Instructor in Focus: Lauren McGrath

Instructor Name: Lauren McGrath
Studio(s) you work at: Improve You Pilates Studio/Mentor for Polestar Pilates
Location: Stanhope Gardens/Brookvale
Instructor training: Polestar Pilates- Cert IV Matwork/Diploma in Professional Pilates Studio & Rehab
PAA Level: Professional Level 4 Instructor

What originally motivated you to try Pilates and then go on to train as an instructor?

During the time I was training full time ballet we were introduced to Pilates as a cross training method. I fell in love with the process of thoughtful movement, strength and recovery it provided. When I stopped dancing, I completed my Certificate in Ballet Teaching Studies with RAD and spent many years teaching ballet to a variety of students. I wanted to learn more about movement and the body and be able to offer my students more. I completed my Certificate IV in Matwork Pilates and Diploma in Professional Pilates & Rehab through Polestar Pilates. Many years later I have discovered so much more to movement and teaching in the studio. Ballet created the window into the Pilates world and the Pilates world opened up my heart and soul to full body health & well-being.

What did you eat for breakfast?

Ginger lemon and honey tea & Quinoa porridge with a little bit of honey. A perfect light breakfast for an early morning start.

In one word, describe your first Pilates experience?

Connection

What’s the best thing about your job?

Being a part of people’s health journey. There is something so special about creating a relationship with all your clients and supporting them through their personal transformation. Using movement and breath work and helping people understand their bodies and make change to themselves and their life is so rewarding.

Teaching Pilates never feels like work.

Your ‘go to’ website for all things Pilates (other than PAA)?

Pilates Anytime
Polestar Pilates

What’s your favourite Pilates podcast? Why do you recommend it?

Pilates Elephants- Like any industry, information changes over time. I like this podcast as it draws on interesting discussions around topics of outdated ideas within the Pilates teaching world. It creates refreshing insight and makes you think about what influence your teaching is having on other people and if things that you were once told or taught are still creating a positive outcome.

The best advice you’ve ever had?

The best advice I have ever had is to understand yourself and create an authentic relationship with yourself. If you have the ability to listen to your body & have the strength to pause and check in with you before responding to honour your true needs and feelings, you create an unbreakable bond with yourself. When you have an authentic relationship with yourself you have the ability to create authentic relationships with others.

An indulgence you can’t live without?

Chocolate! Especially Haighs!

How long have you been a member of PAA and how did you hear about PAA?

Since Jan 2013!

Do you have a motto?

Less Is More.

What’s the most challenging aspect of your job?

It took me many years to truly find balance in such a giving industry. We are passionate about helping others. It’s beautiful, but if we don’t take the time to fill our own cup, we are at risk of burning out while giving everything we have left to fill other people’s cups. It’s a risk with big consequences over time. We want to invest in our clients and listen to their needs and support and guide them through their personal growth journey. We also can’t grow and evolve ourselves if we end up burnt out, sick, with dysregulated nervous systems and struggling with fatigue, stress and anxiety. Listen to your body, invest in your own health as priority then you will be in the best place to bring the best to your clients, family and friends. Everybody wins.

How do you use PAA?

• To find out information regarding our Industry.
• Workshops & Online Courses.
• PAA Conference.
• Networking and building relationships.
• Maintaining a high standard of teaching and education.

Who is your Pilates idol or would love to meet, and why?

Two Mentors/educators that had the most wonderful impact on me are Dav Cohen & Amanda Erlank. They still continue to inspire me. I feel very grateful for all I have learnt and continue to learn from them.
It is always so lovely when I have the opportunity to see them and work with them as part of the educational team at Polestar Pilates.
I would have loved to meet Joseph Pilates. He created something pretty amazing.

What do you appreciate most about your body?

Its ability to heal.

The book you’re currently reading?

The Choice. By Edith Eger.
How to do the work. By Dr Nicole LePera.

These books create life changing awareness within yourself.

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