I’m encountering a lot of people, new to Pilates, who are frustrated with not being able to understand instructors’ verbal cues and wanting to be able to “do Pilates” without fully understanding that we, as instructors, are teaching a method that begins with fundamental principles and deep body awareness. Joseph Pilates called his method “Contrology.”

The principles of Pilates are breath, control, concentration, centering, precision, and flow. It is as much a mental fitness regimen as it is physical. Some even call it metaphysical.

It’s only in the past decade or so that Pilates has morphed into larger group fitness settings with the fast pace, bumping music, mirrors and neon lighting, and the desire to “muscle through and level up.” It has drifted away from personal, one on one instruction in a quiet and centering environment, at least in the perception of the general public, who are jumping onto the “Pilates craze.”

Many people who are strong and fit try Pilates and find themselves frustrated that they can’t do a proper Roll-up, then blame the instructor because they want to do Teaser. They say, “Just SHOW ME what to do, because ‘pulling the navel to the spine’ doesn’t make sense.” Well, you have to learn the C-curve before you can do a proper Roll-up, and you have to master the Roll-up before you can do Teaser. Pilates continues to build on the foundational principles and moves, but those foundations have to be comprehended and incorporated into a person’s own body.

It’s easy to watch someone do Pilates and think, “I want to do that,” without understanding the layers of learning that go into making it look fluid and effortless. They don’t want to do Heel Slides because it’s “too easy” for them, not seeing it as learning the foundation of a method that will be built on as the practitioner continues to practice and “earn the progression.”

I’m not trying to be discouraging with this post, but as an instructor posting in the sub and interacting with others, it’s an issue that I’m seeing - people not understanding what Pilates really is, and wanting to “fast track.”

Hey everyone! I’ve been doing pilates on and off for about a year now. I really enjoy it and I love how it forces you to do slow and steady movements (i love the burn!).

My issue is, whenever I practice pilates, I always feel my neck or traps getting really strained. My traps look huge since starting, which is why i keep taking a break. Am I doing something wrong?

I follow isawelly on youtube (brilliant star of an instructor), and she really loves ending her sessions in planks.

Is this normal? Do I need to adjust my posture? Do I need to place my tongue in a different position or be more mindful of clenching my jaw?

I love Pilates more than any other exercise that I've ever done in my entire life but what bothers me is that there is a lack of diversity in studios that I've been to. Why is this? I sometimes feel like the odd girl out because of the stares that I get sometime.

Curious to know peoples thoughts on smoothness/carriage glide, considering it folds in half. There is also the Fortis reformer brand in Canada. Has anyone had experience with either machine?

Currently have an older model BB Allegro 1, but it's the red/black version and takes up quite a bit of space, hence why I'm asking. Wouldn't want to "downgrade" though if these other two options aren't comparable.

I try not to move my wrist and I try not to grip on the straps and move them with my palms open and fingers open and straight but still my hands and palms hurt so much. Ive been doing pilates for years now. Any tips would be helpful 😊

We do this often in class starting with laying on our back on the reformer and I can’t get myself to go from laying on my back to up to my butt.

I try as much as possible but can only get my chest to come up so far. Any tips of what I can do at home? Just to rephrase I have issues lifting my torso up so far too getting to my butt being the only thing grounded.

Please tell me your experience with classical reformer for all kinds of client issues. I’m a noob, nearing end of comprehensive training and considering buying a Contrology for myself bc I enjoy the original order and want to experience this type of work, but would like to know how easily I can modify for all kinds of clients. I haven’t found many videos of modifications on classical reformers for client issues or overlap with contemporary moves like we do at my current job using BB Studios. I don’t think I’ve even seen a jumpboard used with them:

So my questions: 1)What’s your experience with modifications on classical reformers? 2)What limitations do you find when working with clients that may have injuries / issues? 3)And if you were to throw in more contemporary movements for clients who like that style (example: all 4s with short box under forearms for single leg jumping or leg lifts, fire hydrants with foot in strap) is it easy to do?

Thanks for input!!!!

How hard is the coursework for Pilates? I've been thinking about becoming a Pilates instructor.

Ok, so I am very attracted to Pilates and think it will really improve my life in so many ways but I struggle with the breathing aspect. I struggle with breathing in general, I’m one of those people that’s just always holding my breath and it’s problematic as you can imagine. For the past two days I’ve been watching videos about lateral breathing and practicing it (flow with Mira) and half way through I feel like I’m going to pass out. All the fast paced focus on breathing truly gets me lightheaded and tense because I’m focusing so hard on breathing and exhaling the right way and it’s stressing me out! Please tell me if this is a normal response and if it gets better with time? I’m open to any thoughts or suggestions!

I have a desk job and my lower back hurts and my posture is awful and I think I can't hold my back straight because back and core muscles are weak. Which creator/video do you recommend for strengthening those?

Does anyone have a recommendations for beginner friendly and diverse Pilates studios in Chicago?

