09/04/2025
Pilates, it’s all got twisted. And, you know it’s all about the money when you see a post on another social media platform where someone is saying they are about to open a “Reformer Pilates Studio” but as they have NO experience of Pilates they are looking for a teacher to assist the set up of the business. Clearly they have bags of passion about the method and can’t wait to help people. See their body confidence grow, improve their movement, strength and flexibility or move without pain.
It’s so infuriating to watch. But what’s more infuriating is when a student tells you they’ve spent 5 years at a studio before yours and they are now angry at the amount of time and money they invested there seeing now, they made no progress. No progress in strength, stability, flexibility and no progress in exercises practised or understanding the point of why they were doing anything.
I don’t know what the answer is other than us constantly trying to educate people on social media about what genuine Pilates is so they can make informed choices.
I’ve heard in some classes they never use the box on the Reformer or do any exercises with feet in straps.
If they still prefer jumping around doing flows on the bed of a Reformer but know it’s not Pilates then all well and good.
Joseph Pilates apparently used to say he was ahead of his time. I don’t know how many podcasts I’ve listened to in the last year where influencers talk about mind body connection, how breathing is so important, connecting with nature, looking after your feet and foot strength and so much more, all stuff Joseph Pilates talked about. Studies have shown how people’s movement, strength, stability has improved from practising Pilates. We don’t need to try and reinvent his work. We need to introduce more people to it so they can reap the genuine rewards and not jump on the bandwagon of the latest “Pilates” fad thinking they are doing Pilates.
