How Human Needs Shape Every Pilates Session (Yes, Every One)

Do you ever wonder why some clients stick around for years, while others drift away after a few sessions?

It’s easy to think it comes down to how well we cue, how fast we get the results, or how many certifications we’ve collected. But what if the real answer is something deeper—something that isn’t found in any manual or training module?

This was the heart of our recent Inner Circle mastermind session, Bridge the Gap, where we explored a part of our teaching that often goes unspoken: how to connect not just with the client’s body, but with the person.

Because let’s be honest—we’re not just working with bodies. We’re working with people. And people are complicated. Beautiful, but complicated.

That’s where the concept of the 6 Human Needs comes in. When I discovered this framework (based on Tony Robbins' model) years ago, it completely changed how I saw my clients—and myself.

So today, I want to share some of what we explored together in that session. Not as a checklist. Not as a theory. But as a door to go deeper in your work.

The 6 Human Needs: A Quick Intro

We all share six core needs that drive everything we do:

1. Certainty – the need for safety, stability, comfort.
2. Variety – the need for change, surprise, stimulation.
3. Significance – the need to feel important, seen, valued.
4. Love & Connection – the need to belong, to feel close to others.
5. Growth – the need to develop, learn, evolve.
6. Contribution – the need to give, to matter beyond ourselves.

Every single client who walks into your studio is trying to meet one—or several—of these needs. And so are you.

The magic happens when you begin to see it. Not judge. Not fix. Just notice. And respond with presence.

How Needs Show Up in Real Life

Let me share a few little stories—composites of real moments over the years—that might help you recognize these needs in action:

Certainty – Lisa comes every Tuesday at 10:00 sharp. She always wants to know what we’ll do in class before we begin. If I change the order of exercises, she looks uneasy. Lisa isn’t boring or rigid. She’s seeking certainty. Her life outside is unpredictable—an aging parent, an unstable job. In the studio, she wants to feel grounded. My consistency is her anchor.

Variety – Then there’s Marco. He shows up smiling but gets restless fast. If we repeat the same sequence twice in a row, he checks out. When I mix in something unexpected—a new prop, a creative visual cue—he lights up. Variety feeds his energy. He’s not flaky. He just thrives on stimulation.

Significance – Claire once told me, "I feel like this is the only place where someone actually sees me." She shows up early, loves praise, and often volunteers stories about her life. She’s not seeking attention—she’s seeking significance. When I remember something she shared last week, or acknowledge her progress, she softens. She feels valued.

Love & Connection – Tom barely speaks during class, but he always lingers after, asking how I’m doing or offering to help put equipment away. He's not just being polite. He’s looking for connection. It’s not about the exercise—it’s about being part of something.

Growth – Meet Alina. She wants to understand why every movement matters. She journals after class. She’s always asking questions. For her, Pilates is a journey of self-mastery. Progress isn’t just physical—it’s growth. If I can guide her through small evolutions, she’s deeply fulfilled.

Contribution – And then there's Jill, who always checks in on other clients. She brings snacks for the group, volunteers to demo. She lights up when she can help. Contribution fuels her spirit. Giving makes her feel alive.

When you start to see clients through this lens, things shift. Resistance becomes information. Flaky behavior becomes a clue. Loyalty starts to make more sense.

Looking Beyond the Body

Most teacher trainings focus on alignment, anatomy, and control. And yes, those things matter. We should be good at our craft. We should know how to support a spine, guide a breath, and adapt a movement.

But that’s not the whole story.

Imagine this: A client comes in late, flustered, making excuses. You could get annoyed. Or... you could see a human being whose need for certainty is out of balance. Maybe her life feels chaotic. Your class might be the one place she can breathe.

Or another client resists feedback. Every time you correct something, they tense up. It’s not that they don’t want to improve—it’s that their need for significance might be unmet. Being told what to do might feel like being made small.

See how it shifts?

This isn’t about playing therapist. It’s about being human.

The Teacher's Mirror

During the mastermind, we also turned the lens inward. Because guess what? These needs live in you, too.

• Do you crave certainty and structure in your classes?
• Or do you light up when you can be spontaneous and bring variety?
• Do you feel most alive when a client says, "You changed my life"? (That’s significance talking.)

There’s no right or wrong here. But knowing your own patterns helps you show up with more awareness—and less reactivity.

It also helps you recognize when your needs are clashing with your client’s. (Yep, it happens. All the time.)

Real Talk: Becoming Irreplaceable

This is the part I wish more teachers talked about.

We spend so much time trying to stand out by perfecting our technique or adding more to our toolbox. But your clients aren’t looking for the best Pilates technician.

They’re looking for someone who gets them. Someone who sees beyond the body. Someone who can hold space for who they are and who they’re becoming.

That’s what makes you irreplaceable.

Not fancy flows. Not peak poses. But presence.

Start Small, Start Real

If this speaks to you, here are a few ways to start applying it in your teaching:

1. Notice patterns. Think of one client who’s consistent and one who isn’t. Ask yourself: What needs might they be trying to meet?
2. Reflect on your own drivers. What need shows up most in your teaching style? How does it help you? How might it get in the way?
3. Offer from a deeper place. Instead of just teaching a great class, ask: What does this person need today? Not just physically, but emotionally?
4. Stay curious. When something feels off in a session, don’t jump to judgment. Pause. Ask yourself, “What’s really going on here?”
5. Talk about it. Bring this topic into your next teacher circle or peer discussion. Share what you’re learning.

You’re Not Alone

Pilates can sometimes feel like a solo journey. Especially if you’re freelancing or running your own space. But I promise—you’re not the only one thinking about this.

Inside our Inner Circle, these are the conversations we live for. We go deep. We get personal. We explore the messy, beautiful parts of what it means to teach people, not just bodies.

So if any part of this stirred something in you, stay with it. Explore it. Talk about it.

If you're a teacher who knows that a fulfilling and successful practice takes more than good technique—if you're looking for more in your work, in your life, and in your impact—maybe the Inner Circle is the place for you.

And if you want to dive deeper into this topic and actually learn how to apply the 6 Human Needs framework in your sessions, you can get one-time access to the full 4-hour Inner Circle mastermind replay.

We don’t offer replays often—but this one is different.

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You’ll walk away with real tools, real examples, and a new level of insight into why your clients show up the way they do—and how you can meet them where they are, without losing yourself in the process.

Because the more you connect with the human needs—your own and your clients’—the more powerful your teaching becomes.

Not just in the way it looks. But in the way it feels.

And in the end, that’s what people remember.

With love,
Iva

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