HOUSTON
Instructor Policies & Studio Standards Manual
For Independent Contractor Instructors
Version 1.0
Real Pilates® · 3733 Westheimer Road, Houston, TX
WELCOME
Welcome to Real Pilates Houston.
Real Pilates Houston is committed to preserving, teaching, and advancing the classical Pilates method while providing exceptional service to every client who enters our studio.
Our instructors are central to that mission.
These Studio Standards are intended to create consistency, professionalism, safety, and an outstanding client experience. All instructors providing services through Real Pilates Houston are expected to understand and comply with these standards.
THE IC&E VALUES
Integrity
Do the right thing, even when no one is watching.
Care
Show empathy, professionalism, respect, and kindness toward clients, colleagues, and the community.
Expertise
Commit to excellence in your craft through continued learning, thoughtful instruction, and professional growth.
REAL TALK
Real Talk is our communication standard.
Real Talk means:
Direct communication
Respectful communication
Honest communication
Professional communication
Issues should be addressed directly, professionally, and constructively.
ASSUME POSITIVE INTENT
We operate from the assumption that clients, instructors, and team members are generally acting with positive intentions.
When misunderstandings occur, we seek clarification before judgment and solutions before blame.
PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT
All instructors are expected to conduct themselves professionally at all times.
Professional conduct includes:
Treating all clients respectfully
Treating fellow instructors respectfully
Maintaining professional boundaries
Supporting a positive studio culture
Refraining from harassment, discrimination, intimidation, or retaliation
Avoiding disruptive or inappropriate conduct
The Company reserves the right to discontinue a contractor relationship when conduct is inconsistent with these standards.
CLIENT EXPERIENCE STANDARDS
The client experience is a defining feature of Real Pilates Houston.
Instructors are expected to:
Welcome clients professionally
Begin sessions on time
Maintain appropriate session flow
Deliver services safely
Maintain professionalism throughout the session
Support continuity of care
Respect client confidentiality
Every client interaction should reflect Integrity, Care, and Expertise.
SCHEDULING & COVERAGE
Contractors are responsible for fulfilling teaching commitments they accept.
If an instructor becomes unable to fulfill a scheduled commitment, the instructor shall:
Notify studio management promptly;
Propose a qualified, credentialed Real Pilates instructor of their choosing to cover the commitment, subject to studio confirmation;
Provide information necessary to ensure continuity of client care.
Repeated cancellations, excessive lateness, missed commitments, or unreliable attendance may result in reduction of teaching opportunities or termination of the contractor relationship.
PUNCTUALITY
Clients reserve time with the expectation that sessions begin as scheduled.
Instructors are expected to arrive sufficiently in advance of teaching commitments to prepare themselves, the equipment, and the studio environment.
Repeated lateness may result in corrective action.
CLIENT RECORDS & CONFIDENTIALITY
Client information is confidential.
Confidential information includes:
Names
Contact information
Session history
Scheduling information
Health information
Payment information
Client notes
Confidential information shall only be used for authorized Company purposes.
No client information may be copied, downloaded, retained, shared, or used for outside business purposes.
Additional confidentiality obligations are contained within the Independent Contractor Agreement.
STUDIO STANDARDS
All instructors share responsibility for maintaining a professional studio environment.
Responsibilities include:
Returning equipment to its proper location
Maintaining cleanliness and organization
Wiping apparatus and props after use
Reporting maintenance concerns
Supporting a safe client environment
Leaving teaching spaces ready for the next instructor
EQUIPMENT CARE
All apparatus, props, and equipment must be treated with care.
Instructors shall not:
Modify equipment
Repair equipment
Relocate major equipment
Remove equipment from the premises
without management approval.
Any equipment concerns must be reported immediately.
SAFETY
Safety is everyone's responsibility.
Instructors must:
Use sound professional judgment
Teach within the limits of their competence
Prioritize client safety
Report unsafe conditions immediately
Report equipment concerns immediately
EMERGENCY PROCEDURES
Instructors shall immediately report:
Client injuries
Instructor injuries
Equipment failures
Property damage
Safety concerns
Unusual incidents
Emergency services should be contacted whenever appropriate.
DRESS CODE
Professional presentation is part of the Real Pilates Houston client experience.
Instructors shall wear:
Clean fitness attire
Professional fitness attire
Clothing appropriate for movement and instruction
Real Pilates apparel when available
The following are not permitted:
Jeans
Open-toed footwear
Clothing with offensive language or imagery
Excessive graphics or advertising
Damaged or excessively worn clothing
Management reserves the right to require reasonable modifications to attire that does not meet studio standards.
COMMUNICATION
Approved communication channels may include:
Email
Scheduling software
Internal communication platforms
Management-approved messaging systems
Professional communication is expected at all times.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Contractors are encouraged to maintain a professional online presence.
However:
Client images may not be posted without proper authorization
Client information may never be shared
Filming inside the studio requires approval
Instructors may not speak on behalf of Real Pilates Houston unless authorized
All public communications should reflect the values of Integrity, Care, and Expertise.
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
Real Pilates Houston and its affiliates own valuable intellectual property.
This includes:
Real Pilates®
Real Pilates Teacher Training®
SpringTone®
Realignment®
Manuals
Educational materials
Videos
Training systems
Curricula
Branding materials
No Company intellectual property may be copied, distributed, reproduced, sold, published, or used outside authorized Company purposes.
TRADEMARK USAGE
Contractors may not use Company trademarks or logos without authorization.
Contractors may accurately identify themselves as graduates of Real Pilates Teacher Training® if applicable.
Contractors may not represent themselves as:
Owners
Partners
Licensees
Host studios
Authorized representatives
unless expressly authorized in writing.
CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
Contractors are expected to avoid conduct that creates a conflict between their personal interests and their obligations to Company clients.
Potential conflicts should be disclosed to management.
NON-DISCRIMINATION
Real Pilates Houston is committed to maintaining a professional environment free from unlawful discrimination and harassment.
All clients, instructors, vendors, and visitors shall be treated with dignity and respect.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
I acknowledge that I have received, reviewed, and understand the Real Pilates Houston Instructor Policies & Studio Standards Manual.
I understand that these standards govern my conduct while providing services through Real Pilates Houston and agree to comply with them.
I further understand that: this manual is not a contract, and nothing in it creates, implies, or alters an employment relationship between me and Real Pilates Houston. I remain an independent contractor, and the terms of my engagement are governed solely by my Independent Contractor Agreement. Real Pilates Houston may revise, update, or rescind any policy in this manual at any time.
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