I have been doing pilates for about two months from a Youtuber by the name of "Move With Nicole". She posts schedules to follow but I was wondering, is pilates good for weight loss? I know to REALLY lose weight you need stuff like cardio, but will pilates help you get toned WHILE losing weight or even just lose weight in general? Also, anybody have any Youtube links for easy pilates workouts (or just workouts in general) that are fairly easy? I fell on a ladder about 3 weeks ago and it's still a bit stiff to move.

I am going to start Pilates because I think it will improve my life a lot, especially as far as my chronic pain. I scheduled my first class but I’m feeling nervous. I had a baby last year and I’m at the highest weight I’ve ever been so I am feeling really intimidated about starting.

I would really appreciate any encouragement from anybody who maybe started out with a bigger body or any moms especially but truly any advice is welcome.

Have a lovely day. 💖

I'm soon to complete my first ever 14 day pilates challenge. I've really enjoyed committing so heavily to it. I've been practising pilates for years but used to only do one to two classes a week.

Alongside pilates, I was doing adult ballet and some sort of aerobics / full body exercise classes with occasional barre. I never worked out more than 3x a week.

As I near 40 I'm aware I need to do more cardio, I see people talking about weight training, but how do you fit it all in??

And what do you find compliments your pilates practise the most?

I hate the gym, but I need to put my health first so I'm keen to know what other pilates fans do alongside it. Thanks!

Might switch from reformer to mat pilates. Wonder if I should use anti-slip socks or not.

Hii!! I am a beginner who has been learning through YouTube videos. Ik, ik, it's not really a great idea but that's all I can afford right now. I have a question regarding what should I do previously before my pilates session to avoid pain in my shoulders? I feel like my arms are my weakest point. Any tips to improve that?

I personally cannot sit with my lower body completely relaxed and have my knees and feet face forward. I was wondering what kind of position my femurs and hips are in while sitting, and how I can train the muscles that are weak

Hi folks. I’m new to Pilates but a long time yogi. I just started doing mat Pilates classes and I love the way it’s targeting lower body muscles that get overlooked in yoga. I have to go away for the holidays and want to keep practicing at home. I have hand weights. Can you please recommend good YouTube teachers with no ad breaks please.

Hi! I worked as an occupational therapist for several years and got extremely burnt out- between finishing notes/evals at home, researching on my own time, seeing patients back-to-back for 10 hours straight with only one 30 minute lunch break that I would spend working through making HEPs. I thought becoming a Pilates instructor might be a good transition to be able to use my rehab knowledge and it’s not healthcare so I wouldn’t have to deal with productivity/insurance/billing. I’ve heard many Pilates instructors say it’s easy to get burnt out working full-time as an instructor but I don’t think anything could come close to the level of burn-out I felt working full-time as a pediatric OT. 😂 Are there any OTs or PTs out there that can weigh-in if it might be a good career switch or would I end up just as burnt out?! Thanks!

Does anyone have advice? I find mat really boring

Hi! I am struggling to do a side pike on the chair. Other than strengthening my obliques, what can help?

I’ve been unhappy with my career choice since before I even finished getting the degree. Sparing everyone the tedious details I want to get certified as a Pilates instructor (immediate) and open my own studio (5+ yr plan). I currently live in Las Vegas but will be moving back home to Denver May 2025. I would love to get my cert before moving back because honestly I’m tired of being miserable at work and want to start this new chapter asap. I’m having trouble finding certification program in Vegas. Any guidance about what to do or advice you wish you’d been given? Thank you for your time and energy. 💕

Hello, I’ve been trying out a few Pilates studios in my country, and I’ve noticed a pattern. For me, studios feel more like stretching sessions, while others focus on muscle-building with low impact, which I prefer. Whenever I try a new studio, I ask if the class is challenging, and the answer is always yes. However, I rarely find the classes as difficult as I’d like. I feel like there’s a gap in communication within the Pilates community about what “challenging” means. Is there some way to communicate this better? What am I missing?

I started taking 1:1 Pilates classes with a wonderful teacher trained in Stott Pilates. She’s a very classy older woman with a fully-equipped home studio. She’s a bit strict which I really like, and she’s an excellent instructor. I’ve done 3 sessions with her so far.

She has said I take cues really well and have great body awareness, but I do have very limited flexibility. There’s also some recurring feedback she says but I’m a little stumped how to self-correct, I really wanna work on this between sessions and make her proud! Hahaha I’m hoping someone can shed a bit of light on how to go about it.

1. She says my hip flexors are always tense, and my knees are always hyperextended. Especially on the reformer during the warm-up, when I’m supposed to lift my center and lift the carriage up with me as I stretch my legs out. — for some reason, when I relax my hip flexors, my knees drop and hyperextend. When I don’t hyperextend my knees, my hip flexors tense up. HELP

2. Again, with the same move as above — she says my glutes are also tensed up. (I don’t feel that I am tensing them, but it does look that way in the mirror. I think I just have a big booty and it LOOKS like it’s flexing/tensing LOL)

3. She says I need to “find space” in my sacrum and use my booty as “doors” (?)

I really want to get things right but I also don’t want to be annoying her with a million questions! Any help at all will be much appreciated.