There will be a lot going on in your head as you teach.