Beyond the Choreography
What does progressive programming mean to you? We sat down with Senior Pilates educator and powerhouse teacher Sara Colquhoun to understand more deeply why what you teach matters.
"When you teach progressively, everything starts to click—not just for your clients, but for you as an instructor," says Sara, whose approach to Pilates programming has helped countless teachers evolve their craft. "Progressive programming is something I’m deeply passionate about because it opens up a completely different way of understanding movement. Instead of constantly creating something new, you get to deepen the experience—and that’s where the true magic happens."
At its core, progressive programming begins simply: "You build a base program anchored in key movement principles and clear categories that stay consistent over consecutive weeks," Sara explains. To take someone or a group on a progressive journey over several weeks, you need to be comfortable with repetition. Repetition is the foundational building block of effective progression. It allows the body to adapt, build strength, and develop awareness, setting the stage for gradual, sustainable advancements.
“Equally important, it gives you, as the teacher, space to explore deeper layers of movement
-not just choreography, but the flow of the carriage, the rhythm of breath, or the coordination of movement. It’s not about constantly creating something new, it’s about deepening the experience.”
When you teach this way, your own understanding of Pilates and movement principles begins to evolve. You’ll find yourself having lightbulb moments - both in your teaching and in your clients’ journeys - as everything starts to click and progress unfolds in a more meaningful and clear way,” she said.
This clarity stands in stark contrast to trend-chasing, where novelty often replaces intention. "One of the biggest pitfalls I see is classes losing purpose. When you’re constantly reinventing choreography, you stop developing your own understanding of why movements matter. Over time, this leads to burnout and high churn rates because clients don’t feel a clear pathway or sense of accomplishment," she says.
Instead, Sara believes progressive programming empowers instructors to guide clients through an experience that feels intentional and rewarding.
“Remember, most clients come for results, not just variety.”
As a teacher, you need to ask yourself: Why are people coming to Pilates? In my 22 years of teaching, I’ve never seen anyone write on their sign-up form, ‘I’m starting Pilates for creative flows.’
“It’s always the simple, effective movements that build strength and foster joint mobility clients need and want—and that’s what we as an industry must deliver if we want to stay relevant in the competitive fitness world,” said Sara.
In Sara’s view, you can still create a mixed-level group class that can be challenging without abandoning creativity.
“Firstly, you need to think about teaching a system rather than just variations.”
When you do this, you cultivate a loyal group of clients who understand and thrive on progression,” she explained.
“Starting with a clear system means that when new clients join at different levels, you can easily modify exercises by offering regressions or progressions within that framework. Everyone ends up doing their own version of the same movement, tailored to their body’s needs, while keeping the class moving seamlessly.
“On the other hand, introducing complicated choreography or very advanced positions in a mixed-level setting often leads to confusion and frustration. So, the best approach is to keep the class simple, effective, and outcome-focused, prioritizing movements that deliver clear benefits and can be scaled up or down.
“By focusing on progression within a clear system, teachers can successfully manage mixed-level groups while supporting every client’s individual journey,” she said.
“I also believe that educating clients on the value of progressive programming comes down to how you deliver the workout. As instructors,
“we have a powerful opportunity to subtly teach through our language and cues, guiding clients to appreciate their own journey and the results it brings.”
For example, you might say, “This week, we’re going to repeat the lower body movements from last session - see if you can progress your spring resistance for the first six reps or explore a deeper range of motion.” These gentle prompts plant the seed of progression and give clients a clear reference point to assess their own improvement.
“I also like to drop subtle hints about what’s coming next, like, “Next week, we’ll build on this exercise because you all did such an amazing job.” This not only motivates clients but also creates a sense of purpose and shared progress, making the journey feel intentional and rewarding.
“Sometimes, you need to take your instructor hat off and deliver your workout through a teaching lens —these are two different skill sets.”
In today’s Pilates world, mastering both is essential to truly connect with clients and help them understand the value behind every progression.
