Athens at dusk reflecting the mix of nostalgia, change, and purpose in teaching. Back in Greece for the first weekend of the Apparatus course, and Athens pulled something out of me I wasn’t expecting. It felt familiar, but it also reminded me how much life has shifted. We had a good time here, but it was a contained life. Quiet. Focused. Different from Scotland, where things feel wider and more connected. You only notice the contrast when you return. Travel itself is its own

Pilates Reformer used outside its intended purpose, highlighting safety and insurance concerns. The equipment you teach on has a purpose. The Reformer was built for Pilates. Every spring, strap, bar, carriage and pad serves a clear mechanical role. When you respect that design, you honour the method and you protect your clients. When you step outside it, you step outside your insurance. Many teachers do not realise this. They see movement ideas online, they want to add variet

Close up dragon eye symbolising sharp teaching focus and precise Pilates alignment awareness. Eye contact is one of the most effective tools a Pilates teacher has, yet it is rarely taught, practised, or even acknowledged. You can say ten cues in a row and still lose half the room, but one look at the right moment pulls a client back into their alignment, their breath, and their focus. It works because eye contact communicates presence. It tells the client that you see them, y

A thoughtful teacher reflecting on how experience shapes learning and the humility of mastery. After years of teaching, it’s easy to slip into certainty. You’ve seen hundreds of clients, corrected thousands of spines, and heard the same questions a hundred times. Yet somewhere in the comfort of experience hides a trap. It’s called the Dunning–Kruger effect. The Dunning–Kruger effect describes how people with little knowledge often overestimate their ability, while those with

Focused eccentric control as the springs support balanced, continuous movement through the Pilates method. Springs are the heart of the Pilates apparatus. They create a resistance that feels alive, unlike fixed weights. On the Reformer, the Cadillac, or any spring-based equipment, the goal is not to overpower the spring but to move with it. Romana once told me, “Fifty per cent of the work should be you and fifty per cent should be the springs.” That balance defines the method

A Pilates teacher stands in front of a focused group, guiding attentive students. Every Pilates teacher faces the same question: how many people in a class is too many? Logic tells you that the more participants, the harder it is to give each one real attention. Fewer clients usually mean better teaching, but the definition of a “group” depends on context. Within most national standards, a group  is defined as more than six participants . Anything six or fewer  is classed as

Detailed session notes reflect mindful teaching, ensuring every Pilates class remains purposeful and fresh. Teaching one-to-one Pilates sessions demands constant focus. When you work with the same client twice a week, the routine can easily become repetitive for both teacher and client. The challenge is to keep your teaching sharp, your mind alert, and your client inspired. Here are some ways to stay fresh and focused in your teaching. 1. Revisit the Basics Regularly: Even ex

Using the ball to challenge control, balance, and precision while maintaining alignment. Walk into most Pilates studios today and you...

A Pilates teacher guides precise Reformer leg work, focusing on control, strength, and alignment. One of the most overlooked ways to...

Bridging classical Pilates heritage with modern adaptations for today’s diverse bodies and lifestyles. Some things never change. Breath...

Observing subtle imbalances helps us retrain movement patterns, not just strengthen muscles. When a client moves, what are you really...

When your “creative” Pilates class turns into an escape room challenge on the reformer. This past weekend, as I scrolled through social...

Explore spinal articulation with Kneeling Cat on the Wunda Chair – precise, breath-led movement. Today’s featured movement is the...

A focused Pilates practitioner performs a deep Tendon Stretch variation on the Reformer. In a previous Movement Monday, we explored the...

Teacher supports client during Mermaid on the Chair, encouraging alignment, breath, and length through the spine. The Pilates Wunda Chair...

Less talking, more teaching: clear cueing creates focused, embodied movement in Pilates sessions. In Pilates sessions, cueing is one of...

A Pilates-inspired kitchen scene blending the six principles with wholesome movement ingredients. One of the things I always remind...

Visualising the power of mindset—train the brain like you train the body in Pilates As Pilates teachers we are trained to look at posture...

Activating the centre with control and alignment in the Wunda Chair footwork series. The Wunda Chair offers some of the most direct and...

Maintaining a fresh Pilates studio—cleaning a Reformer with a natural spray and cloth. As Pilates teachers, we aim to create an...