The Pilates IT Factor Tour: Teaching by Design

Three new workshops ask one question: how do you show up to teach?

In 2025, the tour brought the IT Factor to more than 1,000 teachers in 25 cities. In 2027, John is taking it into the studio. Teaching by Design is the IT Factor in action: you’ll move through guided flows on the Reformer, Chair, or Spring Wall and experience the 5 Pilates Teacher Archetypes™ for yourself. The Foundations Workshop is back too, and it’s been completely redesigned.

Find Your City & Register

The IT Factor in Action

Teaching by Design brings the IT Factor to life through movement. You’ll take five guided flows with John, each one taught through a different archetype, and feel how the energy in the room changes. You don’t need to have read the Guide or taken another IT Factor workshop. Just come ready to move.

  • Teaching by Design: Reformer

    2 Hours | 2 NPCP CECs

    Get moving on the Reformer and experience the IT Factor in action. John leads five Reformer flows, each matched to one of the 5 Pilates Teacher Archetypes™: the Entertainer, the Motivator, the Coach, the Educator, and the Pal. You’ll feel how the energy shifts with each one, and how the same cues land differently.

    You’ll leave knowing how to design your classes around the archetypes, based on the time of day, the class format, and the people in the room.

    Learn More →

  • Teaching by Design: Pilates Chair

    2 Hours | 2 NPCP CECs

    Step onto the Chair and feel the archetypes come to life in your own body. John leads five Chair flows, each matched to one of the 5 Pilates Teacher Archetypes™: the Entertainer, the Motivator, the Coach, the Educator, and the Pal. The Chair is small and hides nothing, which makes it the perfect place to feel how the energy shifts with each archetype, and how the same cues land differently.

    You’ll leave knowing how to design your classes around the archetypes, based on the time of day, the class format, and the people in the room.

    Learn More →

  • Teaching by Design: Spring Wall

    2 Hours | 2 NPCP CECs

    On the Spring Wall, you’ll learn the IT Factor through movement, not a lecture. John leads five Spring Wall flows, each matched to one of the 5 Pilates Teacher Archetypes™: the Entertainer, the Motivator, the Coach, the Educator, and the Pal. The Spring Wall is the most social piece of equipment in the studio, where a teacher’s energy carries the room. That makes it the perfect place to feel how the energy shifts with each archetype, and how the same cues land differently.

    You’ll leave knowing how to design your classes around the archetypes, based on the time of day, the class format, and the people in the room.

    Learn More →

  • The Pilates IT Factor Foundations Workshop

    2.5 Hours | 2.5 NPCP CECs

    Our signature workshop on how teachers communicate, now with more breakout activities so you can apply the material in real time. You’ll work hands-on with John on vocal presence, body language, energy, the 5 Pilates Teacher Archetypes™, and the science of connection in and out of the studio.

    Whether you teach Mat, Reformer, Privates, or Group, this is where it starts. You’ll leave with worksheets and tools to keep applying the IT Factor long after the workshop.

    Learn More →

Coming to These Cities in 2027!

More dates to be released soon

SAN RAFAEL, CA

1/23/2027 | 11:30am - 1:30pm

Teaching by Design: Reformer

Cue the Core
1344 4th St,
San Rafael, CA 94901

Registration Coming Soon

SAN RAFAEL, CA

1/23/2027 | 1:45pm - 3:45pm

Teaching by Design: Pilates Chair

Cue the Core
1344 4th St,
San Rafael, CA 94901

Registration Coming Soon

Want both workshops? You’ll see the option to add the second one at checkout.

SAN BRUNO, CA

1/24/2027 | 2:00pm - 4:00pm

Teaching by Design: Reformer

Club Pilates San Bruno
851 Cherry Ave, STE 13
San Bruno, CA 94066

Registration Coming Soon

SAN BRUNO, CA

1/24/2027 | 4:15pm - 6:15pm

Teaching by Design: Spring Wall

Club Pilates San Bruno
851 Cherry Ave, STE 13
San Bruno, CA 94066

Registration Coming Soon

Want both workshops? You’ll see the option to add the second one at checkout.

LA GRANGE, IL

2/06/2027 | 2:00pm - 4:00pm

Teaching by Design: Reformer

Club Pilates La Grange
18 W. Burlington Ave First Floor West, La Grange, IL 60525

Registration Coming Soon

LA GRANGE, IL

2/06/2027 | 4:15pm - 6:15pm

Teaching by Design: Spring Wall

Club Pilates La Grange
18 W. Burlington Ave First Floor West, La Grange, IL 60525

Registration Coming Soon

LA GRANGE, IL

2/07/2027 | 2:00pm - 4:00pm

Teaching by Design: Pilates Chair

Club Pilates La Grange
18 W. Burlington Ave First Floor West, La Grange, IL 60525

Registration Coming Soon

Want all three workshops? You’ll see the option to add the others at checkout.

PORTLAND, OR

3/20/2027 | TBD

Teaching by Design: TBD

Club Pilates West Hills
7515 SW Barnes Rd Ste. 102, Portland, OR 97225

Registration Coming Soon

PORTLAND, OR

3/20/2027 | TBD

Teaching by Design: TBD

Club Pilates West Hills
7515 SW Barnes Rd Ste. 102, Portland, OR 97225

Registration Coming Soon

Want both workshops? You’ll see the option to add the second one at checkout.

Testimonials

  • "This course is invaluable. It's for every instructor. Even if you are a seasoned instructor, you will find something that will help you improve your skills. There is always room for fine tuning. Communication is the key to success."

    — IT Factor Attendee

  • "John is so welcoming and knowledgeable. I learned how to use my voice / body / facial expressions more effectively to be this instructor who has the "IT Factor."

