This April marked 100 years since Joseph Pilates arrived in New York. He and Clara opened their studio at 939 Eighth Avenue, in a building full of dancers, and taught there for the rest of their lives.
This month marks another anniversary. In October 2000, a federal judge in Manhattan ruled that "Pilates" was a generic term, like yoga or karate, and anyone could use the word. My teacher, Romana Kryzanowska, sat on the witness stand during that trial.
Twenty-six years later, you can see the result on just about every corner. Franchise chains have come to dominate the scene, and many of them now train their own teachers in-house. If you're new to all of this, it's confusing. Two studios can both call what they do Pilates and hand you completely different experiences.
I've been teaching for 30 years. I trained under Romana, who began studying with Joe in 1941 and later ran his New York studio. Every year I re-read his book, Return to Life Through Contrology, and every year I come back grateful for what this method has given me.
If you love the class you're taking, and it's working for you, wonderful. Keep going. If you've ever felt confused about what you're actually paying for, I want to start with what happened in that courtroom, because it explains a lot about where we are today.
"I teach Pilates"
The trial ran 11 days. Three of Joe's own students took the stand: Ron Fletcher, Kathy Grant and Romana.
Romana was called by the side trying to keep the trademark. The man who held it claimed his rights came through her. And when the attorney asked her what she did for a living, she answered the only way she could: "I teach Pilates."
Those three words helped sink the trademark. Trademark law protects brand names, and Romana had just described what she does for a living, the way a piano teacher would.
Over the course of her testimony, Romana named more than two dozen teachers who used the word to describe what they taught. She even mentioned that dancers called their warm-up "the Pilates," the way table tennis gets called ping pong. Then she told the judge that Joe "wanted all colleges mainly to have this exercise program because he thoroughly believed in it and thought it would be good for the human race and even children in schools."
That last line is the one I keep coming back to. Joe wanted his work in every school and every home he could reach. Romana's loyalty in that courtroom was to the work itself, and I've tried to carry that into my own teaching ever since.
The flip side is what we live with now. Once the name belonged to everyone, it could be attached to anything.
So what is Pilates?
In 1945, Joe put his method into a slim book called Return to Life Through Contrology. He tells you right up front what it is: "Contrology is complete coordination of body, mind, and spirit."
Then he lays out how you get there, in two stages. First you consciously take control of your own body. Then, through the right kind of repetition, that control sinks below the surface until it runs on its own, with the same natural rhythm as your breathing or your walk.
He was specific about the payoff. He promised the work would even out your body and correct your posture, and that your mind would come along for the ride. He even prescribed a dose: four sessions a week for three months.
Joe believed the brain benefits as much as the body. As you learn to wake up muscles that have been asleep for years, he wrote, you wake up the parts of the brain that run them. I see it every week in my studio, when a client finally feels a muscle she didn't know she had and her whole face changes.
When new students ask, I tell them this. Pilates is the science of learning to move your body with intelligent control, until that control becomes attention-free. You give the work your full attention in the session so that out in your life, your body moves well on its own.
Two things called Pilates
In 2026 we're well past the old debates about classical, contemporary, traditional and authentic. The real line runs between a movement system with its own philosophy and a fitness-style Reformer class. Both can be good for you. They're different things, and you deserve to know which one you're buying.
Reps. The Pilates method puts quality first, usually 3 to 5 reps. A fitness-style Reformer class goes for volume, with reps until you burn. Exercises. The Pilates method follows Joe's repertoire, with specific exercises done in a specific order so each one prepares your body for the next. A fitness-style class often mixes in moves borrowed from the gym, barre or HIIT, and the lineup changes from class to class. Equipment. The Pilates method uses the full system: Mat, Reformer, Cadillac, Wunda Chair, Barrels, and more. A fitness-style class primarily uses the Reformer. Session size. Pilates sessions are private or small group, so the teacher can see you. Fitness-style classes tend to be large. Focus. Pilates is mindful movement you carry into your day. A fitness-style class is a high-energy workout set to music.
An exception worth naming: a Mat class is the heart of the method, and Joe intended it to be done on its own, at home, every day.
In the '80s, when the fitness industry was in its infancy, we beat our bodies up with mega reps until we felt the burn. A lot of people got hurt, and I thought we'd learned our lesson. Then barre classes came along with the same basic model, and now it's showing up on Reformers.
I don't get it, except that the people in those classes tend to have young, resilient bodies that can absorb it for a while. Your body at 50 or 80 needs a way of moving that respects it, and Pilates was designed to serve you through every decade of your life.
Room at the table for everyone
I'm thrilled that more people are exercising, and there's plenty of room for every kind of studio. A franchise class that gets someone off the couch three times a week is a good thing.
I also believe an educated public is good for all of us. When people understand what they're paying for, they make better choices, and the whole profession earns more trust. That's an invitation for studio owners and teachers of every background to talk honestly with clients about what their classes offer.
This is a big reason I serve on the board of the National Pilates Certification Program. The NPCP is the only NCCA-accredited Pilates credential in the United States and internationally (at this time), and it gives the profession one shared minimum standard of education, regardless of lineage or studio model. When teacher training happens in-house, a common credential lets the public compare. If you're choosing a teacher, asking whether they're NPCP certified is a simple place to start.
Sources
The History of Pilates, National Pilates Certification Program
The Pilates Lawsuit, Balanced Body
Gordon Troy and the Trademark Lawsuit, Pilates Anytime
Pilates, Inc. v. Current Concepts, Inc., court opinion, CourtListener
This article was originally written for and published on Pilatesology.com. I'm sharing it here because the conversation it started is one I want to keep going.
Your certificate arrives, and something shifts. You trained hard, learned the material, and can teach a session. But here’s what the best teacher trainers will tell you: your training is a floor, not a ceiling. It gives you the foundation to stand on. What you build from there — over years of real bodies, real sessions, real problems — is entirely up to you. Most seasoned educators will tell you it takes a good five years of consistent practice before teaching stops being something you do and starts being something you are.
And yet our industry has a habit of treating certification as the destination. We celebrate graduation, hand over the certificate, and send new teachers out into the world without a roadmap for what comes next. That gap has always existed — but it’s wider now than ever.
The erosion of supervised teaching experience
The rise of online teacher training platforms has made entry into the profession more accessible than ever. But accessibility has come with a quiet trade-off. Many of these platforms have reduced — or in some cases eliminated — the accountability structures around the in-person component of training. And in Pilates education, that component isn’t optional. It’s foundational.
There is simply no substitute for supervised teaching experience. Being in the room with a qualified teacher trainer or supervising instructor who can watch you move, watch you teach, and give you immediate, specific, technical feedback — that is where real learning happens. Hours logged are not the same as hours truly supervised. There’s a significant difference between a teacher who completed their training and a teacher who was genuinely seen, corrected, and challenged throughout it.
That gap may not be obvious to you at first. But it shows up — in the uncertainty of not knowing what you’re looking at when a real body is in front of you, in the reliance on cueing scripts instead of genuine observation, in the feeling that something is missing even when you can’t name it. The good news is that it can be addressed. It just requires intentionality — and knowing where to look.
The landscape is richer than you think
Post-certification pathways exist. They’re just not well signposted. Here’s how to think about them:
Credentialing is the clearest professional benchmark we have. The NPCP certification signals a serious commitment to the field, and the continuing education requirements built into maintaining it create a built-in structure for your ongoing growth. If you haven’t explored it, it’s worth a serious look.
Post-graduate programs, bridge intensives, and extended study with seasoned teachers are where some of the most transformative learning happens. Programs like those offered through Vintage Pilates, The Pilates Center in Boulder, Mejo Wiggin, my own Advanced Seminar, and others create the kind of immersive, apparatus-focused, supervised experience that cannot be replicated on a screen. These aren’t just workshops — they’re structured deep dives with teachers whose knowledge lives in their hands and eyes. If your original training left gaps, these are the places to fill them.
Continuing education workshops have their place too — but approach them strategically. The question isn’t how many hours you’re accumulating. It’s what you’re specifically trying to develop, and whether this experience actually addresses it.
Digital resources — the distinction that matters
Not all online platforms are created equal — and criticizing the erosion of supervised teaching experience is not the same as dismissing the value of digital learning resources.
There is a profound difference between an online platform that replaces your in-person training experience and one that enriches and extends your ongoing development as a teacher. Pilatesology is a perfect example of the latter. The depth and breadth of teachers, lineages, and knowledge that the Pilatesology platform has gathered and preserved over the years is genuinely extraordinary — a resource that no single studio or training program could replicate. Watching a master teacher work, returning to the same video at a different stage of your career, and seeing something entirely new — that is a legitimate and valuable part of your continuing education.
The question to ask of any digital resource is simply this: is it replacing the irreplaceable, or is it adding something that couldn’t exist otherwise? The answer tells you everything you need to know about how to use it.
The peer-to-peer layer most teachers skip
One of the most underused tools for your growth costs the least: your colleagues. Observation exchanges, study groups, video review with a trusted peer — these create a kind of accountability and honest reflection that solo practice never will. There’s a real difference between talking about your teaching and actually looking at it together. Think of it as a teaching date — equal parts revealing, inspiring, and energizing. It’s one of the best-kept secrets in professional development, and the teachers who do it can’t imagine going back. Grab a colleague or two, pick a session, and see what you discover. You might be surprised how much fun it is.
Mentorship in both directions
Here's where I want to slow down, because there's a genuine misunderstanding in our community about what mentorship actually is.
Mentorship is not advanced teacher training. It's not taking more classes or finding someone to give you the answers. It's a relationship built around inquiry, reflection, and growth that unfolds over time. A true mentor doesn't fix your teaching. They help you see it. If you feel those gaps, especially if your training was light on supervised hours, finding an experienced mentor for one-on-one work can be the single most impactful investment you make. Not another workshop. Not another credential. A relationship.
But there's a second direction to mentorship that most teachers never consider: learning to be a mentor yourself.
The skills are learnable. Developing them deepens your own teaching in ways that are hard to get anywhere else — and they open a distinct professional chapter, whether you're a studio owner building staff, a teacher trainer expanding your range, or an experienced teacher ready to play a bigger role in this field.
Before going further, it's worth separating three things we keep conflating. Technical feedback is the clearest: correction, placement, precision. Teaching feedback is harder — it requires someone to watch you in the room and help you see what they see. Most teachers have never been on the receiving end of it. After graduation, feedback on teaching tends to stop; what continues is feedback on technique. Mentorship is different in kind. The mentor's job is to stay curious about where you're headed long enough to ask the question that gets you there — not hand over the answer.
We train teachers to work with clients. We don't train experienced teachers to develop other teachers. That gap is where I want to put my energy.
Thursday, June 18. Zoom. 5:00 PM EST / 2:00 PM PT / 11:00 PM CET.
Mentorship as a Skill: A Conversation for Experienced Teachers
Register even if you can't make it live — the recording goes to everyone who signs up.
This is an open conversation. Come ready to think out loud. Whether you're stepping into a new role or just feel the pull toward something you haven't named yet.
In January 2027, Handspring Publishing will release my book Pilates Handbook: Tools for Developing Your Skills as a Teacher — a practical guide to self-assessment, peer feedback, and mentorship as an ongoing practice, for teachers across every Pilates tradition.
Have you ever found yourself feeling unsure about the deeper meaning behind the Pilates work? As if there are some big secrets that no one has ever shared with you? If so, you are not alone. Many Pilates teachers have experienced this same sentiment, craving a deeper understanding of the work they offer to their clients.
You know there is still so much more to learn, but you're not quite sure about what to do next. The constant pursuit of knowledge and growth is a characteristic that great teachers have in common. Feeling curious and eager to discover more about the thought process behind super-effective Pilates sessions is okay.
Attending workshops and gathering information is a great way to expand your knowledge, but it can be difficult to incorporate all that you've learned in a way that feels right to you. It's important not to get discouraged. Many teachers have faced similar challenges and have found ways to integrate new information into their teaching practice effectively.
One common fear that many Pilates teachers face is the fear of judgment. Teaching is a vulnerable profession, and it's natural to feel worried about how you teach and what you teach. However, it's important to remember that true growth comes from stepping out of your comfort zone and embracing the possibility of making mistakes. Great teachers not only face their fears but also do it anyway.
Feedback is crucial for any teacher or practitioner to grow and improve. It's disheartening when you've not received feedback on your effectiveness since your training. You're left wondering if you're on the right track or if there are areas that need improvement. Remember that you are not alone in this journey. Seeking feedback from mentors, peers, or even your students can provide valuable insights into your teaching and help you identify areas for growth.
Feeling lonely and burned out from teaching is a common phenomenon. The responsibility of being a Pilates teacher can sometimes be overwhelming, and it's important to prioritize your own well-being and personal development. Great teachers understand the importance of self-awareness, self-care, and continuous personal growth.
Now, let's talk about the next steps you can take as a Pilates teacher to find clarity and further your career. It's time to refocus your Pilates career and prioritize your personal development. This means setting aside dedicated time to reflect on your teaching values, your ideal as a teacher, and your vision for growth. Consider using a self-assessment tool to identify your strengths and weaknesses as a teacher. This will help you better understand where you need assistance and guidance to overcome your blind spots.
One of the ways to accelerate your growth as a Pilates teacher is by finding a mentor. Many times, people confuse the role of a mentor with that of a teacher trainer. While a teacher trainer focuses on imparting knowledge and skills specific to Pilates instruction, a mentor goes beyond that. A mentor guides and supports you in the technical aspects of teaching and your personal and professional development. They help you move towards your goals, beyond trends, towards clarity, and ultimately inspire and empower you to become the best version of yourself.
So, if you're still wondering if a Pilates mentorship is the right step for you, consider how it can benefit you in moving towards your goals, giving you clarity, and guiding you into the future. Embrace the idea of lifelong learning and self-improvement to ensure that you continue to develop as a Pilates teacher.
Remember, you are not alone in this journey. Many great teachers have faced similar challenges and have found their way toward clarity, growth, and fulfillment in their careers. Take the next step, prioritize your personal development, and embrace the support and guidance that is available to you. Your journey as a Pilates teacher is just beginning, and endless possibilities await you.
Since the early 1990's, even as the Pilates field has expanded and grown, our ability to reach back into our collective history has been stymied by Sean Gallagher and Richtone. Joe Pilates was far ahead of his time, and there is still much to discover about his method and insights. This is why it is so important that our community retain access to historical documents. Moreover, as Pilates practitioners, we must preserve our right to refer to the founder of the Pilates Method, not just in words, but in images.
We need your help! Come together to help affirm in a court of law that Sean Gallagher and Richtone have no rightful claim to own the visual materials depicting Joe and/or Clara Pilates and/or reference Pilates exercises.
We have a unique moment right now to defend our history. In 2000, our community united to defend the word Pilates for all of us to use- and we won! Help us finish this fight!
Get your NPCP CECs..... relax and learn at your own pace!
Evolving Pilates Perspectives
These three workshops are collectively called Evolving Pilates Perspectives. Watch all three, take the assessment, and submit to the email on the assessment form to receive 14 NPCP CEC's. Each workshop is broken down into 2-hour sessions to make viewing easier. The topics include:
1. The Lost Art of Sitting, Standing, and Squatting
Are any of these statements true for you?