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Most Pilates instructors are familiar with the traditional classification of classes into beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels. While common, this approach can sometimes limit both the instructor and the client. Strictly following these classifications may impede the personalization of your instruction and slow a client's progress.
In this article, I want to explore an alternative to the conventional level-based framework and explore more thoughtful ways to tailor your Pilates teaching. By broadening our perspective, we can create a more inclusive and adaptive practice that truly caters to each individual's unique journey in Pilates.
As you likely know, the traditional approach to teaching Pilates categorizes classes into beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels. This method groups clients by perceived skill and experience, aiming to provide a structured journey through Pilates. There are usually three distinct levels:
While this structure is clear and straightforward, it often overlooks individual differences in needs, physical abilities, and personal goals. This can limit the potential for personalized embodiment and inhibit progress. In fact, I feel there are many limitations and weaknesses to the level-based approach that must be explored.
In my opinion, the level-based approach to Pilates carries several misconceptions that can hinder the practice's full potential. First, it assumes that skills increase linearly, overlooking the unique pace at which each client progresses. The belief that "advanced" equates to harder or fancier exercises undermines the core essence of Pilates, which values precision above complexity and quality over quantity.
Additionally, this approach contradicts the holistic nature of Pilates, which honors the integration of body, mind, and spirit as one. By reducing the practice to a sequence of levels, or building blocks, we risk losing sight of the interconnected, transformative experience that Pilates offers. This can lead to a fragmented rather than a unified approach. That’s why I believe in a different approach—one that focuses on layering, not progression by levels.
Instead of relying on rigid levels, we can incorporate "layering" in Pilates. Layering through an approach like the IVA Layering Approach can enrich your practice by adding depth and nuance to exercises rather than merely increasing their difficulty. For example, any exercise can be deepened, intensified, or eased by changing its focus and intend through breath, leverage, or muscular engagement, making it suitable for all stages of learning.
This approach fosters continuous progression without confining clients to categories like beginner, intermediate, or advanced. Through layering, your clients can expand their abilities, increase their awareness of body connections, and achieve comprehensive body integration. This method also honors the holistic philosophy of Pilates, ensuring a more personalized and inclusive experience for everyone. Let’s take a closer look at how it works.
The IVA Layering Approach in Pilates embraces a journey of holistic progression and development, whether you’re a new teacher with freshly completed Pilates teacher training or completing additional Pilates certifications. Here’s a glimpse into how it works and how we layer as we progress in our Pilates practice:
With the IVA Layering Approach, intent and progression are key, and we like to follow Joseph Pilates's philosophy. Joseph emphasized that every exercise should serve a specific purpose. To him, progression isn't about merely tackling more challenging moves but about nurturing your body’s ability to heal, align, and perform.
An advanced practice of Pilates allows you to focus on tuning into your body's needs, ensuring that each movement is carried out with mindful intent and alignment to serve your outcome. With the IVA framework, this is the goal, but we also focus on three areas I like to call the energy buckets.
The IVA Framework includes the concept of three body allocation buckets, offering a holistic way to assess and guide clients. Let’s take a look at each of them and their focal points:
These body allocation buckets provide an inclusive approach that caters to individual needs and expected outcomes rather than categorizing clients by levels. After all, Pilates is about achieving meaningful goals, not just advancing to a higher level!
With the IVA framework, we emphasize the purpose of each exercise, ensuring that every movement serves a significant function in the client’s journey.
Teaching differently means tailoring Pilates education to meet clients' current needs—whether they are focused on restoration, balance, or performance. I believe that the IVA approach expands people’s movement capabilities, not confining them to predefined levels. However, above all else, effective communication is essential: observe, listen, and ask questions, to support or to challenge clients accordingly when necessary.
Truthfully, the key is to focus on the results your clients genuinely need, not just their progression in performing exercises or completing Pilates certifications. That way, you can ensure your clients receive personalized guidance that addresses their specific goals, leading to meaningful and impactful outcomes on their Pilates journey.
I don’t believe that it is enough to just teach Pilates being a Pilates Teacher. To truly serve our client’s needs we need to become excellent Problem Solvers, Optimizers and Amplifiers in our client’s lives using Pilates as our main tool but not as a rule. We need to see the bigger picture behind each of the pieces of the puzzle that Joseph & Clara left behind to be of help to people’s happiness doing Pilates. Clients come to Pilates because of the result we provide them, and not to become an intermediate or an advanced practitioner of the work.
At IVA Pilates, we believe that the true potential of Pilates lies in deepening and expanding the body’s capabilities through layering and intention rather than simply leveling up. Our aim is to inspire curiosity and invite teachers to explore a more integrated and holistic teaching method, no matter if they are at the start of their Pilates teacher training or completing additional Pilates education courses.
IVA Pilates is a hub where teachers can collaborate and innovate, fostering a community dedicated to this enriched approach and the continuation of their Pilates education. If you’re intrigued and wish to find out more about this transformative journey, join our Inner Circle by booking a call with Iva here. Let’s redefine what Pilates can be together.
After 22 years of teaching Pilates, I’ve noticed that many clients—whether they’re beginners or experienced—often ask the same question: “Should I do matwork or Reformer classes?” Every week, I explain that Pilates isn’t about choosing one over the other. The real magic lies in how the mat and apparatus work together as a complete system.
At our studio, we’ve made it a priority to keep matwork and apparatus integrated. We deeply believe in Joseph Pilates' original vision—his 34 mat exercises and the transformative power of the apparatus. Every time a client asks, I remind them: to truly benefit from Pilates, you need to experience it as a whole, not in isolated parts. Practicing Pilates in bits, like pieces of a puzzle, won’t give you the remarkable results that the method offers. Remember, Pilates was never meant to be practiced in pieces; it was designed as an integrated system for maximum impact.
In our mission to create a truly transformational experience, we use all the tools and assets Pilates provides. So, it’s not about choosing mat or apparatus—it’s about understanding how they work together and what each one uniquely contributes to your practice. When combined, they offer more than just exercise; they enhance the quality of your life, adding vitality and strength.
Curious to learn how? In this article, I’ll share the true value of teaching Pilates as a whole. Let’s dive into how integrating matwork and apparatus can transform both your practice and your clients’ lives.
When it comes to teaching Pilates, it's not about choosing between matwork or apparatus. Pilates is a complete system, a holistic method that integrates movement, life, and a deep connection between body and mind. It connects your physical, mental, emotional, and even spiritual selves, helping you not just feel better but think, act, and live better. The method reshapes your body into what it was meant to be, putting you in control of your own well-being.
To truly experience the richness of Pilates, you need to embrace all its tools—both the mat and the apparatus. They are designed to work together, each with its own unique purpose and benefits. Teaching or practicing just one limits the incredible potential of the method. The real power of Pilates shines when we combine matwork and apparatus, creating a seamless and transformative experience for our clients.
Mat Pilates, originating from Joseph Pilates' "Contrology," involves a series of 34 exercises that engage body weight in a dialogue with gravity. The mat teaches your body to respond to the invisible and subtle forces of gravity—a force we deal with every day to remain upright and balanced. This practice requires a deep understanding of how your body moves and performs with this invisible force constantly acting upon it. The matwork is about hearing your body’s needs with subtlety: How does your body organize itself when gravity pushes down on you? How do you learn to move efficiently and with control when there is no external support and you have to find all the help you need inside of you?
Matwork’s beauty lies in its simplicity—it requires no equipment, just your body and the floor. Yet, it is highly demanding. You are constantly challenged to find strength and balance from within. The mat cultivates body awareness, full body strength, and precision, making it an indispensable foundation for anyone looking to truly master the art of movement. It teaches us to perform in the face of everyday forces that we may not even realize we are dealing with. This demanding training of the body is profound but often difficult for clients that just started practicing.
Where matwork forces you to manage subtle forces, apparatus Pilates provides an environment that makes the body's work more precise and clearer with proper HELP. Each piece of equipment was designed by Joseph Pilates to bring out specific qualities and faculties in the body, having support. The apparatus allows you to feel, with precision, what your body needs at any given moment—whether that’s support, challenge, or alignment.
The Reformer is Joseph Pilates’ most versatile piece of equipment, designed to reform the body universally, meaning that anybody will benefit from the use of this piece of apparatus. Through the combination of gliding forces and the resistance of the springs, it moves your body through all joints and body parts with just the right amount of support or challenge. The Reformer creates a balance between strength, flexibility, and control, helping clients glide through movements while shaping the body from the inside out. It is this versatility that makes the Reformer one of the most beloved apparatuses in Pilates studios worldwide—it can target all areas of the body, ensuring a full-body approach in every workout. But with that said, I truly don’t believe in Reformer classes only as the Reformer was never designed to be used for group classes to entertain clients.
The Cadillac, or Trapeze Table, was Joseph Pilates’ masterpiece. It offers a unique environment where the body is given the space to expand and move freely, yet with control. The Cadillac teaches you to create proper tone in your body without rigidity, much like a gymnast who maintains both tone and flexibility. It is a powerful tool for creating tensegrity—allowing the body to stretch and strengthen in all planes of movement while maintaining optimal space in all joints for freedom of movement. It’s about finding the space one needs in their body to feel light, freed from tensions and yet empowered from within.
These pieces of apparatus are crucial for mobilizing the joints, particularly the spine. They work like a personal chiropractor or osteopath, using compression and decompression to align the spine, hips, knees, and shoulders. The Spine Corrector and similar apparatus help correct misalignments, encouraging the spine to move more freely while restoring the body’s natural curves. Their function is to open up the body, releasing tension and promoting proper posture and alignment through decompression.
The Wunda Chair and High Chair are the ultimate tools for building stability in the body. By working on a small surface area with spring resistance, these apparatuses challenge your ability to pull yourself together, from the outside to the inside, creating a body that is compact and stable. The Wunda Chair is small and compact, while the High Chair, with its added authority, offers even greater resistance and support. These chairs teach the body how to find stability and strength, pulling your forces together toward the inside.
The Baby Armchair focuses on developing a strong connection between your arms and your organs. It teaches you to use your arms as extensions of your inner strength, supporting your ribcage and narrowing your waistline. This piece of apparatus helps you feel the inner lift, strengthening the connection between your hands, heart, and belly. It is an excellent tool for refining upper body control and alignment, making the most use of your hands.
The Ped-o-Pul is a vertical piece of equipment that aligns your body from the feet up to the spine. It encourages proper posture through inner lift, improving alignment from the arches of your feet all the way to the base of your skull. This apparatus is ideal for those looking to enhance their posture and spinal alignment, making it a powerful tool for anyone struggling with slouching or poor body mechanics. It allows people to integrate that their body is deeply interlinked from feet to head in all movements in activities of daily living.
Joseph Pilates also created smaller apparatuses such as the Magic Circle, Toe Stretcher, Foot Corrector, Weighted Shoe and Breath-a-Sizer to target specific areas of the body. These tools are designed to enhance movement precision and create balance in areas that are often neglected, such as the feet or the breath. Each piece has a unique purpose, and together they provide the refinement needed for full-body integration.
It’s critical to understand that Pilates was never meant to be taught in bits and pieces. Teaching group classes on a single apparatus, such as the Reformer, often reduces Pilates to isolated parts of the entire Method, ignoring the full potential of the methodology behind Joseph’s teachings. Joseph Pilates envisioned his clients moving from one piece of apparatus to another with clear purpose, using each one to develop specific faculties and then integrating them into matwork. The mat teaches you to engage with the subtle forces of gravity, while the apparatus provides the support and resistance needed to refine those skills.
