Pilates Elephants

Five months ago, Brian Darsie opened the doors to his Pilates studio. He had never taught a group Pilates class outside his certification course. Since then, he’s taken a two-week holiday, and last month, he hit $30k revenue and $16k profit—all without working insane hours. In this episode, Brian shares the mindset shifts, pricing strategies, and simple systems that helped him grow fast without bu...

You’ve heard it a thousand times: strength comes from control. But what if that’s only half true? In this episode, we challenge the dogma, unpack the nuance, and explore where real strength actually comes from—in Pilates and beyond. Connect with me on Instagram : @the_raphaelbender Connect with Heath on Instagram : @contrologycollective Download a free course guide: Pilates Certification Teaching...

Natalie shares how she navigated fear, self-doubt, and career pivots—and what made the difference. If you’re thinking about change, this is how to do it right. And some pitfalls to avoid! Connect with me on Instagram : @the_raphaelbender Connect with Natalie on Instagram : @nataliewilsonpilates Download a free course guide: Pilates Certification Teaching Mastery Program Mentioned in this episode:...

In this episode, Raphael talks with Natalie—a Pilates instructor who faced her fears, took imperfect action, and built a new life teaching Pilates. They explore: Why waiting to feel “ready” holds so many people back. How Natalie pushed through fear, self-doubt, and imposter syndrome. What it really looks like to take the leap while still feeling scared. The power of trusting the process, even when...

In this episode, Raphael and Nicole cut through the noise around strength training—and explain why it’s way simpler than most Pilates instructors think.  They break down: Why you don’t need to chase “the burn,” perfect form, or sore muscles. What actually creates strength gains (hint: it’s not magic or mystery). The 5 key adaptations that happen when you get stronger. How to know if you’re liftin...

Charisma isn’t magic—it’s a skill you can practice. In this episode, we break down the four elements of charisma—technical expertise, body language, vocal tone, and emotional intelligence—and how each one helps you connect, lead, and inspire. Whether you’re naturally introverted or born with “resting Zen face,” this episode will teach you to be magnetic. Connect with me on Instagram : @the_raphael...

Not sure what to do when a client shares a diagnosis with you at the start of class? Here’s the simple framework to stay calm, take action, and lead like a pro. Summary: Raphael and Natalie break down simple, actionable strategies for Pilates instructors when faced with unknown client conditions moments before class. Learn how to stay calm, ask the right questions, simplify your programming, and e...

Heath and Raph unpack why good form isn’t always desirable. They break down the difference between skill and strength training, explain when “ugly” movement signals progress, and share how to program smarter by revisiting exercises with different loads. A must-listen for Pilates instructors who want results. Connect with me on Instagram : @the_raphaelbender Connect with Heathon Instagram : @contro...

Still saying “engage your core” or “axial elongation”? In this episode, Raphael and Natalie break down why so many Pilates cues are confusing, ineffective—or just made up. Learn what makes a cue actually work and how to stop sounding like a Pilates thesaurus. Connect with me on Instagram : @the_raphaelbender Connect with Natalie on Instagram: @ nataliewilsonpilates Download a free course guide: Pi...

Most of us were trained to teach using outdated methods designed for boutique studios in the ‘90s. But tonight it's 2025 and Pilates is different now. In this episode, we unpack why group teaching feels so hard — and why it’s not your fault . You don’t need more confidence. You need the right tools. Whether you’re teaching 6 or 16, this convo with Heath Lander will show you how to teach large grou...

A client fell off a reformer—and Instagram exploded. Raph and Natalie unpack what really causes falls, why blame isn’t helpful, and how instructors can prevent injuries without turning class into a snoozefest. Expect practical teaching tips, clear cueing advice, and no-punches-pulled commentary. See the IG post that sparked this episode here: https://www.instagram.com/share/__WA9aFjk Connect with...

This episode is Part 2 of a live lecture I gave for our Diploma students at Breathe Education — and it picks up where last week’s episode left off. If you haven’t listened to Part 1 yet, go back and do that first. It covers all the foundational concepts about what strength actually is, and how it works in the body. This episode builds on those ideas and will make way more sense once you’ve got tha...

