Explore Pilates Insights for an Active, Balanced Life

This isn’t one of those posts that’s going to make you feel bad about sitting. I mean, we’re built to sit, stand, and lay down, and it’s okay to do all those things. The problem is that we all sit too much, thanks to less physical jobs, computer work, and commuting. If modern life has […]

Do you get back pain from sitting too long? If so, you’re not alone. Many people experience stiffness and discomfort, especially in the lower back, after spending hours sitting at a desk, on the couch, or driving.  I saw a reel yesterday that showed a man sitting at his desk working on his computer. The […]

One of my favourite quotes from Joseph Pilates is “Change happens through movement and movement heals.” It’s a simple statement but oh, so true! Physical activity and the right type of movement can improve even the most stubborn aches and pains while simultaneously making you stronger so the pain doesn’t come back. Our bodies are […]

Have you ever wondered who does Pilates? When I started teaching Pilates in the mid-2000s, there were very few Pilates studios in my community and surrounding cities. There are more now, but still not as many as, say, yoga studios or cross-fit gyms. Many people haven’t even heard of Pilates! It’s almost a secret method […]

I often talk about how Pilates is meant for every body. There are progressions to the exercises for those who are ready, and modifications for those who are still building strength, mobility, and flexibility. But… Modifications in Pilates aren’t always the best solution! Many years ago, I would have thought so, but I was still […]

I’ve been teaching Pilates for 20 years now, and teaching Pilates teachers for 12. To be able to teach Pilates to teacher trainees, I have to have a lot of knowledge about the history, the method, and the “why” behind the “how”. The funny thing is, is how much more I’ve learned from teaching how […]

Once upon a time, if you were injured, had surgery, or were dealing with muscle aches and pain, you were told to rest and do nothing. My grandmother was hit by a motorcycle as a little girl and had to spend months in bed recovering. Today, we know that “motion is lotion”, and movement helps […]

You’ve probably heard that Pilates can help you feel better in your body or get you out of pain. One of the reasons is that it helps you move your body in all the ways it was meant to! And the best thing about the Pilates system is that you don’t need to over think […]

I was listening to a podcast recently where the discussion was all about the Pilates elders (the teachers who trained directly with Joseph Pilates)  and how each of them taught the method slightly differently. Not because they were doing something wrong, but because they were human. Different bodies, different imbalances, different strengths. Joe met each […]

It’s no secret that I love fitness. It’s always been part of my life, as a hobby, stress-reliever, and a career. I also really love Pilates. That’s why I’m so passionate about educating people on what Pilates is (and isn’t). It’s currently experiencing a big surge in popularity, but with so many different studios opening […]

Do you struggle with the overhead exercises in Pilates? You aren’t alone! Lifting your legs, rounding your back off the mat, and sending your butt to the ceiling is a big challenge. I often hear people joke that their butt is too heavy or that they just “don’t bend that way”. The truth is that […]

If you’re considering becoming a Pilates teacher, you’re likely deep in research mode, comparing programs, reviewing time commitments, and weighing the financial investment. Most programs will have some prerequisites to being accepted into the program as well.  Often they want you to have a certain number of hours of experience attending Pilates classes and (if […]

If you’ve ever done the Pilates mat work, you very likely have done the “Rolling Like a Ball” exercise, which was called “Rolling Back” in Joseph Pilates’ book, The Return to Life Through Contrology. It’s a fun exercise that usually has people laughing as they try to master it, but it is more than just […]

With the popularity of Pilates continuing to grow, more and more people are becoming curious about teacher training. That’s a wonderful thing, but can also be a confusing one. If you’re new to Pilates or thinking about becoming a teacher, you’ve probably noticed just how many options are out there. Online programs. One-weekend certifications. Reformer-only […]

I’ve been teaching Pilates for twenty years (!), and I’ve seen it go through many waves of popularity. I’ve also heard a wide variety of takes on who Pilates is for. It’s very interesting how one person’s idea of who Pilates is for can be completely different than what someone else might think. There are […]