True mastery of Pilates comes from understanding how to blend mat and apparatus into a seamless, full-body experience. That is what a fully equipped studio stands for in my perspective. Each piece of apparatus has a distinct purpose and quality that it brings out in the body—whether it's creating stability, enhancing alignment, finding freedom or mobilizing all joints. To offer clients a complete Pilates experience, it is essential to integrate both matwork and apparatus into your teaching practice.
So the question should not be Mat vs Apparatus but Why and What to use to serve your clients progress with the Pilates Method, having access to all the tools and apparatus Joseph Pilates has created with clear intend!
When planning a session, you can start with matwork to assess how the body is interacting with gravity and subtle forces. Matwork will clearly show you where the body needs more support and where the body has sufficient capabilities to be further stimulated for greater progress.
Then move to the apparatus to refine, support, and challenge specific areas of the body. A well-rounded class will often include at least two - three pieces of apparatus alongside matwork, targeting different planes of movement, joints, and faculties in the body. Personally, I always finish the session with Joseph’s standing work, as this helps the client integrate what they’ve learned into functional movement outside the studio.
By understanding the purpose of each apparatus and how it connects to the matwork, you can provide your clients with a Pilates experience that goes way beyond average. When the session is carefully structured, with the right combination of apparatus and the right intent, Pilates continues to work in the body long after the client leaves the studio.
An effective well-structured and well-integrated Pilates Session will continue to do its magic, supporting your client’s body up to 72h after their stimulation with their session. My teacher always told me that my Pilates Class truly started once I was leaving the studio taking my Pilates with me into my daily activities of living.
The question of "mat versus apparatus" misses the point. Pilates is a complete system, and both are essential to fully experience its transformative power. Each apparatus brings out different qualities in the body, and when integrated with matwork, the method becomes an art that threads all elements together for the client’s benefit. Understanding how to use these tools in synergy ensures that your clients leave with a fully integrated, empowered body.
Only fully comprehensively taught teachers have a chance to understand these synergies in people’s experience with the Method. And only when used as a fully integrated movement Method can you expect to have truly transformational results with clients making the impossible possible.
It takes dedication, commitment and investment for a Pilates teacher to fully master the artistry of creating results for clients to transform their lives. Choosing to only be trained in the one or the other piece of the puzzle of the method not integrating all the tools and assets Joseph Pilates has grated will keep you limited in your power to transform people’s lives.
If you're searching for a community to inspire and uplift you in your Pilates teacher training, I invite you to join the Inner Circle for ongoing support and professional development. The Inner Circle is a community that nurtures your growth and celebrates your successes, whether you just got your first Pilates certification or are completing further Pilates education. Join us as we continue to inspire others in our studios!
In the end, remember that your Pilates journey is uniquely yours. Embrace both mat and apparatus Pilates, rekindle your passion, and continue inspiring healthier, happier lives. Here’s to your continued success in the beautiful world of Pilates!
In this blog, I want to take you on a journey that goes beyond the physicality of Pilates and into the profound connection between the mind and the body. For years, like many of you, I was well-versed in the exercises, techniques, and mechanics of movement. But I came to realize that true transformation in our clients isn’t just about what we do with their bodies—it’s about what we do with their minds, especially when it comes to overcoming their fears.
I was fortunate enough to learn from Mary Bowen, who opened my eyes to the power of understanding the psyche in Pilates. She taught me that we are not just teaching bodies; we are teaching people, each with their own fears, worries, and doubts.
The mind is intricately connected to how we move and experience Pilates. When we fail to address the fears and doubts that weigh on our clients' minds, we miss an opportunity to help them unlock their full potential. The gift we have as Pilates instructors is the ability to transform not just the body, but also the mental, emotional, and even spiritual aspects of the person in front of us.
Understanding the science of the psyche has completely shifted my approach and deepened the impact I can have on my clients. By recognizing and working through their fears, we can guide them from a state of doubt and uncertainty to one of faith, belief, and confidence. This transformation is where true progress happens—not just physical change, but the kind of progress that brings joy, gratitude, and fulfillment into every movement.
This blog is about recognizing that our work goes beyond exercises; it’s about creating a space where people can transform inside and out, and where we, as teachers, are the catalysts for that transformation. It’s about showing up as our best selves so that our energy, joy, and belief become infectious, helping clients not only change but truly grow. Because while change is inevitable in Pilates, progress is earned, and it begins with understanding the mind.
When new clients step into the Pilates studio, they often carry a bundle of fears with them—fear of injury, fear of failure, and sometimes just plain fear of the unknown. This isn’t unusual; in fact, it’s something many of us, even as instructors, have faced at some point in our Pilates journey.
These fears can hold clients back, limiting their progress and enjoyment. But here's the good news: fear isn’t a barrier; it’s a mindset that can be transformed. I’ve always found inspiration in Tony Robbins’ philosophy, which emphasizes that changing our state of mind can lead to incredible life transformations. When we bring this mindset shift into the Pilates studio, the results can be just as powerful.
So, how do we help our clients turn their fear into confidence and strength? Let’s explore some practical ways to guide them through this transformation.
Fear, an emotional response to perceived threats, is prevalent among Pilates clients, but it's not as simple as being terrified of sharks or other threats. Some of the common fears your clients might experience in the Pilates studio include the fear of injury, fear of failure, and feelings of inadequacy.
As you can imagine, such fears can drastically impede a client's progress and motivation. I have seen this firsthand prevent clients from fully engaging in their practice, limiting their ability to realize their full potential.
I recall working with a client who was terrified of using the reformer machine. She was convinced she would hurt herself. Through a tailored approach and continuous reassurance, she gradually overcame her fear and began to love the very machine that once intimidated her. How did she do that, you might ask? Well, it all comes down to understanding the power of our minds.
Tony Robbins emphasizes that changing one’s state of mind can lead to significant life transformations. By managing our emotional and mental states, we can vastly improve our physical performance and overall well-being. It makes sense, but when we apply this to Pilates, it's easy to see the connections.
In Pilates, controlling one's emotional state is crucial. A calm, focused mind enhances physical performance, helps clients push past mental barriers, and fosters a more enjoyable practice. When we integrate Robbins' concepts in Pilates, it's so much more than helping our clients move from fear to empowerment; it's about giving them the tools to recognize this for themselves, too, as they continue their Pilates education to achieve more success in the studio.
The first technique you should encourage in the studio is recognizing and validating your clients' fears. Ignoring the fear doesn't help, but confronting it does. As a Pilates instructor, you can guide your clients in facing their fears. The moment your client acknowledges this fear, they can work to move past it.
One of my clients, Jane, openly discussed her fear of falling during certain exercises. Instead of ignoring it, I encouraged her to recognize it. This honesty was the first step toward building her confidence and systematically addressing her fears.
Once your clients understand what worries might be holding them back, it's time to empower them through positive affirmations and visualization exercises. Encouraging clients to visualize success and use positive affirmations can significantly shift their mindset.
A client of mine, Henry, began using affirmations such as “I am capable” and visualizing himself mastering complex exercises. Over time, his confidence improved, and so did his abilities. You can try this with many of your clients, too!
Finally, one of my favorite techniques for helping clients overcome fears is the use of breathing or relaxation methods. Incorporating basic breathing exercises can calm the mind, making it easier to confront and overcome physical challenges.
Emma, a client who grappled with anxiety, benefited immensely from deep breathing techniques in one of my classes. These practices helped her stay calm and focused, leading to substantial improvements in her Pilates sessions, and they'll surely lead to further benefits for your clients, too.
These are all fantastic techniques, but before you can implement any of these in your Pilates classes, you need to make sure you focus on two specific tasks: cultivating a supportive environment and adapting a personalized approach to working with your clients.
Your clients can work to overcome their fears, but this might not happen if the studio environment is not supportive of their needs. A welcoming, nonjudgmental environment can dramatically influence a client's experience and progress in Pilates. As Tony Robbins says, "When you are grateful, fear disappears and abundance appears."
I remember after my own Pilates teacher training working with Michael, who experienced a profound transformation in the classroom once he felt supported and understood by the studio community, accelerating his progress remarkably.
Part of creating a supportive environment also comes down to the use of positive encouragement and reinforcement, which are vital in maintaining a client’s confidence and motivation. Celebrating even the smallest achievements can significantly boost your client's motivation and confidence, helping them sustain progress over time and feel excited to get back into the studio to attend classes.
As Pilates instructors, our duty is to help clients address their goals and unique needs, which is why customizing Pilates sessions to address individual fears and needs is crucial. When you tailor your sessions to meet your client's desires and needs, you'll empower them in their own practice.
One of my clients, Laura, was afraid of back injuries. Instead of avoiding moves and exercises that could lead to this, we created a personalized plan to strengthen her back. During our work together, she overcame her fear, leading to significant physical and mental improvements.
Aside from personalized approaches, promoting a mindset of continuous learning and adaptation encourages long-term success and progress. I cannot emphasize this enough, as I have seen how continued Pilates education can lead to success as instructors and achievements for our clients!
A long-term client of mine thrived on this philosophy, finding joy in continuing to improve and refine his practice throughout each session. In no time, he was seeing remarkable progress, and it was amazing to see him overcome his initial fears and doubts.
Overcoming fear is a journey that begins with changing one's mindset. As Pilates instructors, fostering a supportive environment and encouraging continuous growth is key to helping our clients reach their full potential. The possibilities in Pilates are limitless when we work together to guide our clients through this transformative practice. As Tony Robbins says, "The only limit to your impact is your imagination and commitment." So, believe in your power to transform and achieve greatness!
Whether you’ve just completed your Pilates certification or you’re still in the process of your teacher training, IVA Pilates is here to support you every step of the way. As part of our Inner Circle, you’ll connect with other instructors, share experiences, and continue to grow in your Pilates education. Together, we can create a ripple effect that inspires and empowers more people in the studio.
If you’d like to learn more about our supportive community and how it can enhance your journey as a Pilates teacher, I’d love to chat! Schedule a call here, and let’s explore how we can support your path to greatness.
As a Pilates instructor, I’ve always felt that our industry can sometimes feel a bit too rigid, almost as if we’re all afraid to have a little fun. Learning new techniques, navigating certifications, and perfecting every movement often comes with an air of seriousness that leaves little room for playfulness. But I believe that a big part of growth—both for us and our clients—comes from embracing the present moment and finding joy in everything we do. After all, isn’t that what Joseph Pilates wanted? He envisioned a world where people lived healthier, happier lives, and I truly think that means not just focusing on technique but also fully embracing the magic of now.
That’s why today, I’m doing something a bit different. I’m sharing 10 things you probably don’t know about me. These quirks and stories go beyond the studio and the movements we’ve mastered. By opening up, I hope to show that Pilates is about more than precision; it’s about connection, creativity, and even a bit of fun. Because to me, FUN stands for Fully Utilizing Now. It’s about being present in the moment, embracing who we are today, and appreciating where we can go tomorrow. When we bring this sense of playfulness and creativity into our work, we not only enhance our practice but also deepen our connections with others.
Pilates, at its core, is a human experience. It’s about connecting not just with our own bodies but also with each other in meaningful ways. And I think that a little fun and authenticity can go a long way in strengthening those connections. So, as I share these personal stories, I’d love to hear about you, too. What are the things that make you uniquely you? What brings fun into your life as a Pilates professional? I believe that by sharing these parts of ourselves, we can build a stronger, more connected community.
Here’s a little glimpse into my world—what’s yours?
