What I have unlearned from Pilates education experiences

What a ride has it been pursuing a Pilates profession since 2003. From the unkown to the fast growing industry as itself. Being touched by hands of the "elders" of the method, test diverse schools and equipment pursits. Listening the points of view of physios, coaches, and society tagging . And meeting teachers that I wanted to know for clear idea of how they are in person. Here you have a list of what I unlearned about this method and as a business. From myths, to ego grandeurs to marketing schemes, I believe that now is even more important to research more as a student and as a teacher to become. Curious about with which do you disagree. Open to discuss any time!

-Unlearn that Pilates machines are needed for moving people with less capabilities or with health conditions. / Absolutely not necessary, it's a plus in some cases, but anything can be done with just the body, purpose and creativity. That said I think they have a unique value as an extra input and limited period. More than anything, I think Joseph Pilates was a creative inventor, inspired in the happenings of his time in the world. Here a link if you want to read more about the apparatus history: https://rhinebeckpilates.com/pilates-apparatus-history/

-Unlearn that you need invest in all the equipment of the method as a system to change your business for the better/ Actually millions of people live healthy without knowing a Pi about Pilates or just a little bit. People surprises about the machines and the feeling behind them, but in many cases specially these days where Reformer is an overused word, are just a placebo. The real gift is with whom and what you learn with them. I definetly saw the benefit of learning Pilates as an system perspective, but that doesn't mean you can thrive just with the Mat.

-Unlearn that people's unbalances must be address in any case/ People's unbalances are normal until it hurts. And we Pilates teachers are not physios to address in such ways. If not cautious, you can create  obsession or negative self image. Health relies on your core believes, social interactions, nutrition, genetics, environment and  lifestyle.

-Unlearn that Pilates was advanced for its time / He wasn't, period. J. Pilates gave us his wonderful method of physical and mental conditioning, however some of his ideas were formed by the times and the Physical Culture Movement. I will do a full post about this before the year ends, but here I give you the heads up that The Physical Culture Movement (learn more here) was a health and fitness movement that began in Europe during the early 1800’s and having spread to England and the United states it reached its peak around the late 1800’s/early 1900’s (McKenzie, 2013). Fabricating solutions to make lives easier has been a constant and greatly emphasised during the Industrial Revolution and post wars periods. History shows us that apparatus are a commodity and not absolutely necessary to improve health.  Nor the concept of whole body health was new.

-Unlearn that touching your client more makes you look more knowledgable/ Guiding with the minimum touch is harder but the best for the individual's development. In this particular point, I realized how unconfortable and abrasive is for a student, to receive constant poking and unnecessary interaction. Thanks to some of the most renounced hands in the classical community,I stopped pursuing this kind to learning environment. Open a conversation, with guidelines and touch when is crucial for the main process is my constant goal.

-Unlearn that high ego in the room style cueing brings order in a group/ Being comfortable in a

circus performance environment where group observes to one's student example with teacher and ends up in applause. This was the constant in many workshops I took part, and you would be surprised of how many times this situation was related with a person that didn't need much cueing but looked seemengly graceful and flexible in most cases. Admiring teachers controlling a  group like hypnotized individuals or soldiers was another celebrated behaviour. Since 2020 I began to admire teachers that give freedom of rhythm and enjoy the silence when a group is focused. Kindness and make people be interested in what is happening in themselves more than besides or in front of them is my key point now.

-Lastly my most regrettable action: Not inquiring enough about Contrology's scientific proof of back pain and core relevance to health in my early years. Realizing how little relevance posture and core has over back pain was a big shocker. Also will dig into this point in another blog post.