The Pioneer Behind BASI Pilates

The rise of Pilates in the mid-80s was no coincidence, with several individuals emerging around the same time, at a point when few understood what Pilates was or its potential benefits for the body. 

At the time aerobics was the big focus. Pumping weights was the norm, running was in style, yoga was gaining momentum and injuries were on the rise.

Back then women again dominated the industry but men also came to Pilates classes if they had incidentally come across it.

Clients came from a range of backgrounds often dancers and often those who had experienced back pain or injuries and didn’t know where to turn. Sound familiar?

It was early 1989 that Rael Isacowitz arrived in Australia. He had been living in London where he was teaching both dance and Pilates. Rael’s background had included graduating from the Wingate Institute of Physical Education in Israel, later also serving on the faculty, and completing his master’s degree in Dance Studies at the University of Surrey, England.

“The first person I worked with in Australia was Alan Menezes. Alan had a thriving studio in Sydney, and he invited me to offer a few workshops. Around that time, I was also invited by the McDonald College of Performing Arts to teach a master class in contemporary dance,” Rael described.

Alan Menezes, who had opened the first Pilates studio in Australia in 1986, had trained under Alan Herdman in the UK, where Pilates was still in its infancy. “At the time, there were only three studios in the whole of Europe—all in London. Group floor classes didn’t exist—just studios with equipment,” Alan recalled.

Alan's efforts laid the groundwork for Pilates in Australia. Inspired by this foundation, Rael quickly recognised the potential to expand the practice further. “After teaching a masterclass, McDonald College kindly offered me an excellent position directing the modern dance department. My only stipulation was that I would teach Pilates matwork to all the students and that I open a small Pilates studio in the college. My intention was for it to serve the students. They were very receptive. The studio soon became popular among dancers, athletes, physios, osteopaths, and people going through rehab,” Rael explained.

“The studio, a converted classroom, became a hub of activity. I was particularly interested in the research aspect of the work and creating a confluence of multidisciplinary care. It was a vibrant and exciting time.”

“Among the people that to came study with me were Megan Williams and her partner musician Ian Moss, and later Sally Anderson, Shauna Hall, and an array of Pilates professionals. Others came to make my acquaintance like Craig Phillips. Among the dancers that I remember were several from Sydney Dance Company and the Australian Ballet, including Fiona Tonkin. I also worked with basketball players from the Sydney Kings, notably Damien Keogh and Tim Morrisey, and several football players from the Balmain Tigers.

“Equipment was difficult to come by. I did not want the college to have to purchase equipment and I personally had a very limited budget. So, I had all my Pilates equipment custom-built. I received precise dimensions from my colleagues in London and purchased an early Reformer from Craig. At the time, I believe Balanced Body, then known as Current Concepts, was already supplying equipment in Australia, but again, it was very difficult to get, and was cost prohibitive. Pilates was not well known and certainly the craftsmen I found to build the equipment had never heard of it. However, it was gaining recognition in the dance world, which is the reason the McDonald College—particularly Margaret Markham—was so enthusiastic about integrating it into the curriculum. I her for her open-mindedness and vision,” Rael continued to explain.

For Rael, his initial focus at McDonald College was on corrective work for his students. “While my focus in the studio was on the corrective nature of the work, I believed strongly that all the dancers should be doing the matwork. So, the matwork became a staple just like daily dance technique classes. The corrective aspect also allowed me to meet some excellent physios and doctors, among them Graham Vankan and Jenny McConnel from Cumberland College,” said Rael.

“In this college setting, Pilates was used as a form of conditioning and cross training for the dance students. Although Pilates in some circles was considered “dance-like” or ‘ballet-like’ we knew Pilates could be the answer to so much more.

“I was in a unique position. Since I was working within the college environment, I did not need to think of commercial success, which was a very fortunate and privileged situation to be in. I gave regular lecture demonstrations that were very well attended by a diverse group of people including parents, students, dancers and dance teachers, physios, doctors, osteopaths, and the like. Being new to Australia, I have always appreciated Alan coming to one of the lecture demonstrations and speaking graciously of me and my qualifications. This meant a lot to me.