Dust, clutter, or things out of place? Not on my watch! It has become a running joke among my clients, who often catch me cleaning mid-class. I remember one particular session when I noticed a small speck of dust on the mirror. Without missing a beat, I grabbed a cloth and wiped it away while still instructing the class. It might seem like a compulsion, but I view it as my superpower. A spotless environment isn’t just a preference—it’s a necessity for my focus and peace whether I'm teaching or in a class myself!
Forget the quiet introspection associated with traditional meditation. For me, serenity comes with the hum of a vacuum cleaner. Whenever I’m stressed or overwhelmed, vacuuming is like an instant therapy session. Once, after a particularly long day, I found myself vacuuming at midnight. The hum of the machine and the sight of a crumb-free floor brought me immense calm unlike anything else I'd experienced before. A clean floor is where I find my tranquility, far more than any zen mediation sitting still could ever offer.
People often see me as strong and confident, running a business and balancing it all. But the truth is, deep down, I’m a softie. Growing up, I built an armor to protect myself, but over time—especially through my children—I realized my true strength lies in my sensitivity, care, and love. It’s been a gift to be vulnerable enough to share that with the people I love, my clients, and even complete strangers. Allowing my sensitivity to be true in the moment has become one of the most healing and liberating experiences of my life.
I love vegetables, especially salads. Sometimes, it feels like I was a rabbit in a past life with the amount of carrots I munch on. But Brussels sprouts? Just can’t do it. Once, a friend invited me over for dinner and served them as the main dish. Out of politeness, I took a bite but couldn't mask my distaste. It’s one vegetable that I’ve never been able to get behind, no matter how they're cooked. Sorry to all the Brussels sprouts fans out there!
Crazy, right? When I was nine, I got my hands on a Madonna CD, and her music became my gateway to the English language. I memorized every word of her songs without having a clue what they meant initially. I would sing at the top of my lungs, much to my family's amusement. Madonna was my pop culture English teacher, and I owe much of my early language learning to her infectious tunes.
Believe it or not, my relationship with Pilates had a rocky start. Introduced to it because of an injury, my first experiences were far from enjoyable. I vividly recall staring at the clock during sessions of breathing exercises, impatiently waiting to hang off the Cadillac (the Pilates equipment, not the car!). All I wanted was some excitement. But once I finally got to the equipment, I discovered a new, thrilling dimension of Pilates. It was love at second sight. From there, I completed my Pilates teacher training and began to share my passion for Pilates education with the rest of the world.
I confess—I have a not-so-secret obsession with high heels. Despite their reputation for being foot-destroyers, slipping into a gorgeous pair of heels makes me feel unstoppable. Truth be told, I own more pairs than I have occasions to wear them. There is not much else than wearing a stunning pair of red stilettos to an event for an instantaneous confidence boost. Nothing beats the happiness a beautiful pair of heels can bring!
One thing I can’t stand is nastiness or unfairness. While I might not be an angry person, injustice really gets under my skin. As much as I can very much keep my calm, I cannot help but step in and stand up to people that are nasty and unfair. Standing up against wrongdoings is a part of who I am, and I strive to bring fairness wherever I go, whether it's in the Pilates industry or my personal life.
I’m a huge believer in the power of a smile. Using the 37 most underused muscles in the face, smiling is like sharing a little gift with the world. I feel the world has forgotten the power of a smile and how a simple smile can lift everyone’s spirits. Smiling is a simple yet powerful act that I embrace daily to make life more enjoyable.
I have a deep love for plants, but I’m not a fan of cut flowers. They only remind me of their inevitable wilting and death. My husband has learned that if he’s bringing me flowers, they better come in a pot! I remember the first time he brought home a beautifully potted white orchid. It was love at first sight, and nurturing that plant brought me so much joy. Orchids, with their longevity, hold a special place in my heart. And I have them everywhere in the house and in the studio, literallly!
I hope that you learned a little bit more about me as a person! I love sharing with people, and IVA Pilates is a beautiful community that makes it possible on a big scale! It's so easy for us to feel isolated, but by connecting with others, we can bridge gaps, work together, and cultivate even more empowerment as Pilates instructors.
Whether you've just completed your Pilates certification or you're still in the process of your Pilates teacher training, IVA Pilates is here to support you. As part of the Inner Circle, you can learn more from other Pilates instructors just like you and further your Pilates education. Together, we can really achieve greatness and inspire more people through the transformative power of Pilates! If you'd like to learn more about our supportive community and how it can support your Pilates journey, let’s connect to enjoy a chat! You can schedule a call here and let’s share what your unique stories and talents are. I would love to get to know you.
Very few Pilates teachers have the luxury of working with as many men as women, and it's a real shame because men have disappeared from Pilates studios. Pilates was never meant to be exclusively for women. Joseph Pilates designed this method for everyone—men and women alike. The benefits Pilates offers men, from physical strength to mental resilience, are profound and transformative. Yet, the myth that Pilates is a "gentle exercise for women and dancers" continues to persist, keeping men from reaping its full rewards.
I'm fortunate to be one of the Pilates teachers who attracts a significant number of male clients. Over 40% of my client base consists of men, and there's a reason for that. Success leaves clues, and there's a clear strategy to making Pilates appealing to men—helping them see that it's not just about flexibility or rehabilitation. It's about building a thriving, empowered life supported by a strong, balanced body.
Pilates has the unique ability to cultivate strength, power, and resilience—qualities that resonate deeply with men. But it’s our responsibility as teachers to shift the narrative, educating both men and the women in their lives to see the value of Pilates through its essence. Whether it's a father, husband, boyfriend, or brother, every man deserves to live a life of strength, health, and vitality. And Pilates is one of the most effective tools to help them get there.
In this blog, we’ll explore how to bring men back to Pilates and how Pilates can support men in leading thriving lives. I’ll share insights from my own experience, working with men on both physical and energetic levels, and I hope it inspires you to help more men experience the life-changing power of Pilates.
Let’s make a change together. Let’s join our forces and bring the men back to Pilates.
People often see Pilates as just a gentle exercise for women, but it has a surprisingly rugged, resilient history. During World War I, Joseph Pilates developed Pilates—not in a fancy studio but while interned on the Isle of Man. Surrounded by fellow male prisoners, Joseph created exercises to keep them all strong and fit while lifting their spirits and sharpening their minds during tough times.
While many may think Pilates is about being soft, it actually originated from a need for survival, strength, and resilience. Joseph believed that movement was essential for both physical health and mental strength, especially when facing adversity. His vision was to create individuals who were balanced and harmonious, fostering peace instead of conflict.
The true essence of Pilates might have gotten a bit blurred over time, but we should remember its original purpose. Pilates was designed to instill bravery, strength, and happiness in men, nurturing both body and mind. Joseph Pilates once envisioned a world where having a strong, capable body led to a peaceful mind. As we dive further into this topic, we’ll explore the benefits of Pilates for men.
When Joseph Pilates moved to the United States, he met Clara, who would become his wife and partner in refining the Pilates method. Clara brought a nurturing aspect to the practice, balancing Joseph’s focus on strength and control. Her influence added fluidity and flexibility, enriching the method while maintaining its core principles.
Pilates evolved into something that blends both masculine and feminine energies—grounded and powerful, yet adaptable and supportive. While it’s important to celebrate its inclusive nature, we should also honor its masculine roots. Originally designed to build strength, bravery, and resilience in men, these foundational intentions are present in every movement and exercise.
For modern men, embracing both sides of Pilates—the strength and the fluidity—can build not just strong, agile bodies but also resilient minds ready to handle life’s challenges with grace. Balancing these energies creates a body that’s both grounded and free, powerful yet graceful. At its core, Pilates encourages men to find this balance, offering a journey toward physical strength and emotional well-being.
To welcome men back into the world of Pilates, instructors need to understand the unique physical, mental, and emotional needs of their male students. This is especially important for female instructors who have completed their Pilates teacher training, as men often approach exercise differently than women. While masculine and feminine energies can complement each other, they generally have distinct needs in physical training.
Men typically appreciate clear, direct instructions. A straightforward approach that focuses on results, performance, and strength is often effective. During Pilates sessions, using concise cues that target specific goals can make a big difference. Emphasize how Pilates can enhance physical strength, improve performance in other sports, and foster a strong sense of power and capability in everyday life.
This tailored approach not only respects men’s preferences but also helps bridge any gaps. It encourages men to fully embrace Pilates as a way to build strong, resilient bodies and balanced minds.
Physical Body: Many men come to Pilates wanting to increase their strength, agility, and flexibility. Even if they are already strong, Pilates helps refine that strength, making their bodies more functional and adaptable. The program offers exercises that challenge their existing power while enhancing flexibility and range of motion. Men often enjoy dynamic, powerful movements, but incorporating exercises for coordination and control is key for balanced development.
Mental Body: As you likely found in your Pilates education, Pilates is also great for mental resilience. By focusing on alignment, control, and precision, it encourages men to think beyond just sheer power. This shift from brute force to intelligent, purposeful movement builds mental toughness and promotes a smarter approach to both fitness and life.
Emotional Body: On the emotional side, Pilates helps men tune into their bodies, recognizing their limits and strengths on a deeper level. Creating a supportive space for them to explore these boundaries shows that real strength often comes from mindful effort. This combination of physical skill and emotional awareness promotes overall well-being and inner harmony.
Energetic Body: Energetically, Pilates grounds men by focusing on the smooth, intentional flow of energy throughout their bodies. Movements that combine grounding with strength teach men to harness their energy effectively. This connection between the earth and movement supports both physical and energetic balance, enhancing overall strength and flexibility, and promoting a lasting sense of centeredness and vitality.
In Pilates, men experience a shift from sheer force to true power. Traditionally, men are driven to lift heavier weights, run faster, or endure long work hours—often pushing themselves to the brink of burnout and imbalance. Most men are not encouraged to purchase Pilates teacher training or Pilates certifications.
But Pilates changes the game. It promotes the creation of authentic power—a blend of mind, body, and spirit that enhances overall strength and functionality. In this practice, men learn to channel their energy efficiently, aligning physical effort with mental focus and emotional grounding. True strength emerges from this balanced connection, not just from pushing limits.
Through Pilates, men start to see their bodies as allies rather than adversaries. It reveals that a well-aligned body can move through life with ease, grace, and less effort. Pilates transforms the body into an integrated system that operates efficiently, relying on inner power instead of brute strength.
This shift from force to power is what makes Pilates special. It nurtures a mindset where men can navigate life with agility, adaptability, and the readiness to face challenges with grace and resilience. On this journey, they discover a deeper connection to themselves, uncovering a reservoir of strength that comes from within.
As Pilates instructors, we're committed to helping men develop a deeper understanding of power, strength, and adaptability. We design practices tailored to their specific physical and energetic needs, while encouraging them to build mental and emotional resilience. Pilates for men goes beyond just a workout; it’s about giving them the tools to master their bodies—and, by extension, their lives.
We choose exercises that uplift men, making them feel strong, capable, and grounded. Our goal is for them to leave the studio feeling like they’re at the top of their game, fully present in their bodies, and prepared to tackle life’s challenges with renewed energy. It's about movements that balance strength and flexibility, fostering a sense of power through mindful control and precision.
At its core, Pilates prepares the body for the unexpected. Life is unpredictable, and a body that’s both strong and flexible is better equipped to handle whatever comes its way. Through Pilates, men can build a body that not only looks and performs well but also feels good. This supportive practice accompanies them through all stages of life, helping them live with true freedom, confidence, and inner peace.
Joseph Pilates designed his method to help men thrive—both physically and mentally. He aimed to build strength, resilience, and balance so men could face the world with courage and calm. While Pilates education has grown to include everyone, it's time to reintroduce men to this effective practice, whether they pursue Pilates certifications or simply visit us in the studio.
