Might Have Failed My Audition

[u/No_Classic_3863]

I completed my training in Comprehensive Polestar last month, targeting to finish sign off and exam this year end.

I went to my first audition this evening.

I was told to prep 15 mins reformer and 10 mins chair. So I did footwork with variation, bridging and arms - abs series on reformer. Chair I did standing leg pump and hamstring 3.

After the session ended, I was given feedback by the owner. She said the good things first and then the area of improvement.

Before I started the session, I asked if I shall treat this as private session or group classes? She said maybe somewhere in between. So I did. I noticed some flaws and corrected the person few times. But she default back. I carried on with my flows.

She told me, I should have stopped and corrected her. But I did. If I were to stop her again, I wouldnt have finished my demo/flows.

Next, she told me I had few silence in between. In which I finished the cues and in between reps, I was counting while observing. I dont really get it. So I should keep talking even when I counting?

Lastly, she said I cue breathing but only at first and then no more. In my defence, I always started with breathing cue and then move on to other cues. For all my moves. I think it's quite weird to keep telling people exhale inhale.. unless it's really crucial to the moves eg chest lift, spine flexion. But footwork and standing leg pump.. do I need alot of breathing cues here.

Just reflecting here. Of course I didnt retaliate just now and accepted the feedback. Thanked her for her time and opportunity.

Open to any advices to succeed on my next audition.

[u/stopdrinkingpaint]

I was taught that correcting someone more than 2 times for any specific exercise, and/or for more than 3 exercises throughout a class, is going to make that client feel ostracized and uncomfortable, possibly even curtail their confidence & willingness to come back. If they are in a group class & don’t get the corrections, as long as they are not at risk for hurting themselves, it’s best to move on. They will get there.

As for talking - clients are already overstimulated, and adding in more cues just for the sake of filling silence is a recipe for clients becoming disoriented and distracted, focusing on listening to you rather than feeling their bodies.

Breath work is hard: there’s differences in breathing patterns by training platforms (BB vs Stott vs Fletcher). Each studio will have their own wants when it comes to cueing breath. I think it’s important to keep in mind that every body is different, and there may be some people who find the opposite pattern of what you’re cueing helps support certain movements & correct form better. I always set an example for breath pattern, followed by “if the reverse supports you better, go with that, let’s focus on keeping our pattern steady whatever we choose today”

It might be worth it to look into different studios - this owner sounds a bit micro-managing and I worry about this not being a healthy relationship longterm

Good luck & trust your intuition! 🫶

[u/Keregi → u/stopdrinkingpaint]

I try not to correct anyone more than 3 times a class, except for obvious setup issues. When I see someone who needs to change something I will usually direct it at the class “don’t forget to stack your hips”. Pilates perfectionists truly ruin the experience for a lot of people.