This episode is a recording of a live lecture I gave on the Physiology of Strength Training for our Diploma students at Breathe Education. If you want it to actually make sense — and go deep — I highly recommend downloading the PDF lecture notes and following along while you listen. Download the notes here : https://breathe-edu-downloads.s3.amazonaws.com/Diploma%202024%20Physiology%20of%20strength...

I think there are 2 incorrect assumptions that lead people to the mistaken idea that isolation exercises are useful - they're not. I break down those beliefs, make the case for using simple compound movements, and share the top 6 movements I use with clients (and myself). Connect with me on Instagram : @the_raphaelbender Download a free course guide: Pilates Certification Mentioned in this episode...

I think we go about this all wrong in Pilates. In this episode, I share my (non-legally binding) thoughts. Connect with me on Instagram : @the_raphaelbender Download a free course guide: Pilates Certification Mentioned in this episode: Done-for-you client acquisition: This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: AdBarker - https://adbarker.com/privacy

These are the strategies I used in my own studio, and that I use with my coaching clients to increase profits quickly. Enjoy. Connect with me on Instagram : @the_raphaelbender Download a free course guide: Pilates Certification Mentioned in this episode: Done-for-you client acquisition: This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: AdBarker - https://adbarker.com/privacy

In this episode, we break down the key research on hypermobility and scoliosis, cutting through myths and weak evidence. Learn how hypermobility affects pain sensitivity, the real relationship between scoliosis and back pain, and why most exercise studies for scoliosis are low-quality. If you’re a movement professional or just curious about the science, this episode is for you. What we'll cover: W...

Probably everything you were taught in your certification about back pain is wrong. Lifting heavy doesn’t wreck your spine. “Bad posture” isn’t the cause. Avoiding movement? That’s likely making things worse. In this episode, we break down the myth that spinal load and “incorrect movement” cause low back pain. We’ll cover: Why research shows no strong link between lifting and chronic back pain. Th...

This is what we've learned over a decade and a half of building a successful business with amazing people - how to attract the exact right people - the answer might surprise you! Read about Breathe Education Culture here: https://breathe-education.com/culture/ Connect with me on Instagram : @the_raphaelbender Download a free course guide: Pilates Certification Visualized Anatomy Mentioned in this...

In this episode, I share my thoughts on why we should spend less time on fine details, and more time on working our clients through range, under load, with control. Connect with me on Instagram : @the_raphaelbender Download a free course guide: Pilates Certification Visualized Anatomy Mentioned in this episode: Done-for-you client acquisition: This podcast uses the following third-party services f...

Why are we still hanging on to the idea of neutral spine in the Pilates world? It's not even part of Pilates, and it's certainly not science-based. Plus, it's just plain illogical. Resources mentioned in the episode: You can bias lower abs from upper abs by doing posterior pelvic tilt vs ab curl  here People with LBP lift with LESS flexion in their lumbar spine  here There was low-qualit...

In this episode, Raphael Bender chats with Bernadett Gazsi, a Dallas-based Pilates instructor who transitioned her business online to help moms overcome back pain. Bernadett shares: • How her clinical Pilates education ignited her purpose. • Strategies for building a remote business while moving across continents. • Insights into high-touch client care, group sessions, and fostering progress. • Le...

I talk through a recent study looking at whether strict form gives better results from exercise. Resources mentioned in the episode: Read the paper cited in the episode here Connect with me on Instagram : @the_raphaelbender Download a free course guide: Pilates Certification Visualized Anatomy Mentioned in this episode: Done-for-you client acquisition: This podcast uses the following third-party s...

Can you reduce activation of one muscle, by increasing activation of another? Find out in this episode. Resources mentioned in the episode: Read the paper cited in this episode here . Connect with me on Instagram : @the_raphaelbender Download a free course guide: Pilates Certification Visualized Anatomy Mentioned in this episode: Done-for-you client acquisition: This podcast uses the following thi...

You can watch this episode on YouTube here Free workshop on how to track these KPIs plus a free Google Sheet here Connect with me on Instagram : @the_raphaelbender Download a free course guide: Pilates Certification Visualized Anatomy Mentioned in this episode: Done-for-you client acquisition: This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: AdBarker - https://adbarker.com/privac...