We have the power to guide men through this extraordinary practice. With a community of other like-minded Pilates instructors, we can cultivate a movement that brings back the magic and joy of Pilates for everyone. As part of IVA Inner Circle, you can take part in lifelong learning, exchange ideas with other certified Pilates instructors, and gain confidence in your ability to reach every student’s needs. Join IVA Inner Circle to join a community of other Pilates instructors passionate about expanding their influence!
By understanding men’s unique needs and teaching in a way that respects them, Pilates instructors can help men rediscover the benefits of this method. Pilates isn’t just a workout; it’s a philosophy of movement, strength, and adaptability. When men embrace this philosophy, they build bodies that are ready for anything—strong, flexible, agile, and powerful.
So, to all the men out there, it’s time to reconnect with your inner power and contribute to creating a better world. Come back to Pilates.
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How do you build true confidence without battling fear, doubt, and overwhelm? Is it possible to step into your power as a woman, a mother, a Pilates teacher, or a business owner without enduring endless setbacks and pain?
At first glance, it may seem like I was born with confidence and courage, as if they were placed in my crib alongside me. But the truth is far from that. My confidence didn’t come effortlessly—it was shaped by my environment, my experiences, and the people around me. What some may perceive as an innate gift was a journey of difficult growth, triggered by my challenges and struggles.
Growing up extremely introverted, I often felt insecure, closed in, and afraid to express myself. I masked my lack of confidence by being hyper-productive, excelling at school and in sports, thinking that high achievement would somehow make up for what I lacked inside. But deep down, I still felt plagued by imposter syndrome, doubting myself and my abilities.
But things changed the moment, I chose to stop focusing solely on my competence and started working on myself—on who I am, on building trust in myself, and on surrounding myself with a community of people who believed in me. That’s when everything began to change.
In this blog, I want to share five key tips that helped me break free from fear, worry, and self-doubt, and build true confidence. These tips were my foundations for creating an authentic, fulfilled, and balanced life—with no more feelings of struggle and suffering. If you're ready to find your own confidence and begin your journey, read on.
Confidence is not a trait we're born with but a quality we nurture over time. Even the most experienced Pilates teachers face moments of self-doubt. Whether you’re starting your Pilates journey or have been teaching for years, building confidence is essential—not just for your own peace of mind but for how your students experience your classes.
If you find it challenging to feel confident as a Pilates teacher, rest assured you’re not alone. We’ve gathered some expert advice to help you bolster your confidence and find inspiration in your Pilates practice. From pursuing further education to connecting with supportive peers, these five tips are designed to guide you toward a more assured and fulfilling teaching experience.
Even after your initial Pilates teacher training, you can choose to pursue continuous education to innovate and become even more experienced as a Pilates instructor. The more that you know to serve others, the more confident you’ll feel as you stand up and guide your clients through their Pilates sessions. Committing to remaining a student of the Pilates Method and other complementary methods will help you become more and more equipped to support all types of clients in your studio. It's the ongoing education that you chose to follow that will differentiate you from the many Pilates Instructor in the industry. Growing from a Pilates Instructor to becoming a Problem Solver, an Enhancer and an Amplifier in people’s lives is the power in knowledge you will acquire.
Your initial Pilates teacher training provided you with the basics of what you’ll need to successfully lead a class, but your continuing education must give you another level of mastery that will reinforce your self-esteem as a Pilates instructor. Whether you choose to pursue more Pilates certifications or dive into some specific in-depth of courses on our platform, find ways to innovate and empower yourself to inspire your clients every time they come to class with you.
If you have true friends in the Pilates world, you know the power of a community and what it can do to your self-confidence. The more authentic friends you have in the industry who understand your experiences, the more you can share your worry-fears-and doubt with trust to create learning experiences that will boost your confident feeling supported. When you create a strong community with peer support from other Pilates teachers, you’ll become more empowered in your career and stepping up your expertise becomes joyful instead of fearful. Best of all, you’ll even have people to turn to for advice and guidance!
Choose to be part of a community of like-minded people that collaborate and that support each other. Choose to share your talents with this community and make a difference by co-shaping your destiny and the destiny of those you touch. At IVA Pilates we believe in the power and the gift of such a community. We chose to create the IVA Inner Circle for Pilates teachers who see Pilates as lifelong learning and enjoy exchanging ideas with others to create a brighter future. With a holistic focus, the Inner Circle is a place to be true to who you are and true to the Pilates teacher training we’ve all completed. Expand your network, find joy with others, and benefit from true help, building life-time friendships in the industry and grow your confidence exponentially because you are not alone!
Let’s talk about the inward work of building confidence. Beyond all the external stuff like further education and networking, spending time on your own Pilates personal development is critical. Imagine this: each day you dedicate to your own personal inner growth and practice not only sharpens your skills in life but also boosts your state of confidence. You get a better sense of what you're great at and where you might need a little extra focus.
Get into the habit to ask yourself questions that support your growth. Better questions that will bring you better answers and outcome. Personal development or the work on the Psyche is of most importance to build confidence. You can do this while you’re moving through your routine or by jotting down your thoughts in a journal. It’s about working on oneself to find answers that support your growth. It’s not about being critical but about recognizing your growth and identifying areas for improvement. The more you reflect, the more you’ll discover about yourself and your teaching style, which ultimately builds your confidence. Remember that any success is 80% based on psyche and only 20% on mechanics.
Communication is a massive part of being a successful Pilates teacher, and it goes beyond just delivering instructions. When you’re in the studio, aim for clarity and simplicity in your cues. Using straightforward language helps your clients understand and connect better with your guidance.
Another big piece of the puzzle is active listening. This means genuinely hearing what your clients are saying, whether it's feedback or their personal experiences. When you listen actively, you build trust and rapport, which can significantly enhance your presence in the studio. Remember, you don’t need a new certification to be a better communicator—just practice listening and showing empathy. This will not only make you feel more confident but also make your students feel more valued and understood. Because clients don’t care as much about how much you know but more so about how much you care for them!
There’s nothing more important in your Pilates education than finding ways to cultivate a positive mindset. When you take time to nurture a positive attitude for yourself, you’ll feel better, see the world with more opportunities, and you’ll also significantly reduce any anxiety you might feel as a Pilates teacher. The more you live in a beautiful state with high energy, the more you will believe in yourself and the possibilities of all that you can become. State is everything and choosing to live in high energy state that makes you feel vibrant, understanding the importance of having the right physiology-the right focus-and the right language will change your hormonal state instantly. Secreting more testosterone, the hormone of confidence is a natural benefit of living in a beautiful state no matter what, which helps you overcome the feeling of imposter syndrome, too.
Imposter syndrome is when you feel like you’re a phony despite any sort of Pilates teacher training or success you may have earned. It can happen to absolutely everyone, but the more you believe in yourself, the less likely you are to let it get you down. That’s why you should take time to celebrate the little wins! Keep a record of your successes, your joys and celebrate your progress, no matter if you’ve just completed another class or if you have successfully earned another Pilates certification or made a client smile.
At IVA, we believe that confidence isn’t just an outcome—it’s a journey, a process of progress that continues with every step forward. Throughout my career, I’ve been committed to helping Pilates professionals like you unlock your potential, not just as instructors, but as individuals with the power to make a real impact.
Confidence is something that’s nurtured within the right environment. It requires a commitment to moving beyond your comfort zone, facing life’s challenges with courage, and embracing growth with both your heart and mind. From my own experience, I know that building confidence can sometimes feel overwhelming and, at times, lonely. But I also know that it doesn’t have to be something you navigate on your own.
That’s why I created IVA Pilates—a community built on the principles of progress, support, and collaboration. When you’re surrounded by the right environment, mentors, and peers, you can cultivate the confidence and growth you’re striving for as a Pilates teacher. Confidence is built through co-creation, shared learning experiences, and a helping hand.
I’m truly passionate about getting to know each member of this community on a deeper, more personal level. I believe that everyone has a unique gift to offer, and I would love to take the time to explore your journey, your talents, and how we can co-create something extraordinary together. Our Community grows one teacher at a time, making a true difference.
Let’s connect. Contact me today, and let’s begin this powerful journey of growth, confidence, and co-creation together.
Have you ever watched a client walk out of your Pilates class with a serene smile, shoulders relaxed, and a lightness in their step that wasn’t there when they arrived? It’s like they’ve found a piece of themselves that had been missing—a sense of calm, focus, and well-being. That’s the magic of Pilates. It’s not just about sculpting the body; it’s about nurturing the mind, cultivating emotional balance, and fostering mental resilience. In a world that often feels overwhelming, we have a powerful tool at our fingertips to help our clients find their center—both physically and mentally.
At the heart of Pilates lies an extraordinary relationship between the mind and body. Unlike many forms of exercise that focus solely on the physical, Pilates invites practitioners to engage both mentally and physically. When we teach our clients to move with intention, to synchronize breath with movement, and to focus deeply on alignment and control, we’re doing more than guiding a workout—we’re training their minds to be present, aware, and attuned to the here and now.
Research consistently supports this powerful mind-body connection. Numerous studies have shown that regular Pilates practice can significantly reduce anxiety, elevate mood, and enhance overall mental well-being. As teachers, we witness this transformation firsthand every day. Think about a client who walks into class feeling stressed and overwhelmed, and leaves with a sense of calm and clarity. This is the true gift of Pilates—the ability to nurture not just the body, but the mind as well.
Stress is an ever-present companion for many, but Pilates offers a sanctuary of calm amidst the chaos. The focus on controlled breathing, precise movements, and body awareness activates the parasympathetic nervous system, helping to soothe the mind and relax the body. This isn’t just anecdotal; studies have shown that practices like Pilates can lower cortisol levels—the hormone associated with stress—and promote a sense of calm .
Incorporating stress-reduction techniques into your classes can further enhance these benefits. Simple additions like guided visualization or deep breathing exercises during the warm-up or cool-down can transform your class into a restorative experience, leaving your clients feeling rejuvenated and stress-free.
Ever notice how your clients leave class with a smile that wasn’t there when they arrived? That’s the endorphin effect. Pilates, like other forms of exercise, triggers the release of these “feel-good” hormones, which naturally elevate mood and combat feelings of depression or anxiety. But there’s more to it than just endorphins.
Pilates fosters a sense of accomplishment. As clients master new exercises, improve their form, or even just show up consistently, they build confidence and self-esteem. This sense of achievement, no matter how small, has a cumulative effect, helping them feel more capable and empowered in all areas of life. As teachers, we play a pivotal role in this process. By celebrating their progress, offering encouragement, and believing in their potential, we can help our clients discover a new level of self-worth.
Pilates is a journey inward, towards greater body awareness and self-acceptance. As clients become more attuned to their bodies—understanding how they move, where they hold tension, and how to correct imbalances—they naturally develop a deeper sense of confidence. This isn’t just about looking good; it’s about feeling good in their own skin.
Research indicates that body awareness practices, such as Pilates, are linked to increased self-esteem and reduced body dissatisfaction. By guiding our clients through exercises that focus on alignment, posture, and mindful movement, we can help them build a healthier relationship with their bodies, one that is based on respect and care rather than criticism.
In a world filled with distractions, the ability to focus is a rare and precious skill. Pilates sharpens this skill by requiring full mental engagement in every movement. Whether it’s counting repetitions, maintaining alignment, or synchronizing breath with movement, Pilates demands that clients be fully present. This mental focus not only enhances their practice but spills over into other areas of life, improving concentration and cognitive function.