    — Marie-Lou F.

  • "This course will change your communication in all aspects of your life."

    — Tracy N.

  • "Great guidance to take your skills and teaching to the next level as you strive to connect with your clients."

    — Patti K.

  • "Very inspiring!"

    — Megan R.

  • "Great Course! Amazing workshop for Pilates professionals learning how to use verbal and nonverbal communication to improve Pilates teaching."

    — Tammy R.

  • "This course and the information and techniques provided is the quintessential element to raising your pilates game and lifting up the entire industry! Fabulous!"

    — Stacie S.

  • "The best in-person workshop I've ever attended! Applicable to all instructors junior-senior. Can't thank you enough!"

    — IT Factor Attendee

  • "John Garey does a great job getting everyone involved in the learning process."

    — Jackie G.

  • "John is a great instructor. Good Course - not boring!"

    — Susie K.

  • "Even if you've taken other courses on communication, this is very beneficial. I feel I can use this information in other areas of my life and my other job."

    — Christy G.

  • "After spending 2 days in the course, I felt John and his team were so helpful in guiding us on how to improve our communication skills and treated us all with respect. I highly recommend this course to ALL instructors."

    — Susan S.

  • "I am leaving here inspired and motivated to be a better instructor!"

    — Isabel S.

  • "I just passed my Stott Pilates exam. This workshop really covered the people skills that will really arm me for success. I felt like it was the "secret sauce" that will help me be the best instructor I can be!"

    — Conley Z.

  • "If you feel you're missing something in teaching your Pilates Classes? That missing piece may just be how you are received. Do you know? Find out! I did!"

    — Ty E.

  • "If you want to take your teaching skills, presence, impact...to the next level, do not miss this course!"

    — Yvonne M.

  • "As a new Pilates instructor, it is a must!"

    — Lynn C.

  • "By learning about the archetypes, I see a huge gap between my strength and weakness. I will be working on balancing them out and picking up the techniques to improve my most challenging archetype."

    — IT Factor Attendee

  • "If you're new to the industry and feel a little lost, this workshop is perfect for meeting new people and establishing a confident, poised, and authentic foundation for your teaching practice."

    — IT Factor Attendee

  • "The IT Factor course will not only teach you how to be a great instructor, it will give you the tools you need to get there."

    — IT Factor Attendee

  • "I think all instructors should listen to this. I would like to see more instructors give their definition of the 'it' factor."

    — Andy

  • "Hard to speak of the "it" factor unless you have it, and clearly you do! I love teaching Pilates and you just re-enforced that for me. Thank you John, you're awesome!"

    — Lissa D.

  • "Thanks so much, John for articulating what I intuitively felt! This certainly gives us the ability as teachers to deepen our connection with our clients, which is really what inspires at the end of the day, yes?!"

    — Laurie K.

  • "I watched this last night before bed, and been thinking on it all day. It was just what I needed a good pep talk. "

    — Jamie K.

  • "Great Charisma, John! You definitely got it!!"

    — Petra S.

  • "I really enjoyed this talk John, thank you. I have a class in an hour and a half and will be putting your inspiring advice into play!"

    — Grainne O.

  • "John Garey is the best. Thank you always for your generosity of spirit and knowledge. I am totally taking it to heart and hope to take some CEC's with you soon!"

    — Claire F.

  • "This is fantastic advice. Every new instructor should watch this. You've demystified some of the most important aspects of teaching, things that aren't always addressed in instructor training programs."

    — Kate C.

  • "Thank you John . I love where you are coming from in this talk . "It" really "is" about loving what you do and having fun. The "It " shines through if we engage with our clients on all these level you discuss."

    — Lizanne B.

Boston, MA
Boulder, CO
Chicago, IL
Kansas City, MO
Detroit, MI
Houston, TX
Manhattan, NY
1.png
IMG_3911.jpeg
Long Beach, CA
Dallas, TX
Philadelphia, PA
Miami, FL
Tampa, FL
D6CF2032-5848-4272-A935-51852B415FD6.jpeg
Sacramento, CA
Encinitas, CA
Plainfield, IL
Washington D.C.
Chicago, IL

Want John in Your Studio or City?

Bring Teaching by Design or the Foundations Workshop to your team. Tell us about your space and your teachers, and we’ll be in touch. We’re booking January through June and September through November 2027.

Prefer email? Write to us at info@pilatesgradschool.com.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • We’re so glad you asked! Here’s your checklist to make the most of your experience:

    1. Water Bottle — Stay hydrated and ready to dive in!

    2. A Light Jacket or Sweater — Venues can have a mind of their own when it comes to temperature, so it's best to be prepared!

    3. Notebook & Pen — Trust us, you’ll want to jot down all the game-changing insights and tips.

    4. An Open Mind & Positive Energy — Be ready to learn, connect, and have fun!

    5. Comfortable Clothing — You may be moving around, so think Pilates-ready attire.

    We’ll bring the knowledge, inspiration, and a whole lot of energy — you just bring yourself and a great attitude. We can’t wait to see you there!

  • Cancellation & Refund Policy
    Please note that all sales are final. Due to the limited availability of spots, no refunds will be issued once registration is complete. However, if you are unable to attend, you may transfer your registration to another participant or apply it toward a future workshop date (within one year) if you notify us at least 7 days in advance.
    Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. We look forward to welcoming you to tour!

  • Not at all. Every workshop on the tour stands on its own. You don’t need to have read the Guide, taken the course, or attended another IT Factor workshop. Come as you are and be ready to move.

  • Teaching by Design workshops are 2 NPCP CECs each. The Foundations Workshop is 2.5 NPCP CECs.