The Big Rocks
Effective Pilates instruction requires more than an extensive knowledge of movement, anatomy, and exercise repertoire; it requires the ability to communicate movement under imperfect conditions. How do you teach an individual who has a poor attitude, work through a language barrier, or provide effective instruction when you are not personally feeling your best? In each of these situations, an instructor must be able to distinguish between essential movement principles and secondary details. One strategy I use is identifying the “big rocks” of a movement: the fundamental components that must be understood and executed before more nuanced corrections can become meaningful.
I was first introduced to the concept of the “big rocks” while interning with the University of Iowa Athletic Performance Department, and I have continued to apply this framework to my approach to Pilates instruction. To identify the big rocks, an instructor should examine an exercise and determine the primary actions or objectives that define it. Rather than overwhelming a participant with numerous anatomical corrections, the instructor can prioritize two or three essential components, reinforce them consistently, and break them down further when necessary. This hierarchy of instruction is particularly valuable when communication is limited, a participant is disengaged, or additional verbal cueing is creating confusion rather than clarity.
The big-rock framework is equally valuable for the instructor. There will inevitably be moments when a cue does not resonate, the energy of a class shifts, or an instructor needs a moment to observe and reorganize their approach. Returning to the fundamental components of the movement creates an opportunity to simplify the task, assess what participants actually need, and reestablish direction within the room. Effective teaching is not demonstrated by the quantity or complexity of the cues an instructor can provide, but by the ability to determine which information is most relevant in a given moment. Developing this discernment allows Pilates instructors to communicate with greater adaptability, intentionality, and precision.
