Maria Leone: Always Evolving
Approaching 60 years old, Maria Leone is still asking questions.
Still refining.
Still evolving.
After decades in the Pilates industry, she remains as curious about the work as ever. But alongside that curiosity comes something else: a growing desire to help shape the next generation of teachers.
For Maria, teaching Pilates has never simply been about exercises or programming. It has always been about learning, mentorship and the responsibility that comes with passing knowledge forward.
That perspective was formed long before Pilates became a global phenomenon.
When Maria entered the profession, the industry looked very different. There were few studios, limited education pathways and no social media showcasing teachers from around the world. Learning happened through observation, repetition and time spent alongside experienced educators.
"There was no roadmap and very few places to turn," she says. "Most of my learning happened on the job through observation, critical thinking, trial and error, and time. It took many years to truly ripen as a teacher."
Those early years taught her that becoming a great teacher wasn't something achieved through a certification alone. It was a process of continual refinement, shaped by experience and by the people willing to share their knowledge.
The impact of mentorship became even clearer as Mariasought out some of the most respected educators in the Pilates world.
She recalls studying with Romana Kryzanowska as a pivotal moment.
"I only had the opportunity to have a few sessions with Romana in New York City, but she had a profound effect on me," Maria says.
"I was reminded that Pilates can and should be a physical, athletic workout. At that time, Pilates in Los Angeles had gotten very precious - lots of pre-Pilates exercises and light springs."
Later, working with Jillian Hessel expanded her understanding of anatomy and biomechanics.
"I had never met a teacher with such a deep understanding of the body, and I immediately knew I wanted to learn everything she knew," Maria says.
Then came Rael Isacowitz.
"His passion, artistry and command of the reformer were unlike anything I had experienced before," she says. "I still consider him one of the greatest Pilates teachers in the world."
Those experiences shaped not only the teacher Maria became, but also the mentor she strives to be today.
Looking back, they reinforced a belief she still holds strongly: great teachers are rarely built in isolation.
"I think the opportunity to apprentice and to have a mentor are two of the biggest factors in how quickly someone can grow into a skilled teacher," she says.
"Over the past three years of offering mentorship myself, I've realised that even a short but concentrated period of guidance can dramatically accelerate a teacher's skills, confidence and clarity about their career path."
While the format of mentorship may have changed, Maria believes its value has not.
Today's teachers have access to more information than any generation before them. Workshops, online education, coaching programs and social media have made learning more accessible than ever.
But Maria believes access to information should not be confused with mastery.
"Today's teachers have access to an incredible amount of information digitally through livestream workshops, online mentorship, coaching and educational platforms," she says.
"I think the teachers who will build lasting careers are the ones who continue investing in themselves, their education, their curiosity and their ability to truly teach rather than simply perform exercises."
She encourages emerging instructors to be intentional about who they learn from.
"It's important to look out for teachers that are the teacher you want to become," she says.
"Look carefully at someone's background, experience, lineage and body of work and make sure it truly aligns with what you are hoping to learn and become."
As Pilates continues to grow globally, Maria admits she has concerns about some of the industry's current direction.
"What I find surprising is that this movement tradition - passed down through generations - is now often being diluted into exercises that, at best, are simply interesting, and at worst can become dangerous on a reformer," she says.
"Somewhere along the way, Pilates shifted from being a calling, rooted in service and mentorship, into an industry increasingly driven by trends, aesthetics and business opportunities."
Yet despite those concerns, she remains optimistic.
Her optimism comes from the talented teachers she sees emerging throughout the industry and from the growing appetite for meaningful education.
But she believes long-term success still comes back to the same fundamentals that shaped her own career.
"If you want longevity and mastery in this field, it still requires apprenticeship, mentorship, hard work, curiosity and years of searching and refining your craft."
Now, as she enters her sixth decade, Maria finds herself reflecting not only on where she has been, but on what comes next.
"I am really trying to figure out how to be fully myself at the age of 60 in this industry," she says.
"As my body changes, I am trying to honour it rather than fight against it. That is not easy for someone from my generation."
At the same time, age has brought a level of confidence and clarity.
“My perspective has been shaped by more than three decades of teaching, learning, making mistakes and working with thousands of bodies. I know that people won’t always agree with me but my experience has earned me the right to have a point of view that can hopefully help other teachers make good decisions for themselves,” she said.
"One of the greatest pleasures at this stage of my career is recognising talent in others, nurturing it and helping shine a light on people who deserve to be seen," she says.
"If I can help others find depth, confidence and longevity in their own voice, then my work is done."
For Maria, that may be the true measure of a career in Pilates - not simply what you build yourself, but what you leave behind for others.
"Teaching movement has always felt like a calling to me, not simply a career," she says.
"It is something I will continue to do for as long as I possibly can."
Maria Leone, owner of Bodyline, the longest standing Pilates studio in Los Angeles, has been teaching Pilates for over 30 years. Her career includes certifying teachers with Balanced Body and her own continuing education program, The Bodyline Method. Maria is an internationally lauded teacher and has clients of all ages and backgrounds including pro surfer Maya Gabeira, and A-list actor Jennifer Aniston. Maria danced professionally, holds a black belt in tae kwon do, and has been a long-time devotee of yoga. She brings all these disciplines into the work she teaches along with her 30 years of passion for Pilates.