This benefit is particularly pronounced in older adults. Studies have shown that Pilates can improve cognitive function, including memory and attention, by increasing blood flow to the brain. By incorporating exercises that challenge balance, coordination, and mental engagement, we can help our clients not only stay physically fit but mentally sharp as well.
Good sleep is the foundation of mental health, and Pilates can play a significant role in improving sleep quality. The physical exertion of Pilates helps tire the body, while the focus on deep breathing and relaxation prepares the mind for rest. Research has shown that regular Pilates practice can improve sleep quality, especially in those who struggle with insomnia or restless nights .
To help your clients enhance their sleep, suggest incorporating Pilates into their evening routine, focusing on gentle stretching and deep breathing exercises. Additionally, advise them on the importance of a consistent sleep schedule and a relaxing bedtime environment to maximize these benefits.
Anxiety and depression are pervasive mental health challenges, but Pilates offers a holistic approach that supports managing these conditions. The combination of physical activity, slow controlled breathing, and focused attention helps to alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression by reducing stress, boosting mood, and fostering a sense of control.
Consistency is key here. Encourage your clients to maintain a regular Pilates practice, as the benefits accumulate over time. While Pilates is not a substitute for professional mental health treatment, it can be a valuable complementary tool in managing these conditions and enhancing overall well-being.
As Pilates teachers, we have the incredible privilege of guiding our clients not just toward physical strength, but toward mental and emotional resilience. Pilates is a journey of personal growth, one that empowers individuals to find balance, peace, and joy in their lives.
So, the next time you step into the studio, remember the profound impact you’re having on your clients’ lives. You’re not just helping them tone their bodies; you’re helping them transform their minds. Let’s continue to harness the power of Pilates to uplift, inspire, and guide our clients on their journey to a healthier, happier, and more fulfilled life—one mindful movement at a time.
Photo by Allef Vinicius on Unsplash
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As a Pilates teacher, there’s nothing quite as fulfilling as helping your clients reach their goals. But your role goes beyond just guiding them through exercises—it's about supporting them every step of the way, setting gentle goals that keep them motivated and on the path to progress. In this article, we’ll explore why goal setting is such an important skill for Pilates teachers and how you can lovingly weave it into your practice.
Setting goals with your clients is much more than just a motivational tool—it’s about making sure each session is meaningful and truly aligned with what your clients want to achieve. Whether they’re hoping to increase their flexibility, build strength, or enhance their mental well-being, having clear goals helps both you and your clients stay focused on what really matters.
When clients notice that they’re making progress toward their goals, it gives them a wonderful sense of accomplishment. This positive feeling boosts their confidence and makes them more likely to stay committed to their practice. As they see themselves moving forward, they develop a deeper trust in you as their instructor, and your relationship grows stronger.
So, why is goal setting such a key skill for Pilates teachers? Here’s why it matters:
By setting thoughtful goals, you create a supportive roadmap for success that benefits both you and your clients. It’s about nurturing their growth, celebrating their progress, and walking alongside them as they reach new milestones.
As a Pilates teacher, your role goes beyond just helping clients achieve their physical goals; it’s also about supporting their overall well-being. While setting clear goals is important, pairing them with gentle intentions can make the journey more meaningful and fulfilling.
By blending goals with intentions and nurturing them into habits, you’re helping your clients create lasting, positive changes that support their whole being. This caring approach ensures that their journey is not just about reaching a destination but about enjoying each moment along the way.
Setting goals and intentions with your clients doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Here are some simple, caring steps to guide you:
By following these steps, you create a clear and nurturing path for your clients, helping them stay motivated, supported, and on track.
Setting goals is just the beginning. As a Pilates teacher, your ongoing support is essential in helping your clients achieve their objectives. Here’s how you can continue to be there for them:
Your ongoing support helps your clients feel valued and understood, strengthening their commitment to both their goals and your partnership as their trusted instructor.
Goal setting is more than just a strategy; it's a way to build a deeper, more trusting relationship with your clients. By helping them set and achieve their goals, you not only guide them toward better physical health but also nurture a sense of accomplishment and well-being that resonates throughout their lives.
Remember, it’s not just about reaching a destination—it’s about being there for your clients throughout their journey. By balancing clear goals with meaningful intentions and supportive habits, you create a holistic approach that benefits both you and your clients, ensuring long-term success and satisfaction in your Pilates practice.
So, start incorporating these caring strategies today, and watch as your clients thrive—not just in their Pilates practice, but in all areas of their lives.
Have you ever wondered what sets apart the world’s greatest athletes? Beyond raw talent and relentless dedication, many champions have discovered a powerful tool in their arsenal: Pilates. From the explosive power of LeBron James to the Superman silhouette of Cristiano Ronaldo and the precision of Tiger Woods, countless sporting icons have incorporated Pilates into their training regimens.
David Beckham has said Pilates has helped him get into the best shape of his life, "I do an hour of Pilates a day. It is fantastic and fitness-wise, I am the best I have been for a long time. I am in the best shape in years."
While Pilates is often associated with rehabilitation, its potential for enhancing athletic performance is undeniable. It’s time to shatter the misconception that Pilates is solely for the injured. This low-impact exercise method is a catalyst for unlocking peak athletic potential.
As a Pilates teacher, understanding and tapping into the athlete market can be a game-changer for your business. By specializing in athletic performance, you can expand your clientele, increase your income, and elevate your professional status. This blog post will explore how to position yourself as an expert in Pilates for athletes, build a thriving clientele, and create effective Pilates programs that deliver results.
Pilates is a holistic approach to movement that builds core strength, flexibility, and body awareness. For athletes, these qualities are paramount. A strong core provides the foundation for power and stability, while flexibility and balance prevent injuries and enhance performance. By incorporating Pilates into their training, athletes can experience a multitude of benefits:
By addressing these key areas, Pilates provides a comprehensive approach to athletic development, helping athletes reach their full potential.
In many sports, athletes overdevelop specific muscle groups at the expense of others, creating imbalances that increase the risk of injury. Pilates addresses the whole body, ensuring no area is neglected. By restoring full-body health and rebalancing muscular development, athletes can enhance their performance while applying the right amount of effort. This approach helps to prevent the chronic inflammation and wear-and-tear often associated with high-intensity training.
Pilates is an excellent tool for injury prevention. By improving core stability, flexibility, and body awareness, athletes can reduce the risk of common sports injuries such as ACL tears, backpain, and shoulder impingement. For athletes who are often sidelined by such injuries, incorporating Pilates into their training regimen offers a proactive strategy to stay healthy and in the game.
For Pilates professionals working with athletes, it’s essential to recognize that the true value of Pilates lies not only in the physical exercises but in the psychological and energetic shifts it facilitates.
Athletes are often driven to their physical limits, with intense training regimes that can lead to mental burnout and a disconnection from their bodies. Pilates, however, offers a remedy. It’s a practice that centers the mind and body, helping athletes cultivate a deep connection that is essential for peak performance. By tuning into their bodies through Pilates, athletes can recognize subtle physical cues before they escalate into injuries, which extends beyond the physical to also enhance mental clarity, improve sleep quality, and support overall recovery.
To effectively incorporate Pilates into an athlete’s training regimen, it’s crucial to understand their specific demands. Every sport has unique physical requirements, and a tailored Pilates program can address these needs precisely.
By understanding the unique needs of different athletes, Pilates teachers can create highly effective programs that complement their training and enhance their overall performance.
Tapping into the athlete market can be a game-changer for Pilates teachers. By positioning yourself as a specialist in athletic performance, you can attract a new clientele and elevate your professional status.
While professional athletes may seem out of reach, don't underestimate the potential of amateur athletes. College athletes, aspiring professionals, and dedicated weekend warriors represent a significant market. Focus on building relationships with local sports clubs, gyms, and universities to connect with these athletes.
To attract athletes, you must effectively communicate your knowledge and experience. Highlight your understanding of athletic demands, injury prevention, and performance enhancement. Consider creating specialized Pilates programs tailored to different sports and sharing your expertise through social media and blog posts.
Building strong relationships with athletes and coaches is essential. Attend sporting events, workshops, and conferences to network with potential clients. Collaborate with physical therapists, sports trainers, and nutritionists to expand your reach.
By strategically targeting your ideal clients, showcasing your expertise, and building strong relationships, you can successfully establish yourself as a go-to Pilates instructor for athletes.
Developing a successful Pilates program for athletes requires a deep understanding of their specific needs and goals. By combining your Pilates expertise with knowledge of athletic performance, you can create programs that deliver exceptional results.
Every athlete is unique, so it's essential to conduct a thorough assessment before creating a program. Evaluate their strengths, weaknesses, injuries, and performance goals. This information will guide you in developing a customized plan.
A strong core is the foundation for athletic performance. Incorporate a variety of core exercises into your programs, focusing on stability, power, and endurance. Exercises like the plank, hundred, and roll-up are excellent starting points.
To enhance power and explosiveness, include exercises that challenge the muscles to generate force quickly. Spring-loaded reformer exercises and resistance band work can be particularly effective.
Improve an athlete's range of motion with exercises that target specific muscle groups. Incorporate lengthening stretches and dynamic movements to enhance flexibility and prevent injuries.
Pilates is not just about physical fitness; it also benefits mental performance. Incorporate exercises that promote focus, concentration, and body awareness. Encourage athletes to use Pilates as a tool for stress management and mental preparation.
By designing well-rounded Pilates programs that address the specific needs of athletes, you can help them achieve their full potential. Remember to continually assess and adjust programs based on their progress and goals.
Turning your Pilates expertise into a thriving athlete clientele requires careful planning and business acumen. Consider these key factors to ensure your success.
Determine competitive pricing for your Pilates sessions. Consider offering packages tailored to different athlete needs, such as introductory packages, performance enhancement packages, or injury rehabilitation packages.
Develop a strong marketing strategy to reach your target audience. Utilize social media, content marketing, and local partnerships to build brand awareness. Highlight success stories and testimonials from athletes to establish credibility.
Stay at the forefront of your field by investing in continuing education. Attend workshops, conferences, and online courses to stay updated on the latest Pilates techniques, sports science, and injury prevention strategies.
By carefully considering these business aspects, you can build a sustainable and successful Pilates practice focused on athletic performance.
Pilates offers immense potential for enhancing athletic performance. By dispelling the myth of Pilates as solely a rehabilitative practice, Pilates teachers can tap into a vast market of athletes seeking to optimize and accelerate their abilities.
Working with athletes is less about technical skills and more about recognizing and shifting mental, emotional, and physical patterns that limit their potential. Pilates professionals that master the interaction of body-mind-spirit, have the power to help athletes leverage these patterns, create new ones, and develop the right mindset and heart set for lasting success through their body. By integrating Pilates into their routine, athletes can massively enhance their performance, safeguard their well-being, and ensure longevity in their sport. Pilates can be one of THE game changer components in an athlete’s career.
By understanding the unique needs of different athletes, creating effective Pilates programs, and implementing sound business strategies, you can establish yourself as a trusted expert in the field. Athletes are a niche market in the industry. By making yourself available to Athletes, you are actively contributing to their success and to the creation of our next world’s best athletes! Embrace the opportunity to empower athletes through the transformative power of Pilates.
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As a Pilates teacher, you often become aware of your clients' health-related issues before they even consult their GP. By deepening your understanding of how nutrition impacts health and wellbeing, you can better observe changes in your clients. With broader knowledge you can raise awareness and offer supportive feedback, helping clients make better decisions about their well-being. This holistic approach not only strengthens your practice but also the trust and connection you build with your clients.