“At that time it seemed like these lecture/demonstrations served as a meeting ground for discussion and learning. I felt like the whole Pilates community was working together. It was so profound. Australia was ripe for something like Pilates despite it being somewhat on the fringes. It was also feeding my drive for more research and development in this little-known industry,” said Rael.

“Pilates in Australia grew rapidly, and I was immensely grateful to be a part of this growth. It was a significant chapter in my career and taught me so much. It was also the birthplace of BASI (Body Arts and Science International) Pilates teacher training program,” said Rael.

“In the first group of student teachers I had three people from very different backgrounds. An actress (Megan Williams), a dancer and a physio, the latter two from the USA. Megan Williams and Sally Anderson continued working closely with me. They were both incredibly open-minded and passionate about the work and had a strong desire to learn. Between Sally and Megan, they kept my work going in Australia long after I left,” he recalls.

After two or so years of contributing to the development and growth of Pilates in Australia, Rael was invited to the USA as a guest artist and while there he was presented with new opportunities. In 1991 Rael left for the US. “Even though I had moved to the US, I was coming back to Australia quite regularly in the early 1990s and working with many of the early Pilates teachers in Australia. My workshop retreats on South Stradbroke Island were exceptionally well attended. I was also fortunate that Megan and Sally came to the USA to spend time with me.  Sally in fact, worked in the studio with me for several months. She then became the first BASI Faculty, together with Kristi Cooper from Pilates Anytime, to teach the BASI Teacher Training Program outside of me,” he said.

“It was the retreats though where I saw the real growth in people’s understanding of the method and what it could do for them. They were profound and inspirational, plus a lot of fun.”

As Rael’s journey in Australia came to a close, it marked not just the end of an era but the beginning of a global movement. The seeds planted by pioneers like Alan Menezes and Rael Isacowitz had taken root, and Pilates was on the cusp of a transformation that would see it grow from a niche practice into a worldwide phenomenon.

Rael’s time in Australia was formative, not just for him but for the entire Pilates community. His time in Australia laid the groundwork for what would become BASI Pilates, a program that continues to flourish and influence the practice of Pilates globally. The collaboration, open-mindedness, and passion of the early Australian Pilates teachers was instrumental in carrying the torch forward.

The 1990s brought challenges, including the legal battles over the Pilates trademark that created divisions in the industry. Yet, this period also solidified the resolve of those committed to the true essence of the method. Despite these trials, the spirit of innovation and dedication that characterised the early days in Australia endured.

In the USA Rael continued to study and collaborate with legendary figures like Kathy Stanford Grant, Romana Kryzanowska, Eve Gentry, and Ron Fletcher, further expanding his knowledge and impacting the Pilates world.

Rael’s journey is one of resilience, collaboration, and passion. It’s a story of how a few visionary individuals recognised the potential of a practice that was virtually unknown at the time and nurtured it into a thriving community. As Rael moved on to new horizons, the legacy he left behind in Australia continued to grow, shaping the lives of countless practitioners and setting the stage for the next generation of Pilates teachers and enthusiasts.

In many ways, the journey Rael began in Australia was just the beginning—both for him and for Pilates as a whole. And while his path took him across the globe, the impact of those early years in Australia remains a cornerstone of his legacy, a testament to the power of vision, dedication, and the unyielding belief in the potential of Pilates to change lives.

Rael Isacowitz is one of the most prominent names in the Pilates world and has been a Pilates teacher for over 4 decades. Rael holds a Bachelor of Education from the Wingate Institute, Israel, and a Master of Arts in Dance from the University of Surrey, England. In 1989 Rael founded BASI® (Body Arts and Science International) Pilates, a comprehensive Pilates education organization spanning the globe.

Rael is the author of two highly acclaimed Pilates books, Pilates and Pilates Anatomy (Human Kinetics); the latter co-authored with Karen Clippinger. He spearheaded the development of BASI Interactive software and designed the original concepts for BASI Systems® Pilates equipment. Rael studied from, and taught with, luminaries of the Pilates world including several of the Pilates Elders, among them Kathy Stanford Grant, who Rael regards as his greatest teacher and mentor. In 2022 he was inducted into the PMA Legacy Circle in recognition of his contribution to the Pilates industry.