Championing Change

Its only taken nearly sixty years after Joseph Pilates death, but the method that bears his name is truly a worldwide phenomenon. Seen in almost every major city, Pilates seems to be having its moment to shine. It’s a great time to be a Pilates teacher as demand for classes seems to be growing almost exponentially. And this growth is not without its own complex issues and growing pains.

For some in Pilates-land such growth, particularly in the last decade, has been somewhat startling. Large group Reformer and Wunda Chair classes. Classes via streaming platforms. Classes via Zoom. Franchises and multi-national chains. Neon and music. These sits juxtaposed to the small private studios, 1-on-1 sessions, and clinical small group training which for many were the norm. It is not unusual for these different styles to come into conflict with each other.

But zoom out and you see that with such a worldwide spread of an idea there is an inevitability of change, of adaption, that occurs. It’s part of human nature but it’s also endemic to the history of Pilates. Practically baked in. The practice of Pilates is an evolution of Contrology. Joseph Pilates created his method based off exercises he found useful from the turnvereins and inspired by the physical culturalists of the day and put his own spin on it, his own style. It was and still is Contrology. The teachers that came after Joseph, even those that were trained by him, put their own spin, their own style on things. They came up with new movements, new adaptations, and new ideas on how to bring his work to more people. This adaptation of Contrology is what we call Pilates. The notion that Pilates has always been the same and should be taught a certain way obscures the reality, either accidentally or deliberately, that it has gone through decades of alterations, thousands of permutations and additions and subtractions.

As more and more folk experience and teach the various styles we get more and more variations, permutations, and options. This is not inherently bad or wrong. It fits into the idea of exploration and creativity, adapting for individuals and communities. These differences should be celebrated and not shunned.

Interestingly we can draw parallel experiences from the world of business. A catchphrase in business, the term ‘silo’ and implies a part or department within a business is protected or quarantined from new ideas, carrying on working the way it wants to. Although it may seem like a good tactic to have part or all a business in a ‘silo’ it also can be a negative. No communication between different parts of a business leads to duplication and lack of innovation, tying up resources and reducing morale. All things businesses actively try to avoid. They see that ‘silos’ hurt their bottom line and that communication between everyone helps everyone, improving productivity and outcomes. They spend time and resources to identify and remove ‘silos’ when and where they can.

But how does this relate to Pilates-land? Why would it be necessary to be on guard and identify potential ‘silos’? What’s the risk in walling things off and protecting a style? Or isolating and defending a single source. Because that's how we end up with gurus and cults.

The fitness and wellness industries are littered with examples of gurus breaking bad. Yoga has been an interesting case in point over the years with various styles relying heavily on the directions and instructions of charismatic individuals. What they say and what they do becomes THE way. Yoga ‘silos’ had formed. Followed by cadres of dedicated students these leaders and gurus end up abusing their power for all sorts of nefarious purposes. And despite the growing pile of evidence, followers of these gurus would still defend the actions of their leaders. From the various yoga ‘silos’, without meaning to, cults had formed. It is a slippery slope. So, to avoid guru-fication or the creation of cults its vital to identify ‘silos’ forming around us. Failing to do so, failing to break out of these ‘silos’ will end up leaving us trapped.

Pilates teacher training programs can play a vital role in preventing silos forming. Without them there are no teachers. No teachers mean no Pilates classes. And that is not good for anyone. But the tricky part is that teacher training programs often focus on one style or permutation and claim it is the best or the only way. This can lead us to little Pilates ‘silos’ popping up everywhere, in which anything new or different gets ejected or quarantined. But how can they possibly change? Perhaps instead of pushing one idea or version of Pilates as the 'true' version these teacher training programs could be embracing the idea of evolution. They could encourage teachers to explore their own voice, their own style. They could be embracing critical thinking skills and relying on evidence. They could focus more on how to teach people movement successfully. They could encourage questioning ideas and normalise citations. They could embrace trainee teachers exploring opinions and ideas from other sources. It brings us closer to shedding ideas that don't work or don't have evidence to support them. It allows us to shake off the weird pseudo-science stuff developed in the 19th century and drive us forward. It allows us to innovate and evolve.

It is this ability for change and adaptation that has enabled the practice of Pilates to survive and spread. Out of that little New York studio on 8th Avenue and beyond the shores of the US. Every teacher teaches in a way that best resonates with them. Students are drawn to the teacher that best works for them. All these differences make Pilates stronger, more inclusive, and supportive. But the challenge for Pilates going forward is to embrace these changes, to accept that evolution happens and to acknowledge that the scope of practice needs to assimilate different ideas and approaches lest it falls into an echo chamber or ‘silo’.

Requiring change to be driven by the teacher training schools should be seen as only one cog in the machine. A major force for change is the thousands of Pilates teachers already out there in the world simply making a connection with another teacher from a different style. Not necessarily to agree with everything they do but to grow an understanding of what and why they teach the way they do. Broadening the view and bringing more voices into the room. Only good can come out of offering more people a chair at the table.

Change is hard.
It can sometimes be really uncomfortable or downright painful.
But it will always happen.

Seeking help in overcoming cancer and spinal surgery that almost landed him in a wheelchair, he found Pilates and a new lease on life. A Pilates practitioner for over 20 years and a teacher for 17, his studio located in Canberra, Australia is a hive of activity and a destination for hundreds of students.    

You can view Dan’s book - A Pilates Journey: History Science Exercise - here.