A balanced diet isn't just about maintaining physical health—it's crucial for cognitive function and emotional well-being.Your brain, though less than 3% of your body weight, is a powerhouse that influences memory, emotions, and every process in your body. To keep it in peak condition, nourishing it with the right nutrients is essential.
This article explores how nutrition impacts mood and brain health, offering insights and practical tips to enhance both.
Stable blood sugar levels are key to feeling your best. Dramatic spikes and drops, often caused by high-sugar foods, can lead to energy crashes and mood swings.
“When your blood sugar spikes and then drops, it directly affects how you feel,” explains nutrition coach Margot Hiller. “A quick burst of energy from sugary foods often leads to a slump, leaving you feeling fatigued and irritable.”
This fluctuation can also trigger that familiar “hangry” feeling — hungry and angry — underscoring the importance of stable blood sugar for maintaining a balanced mood.
Caring for your gut microbiome is fundamental to overall health, as it has a profound impact on overall health and mental well-being.
Your gut is often referred to as your “second brain,” reflecting the deep connection between gut health and mental wellness. The gut produces much of the body’s serotonin, a neurotransmitter that contributes to feelings of happiness and well-being.
For a happier, healthier gut, aim to eat a variety of plant-based foods. Try to include a "rainbow" of around 30 different plants each week to support a diverse microbiome. Even with a good diet, remember that antibiotics and infections can disrupt this balance, so it's important to pay extra attention to gut health during these times.
This s where these two food groups play a special role:
These live bacteria, found in foods like kefir, tempeh, kimchi, and yogurt, support a healthy gut flora. Probiotics improve digestion, influence weight, and promote healthy aging. Recent studies suggest they can also reduce the risk of depression and anxiety, boost happiness, and lower stress hormone levels.
These dietary fibers feed the good bacteria in your gut. Found in foods like bananas, apples, onions, garlic, and asparagus, prebiotics help maintain a thriving gut ecosystem. Incorporate whole grains like oats and quinoa, and legumes like beans and lentils for additional prebiotic benefits.
Recent research shows a strong correlation between a pro-inflammatory diet and depression. The machanisms are still to be determined but observations are clearly showing that inflammation affects the brain through neurotransmitters and pathways involved in depression. Other studies show association between inflammation and other brain health related conditions, such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and dementia.
Adopting an anti-inflammatory diet, such as the Mediterranean diet, can mitigate these effects. Research highlights the benefits: reduced risks of depression and cognitive disorders.
Key guidelines for an anti-inflammatory diet include:
For those interested in the finer details, here’s a look at specific nutrients crucial for brain health and their best sources:
Natural sources of these nutrients are generally safe, but always consult with your GP before taking supplements, as they contain concentrated levels and excessive amounts can be harmful. Quality of supplements is also important, so seek good advice when choosing them.
Certain foods can negatively affect mental health by spiking blood sugar, impacting gut health, or triggering inflammation. These include:
Regular exercise and adequate sleep are just as vital as nutrition for mental health. Sleep affects almost every type of tissue and system in the body—lack of sleep or poor-quality sleep has an almost immediate effect on brain function, hormonal balance, and mood. Similarly, exercise releases endorphins and serotonin, which play an important role in emotional well-being and mental health.
Remember, while nutrition, movement, and sleep are fundamental to health, seeking professional support is essential if you have concerns about your mental well-being. Always consult your primary care provider if needed.
You're passionate about Pilates. You've dedicated countless hours to refining your technique. But are you truly thriving as a business owner? Many Pilates teachers find themselves caught in a cycle of financial uncertainty, struggling to balance their love for teaching with the demands of running a successful business.
It's time to shift your perspective. Because passion and success go hand in hand. By doing what you love and understanding the business side of Pilates, you can create a thriving career that allows you to make a significant impact on your clients' lives while achieving financial stability.
Before we get started, know that I've walked in your shoes. Building a successful Pilates business isn't just about teaching; it's about running a sustainable business. While most training programs focus on technique, the business side is often overlooked. Like most teachers, I've learned through trial and error, with each mistake costing me time, money, and stress. Today I want to share my insights, to be of help, and preserve you from the pitfalls.
Running a successful Pilates studio or private practice requires a solid understanding of business fundamentals. This includes everything from financial management and marketing to client relations and operational efficiency. While it may seem overwhelming, remember that every successful business started with one small step.
One of the biggest challenges Pilates teachers face is undervaluing their services. It's time to shift your mindset. You've invested countless hours in training, education, and practice. Your expertise is invaluable. When you charge what you're worth, you're not just earning a living; you're investing in your own growth and development to serve at a greater scale and with more ease.
A common mistake many Pilates teachers make is believing that to be competitive, they need to offer lower prices and adjust their rates to match the market's low end. This strategy is flawed and ultimately harmful to your business.
Discounting your prices disvalues your service and who you are as a teacher. It fosters a mindset of scarcity, which stifles growth and drains your energy. Instead of generating positive energy for you and your clients, low prices can lead to burnout and frustration.
Focus on providing exceptional value rather than competing on price. Your clients are investing in more than just physical exercise; they're investing in their overall well-being. Highlight the transformative impact of your Pilates sessions and position yourself as an expert who CARES. Business must come from a place of care and giving. If you find a way to do more FOR OTHERS, the more YOU will benefit as well. It’s the natural and virtuous cycle to life that makes things work; even in business!
To me, Business is a spiritual game about how you add more value to people’s life and how you can do more for people than anybody else in the marketplace. The more skills you acquire, the more valuable you and your business become. Diversify your offerings and invest in yourself to enhance your value. Ultimately, the key to wealth lies in contributing more to others' lives.
People are willing to pay what they believe you’re worth. For clients to believe in your value, you need to consistently deliver exceptional service and demonstrate your expertise. Investing in yourself is crucial for success. The more you invest in your own growth, the more valuable you become and the more you can offer to your clients.
Consider this uncomfortable question: How can you expect clients to invest significantly in you if you haven’t invested in yourself? Why should clients spend thousands on your services if you’re hesitant to invest even a fraction of that amount in your own development?
Your competitiveness relies on three key factors: your excellence, your care, and your authority. These qualities are developed through a clear strategy and ongoing investment in education.
Choose to grow in these areas:
Once you recognize your true value in the marketplace, shift from a mindset of fear, worry, and doubt to one of creativity, innovation, and care. Move away from scarcity and focus on creating healthy profit margins by optimizing your prices and selling value rather than just a low price. Avoid the mistake of lowering your prices to compete, as this doesn’t make you more attractive. To truly stand out, clearly demonstrate the substantial value you provide through your expertise, care, and authority.
Building a successful Pilates business is a journey. I like to break it down into three stages:
Being part of a strong community is crucial for long-term success and fulfillment. My journey was driven by curiosity and a refusal to settle for average standards. My hunger for progress and understanding the "why" shaped me into the IVA I share with the world today.
From the start, I sought mentors who walked the talk. Different mentors offered different skills and outcomes. Some were liberating, while others made me doubt my worth. Regardless of the experience, it all contributed to my learning. The people you choose to learn with (not only from), and surround yourself with shape your future.
I have learned that success leaves clues and that learning is amplified when you are among like-minded individuals. The most valuable lessons come from daily exchanges with clients and colleagues. A strong community accelerates progress and fosters life-changing transformations.
1. Technical Excellence and People Skills: Both are crucial for building a loyal client base.
2. Understanding Business: Business acumen is essential for financial success and must be learned and applied strategically.
3. Financial Security: The first step toward growth, ensuring a stable foundation.
4. Financial Independence: Achieving stability and the ability to reinvest in oneself.
5. Financial Freedom: The ultimate goal, where income supports all expenses and generates additional wealth.
6. Avoid the Low-Price Trap: Competing on price devalues your services and fosters a scarcity mindset.
7. Invest in Yourself: Consistently invest in your development smartly to provide more value to your clients and to your business.
8. Business is a spiritual game: Understand that the secret of wealth lies in contributing more to others' lives.
9. Build Value: Focus on excellence, care, and authority to build a strong market position.
10. Project Success: People pay for perceived worth. Showcase your worth and the value you bring to clients' lives.
By embracing these principles, Pilates teachers can move away from the scarcity mindset and towards a path of financial security, independence, and ultimately, financial freedom. The journey involves smart pricing strategies, continuous self-improvement, and a clear focus on the immense value you provide to your clients.
As we wrap up this discussion on the importance of mastering the business side of the Pilates industry, we invite you to take a bold step towards transforming your financial future. This month, our Inner Circle is dedicated to ENHANCE BUSINESS. We will teach our members how to thrive in the Pilates industry with clear strategies for optimizing their business and creating wealth.
What You Will Learn:
· Strategic Business Insights: Learn the proven strategies to grow your Pilates business from scarcity to financial freedom.
· Clear Action Plans: Follow a step-by-step plan that any teacher can implement to achieve financial success.
· Mindset Transformation: Shift your mindset from scarcity to abundance, creating a solid foundation for long-term growth.
· Community Support: Join a like-minded community of professionals who will hold you accountable, inspire you, and motivate you every step of the way. You don’t have to grow alone anymore!
If you are serious about improving your Pilates business and ready to advance with like-minded professionals committed to changing their financial situation, there are two actions we need you to take:
1. Book these three dates in your calendar for August’s Business Events:
Note: If you can’t attend any of the events live, don’t worry. As a member, you’ll have access to all replays, handouts, and resources.
2. Click here to schedule your call with Iva or the team to get help and join our business month for transforming your business.
As Pilates teachers, we understand the body as a complex, interconnected system. Posture is the foundation upon which movement is built. A deep understanding of posture from a mechanical point of view and an emotional point of view is essential for guiding clients towards better health and well-being. This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of posture, its impact on health, and the role of Pilates in correcting imbalances.
Posture is the natural way we hold our bodies, both when we're moving or still. There are two types of posture:
· Static posture: This is how we hold our bodies when still, such as sitting, standing, or lying down.
· Dynamic posture: This describes how we hold our bodies during movement, from walking and running to performing Pilates exercises.
So, posture is much more than just standing tall. It's the dynamic interplay of bones, muscles, joints, ligaments, tendons, nerves and connective tissue (fascia) that determines how we hold ourselves. It's influenced by everything from our genetics to our daily habits.
Beyond aesthetics, posture significantly influences overall health and well-being. Prolonged poor posture can lead to a cascade of structural and mechanical problems, including chronic pain, decreased flexibility, reduced range of motion, and impaired balance. Moreover, it can negatively impact respiratory and digestive functions.
· Pain prevention: It helps prevent joint pains like most commonly back, neck, shoulder and knee pain.
· Improved performance: Optimal posture supports athletic performance and daily activities.
· Better breathing: Good posture allows for deeper, more efficient breathing and improvement of our lung capacity.
· Boosted mood: Standing tall can positively impact confidence and mood. Standing tall and upright has been scientifically proven to boost our hormonal levels, increasing our testosterone by 20%,decreasing our cortisol level by up to 25% and enhancing people’s risk tolerance by 33%! Therefore, people with good posture are more likely to be more courageous and daring in life.
While often attributed solely to habit, poor posture frequently stems from underlying structural physical and emotional imbalances.
· Inflexible muscles: Tight muscles can limit your range of motion and pull your body out of alignment.
· Weak muscles: Weak core muscles, especially those in your back, abdomen, and pelvis, can't adequately support your spine, leading to slouching.
· Joint dysfunction: Restrictions in joint mobility can impact posture, as the body compensates for limited movement.
While posture might seem like a purely mechanical alignment issue, it is profoundly affected by our emotional state. In fact, posture is often considered to be 20% mechanical and 80% psychological. As a Pilates teacher, it is essential to be knowledgeable about the structural and mechanical aspects of posture. However, an outstanding Pilates teacher must also understand the emotional factors that impact postural habits.
