I say this as someone who has been practicing for almost a decade and recently completed comprehensive teacher training. All in a larger body. Since I first walked into a studio, not a single instructor has acknowledged my body (in a non-judgmental way anyway—certainly I’ve been the target of the skeptical top to bottom and back again visual assessment followed by a grimace). Nor has anyone been able to offer straightforward suggestions about what I can do differently to get the most out of my practice. And if I think back, the only thing my teacher training taught me specifically about large ..read more

Photography @pilatesanytime It’s no wonder the Spine Corrector is one of my favorite pieces of equipment in the Pilates system - it truly has helped me correct and understand my spine and has provided me with unending curiosity in my practice. In my initial teacher training, this apparatus wasn’t expanded upon much so I wasn’t aware of the absolute importance of it until many years after my first certificate of completion.   During a Pilates On Tour years ago I had the privilege to take a “Matwork on the Spine Corrector” workshop by Pat Guyton. This workshop rocked my worl ..read more

Ever heard of syncing your workout to your cycle? Is there a real benefit to this approach? The Pilates Journal speaks with Pilates Instructor and Naturopath, Bianca Melas about why this should matter to you and your clients. So what is it exactly?  ------------------- Cycle syncing is when we are working out, eating certain foods and socialising in alignment with the ebb and flow of our infradian rhythm. Our infradian rhythm accounts for the changes that occur in a female’s body over its 24-38 day cycle. As our hormones change throughout this period, so does our energy levels, metaboli ..read more

As Pilates and movement instructors, we are trained to notice gait, movement patterns, and postural habits. I am also fascinated by the role the pelvis and hips play in human movement. As the connection between our legs and spine, the pelvis and hips serve to transfer force between the lower extremities and the trunk and can directly affect the low back and our ability to move with grace and ease. Have you ever seen someone who could easily externally rotate their legs and yet, experience tightness or discomfort when pointing their toes forward in a parallel position? How about a person who w ..read more

Hanna Somatics is a system of mind-body movement techniques developed by Thomas Hanna. It emphasises the connection between the mind and body in promoting health and well-being. Given the similarities with many aspects of Pilates, including a focus on control, body awareness, and the mind-body connection, somatic movement techniques offer a complementary approach to Pilates practice. Incorporating principles such as breath awareness, mindful progressive relaxation, and movement initiation into Pilates classes encourages clients to develop a deeper understanding of their movement patterns and ..read more

When it comes to investing in a reformer for your studio or home it's crucial to know what to look for to make a strong and smooth reformer investment. If you ask Sean Bergara from Sean Bergara Pilates, he’s adamant that there’s one reformer that stands out in terms of quality, functionality, and engineering and that’s the M8-Pro Reformer by Align-Pilates. Sean shares with us his insights after using the equipment firsthand in his studio.  —————————————————- Seamless transitions with the gear bar “One of the standout features of the M8-Pro Reformer is the ease of moving the gear bar. Th ..read more

“I think it's safe to say that as Pilates teachers, we already have more than enough trouble getting adults to follow directions when teaching Pilates. From our constant reminders, to our repetitive words or cues, we as teachers have to be super clear and concise as teachers and let's admit it can get quite challenging at times. Adults usually come in a preconceived idea of what Pilates is and can go wrong and can sometimes be close-minded in regards to what exercises work for them based on past experiences. It’s things like that have made this mom of two small kids, feel a bit more compelled ..read more

We speak with Pilates Instructor Tahlia Grogan about her Pilates career to date.   1.     Tell us a little about yourself and your Pilates background I have been working as a full time instructor since 2011. I had the pleasure of teaching at many studios in and around Melbourne, but found my home at One Hot Yoga & Pilates. I have been at One since they launched their Pilates studio in 2014, and I am still here 10 years later. I am now the Pilates Program Director and get the pleasure of overseeing the Pilates modality across both our Melbourne and Sydney stud ..read more

“Do they pay your super?”   One of the most asked questions when it comes to Pilates Instructors discussing the benefits of working in an Australian Pilates studio, or other fitness related studio or business. Some studios do and some don’t. In this short article we are going to answer some important questions for you to consider* when it comes to Superannuation and You!   What is Super? Why is it important? Where is your super? How do you make it grow over time?   What is Super? Super is one way of saving for your retirement. In Australia all employers pay superannuation for t ..read more

Photography @seasewell Discovering the Transformative Power of Pilates: A 30-Minute Journey to Wellness. In today's fast-paced world, finding time for exercise can be challenging. However, what if I told you that you could achieve a full-body workout in just 30 minutes? Welcome to the world of Pilates – a holistic approach to fitness that not only strengthens your body but also nurtures your mind and spirit. Surprisingly, Pilates mat was invented by a man named Joseph Pilates. As part of the mat repertoire, he developed 34 mat exercises designed to progressively challenge the body over time ..read more