Pilates Elephants

Almost all of us foam-roll the ITB and tell clients it's tight. Here's a richer picture, built from the anatomy: the ITB is a thickening of the fascia that wraps your whole thigh, it behaves as both tendon and ligament, it helps stabilise and lock your knee, and it backs up your ACL, contributing an estimated 13 to 40 percent of the resistance to your shin sliding forward. Which raises a question...

Here's how we know humans are antifragile: Yoga is pretty dang safe here But if you REALLY want a safe sport, take up breakdancing here (no, seriously!) Or Crossfit here Knees going in during a squat or lunge doesn't predict injury here Plus here are my TWO episodes looking at this topic here and here But what DOES predict injury: Having weak hamstrings here Having a weak barbell squat here Doing...

This is a live lecture I gave for the Diploma of Clinical Pilates. You can download the PDF lecture notes here: https://breathe-edu-downloads.s3.amazonaws.com/Diploma%202024%20Neck%20pathology.pdf You can watch this on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/igS35wdGQU8 Mentioned in this episode: Done-for-you client acquisition: This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: AdBarker -...

Research paper cited in this episode: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11970409/ Mentioned in this episode: Done-for-you client acquisition: This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: AdBarker - https://adbarker.com/privacy

This is my conversation with Nathan on his podcast, which you'll probably love if you like Pilates Elephants. Nathan's podcast is her: https://open.spotify.com/show/24md12qTQmTIYULyzGXmzT Mentioned in this episode: Done-for-you client acquisition: This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: AdBarker - https://adbarker.com/privacy

Train instructors faster by focusing on “good enough to start” , not perfection. Most studio owners overwhelm new instructors by trying to teach everything upfront. This slows learning and reduces confidence. Instead: Define the minimum skill set needed to teach one class competently Give instructors a clear, repeatable “recipe” (exact class plan) Have them practice and teach the same class repeat...

Studio owners often think they need a new trend, new machine, or new offer to stand out. In this episode, Raphael and Heath argue the opposite. They explain why the studios that win are not the ones chasing novelty. They are the ones with a clear style, a consistent client experience, and a team that delivers the same standard every time. They also unpack the difference between running a food hall...

This lecture was delivered live for our Diploma of Clinical Pilates. You'll also find it as a video on YouTube if you want to see the visuals. Here's the YouTube link: https://youtu.be/UATwStlLVWI Mentioned in this episode: Done-for-you client acquisition: This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: AdBarker - https://adbarker.com/privacy

Short answer - mostly not. But in a few cases, yes. I delve into a better way to think about contrainidications, and working with people with pain, injury and chronic conditions. Links: Brinjikji et al. 2015a - disc bulge is highly prevalent in pain-free people here Brinjikji et al. 2015b - disc bulge is slightly MORE prevalent in people with back pain here Painful exercises are slightly BETTER th...

Why I don't believe there is a better definition of a good instructor than a full class of strong clients. Mentioned in this episode: Done-for-you client acquisition: This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: AdBarker - https://adbarker.com/privacy

This is for instructors AND studio owners. It's the exact troubleshooting process I use to help studio owners fill their classes - based on the best practices of 100+ studios I've seen the numbers for, and what's working right now for the 30+ studios I currently work with. Mentioned in this episode: Done-for-you client acquisition: This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:...

Many Pilates instructors make the same mistake when introducing an exercise: they give too much information. Instead of helping clients move, long explanations overwhelm them and nothing sticks. In this episode, we explore the difference between explaining and teaching , and why fewer, simpler cues often lead to better movement and faster learning. If you want clients to actually do the exercise w...

While we can adapt Pilates to the laws of physiology, we cannot change the definition of technical words like "strength" just to fit a specific teaching style or Pilates philosophy. Mentioned in this episode: Done-for-you client acquisition: This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: AdBarker - https://adbarker.com/privacy

Nathan makes the case that instructors should take 100% responsibility for filling our classes. If our attendance is low,we should see that as a personal indicator that something in the experience or connection is missing. Mentioned in this episode: Done-for-you client acquisition: This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: AdBarker - https://adbarker.com/privacy

A common mistake is assuming that two Pilates exercises are the same just because they look identical. However, the actual "exercise" depends on where the load and force are being applied. Nerd out with us. Mentioned in this episode: Done-for-you client acquisition: This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: AdBarker - https://adbarker.com/privacy

Studios hire Pilates instructors to fill classes with happy clients. If your instructors' classes are not full, by definition are not good at their job - yet. As a studio owner, it's your job to help them become good! Mentioned in this episode: Done-for-you client acquisition: This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: AdBarker - https://adbarker.com/privacy

Every Pilates exercise trains strength, range of motion, and skill. We explore how to progress your clients intelligently by adjusting one dimension at a time to build capacity, clarity, and confidence in movement. Mentioned in this episode: Done-for-you client acquisition: This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: AdBarker - https://adbarker.com/privacy

Special shout out to Adam McAtee for this post Citations in these episodes: ep 278 Does Pilates strengthen your little muscles? ep 216 Why knowing which muscles are working in a movement is a waste of time ep 160 Can we even feel muscles activating? Mentioned in this episode: Done-for-you client acquisition: This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: AdBarker - https://adba...

Dallas Noerdlinger (Core Pilates, Oklahoma City) shares why she sold 50% of her studio during pregnancy, what changed in the business and culture, and how she bought it back. We talk boutique vs franchise positioning, keeping instructors happy, managing owner overwhelm, and the “unlimited membership” + waitlist problem—plus practical fixes for capacity, pricing, and schedule structure. Mentioned i...

The most useful kind of body awareness is mostly unconscious and automatic control, like a cat. This is built through practice, not narration. Links: Glute activation drills increase perception but not actual glute activation here Episode 160 "Can we even feel muscles activating?" here Mentioned in this episode: Done-for-you client acquisition: This podcast uses the following third-party services...

Studies mentioned in this episode: 2025 longitudinal study finds text neck is not associated with future neck pain here 2023 systematic review of interventions for neck pain finds strengthening works here 2017 Chen et al. systematic review finds neck strengthening is the most effective intervention for workplace neck pain - more effective than posture or ergonomic advice here Mentioned in this epi...

Your clients don’t skip Pilates because they don’t care. They skip because the system asks them to do work they don’t have the capacity for. In this short episode, Raphael shares: Why flexibility often reduces attendance The paradox of overwhelm: needing structure but lacking the bandwidth to create it How studios unintentionally design for no-shows and drop-off A simple shift from “choice” to “de...

What do flamingo, arms in straps and knee pulls have in common? They look different. They feel different. They’re secretly doing the exact same thing . Mentioned in this episode: Done-for-you client acquisition: This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: AdBarker - https://adbarker.com/privacy

A Pilates cue goes off the rails and exposes everything we get wrong about “perfect form.” Expect heresy, biomechanics, and a very small grape that ruins neutral forever. Mentioned in this episode: Done-for-you client acquisition: This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: AdBarker - https://adbarker.com/privacy

How much Pilates do you need to do to get stronger? Probably less than you think! Mentioned in this episode: Done-for-you client acquisition: This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: AdBarker - https://adbarker.com/privacy