Teaching Pilates looks effortless from the front of the room. What you don’t see is the planning, the self-doubt, the early mornings, the moments of genuine breakthrough, and the slow build of confidence that comes from years of learning and doing.
We asked three Polestar instructors to share honestly about their journeys. What inspired them, what challenged them, and what they’d say to someone considering this path. Here’s what they told us.
Tracy G, Pilates Instructor and Polestar Educator
Tracy came to Pilates through yoga. What kept her here was the depth of the training and a method that never stops asking more of you.
Finding a Richer Framework
I was teaching yoga and started blending the two as soon as I began my Pilates training. The cueing resonated with me straight away, and the training gave me so much more in terms of functional movement understanding. I also liked that you never stop learning, and that Polestar is evidence-based. That mattered to me.
Replacing Impostor Syndrome With Quiet Confidence
Thinking back to when I started teaching, I planned everything meticulously and just prayed it would work. I was overly aware of what I didn’t know and would feel stressed if clients came in with injuries or conditions I didn’t recognise. Over the years, a quiet confidence has replaced impostor syndrome. I now feel comfortable adapting and strategising for what comes up. I’m so grateful for the mentorship and training I’ve received from my senior colleagues and allied health professionals.
Why Tactile Cueing Took Time
When I started teaching yoga, there was heavy scrutiny and judgment around teacher conduct and the power dynamic between clients and instructors. It actually took me years to feel comfortable with tactile cueing because of it. Doing a deep dive into anatomy and physiology, and the mentorship I received at Polestar, gradually gave me the confidence to get there.
What She’s Most Proud of This Year
Starting a Bachelor’s Degree in Health Science and expanding my knowledge in allied healthcare, psychology, and anatomy has been amazing. It’s given me so much in a relatively short time. I feel the learning will benefit not just me but my clients as well.
What She’d Tell Someone Starting Out
That having a job where you can make a difference to someone’s day is a wonderful thing. It makes you feel like a useful human. You won’t earn a corporate salary, obviously, but you can find a place in your working life that is fulfilling, kind, and peaceful.
Sarah Barrett, Pilates Instructor and Polestar Educator
Sarah made her career change when her first child was six months old. What started as a leap of faith became a career built on continuous learning and genuine passion.
A Career Change That Started With a Baby and a Redundancy
When I first started my course, my firstborn was six months old. Crazy when I think back. I’d been made redundant, and this was my opportunity to make a long-awaited career change into a field that had been my dream for a long time.
Growing Into the Experienced One
I had a solid foundation, but knew there was so much more I wanted and needed to learn. I was fortunate to work with very experienced, knowledgeable people who guided me along the way. Today, I see myself as the experienced, knowledgeable one. Exposing myself to different studios and clients, continuous education, a passion for the job, involvement in the industry through mentoring and education, and having plenty of industry peers to bounce ideas off have taken me to where I am.
The Challenge Nobody Warned Her About
Stamina for the job. I was exhausted after two classes. Early mornings and late nights are to be expected when you first start teaching. Finding a rhythm to the job that suited my family and me took time, but it was worth working through.
Teaching the People Who Taught Her
Teaching all my experienced peers at a conference, people who had taught me how to be a teacher, is what I’m most proud of this year. I was nervous for a quick minute before my love for Pilates and movement took over. Then they couldn’t get rid of me. It always makes me proud to teach the next generation of teachers. Transferring your knowledge to others is deeply fulfilling.
What She Wants You to Know
It’s a job of love. You’ll work for every minute you’re paid and more. You’ll love every minute, but it’s not as relaxing as the serene teacher up the front makes it seem. You’re on watch. Your brain is ticking over every moment. You want your clients to get the most from their hour with you because you want them to love Pilates as much as you do.
Maddi Garlick, Polestar Instructor and Educator, Northern Rivers
Maddi grew up around Pilates. Teaching it was always going to be part of her story. What she didn’t expect was how much the work would teach her about herself.
Growing Up in a Pilates Family
I’ve been around Pilates my whole life, growing up watching both my mum and my nan teach mat classes in local halls around Sydney. When I turned 18, I completed my Mat course, and a few years later, I went on to do my Diploma while teaching at Northern Rivers Pilates in Lismore. As I got older, my appreciation for the method really deepened. I felt excited to keep growing along this path.
