Next week I will be heading back to the PMA Conference (Pilates Method Alliance). This is the governing board for Pilates and the certifying agency. All the leaders in Pilates are involved in the PMA and most will be in attendance. I am a member of the PMA and maintain my certification by pursuing continuing education every year. This will be my third year attending the PMA. I always walk away so inspired, motivated and full of new information! I look forward to these conferences and love that I have made Pilates friends around the world as a result!
This year, however, I contemplated not going! With planning not one but what turned into two wonderful weddings and also a fabulous honeymoon, it has been an action-packed and amazing Fall already! Could I really afford the time and expense of going out of town again so soon? It was easy to justify skipping this year. It seemed like the smart decision financially and from a business standpoint … I hate canceling classes and this would be another 4 days of rescheduled classes.
As I thought about missing a year, I realized how much I would miss. I also realized how much I rely on these conference to keep me on my toes and make me the best instructor for you. I would have to wait an entire year for the next conference and the next chance to mingle with the Pilates pioneers, learn from the greats, challenge myself, expand my knowledge and so on.
I thought about all that I took away from last year’s conference. Because of that opportunity and the sessions and people I met, I pursued additional education in post and prenatal Pilates. I expended my training in Pilates for rehab and post surgery as well as chronic conditions. I learned all the wonderful uses of the Exo chair and added one to our studio. So much of what I have done this past year can be tied back to my education from last year’s PMA conference.
In talking with my husband and with his encouragement, I decided the logical decision was actually to go to the conference! I could not afford to miss this opportunity to grow as your instructor and to bring back valuable information that lets me help more students. I am excited to see what I will learn, who I will meet and what I will walk away with this year! It doesn’t hurt that the conference is in sunny San Diego either! Next week I hope you will bare with me and our shortened schedule for the week knowing I’ll be bringing back lots of wonderful things to 12South Pilates the following week! I believe and tell you folks all the time that it is key to keep growing and I will be doing the same next week!
12South Pilates & Personal Training 