Motivation is defined as the activation of goal-orientated behavior.

When a person perceives they are making progress towards their goals their motivation levels are increased. Knowing, doing and accomplishing a specific task cultivate a belief in the value of participating in the task. In this case Pilates.

Feedback is the main form of communication experienced by you and your client. How can someone be expected to improve, especially in the manner that is expected, if they do not receive enough of the right kind of feedback about their performance. There are two major types of feedback — Intrinsic and Extrinsic. Intrinsic feedback -information received as a direct result of producing a movement through the kinesthetic senses – feelings from muscles, joints and balance. Intrinsic motivation refers to motivation that comes from inside an individual rather than from any external or outside rewards. The motivation comes from the pleasure one gets from the task itself or from the sense of satisfaction completing or even working on a task. In reference to Pilates it is the sensory information that normally occurs when an individual produces a movement. It gives the body indications such as the positions of the joints or orientation within space. Intrinsic feedback is always present and can assist your client to determine when they are doing something incorrectly. It can also help them to recognize improvements on their own when executing movements. However, intrinsic signals will not always clarify the precise reason why a movement was successful or unsuccessful or how to improve the movement execution in the future. Extrinsic feedback – information not inherent in the movement itself but which improves intrinsic feedback. As an Instuctor we play a vital role by providing extrinsic feedback to achieve this important distinction.

We have all heard the expression ‘it’s not what you say but how you say it’. Nothing could be more true when working with a client. Great care is needed when giving your comments to someone. A heavy focus on error correction may cause the client to ‘switch off’.  By asking your client questions you can encourage and reward them for their efforts and also encourage self-evaluation and discovery. Regardless of the type of feedback you use, one of the most important functions is to provide Motivation. Positive feedback will reinforce a client’s motivation and confidence and make it more likely that they will repeat actions successfully again & remain your client. Praise should also specify which action is being complimented in order for it to promote learning. Both positive and negative comments influence motivation, but research consistently indicates that people are more affected by positive feedback as it helps them to be successful. Praise also builds clients’ self confidence, competence and self-esteem. However, if your client’s performance is weak, they will benefit from knowing that you expect them to improve over time. When giving negative feedback it is important to relate it to the actual task and not to turn it into personal criticism. Viewing feedback as a two-way process, in which the client assists in the communication, can enhance their skill in a positive and constructive way. It is important to give your client feedback and a chance to reflect as quickly as possible, along with some discussion of how well they have done.  By figuring out how to work through challenges, clients are likely to experience a greater sense of achievement and to build confidence that will increase their motivation to learn.

As Instructors we give a lot of people feedback every day, but are we giving them the right feedback in the right manner to really motivate them to do what we want, and need, for them to consistently do? Are we motivating them to improve? One size does not fit all. Know your client. Know the type of feedback that works best for them.

“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” ~ Winston Churchil

Susan Sommers is a Pilates Instructor for Pilates Body NYC  in New York City specializing in those 50+