Learning to Trust the Method
I used to be an eager, slightly erratic instructor, probably trying to say too much and do too much. Over the years, I’ve learned that the Pilates method speaks for itself. I’ve grown to trust the movement, developed a deeper respect for the human body and the nervous system, and learned to rely on my instincts and knowledge. My approach now is much more subtle and easier. I focus on creating space for people to connect with their bodies rather than over-instructing.
Learning Not to Carry What Isn’t Yours
One of the biggest challenges for me, especially in my early twenties while working long hours, was learning not to take on everyone else’s emotions and pain. I didn’t quite have the capacity to separate what was mine from what belonged to my clients, and over time, it became draining. With the support of other practitioners, I slowly began to understand the importance of boundaries and not carrying my clients’ emotional experiences home with me. That shift has gently reshaped the way I work. I feel more present and grounded, and it’s expanded the capacity I have for every client.
Breakthroughs in the Studio
Making some major breakthroughs with clients in the studio and stepping further into educator work for Polestar has been the highlight of my year. I’m really excited to do more of it and share the love.
Stay Curious and Keep Observing
One thing I wish I had known from the beginning is how important it is to stay curious and keep observing. So much of the learning comes from simply watching bodies, patterns, and how people move over time.
What These Stories Have in Common
Three different teachers, three different starting points. But the same thread runs through all of them.
Confidence Comes From Training and Mentorship
None of them arrived feeling ready. Tracy planned everything meticulously and still felt stressed. Sarah knew she needed more depth. Maddi was eager and erratic. What changed for each of them was time, mentorship, and training that gave them a framework for thinking, not just a repertoire to follow.
That’s what evidence-based education does. It gives you tools that hold up when something unexpected walks through the door. The ABS labour statistics and SEEK career research consistently point to this: professionals who invest in structured, recognised training report stronger confidence and longer career satisfaction than those who don’t.
The Work Is Demanding and Worth It
Every one of these teachers is clear-eyed about the demands of the job. Early mornings. Emotional labour. The mental effort of being fully present for every client. None of them dressed it up. And none of them would trade it.
That honesty is part of what makes the Polestar community what it is. Teachers who genuinely love the work and are committed to doing it well.
FAQs
These are the questions we hear most from people considering a teaching career or looking to deepen their existing practice.
Do I need a background in fitness or health to become a Pilates teacher?
No. Sarah came from a completely different industry. Tracy came from yoga. What you need is a genuine interest in movement, a willingness to learn, and the commitment to complete the training. Polestar’s courses are designed to build your foundation from the ground up, including the anatomy and physiology prerequisite that gives you the science behind the method.
How long does it take to feel confident as a teacher?
It’s different for everyone, but most teachers describe a gradual shift rather than a single moment. The structured mentorship built into Polestar’s programmes is specifically designed to support that transition.
Is it possible to teach Pilates part-time around other commitments?
Yes. Many Polestar graduates teach part-time alongside other work or family commitments. The flexible delivery across face-to-face intensives and online learning is designed with that in mind. Courses are available across all states, so you’re not limited by location.
What’s the difference between completing a short course and doing the Diploma?
A short course gives you a starting point. The Polestar Pilates Diploma gives you a nationally recognised AQF qualification, a deeper reasoning framework, and the credentials to work across a much broader range of settings and populations. If you want a career with longevity, the Diploma is worth understanding properly before you decide.
What if I’m not sure which course is right for me?
Start by exploring the full range of Polestar courses or reach out directly through the contact page. The team can help you work out which pathway fits your background, your goals, and your timeline.
Your Story Starts Somewhere
Tracy started in a yoga room. Sarah started on maternity leave. Maddi started watching her mum teach in a local hall. None of them knew exactly where it would lead.
What they had in common was a willingness to start and a training organisation that took their development seriously. If you’re considering this path, explore what Polestar offers or browse the online courses if you want to get a feel for the method before committing to a full programme. For 30 years, we’ve been helping instructors across Australia build careers they’re proud of. The next story could be yours.