Pilates Students' Manual
Episodes
90 episodes
Pilates Class Tips
Over the years of teaching and taking classes, I've amassed some good advice and best practice for you in your Pilates class. Today I share my top tips for you to help make your Pilates class experience more comfortable and more successful. Fro...
Why Every Pilates Exercise Is A Core Exercise
Pilates is all about the core, but what does that really mean? Today we dive into Pilates as a system that moves the spine in all directions and works all major muscle groups to near fatigue. We explore Pilates exercises as full body movements ...
How Often Should You Do Pilates?
How many times a week should you do Pilates? Is once a week enough? Is every day too much? Tune in to hear what I recommend as a Pilates teacher and what the American College of Sports Medicine's physical activity guidelines have to say about t...
Why You Should Give Pilates A Second Chance
If you tried Pilates and didn't fall in love with it immediately, this episode is for you! Today we explore why you may have not continued Pilates after your first class, and some encouragement to give Pilates a second chance. I share some pers...
What Is A Pilates Body?
Have you heard the phrases "a more toned look" or "long and lean muscles" in Pilates marketing? They're talking about the "Pilates body," a mythical aesthetic favored by the post-promoting algorithms on social media. You might think that doing ...
Does Adding Springs Make Pilates Exercises Harder?
Have you ever done an exercise in your Pilates and thought about adding a spring to make the exercise a bit harder? Today we deep dive into how the springs on Pilates apparatus support and challenge us, the limitations of adding springs and all...
Season 5 Wrap Up
Today we're wrapping up 2022 and Season 5 of Pilates Students' Manual! I share some exciting news, the season stats, and a look forward to what's coming up in 2023! Check out the show notes for this season's stats and learn more about my upcomi...
Is It Still Working If I Don't Feel It?
Have you ever done an exercise in Pilates class and not felt it the way you thought you should, then thought you might be doing it wrong? I've been there, and I'm here to tell you feeling it is not a reliable indicator of success in Pilates. Tu...
Keeping Your Pilates Practice Fresh
When I first fell in love with Pilates, I wanted to do it all the time. As I continued my practice over the months and years, my enthusiasm for my practice has not always been consistent. This episode includes some strategies for keeping your P...
The Pilates Elders - Who Are They?
Today we introduce the Pilates Elders, the first generation of Pilates teachers and students of Joseph Pilates himself. I share mini bios of the Elders, what I know about them from reading biographies, taking classes with second generation teac...
Physical Activity Guidelines
What are the physical activity guidelines and why are they so important? Tune in to this episode to learn how your Pilates practice can help you meet them! I want to hear from you! Share your thoughts and follow the podcast on Instagram...
How To Get Better At Any Pilates Exercise
Looking to improve in your Pilates practice? Today we explore strategies for learning a new movement skill and how to break down an exercise into its strength, flexibility, and coordination components. Once you know what part of the exercise is...
A Closer Look At Teaser
Teaser is one of those "peak" exercises that can be really difficult to master, so let's break it down! Tune in to hear some of my favorite tips, tricks, and variations for this challenging mat and reformer exercise! I want to hear from...
Using Momentum In Pilates
Have you heard that using momentum in Pilates is cheating? Today we debunk this myth by exploring how integral momentum is in Pilates exercises. how momentum can make exercises more accessible, and how momentum can make exercises more challengi...
Returning To In Person Private Sessions
If you had private sessions in person at your home, but went virtual for COVID, this episode is for you. Today we explore a behind the scenes look at what your teacher might be juggling and important considerations to keep in mind if you're int...
Pilates Class Survival Guide
What do you need for your first Pilates class? Today's episode is a handy survival guide of tips and tricks to feeling comfortable and confident when you're new to Pilates. Tune in!I want to hear from you! Share your thoughts and ...
Why Pilates Works
Today we look at why Pilates works, what makes it so great, things to keep in mind when we think about Pilates, and I share some excellent news about Pilates and exercise! Tune in!I want to hear from you! Share your thoughts and follow ...
Season 4 Wrap Up
Today we're wrapping up Season 4 of Pilates Students' Manual! I look back on some of my favorite episodes of the season, and look forward to what's coming up in 2022! Check out the show notes for this season's stats!I want to hear from ...
Collaboration in Pilates
Pilates is not a one way street. There is a very important collaboration that happens between students and teachers that makes meeting expectations and achieving goals a team effort. Tune in to hear about how collaboration happens in both group...
Inversions in Pilates
Today is all about Pilates exercises that take us upside down. Tune in to hear some of the benefits of inversions, the mental and physical challenges they can entail, how to rise to those challenges, and my favorite ways to make inversions more...
Pilates and Strength Training
Today we discuss the strength training and Pilates. Strength training, also known as resistance training, is performing exercises that increase muscle strength and endurance with either body weight or external weights. Pilates is a form of stre...
How Your Pilates Teacher Can Help You
This episode looks at the scope of practice of a Pilates teacher. Understanding what your Pilates teacher can (and can't) do for you helps you to manage your expectations as a student and see how Pilates can fit into a bigger picture of health ...
All About the Pilates Reformer
Let's look at the Pilates reformer, what it is, what it does, and what the springs mean. I also share what you can expect in a reformer Pilates class if you are feeling a little hesitant about taking the leap and trying one. Tune in! I ...
Buying Pilates Equipment
I've bought a lot of Pilates equipment over the years, and most recently purchased a reformer. Today I share what I look for when purchasing equipment, what I take into account before buying something, and some of my recommendations for props a...
Shapes Your Spine Makes In Pilates
Today we look at the different shapes your spine makes in Pilates, including neutral, flexion, extension, lateral flexion, and rotation. Tune in to hear where these shapes appear in your Pilates classes, and why they are important for you...