ITT Pilates Instructor Highlight: Margaret Tappan

About Margaret: My name is Margaret Tappan and I have 23 years of experience teaching private and group classes in the Pilates and GYROTONIC® systems. My passion for movement practices stems from my years as a professional ballet dancer. I enjoy watching people move! I also enjoy the technical aspects of the work as well as the dynamic movement training based on sound biomechanics.

Take us on your journey to becoming an ITT Pilates instructor. I have been an educator for the ITT Pilates certification program for the past 13 years. In 2008, I was invited by the ITT founders: Jean Sullivan, Madeline Black, Joerg Chabowski, and Debra Schubert to join their team. My path to becoming an ITT Pilates educator has been a joyful journey of exploring the Pilates repertoire, honing my teaching skills, diving deeper into anatomy and discovering the body’s resilience. I teach the Essential Exercises, Pilates Mat work, Cadillac, Reformer and Auxiliary Equipment repertoire.

What is your favorite part about working with ITT Pilates? My favorite part of the ITT program is watching new students realize their full potential. I love watching them develop their eye for good alignment as well as the skills needed to build a uniquely tailored Pilates program for their clients. It is always uplifting to watch these students embark on their new careers as Pilates instructors.

Outside of ITT Pilates, what are you teaching? Outside of Pilates, I am also an educator in the GYROTONIC® system. I am currently teaching GYROKINESIS® for the LINES/Dominican Bachelor of Fine Arts Program, which keeps me in touch with dancers and their unique physiology.

What is a quote or piece of advice that keeps you motivated and passionate about teaching and Pilates? "Change happens through movement and movement heals.” ~ Joseph Pilates