· Stress and Anxiety: Chronic stress and anxiety can cause muscle tension, particularly in the neck and shoulders, leading to a hunched posture.
· Sadness & Depression: Individuals experiencing depression often adopt a slumped posture, reflecting their internal emotional state.
· Lack of Confidence: Low self-esteem and confidence can result in a closed, inward posture, such as rounded shoulders and a downward gaze.
· Emotional Trauma: Past emotional trauma can manifest physically, causing habitual postural patterns that reflect protective or defensive stances.
As Pilates teachers, we know that each muscle in the body works best at a certain length with proper tone — we want our muscles to not be too stretched out or too tight. So, the best posture is one in which our postural muscles are in a balanced, neutral position, minimizing stress on the musculoskeletal system. Muscles co-work together at all times and the body creates optimal tone thanks to the concept of oppositional forces, strengthening our body from the inside out, holding the body in good alignment.
There's no single "perfect" posture, as everyone's body is unique. However, there are some general guidelines:
· Protecting the spine’s curves: Maintaining the natural S-shaped curvature of the spine is essential for distributing weight evenly. Any excess of curvature in the spine, either too curved or too flattened, will lead to imbalances resulting in poor posture in the spine.
· Balanced muscle tone: Developing proper strength and flexibility in the muscles supporting the spine is crucial for optimal posture.
· Neutral alignment: Aligning the head, neck, shoulders, and pelvis in a neutral position, stacked on top of your ankles, keeping your body weight 60% to the front are key components of facilitating good posture.
· Core engagement: Activating the deep core muscles to provide stability and support.
Most Elder Master Teachers, stressed on the importance of checking people’s posture. Carola Trier always started her sessions with a Body Check, which consisted in observing clients’ posture when they walked into the studio to address the imbalances that needed to be corrected during the session to optimize their well-being.
· Lengthen your spine (axially elongate) to engage your oppositional forces
· Chin parallel to the floor
· Shoulders even, spiraled outwards-backwards-downwards and released on top of your rib cage (not rounded or hunched)
· Neutral spine (no excessive arching or curving in your lower back), elongated coccyx and pubic bone slightly pulled up.
· Arms at your sides with gravity lengthening them
· Deep abdominal muscles gently pulled up aiming to keep your waistline thinner
· Hips and knees even, with knees pointing straight ahead
· Body weight evenly distributed on both feet with your arches pulled up, watching out to not pronate or supinate in the foot having equal weight on your little toe-big toe-center of the heel.
The Pilates method is renowned for its ability to improve body awareness, core strength, and flexibility — all essential components of postural correction. By addressing muscle imbalances, improving joint mobility, and cultivating neutral spinal alignment, Pilates offers a comprehensive approach to restoring and maintaining good posture.
Studies have demonstrated that Pilates-based exercises can significantly reduce thoracic kyphosis, a common postural issue characterized by excessive rounding of the upper back. Furthermore, Pilates has been shown to improve overall postural control.
One extremely effective exercise to improve posture is the Chest Expansion exercise. This exercise encourages an elevated physiology by promoting an open, proud chest position. This not only helps to correct mechanical alignment but also elevates the emotional state, fostering feelings of courage and bravery. By focusing on such exercises, Pilates instructors can help clients achieve lasting improvements in both their physical posture and emotional well-being.
By addressing both the mechanical and emotional components of posture, Pilates teachers can facilitate more profound and enduring transformations in their clients.
While Pilates is a powerful tool for postural correction, incorporating posture-enhancing habits into daily life is essential. At IVA‘ Pilates we believe in teaching clients self-efficacy. By teaching clients growth work (home work) they can understand better the importance of posture and state and become more responsible for their well-being.
Offer practical advice to help your clients do that. Here are some concrete ideas:
· Mindful Check-ins: Encourage clients to perform regular posture check-ins throughout the day. A quick scan of their alignment while standing, sitting, or moving can help maintain awareness.
· Mirror Feedback: Suggest using a mirror to check their posture or catch your reflection. Visual feedback can be a powerful tool for understanding and correcting misalignments.
· Frequent Breaks: Encourage taking short breaks every 30 minutes to stand, stretch, and move around. This helps prevent stiffness and promotes better alignment.
· Choose to be disciplined to live ina high energy state, not letting your emotions pull your posture down but on the contrary - lift your posture up.
By understanding the complexities of posture and the role of Pilates in its correction, Pilates teachers can become invaluable resources for their clients in achieving optimal alignment, reducing pain, and enhancing overall well-being.
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As Pilates teachers, we owe a great deal to our professional parents and therefore to Joseph & Clara Pilates. Their innovative system of exercises has completely changed the landscape of fitness. But there’s so much more to Pilates than impressive physical results. This article serves as a tribute to Joe & Clara offering an expanded perspective on the holistic vision of the Pilates Method.
Joseph Hubertus Pilates, known to many as simply "Joe," was a German visionary of health and the creator of the Pilates Method, which in its days was called Contrology. A well-designed system of exercises, based on concepts, philosophies, common sense and science like no other in the world.
Joe was born on December 9, 1883, in Mönchengladbach, Germany, and was a sickly child who suffered from asthma, rickets, and rheumatic fever. Despite his physical challenges, Joe was committed to improve his health defying all odds and spent much of his youth practicing various sports, including yoga, martial arts, gymnastics, self-defense, and bodybuilding. He also showed immense interest in the anatomy and the physiology of the human body. According to Mary Bowen, Joseph Pilates had based his Method on observing the movement pattern of a baby and a cat.
It is during World War 1 that Joseph Pilates shaped and designed his Method more precisely. Joe was in England at the outbreak of the war, and as a German citizen, he was arrested and sent to a prisoner of war camp on the Isle of Man. During his imprisonment of a little over 4 years, Joe had the luxury of time to develop his unique exercise method and test his exercise system, which he later called "Contrology."
Joe made use of his time in the camp by working with other prisoners who were injured or ill, helping them to regain their strength and mobility through innovative exercise. He drew inspiration from various sources to create a series of exercises that emphasized on controlled movements that could restore, revive, and empower people under any circumstances. All it took is a body, a floor and some fresh air.
After the war, Joe continued to develop his method and expanded his Method from the experience on the Isle of Man to a more holistic approach to fitness including the power of the mind. He believed that the mind and body are interconnected, and that conscious control of movement is essential for optimal health and wellbeing. He also emphasized the importance of breathing, full body commitment and full body health. Joe strongly believed that his method could help people of all ages and fitness levels to become the architect of their own happiness and that physical fitness was the first pre-requisite to happiness!
In the early 20’, Pilates emigrated to the United States. That is where he met his wife, Clara, on the boat that brought him to New York City, where they opened their studio and began teaching the Pilates Method to a new generation of clients including lawyers, dancers and performers looking to improve their physical capabilities and overall fitness.
Pilates was determined to provide physical training and rehabilitation that changes people’s life forever. He designed and developed specialized equipment such as the Universal Reformer, the Cadillac, and the Wunda Chair to name a few of the most known. The introduction of his tailor-made equipment massively complemented his exercise method performed on the floor on a mat. Joe’s traditional equipment enabled people to benefit from further support and stimulation to help people achieve greater control over their bodies for greater lasting results. The first-generation fitness industry were revolutionized!
Pilates' popularity grew over time, attracting athletes, actors, and people with physical disabilities to his studio. His exercise method became famous for its emphasis on core strength, efficient movement patterns, and proper alignment, not only for physical fitness but also for injury prevention and stress reduction, giving people an invaluable sense of well-being.
Joseph Pilates continued to teach and refine his method until his death in 1967. Following his passing, his wife, Clara, and an official group of devoted students carried on his legacy. These students are known to be Carola Trier, Eve Gentry, Bruce King, Romana Kryzanowska, Kathleen Standford Grant, Ron Fletcher, Lolita San Miguel, Mary Bowen, Bob Seeds, Robert Fitzgerald and Jay Grimes to name the most commonly known ones, who all contributed to the immense success the Pilates Method is experiencing today.
Contrology is the complete coordination of body, mind and spirit. A system of exercises that purposely acquire complete control of your body which naturally leads to internal harmony and happiness.
Joseph Pilates was convinced that the mind and body are interdependent, and that conscious control of movement is essential for optimal health and wellbeing. He believed that the entire world should be doing his exercises, as people would be happier, and the world would become a better and more peaceful place.
Joseph Pilates was known for his unique and holistic approach to fitness that focused on developing the body, mind, and spirit. He believed that physical fitness was essential for maintaining good health and preventing illness, and that it was necessary to combine exercise with mental and spiritual well-being.
The Pilates method was designed to promote strength, flexibility, and balance, with a focus on inner strength and efficient movement patterns. Joseph Pilates believed that by strengthening the body and its organs, individuals could improve their posture, prevent injuries, and increase overall physical fitness. Joe Pilates also emphasized the importance of proper breathing and mindfulness, teaching his students to stay present in the moment during exercise always using the ”whole body” making the most of every repetition as repetition is the mother of all mastery.
Beyond exercise, Joseph Pilates also advocated for a healthy lifestyle, including insights balancing work-rest-play. Today we would be calling that our work-life-balance! He believed that fitness was not just about physical exercise, but about taking care of our physical body, our mental body and our spiritual body. Overall, Joe’s vision of fitness was one that emphasized the integration of physical, mental, and spiritual well-being and that health was a choice that required work!
Today, the Pilates Method has evolved to being practiced by millions of people around the world. Joseph Pilates' legacy has been honored and continued by thousands of certified instructors who teach his method, respecting his traditional teaching but also adapting and innovating it to suit the needs of today’s challenges. The Pilates Method has also been embraced by medical professionals as a means of rehabilitating patients with injuries and chronic conditions. While the core principles of the practice remain the same, since the pandemic it is now practiced in a variety of settings, including online which has helped the Method to grow exponentially. Thanks to professional digitalizing, the Pilates instructors were able to actively contribute to Joseph’s biggest visions which was that Pilates should be introduced into every household and that everybody should be doing his exercises.
Joseph Pilates was a visionary whose holistic approach to fitness has left an indelible mark on the world of exercise. His method continues to bring joy, health, and vitality to countless individuals. At IVA Pilates, we carry forward Joe's vision, fostering a future of mindful movement and holistic well-being that serves people. Through our practice and teaching, we wish to honor Joe and Clara Pilates, ensuring that their revolutionary vision continues to inspire and transform lives. We strongly believe that together we can continue to shape the future of Pilates in a meaningful way contributing to people’s well-being transforming lives. Let us all co-actively be part of a movement that will contribute to Joe’s original visions that the whole world should be doing his exercises to create a happier and healthier world for the many generations to come.
In this month's blog post, I want to explore the heart and soul of the Pilates method –– the vision of Joseph Pilates himself. Many instructors, myself included, learn the exercises but might not delve into the deeper philosophy behind them. Today, I'll share my journey of discovering Pilates' true source and how understanding Joseph Pilates' ideas can elevate your practice from simply doing exercises to embodying a holistic approach to well-being.
I have been practicing Pilates for more than 15 years and I have been lucky enough to teach it with passion for more than 10 years. In comparison to my Master Teachers who are gifted with over 35-55 years of experience, it is clear that I am only a teenager in terms of Pilates expertise. However, I hope that my experience in learning the method can guide you or refer you in your personal research in mastering the Pilates method.
