“I Didn’t Want to Be a Nuisance” Why Speaking Up in Pilates Matters

One of the things I hear surprisingly from Pilates instructors after a Pilates class is, regarding their classes is:

“I didn’t want to be a nuisance.”

Or:

“I wasn’t sure if I was doing it right, but I didn’t want to interrupt you.”

And sometimes:

“It didn’t feel quite right, but I thought I’d just carry on.”

I completely understand where these comments come from. We are often taught to be polite, not interrupt, not draw attention to ourselves and certainly not make a fuss.

But when you are in a Pilates class, there is something I want you to know:

You are never a nuisance for asking a question.

In fact, we would much rather you speak to your instructor in the moment than tell them afterwards that something didn't feel right.

🌿“I’m fine, thank you.”🌿

This is something I hear instructors talk about more than you might think.

An instructor will tell me about an experience where they have genuinely tried to support a participant during class. They have noticed a facial expression, a hesitation or something in the way the person is moving.

They have checked in.

“Are you okay?”

And, in the most wonderfully British way, the response is:

“I’m fine, thanks.”

So the instructor continues, believing everything is okay.

Then, later that evening, they received an email from the participant explaining that they weren't actually comfortable with a particular movement, they weren't sure about what they were feeling, or something that hadn't felt right during the class.

And the instructor is left questioning themselves.

“Should I have noticed?”

“Did I miss something?”

“Should I have done more?”

I have to be honest, this has happened to me too.

And when instructors talk to me about these experiences, one of the first things I say is:

✨“This isn't on the you, you checked in”✨

If the instructor has observed your participant, noticed their expression, checked in with them and asked if they are okay, they have done their part.

The participant has said they are fine.

The instructor is not a mind reader.

As instructors, we can observe movement. We can look at body language, facial expressions, breathing and behaviour. We can ask questions and create opportunities for communication.

But we cannot know exactly what someone is experiencing if they don't tell us.

And this is why I keep encouraging students to speak up in the moment.

🌿If something doesn't feel right, tell your instructor.

🌿If you are unsure what you should be feeling, ask.

🌿If you don't understand the movement, say so.

If you need a modification, let us know.

Because when you communicate with us in the moment, we have the opportunity to help you.

You are never a neusence we encourage questions. It is how we improve our practice. ❤️