Sara’s progressive approach doesn’t just deliver results in the short term—it builds a lasting commitment. "In my 22 years of teaching, many clients have stayed with me for decades. One client, now 76, has progressed her strength this year beyond what I ever thought possible. We didn’t get there by constantly pushing harder every week. We know when to build and when to scale back into what I call ‘maintenance mode’ —simple, foundational movement that supports the next phase of progression. This is the same approach I take when teaching professional athletes every week because it works. Importantly,
progression doesn’t always mean heavier springs or more reps. It can be about skill, speed, endurance, or coordination,” she said.
“In my last studio, where we had hundreds of incredible clients and a large teaching team, one thing I consistently heard from my instructors was, ‘Sara, we can always tell which clients regularly come to your reformer classes - their strength and body awareness is a cut above.’ That wasn’t because I was doing anything extraordinary; it was because
I gave people space to learn, repeat, progress, maintain, and repeat again. That rhythm helped foster their body awareness and deepened their commitment to the practice,” she explained.
When it comes to instructor education, Sara believes many training organisations have a long way to go to support instructors towards more principle-based teaching.
“I believe many training organisations need to take greater responsibility for what they’re teaching new instructors. Too often, courses focus on choreography rather than the foundational movement principles. This leads to new teachers burning out within the first five years, as they constantly reinvent the wheel - treating their Pilates classes more like dance routines than intentional, outcome-driven sessions. That style of teaching isn’t sustainable,” she mentioned.
“That said, there are some fantastic initiatives happening, like The Pilates Journal Expo, which are helping to deepen teacher education and keep the conversation moving forward.
“It’s important to remember that Pilates was originally created as a system. I’m not suggesting that every teacher must deliver the exact original repertoire start to finish, but I firmly believe all teachers should know, practice, and understand the original system and its foundational movement principles. This knowledge ensures that any variations added are purposeful and truly beneficial for each client.
To ignore the origins of Pilates —and the incredible work of the first and second-generation teachers who have preserved and passed down this method - is, frankly, shortsighted.
Without their dedication, we wouldn’t have this extraordinary movement practice or our careers. So, regardless of your personal preference for the original work, respecting and understanding it is essential to teaching Pilates effectively today,” she said.
If Sara had one message for instructors for the future:
“In a time when Pilates is enjoying more mainstream attention, it's more important than ever to protect its integrity through structured and progressive programming. While group classes offer beautiful movement, without intentional spring choices and progressive sequencing rooted in Pilates principles, we risk losing the method’s ability to truly build strength.
“Just as in weight training, purposeful load and progression matter, not just flow. For teachers, especially those new to the field,
understanding why you program the way you do and what outcome that will deliver is essential.
It's this depth of knowledge and continued learning that transforms Pilates from a good workout into a lifelong practice for both client and teacher longevity,” she said.
“Purposeful programming builds lasting strength and longevity for both the client and the teacher. It’s what makes this work so meaningful—and why this approach matters now more than ever."
Sara Colquhoun has been immersed in Pilates for nearly 25 years, beginning her teaching journey at just 18 after falling in love with the practice as a teenager. What’s kept her inspired all these years isn’t just her personal passion - it’s witnessing how Pilates can truly transform lives. As a teacher trainer and mentor, Sara has supported thousands of instructors in gaining their qualifications and expanding their knowledge. Over the past decade, she has taken her work global, pioneering new ways to make quality Pilates education and movement accessible to everyone. In 2025, she’s launching her own app, Pilates Obsession, marking an exciting new chapter in her mission to share Pilates with the world.
"Pilates Obsession is a new app designed to meet you where you’re at - and take you further. Created by senior educator Sara Colquhoun, it delivers expertly structured Mat and Reformer programs that prioritise progression, performance, and real results. Whether you're building consistency in your own training or deepening your self-practice as an instructor, the app provides the structure and support to help you move with purpose. No fluff. No fillers. Just the workout you can’t quit."
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