This week we chatted with Jennifer Politte, from Arnold, Maryland. Jennifer graduated from The Pilates Center Bridge Program in 2012. She is the owner of Pilates on the Bay, a TPC Host Studio offering continuing education to Pilates teachers. Jennifer loves to move and started her journey into movement as a dancer in college. She first discovered Pilates when she was working for a dance studio in Washington, DC.
Hi Jennifer, how are you today?
I’m doing well, thanks for asking.
Where are you and what are you doing right now?
I’m at home in Arnold, MD relaxing a bit while my kids are home for summer break.
How did you find out about TPC?
I learned about TPC through fellow Pilates instructors and through researching continuing education opportunities.
What was your reason for choosing to train with TPC?
I graduated from my first Comprehensive Training Program in February of 2005 (at a studio in Washington DC) and within one month was pregnant with my first child. I had my second child two years later.
I was teaching the whole time, but my own practice and overall focus on the work was spotty due to being a new mom with a growing family. I decided to re-immerse myself in the work by participating in TPC’s Master’s Program, and after sitting through the lectures and workshops I was re-inspired. I had the opportunity to be a “body” for other students and got to hear the feedback they were receiving. I loved the depth and richness TPC brought to the work, it brought meaning to the exercises I had been teaching over the previous years and was the basis for my decision to study further with TPC as a Bridge Program student.
Did you look at other schools?
I had actually completed a comprehensive training program before I discovered TPC. The initial training was good, but it just covered the “nuts and bolts” of the exercises. TPC brought the teacher out of me and helped me see how I could not just teach the exercises, but USE the exercises to affect someone’s health and wellbeing.
Why do you think TPC is the best option for people wanting to become Pilates teachers?
TPC looks much deeper into the work. It is much more of a mentor / apprentice relationship, which is much more personal. They don’t just teach you the exercises they bring something out of you that is uniquely yours, it is not a cookie-cutter training program where you just check boxes until you graduate.
I also believe TPC’s close relationship to Joe (Amy & Rachel being 2nd generation teachers) makes their teaching richer.
What was / is your favourite things about TPC’s teacher training programme?
I love how all the teachers take a real interest in YOU as a person. They challenge you, push you and celebrate you. They make you see things in yourself you might not find otherwise – their inspiration and passion is evident. It makes you want to come back to TPC over and over and you become part of the TPC family.
What do you think your experience at TPC has given you most?
Training at TPC has given me an extensive Pilates family, I’ve connected with Pilates instructors from all over the world! I love that no matter where we live on the planet there is this one passion we all share.
I’ve also gained great confidence in my teaching. I truly believe in what I’m teaching and feel confident that what I’m teaching works, this really helps when I run into that occasional skeptic, I’m able to stand strong in my teaching and not feel flustered by the challenges.
What would you say to someone who is considering training with TPC?
Do it! It will change your life. Expect challenges and expect to work hard, but you will come out on the other side a different person.