I was incredibly lucky during my training to be able to benefit from a variety of experiences with various Elder &Master Teachers. They all made me do similar things at the end of the day, but at the same time, they all had sucha different take on things. There was, however, one thing that reunited them in their approach, and this was the fact that they all referred to Joseph Pilates and his work “Return to life" as an indispensable source.
During my first years of practicing Pilates as a student in a Physiotherapy practice in Sydney, I knew nothing about the origin of the method and even less about the philosophy of its creator, Joseph Pilates. I had never known about the origin of the method and its history. I didn’t even know that Joseph & Clara Pilates were the creators, leaving behind them an entire tree of teaching descendants, which is today called the "Elder Master Teachers" (like EveGentry, Carola Trier, Romana Kryzanowska, Ron Fletcher, Kathy Grant, Lolita San Miguel, Bruce King, etc). What prevailed in my training was biomechanics, physical anatomy and lots of cues on the technical part of the movements... nothing at all about the vision, the philosophy nor the magic of the method.
It was only several years later, when I became a teacher, that I became aware of the creator, Joseph Pilates, and his life story, during one of my Pilates training sessions. But mentioning this, we had only spent 10min on the subject of Joseph Pilates, three pages of history in the manual, and that was it! Suffice it to say that my knowledge of the method source was still very poor.
Being by nature very curious and rather a perfectionist, I needed to find out more. I was shocked to have practiced, during all this time and without knowing it, a training method which had however quite a history and a very clear message. It was then that my research to find the source of Pilates began. I bought all the books that I could find in the book stores on the method (Google was not yet my friend), but without much result. And then, until one of my Master Teachers, Kathy Corey, made me aware of the fact that Joseph Pilates had written two books on his method and his vision of his training system called "Your Health" and "Return to Life". I then immediately began reading the book in English. And I very quickly understood from his own writings that Joseph was a visionary and a genius who was seeking to improve a world which was going to sink further and further in the disease and physical, psychic and emotional suffering.
For him the Mind, the Body and the Spirit were strongly linked together and it was the responsibility of each one of us, to take care of the primary "Being" which was given to us at birth. Seeking to maintain a constant balance between these three bodies, in an ever faster and more harmful world, must remain a key element of our life hygiene in order to be able to live to the best of our means and to find pleasure in Life. Neglecting the body we were given is the the most foolish thing we can do and we respect the needs of our physicality! How should we do that: by simply trusting and listening to wisdom of our body and having the mind guide the body with the proper directions for the greater enjoyment of life. Having himself endured numerous physical and psychic tests in his life, Joseph Pilates has always known how to deal with this through movement. Being very earthy, and gifted witha steel will and an extraordinary flair for the body, he knew, by his experience, to fully develop his potential. It is over his life course and because of his visionary insight that his method could give birth to one of the most effective and widespread teaching techniques in the world.
To return to what I believe to be the most fundamental source of the method, it goes without saying that it is about Joseph and Clara Pilates themselves; but more specifically, it is the vision and the philosophy which makes the Pilates technique truly MAGICAL as well as an ingenious training method for the mind, body and spirit. A complete, “holistic" approach, which should take into account all that you are, all what you live for and all that you aspire to in life, so that your potential is fully revealed and maintained daily through movement.
To help you to discover a small part of his vision, I invite you to read an extract of his book "Return to Life" written in 1945 by Joseph Pilates. I hope that these few original paragraphs, written by Joseph Pilates in 1945, will stimulate your curiosity and your motivation to understand more deeply the primary motivations of the Pilates method. Then, you will no longer be satisfied simply teaching basic exercises, but you will aspire to teach a method of holistic movements which will take into account ALL that you are and live for, at any time in your evolution.
I wish you a wonderful discovery in enhancing your knowledge of the original vision of the Pilates method according to his work, the source, “Return to life"
Our interpretation of physical fitness is the attainment and maintenance of a uniformly developed body with a sound mind fully capable of naturally, easily, and satisfactorily performing our many and varied daily tasks with spontaneous zest and pleasure.
To achieve the highest accomplishments within the scope of our capabilities in all walks of life we must constantly strive to acquire strong, healthy bodies and develop our minds to the limit of our ability. This very rapidly progressing world with its ever-increasing faster tempo of living demands that we be physically fit and alert in order that we may succeed in the unceasing race with keen competition which rewards the “go- getter” but by-passes the “no-getter.”
Physical fitness can neither be acquired by wishful thinking nor by outright purchase. However, it can be gained through performing the daily exercises conceived for this purpose by the founder of Contrology whose unique methods accomplish this desirable result by successfully counteracting the harmful inherent conditions associated with modern civilisation.
In the Stone Age and onward man lived mostly outdoors with practically little shelter from the elements. He has not yet lived long enough indoors with protection against the elements to be able to successfully withstand the daily strains and stresses imposed upon him by our present mode of “fast” living. This explains why both you and I and all the rest of us are compelled in our own interest to give constant thought to the improvement of our bodies and to spend more time in acquiring and maintaining that all-important goal of physical fitness.
All in all, we do not give our bodies the care that our wellbeing deserves
True, we do stroll in the fresh air whenever our whimsical spirit moves us, or whenever necessity compels us to do so, with the result that on these occasions we do, in spite of ourselves, exercise our legs to this limited extent, accomplished, however, at the sacrifice of the rest of our body which after all is much more important to us from the viewpoint of our general health. Is it any wonder then that this haphazard and wholly inadequate body-building technique of the average person fails so miserably in the acquirement of physical fitness!
Admittedly, it is rather difficult to gain ideal physical fitness under the handicap of daily breathing the soot-saturated air of our crowded and noisy cities. On the other hand, we can more quickly realize this ambition if we are privileged to breathe the pure fresh air of the country and forests without the accompaniment of the traffic roar of the city which constantly tends to keep our nerves strung taut. Even those of us who work in the city and are fortunate enough to live in the country must counteract the unnatural physical fatigue and mental strain experienced in our daily activities. Telephones, automobiles, and economic pressure all combine to create physical letdown and mental stress so great that today practically no home is entirely free from sufferers of some form of nervous tension.
Because of the intense concentration demanded by our work and despite the real enjoyment our work may bring some of us we, nevertheless, gladly welcome any additional relief in the form of diversified and pleasant recreational activities, preferably outdoors, in our constant attempts to offset the effects of increasing cares and burdens so common today. To ease mental strain and relieve physical fatigue we must acquire a reserve stockpile of nervous energy in order that we may really be able to enjoy ourselves at night.
We must of necessity devote more time and more thought to the important matter of acquiring physical fitness.
Hobbies and all forms of play tend materially to renew our vitality with accompanying moral uplift. Play is not necessarily only confined to indulging in conventional games. Rather the term “play” as we use it here, embraces every possible form of pleasurable living. For example, simply spending a quiet and pleasant evening at home with our family chatting with congenial friends is, according to our interpretation, a form of play that is delightful, pleasant social entertainment as distinguished from our daily work. This finds us cheerful, contented, and relaxed.
However, many of us at the end of our daily work lack sufficient energy at night for recreation. How many of us simply spend the night routinely reading the evening newspaper? How many of us are entirely too exhausted to read, even occasionally, an interesting book, visit our friends, or see one of the latest motion pictures?
When some of us occasionally spend a weekend away from our usual city haunts and environments, instead of receiving the immediate benefits of that desirable change in the way of complete revitalization (without fatigue)as the result of our experience outdoors in the bright sunshine, we are more often than not likely to find ourselves only recovering from the shock of our disappointment about the middle of the following week.
Why? Because our previous mode of living and the consequent neglect of our bodies has not prepared us for reaping the beneficial results of this diversion. We lacked the necessary reserve energy to draw upon for this purpose and the fault lies only with us and not with nature as most of us like to think. All that any normal body should require is a change from whatever it has previously been subjected to.
Accordingly, since we are living in this Modern Age we must of necessity devote more time and more thought to the important matter of acquiring physical fitness. This does not necessarily imply that we must devote ourselves only to the mere development of any particular pet set of muscles, but rather more rationally to the uniform development of our bodies as a whole - keeping all our organs as nearly as possible in their naturally normal condition so that we may not only be in a better position to earn our daily bread but also so that we may have sufficient vitality in reserve at night for the enjoyment of compensating pleasure and relaxation.
Perhaps with some feeling of doubt you ask, “How can I realize such a utopian condition? At night I am much too tired to go to a gymnasium.” Or, “Isn’t it too costly to enroll for a conditioning course in some good gymnasium or club?”
RETURN TO LIFE fully explains how you can successfully achieve your worthy ambition to attain physical fitness right in your own home and at only nominal cost.
As a Pilates teacher, you're passionate about helping your students to achieve their health and fitness goals. But true transformation goes beyond mastering technique in the studio. It's about fostering habits, those automated behaviors that become ingrained in our daily activities. Imagine starting a day with gentle stretches automatically, with no internal struggle or negotiation. That's the power of good habits! They become the silent drivers of positive change for your students, influencing their well-being long after they leave the studio.
This blog post, leveraging the science of habit formation, explores practical strategies you can use to empower your students to build healthy habits that stick. By equipping them with the tools to automate behaviors, you'll be helping them create a lasting impact on their health and well-being, not just within the walls of your Pilates studio, but throughout their everyday lives.
Just like mastering any Pilates move, building good habits takes a bit of understanding. Here, we'll explore Charles Duhigg's concept of the habit loop, a simple model that breaks down how habits form:
By understanding the habit loop, you can help your students design their own routines and identify their personal rewards. This makes it more likely that the positive behaviors learned in Pilates will stick with them outside the studio.
Remember: Consistency is key! The more your students repeat the loop (cue, routine, reward), the stronger the habit becomes.
Every journey starts with a reason. Help your students uncover their personal motivations for practicing Pilates. Do they want to improve flexibility for easier gardening? Are they looking to build strength to keep up with their energetic grandkids? The key is to ask open-ended questions that encourage them to visualize the benefits and positive feelings that come with achieving their goals.
Here's how to apply this in your teaching:
By connecting Pilates practice to their personal "why", you'll ignite intrinsic motivation, the kind that comes from within and fuels long-term commitment to their Pilates routine.
We all know willpower can be a fickle friend.That's why creating a system, a structured approach, is key for building lasting habits. Here's how you can help your students establish one for their Pilates practice:
The Power of Systems:
A system considers all the factors that can influence whether your students stick to their practice. These factors can be positive (motivation, convenience) or negative (lack of time, distractions). By creating a system that mitigates the negative and leverages the positive, you'll increase the chances of success.
Examples:
Building momentum is crucial for lasting habit formation. Think of it like rolling a snowball downhill. The bigger it gets, the easier it is to keep rolling. That's why starting with small, achievable goals is so important.
Here's why:
How to Apply It:
Remember the habit loop? The reward is a crucial element that strengthens the association between the cue and the routine. Positive reinforcement, acknowledging progress and celebrating successes, plays a key role in making a habit stick.
Why It's Helpful:
Sharing with Classmates: Create a safe space for students to share their accomplishments with classmates. This fosters a sense of community and collective motivation.
As a Pilates teacher, you have the unique opportunity to become more than an instructor – you can be a supportive coach who empowers students to create lasting changes. By helping them identify their triggers, the cues that can derail their good intentions, and develop strategies to overcome them, you'll strengthen their commitment to positive changes.
Empowering your students to build a consistent Pilates practice, fueled by good habits, leads to a more impactful and fulfilling teaching experience for you. Ultimately, it empowers them to achieve their health and wellness goals, creating a ripple effect of positive change that extends far beyond the studio.
Written by Margot Hiller, Certified Coach specializing in lasting health and wellness transformations, collaborating with IVA Pilates.
Recommended readings and resources:
