The Rise of Reformer and the Risk of Dilution
Pilates is having a moment. Reformer studios are opening everywhere — sometimes faster than you can say “hundred”. This growth shows how much people value movement and wellbeing. Yet with popularity often comes dilution.
Like any booming industry, opportunities appear — and not all of them honour the integrity of the method. Some companies now offer weekend qualifications, and newly certified instructors open studios without proper mentorship or deep study of what Pilates truly requires.
Even experienced teachers can feel the pressure to join the “buzz” — to keep up with what’s trending on social media. Slowly, the practice risks losing its essence. The focus shifts from the body to the camera; from learning to performing.
When the Practice Loses Its Heart
At one point, I began to feel this shift within myself. I was losing love for the work — not because of Pilates itself, but because the practice was losing its point. The control, discipline, and purpose that first drew me in had begun to fade, replaced by trends and performance.
But whatever other forms of movement I explored, I found myself thinking: “Pilates would really help me with this.”
That was my reminder — I needed to go back to the source, to rediscover the method as it was originally intended.
Returning to the Roots of Pilates
So, I decided to retrain in classical Pilates — the system as Joseph Pilates himself created it. I reached out to a second-generation instructor whose work I had admired for years, and the experience has been nothing short of transformative.
This journey isn’t a quick fix or a business move. It’s an investment — in my growth as a teacher and in the well-being of my clients.
And it’s not about classical versus modern Pilates.
It’s about quality Pilates.
It’s about respect — for the body, the method, and the lineage.
It’s not about being rigid with the method either; it’s about truly understanding it.
Knowing why you do something — and why you might choose to adapt it — is what gives the practice integrity.
That’s what it has always been about for me.
Why Classical Matters Now More Than Ever
My modern Pilates training took over two years to complete, followed by continued education guided by exceptional teachers who shaped my understanding of movement.
So, this isn’t about taking something away — it’s about adding to it.
Each layer of learning enriches the next.
Now, as I dive deeper into the classical work, I feel grounded again.
Because Pilates takes time.
You must first feel it in your own body before you can truly teach it.
When you respect the method, the method respects you. 💛