Body Perfect Pilates

The Pilates elders were first-generation teachers who studied directly with Joseph Pilates, bringing his method into the modern era. Among them are - Eve Gentry, Carola Trier, Ron Fletcher, Romana Kryzanowska, Kathy Grant, Lo**ta San Miguel, and Jay Grimes. They embodied his work and dedicated their lives to teaching it. Many came from professional dance backgrounds.

Some elders became known for preserving the classical technique. Romana Kryzanowska and Jay Grimes, devoted themselves to maintaining the work as closely as possible to how it was taught in the original studio. Others upheld the same principles and methodology while expressing the work through their own understanding.

When I first started teaching Pilates I wanted to find out and meet some of these teachers. I have been lucky enough to train with Lo**ta Sam Miguel and meet Ron Fletcher and Kathy Grant. I have also trained with second generation teachers Alan Herdman and Deborah Lessen. Finding as much information about the route of this technique has always been important to me. ❤️

Well written article about comprehensively trained Pilates teachers and Reformer teachers. Training can be different, 600 hours compared to 30 hours.
The qualifications need to be defined more clearly for the public, it’s not about division it’s about transparency. Thank you Pilates Teacher Association -

As the Pilates Method of Exercise celebrates 100 years of practice, today the Pilates Teacher Association has released its Position Statement on Comprehensive Pilates and Reformer Fitness.
With Pilates continuing to grow globally and Reformer classes now among the most booked fitness sessions worldwide, greater clarity is needed for the public, health professionals, and the industry itself.
Our statement explains the important distinction between:
• Comprehensive Pilates taught by extensively trained teachers
• Reformer Fitness and other limited-scope fitness services using the name “Pilates”
This is not about division. It is about transparency, safety, professional standards, and informed choice.
We celebrate the growing popularity of movement on the Reformer — and we believe clarity protects both the public and the integrity of Joseph Pilates’ method.
Read the full statement here:

http://www.pilatesteacherassociation.org/2026/03/03/the-growth-of-pilates/

The growth of “Pilates – Pilates Teacher Association The global Pilates & yoga studios market size is projected to grow from USD 161.98 billion in 2024 to USD 430.87 billion by 2034, at a CAGR (compound annual growth rate) of 10.47% (reduced from 11.5% anticipated), according to a new report by Polaris Market Research.

Here are 3 things to look for when choosing a Pilates Studio.

1. Instructor Training - Instructors of the ‘True’ Pilates method created by Joseph Pilates will have been trained with reputable companies. You should be able to search for your instructor on a training providers website. If you can’t, chances are they aren’t certified. Instructor training should involved at least 600 hours of practice, teaching, observing with written and practical exams completed.
A ‘Comprehensive’ instructor is trained to teach beginner, intermediate and advanced exercises on ALL the Pilates apparatus including matwork. Yes, Joseph Pilates didn’t just create the ‘Reformer,’ there are other pieces of fantastic kit too!
Certified instructor will have to complete yearly CPD’s to uphold their certificate. That up to date certificate is used to gain public liability insurance. Don’t pay good money to instructors who do not have or maintain this!

2- Equipment - Joseph Pilates created the wonderful apparatus you see today. There are companies out there producing highly skilled, top quality machines making them safe and durable to use. Since top quality machines are also the most expensive, a Pilates studio that chooses them is not just looking to capitalise on Pilates’ growing popularity and is seeking to provide quality.

3 - The six basic principles of Pilates - centering, concentration, control, breathing, precision and flow are a good metric to assess the quality of any class you might take. In a big group class there’s lack of individualised attention, which increases the risk of injury and it doesn’t allow you to deepen your skills.

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Happy New Year! 🥳 Looking forward to welcoming you all back into the studio next week! ❤️

The past couple of months we’ve welcomed (well most of us have! 😆) the oov! Who’d have thought this small piece of apparatus could be so effective at working your core! Especially powerful when combined with the Combo Chair and CoreAlign this new addition is fantastic! ❤️Thank you to for the photos!

This year I have been teaching Pilates 25 years! 😁🙌🏻 Popularity in this method has increased so much over this time and it’s so great to see so many people doing it. I started out teaching mat work in gyms in Berkshire and Oxfordshire before starting my first Comprehensive teaching training in 1999 and my second with in 2004. My Pilates bestie Helena and I have done all of our training together and still meet up at courses and to practice and talk Pilates 😍 Thank you to all the clients that have come to sessions I wouldn’t be here without you!