It’s that time of year again – the Pilates Anytime Next Instructor Contest video submission time. If you have been following me for a while, you know this is not my first time submitting a video and entering the contest. For the newer followers, here’s a little background and explanation.
Pilates Anytime is an online community of Pilates Instructors and Pilates classes as well as tutorials, workshops, lectures, historical archives … basically all things Pilates live on this site! It is a wonderful resource that I subscribe to as a means to keep me motivated, learning, moving and growing in Pilates. Pilates Anytime allows me to take classes with the best in Pilates online and learn from them. Each year Pilates Anytime hosts a contest to find the next instructor to feature on their website. To be considered, certified Instructors must submit a 4-10 minute video of themselves teaching another student 5 pre-selected Pilates exercises. 10 Finalist are selected by a panel of judges and then members vote to determine the final winner.
Four years ago I entered this contest for the first time. At the time I knew I wasn’t probably ready but entering was my goal. I knew it would challenge me, it would get me out of my comfort zone, and help me grow as a teacher to go through the process. I was thrilled when my video was accepted. That was success for my first attempt.
Three years ago my studio was under construction and I was in the middle of a bad marriage. Filming was not physically possible with noise of construction and I’d venture to say it was not emotionally possible for me either. I had bigger things to handle.
Last year, in my new studio and newly divorced, I entered for the second time. I felt much more confident and ready. It was fun for me to see how far I had come in my video and presentation skills. Once again I was thrilled when my video was accepted but I did not make the final 10 unfortunately. I did talk with a couple of the gals who were in the final ten at the PMA Conference and was delighted that they remembered my video and complimented it. When the winner of the contest last year, Carrie Pages, told me she liked my video – I as thrilled! That was success.
Here we are now with my third attempt submitted a few days ago. Once again, I have been accepted – that’s the first hurdle! Woo hoo! Once again, when I look back on my last video, I am amazed how much farther I have come and the level of comfort I now feel filming videos. I am enjoying myself and letting my personality shine but also sharing my knowledge. It feels great to see my progress through the years. Will I make the top ten this year? We will find out soon!! I think I have the best chance yet and I’m anxiously waiting to see. I am proud of the progress I have made and hope that shines through for the judges.
I enter this contest of course with the hopes that maybe just maybe I could be the winner and the next Pilates Anytime Instructor. I also enter because I need to believe in myself and take risks if I want others to believe in me, too. If I believe I am capable and ready – I need to put it out there for others to see. What an absolute thrill this would be for me in my career! I also enter to keep pushing myself and to visually see where I am at and where I can improve. It would be an amazing to win but if I don’t make it this year … never fear I’ll be back! Dreams come true when we believe in ourselves and put ourselves out there – maybe mine will this year. And sometimes they take a little longer – that’s ok, too. I’m in good company with the other applicants this year 🙂 Fingers crossed … stay tuned for an update when the final 10 are announced!!
Here is my video for your enjoyment and abdominal work, too!
12South Pilates & Personal Training 