Bodyline Pilates

Mat is the foundation for everything you do on the Reformer.

And here’s something clients are often surprised to discover: Mat can actually feel harder.

Why? Because on the Reformer, the equipment and springs can assist us and support some of our body weight. On the Mat, it’s all you—your body, gravity and control.

For teachers, Mat is also one of the most valuable tools you can have. It gives you the flexibility to teach anytime, anywhere, with almost no equipment. During COVID, Mat work was how many of us kept teaching and kept our businesses alive.

So invest in your certification wisely.

Schools come and go. Trends come and go. Instagram popularity comes and goes. There is no substitute for experience, a proven educational system and master teachers who have spent decades doing this work.

Balanced Body education gives you a solid foundation—and from that foundation, you can choose what kind of Pilates teacher you want to become.

Build the foundation first. Then choose your lane.

Balanced Body Teacher Training
Mat 1- September 18-20
Reformer 1- October 2-4

Mat 2-October 16-18
Reformer 2- November 13-15

Mat 3- January 8-10
Reformer 3- December 11-13

When have you needed to pivot?

“So, so back to what I said, which is really, I love to move and I also feel like I could teach almost any movement if I had to, I would throw myself into it and learn it and be able to do it.”

I’ve made plenty of mistakes — and every one taught me something. That’s what mentorship means to me: I’ve been through it, and I’ve helped studio owners and teachers make the pivot. You don’t need a huge risk to change course. Just start, and don’t give up.

I joined The Pilates Journal to talk experience, philosophy, and where this industry is headed. Check out my story for link.

UPCOMING Balanced Body Teacher Training
Mvmt. Principles - Aug. 28-30 *join today*
Mat 1 - Sept. 18-20
Reformer 1 - Oct. 2-4
Mat 2 - Oct. 16-18
Ref 2 -Nov. 13-15
Ref 3 - Dec 11-13

PILATES JOURNAL EXPO - Miami 2026

You see the differences. Now are you confident enough to teach Tendon Stretch? What are your go to cues to help clients maintain their shape? Props? Visuals? If you want to learn how to help you and your clients build skills and awareness, you need to take Movement Principles this weekend. You can join in studio or virtually. This course is made for brand new or seasoned instructors.

UPCOMING Balanced Body Teacher Training
Mvmt. Principles - Aug. 28-30 *TOMORROW*
Mat 1 - Sept. 18-20
Reformer 1 - Oct. 2-4
Mat 2 - Oct. 16-18
Ref 2 -Nov. 13-15
Ref 3 - Dec 11-13

PILATES JOURNAL EXPO - Miami 2026

It doesn’t really matter what exercises you’re teaching—or how you’re teaching them—if you’re not creating overload.

And if you’re not overloading, you have to recognize that you’re not training strength that day.

I notice this in myself. I’ll often stop just shy of taking a muscle to true fatigue—and my clients will often cajole me to do exactly the same thing when I’m training them.

But if the goal is strength, at some point the work has to become hard enough that the body is forced to adapt.

We need to remind ourselves of that—and educate our clients while we’re at it.

Today in Pro Class, I will teach you Joe’s traditional Knee Stretch Series. One of the series of movements that takes the legs to overload.

Did you know you can livestream Pro Class with us? If you can’t attend live, you’ll receive the Zoom recording.

Link in bio.

Balanced Body Teacher Training at Bodyline

Movement Principles — August 28–30
Mat 1 — September 18–20
Reformer 1 — October 2–4
Mat 2 — October 16–18
Reformer 2 — November 13–15
Reformer 3 — December 11–13
Mat 3 — January 8–10

What happens when a classical Pilates teacher tries contemporary Pilates?

I honestly can’t imagine only teaching—or moving—specific exercises in specific ways. A lot of people assume I’m a classical teacher. I’m not.

I’m deeply rooted in Joseph Pilates’ work, but I teach many different kinds of movement on a reformer exploring set ups, springs and choreography.

Since asking all of you to help me Map Pilates, I’m beginning to see this as one of the defining characteristics of the contemporary lane: a willingness to explore.

Contemporary teachers often take deep dives into classical Pilates while also exploring strength, mobility, different equipment and new approaches to movement.

Classical Pilates has a different priority: preserving a specific repertoire, order, equipment and aesthetic.

And then there’s this teacher. Itsy Itsaree R

She identifies as classical, is an absolutely beautiful mover, and it was such a pleasure watching her step outside her usual lane. She was downright joyful exploring movement she doesn’t normally do.

That’s what made me want to ask more questions.

Classical teachers, help us define your Pilates Lane:
Do you prefer equipment with leather straps and shoulder blocks?
Do you believe all Reformer springs should have the same tension?
How closely do you follow the traditional order?
And how large a group would you personally consider teaching?

Tag a classical teacher you admire and ask them to weigh in.

The goal isn’t to decide which lane is better. It’s to understand what actually defines each one.

Balanced Body Teacher Training at Bodyline

Movement Principles — August 28–30
Mat 1 — September 18–20
Reformer 1 — October 2–4
Mat 2 — October 16–18
Reformer 2 — November 13–15
Reformer 3 — December 11–14
Mat 3 — January 8–10

Hands-on teaching can be powerful. It can also make things much more complicated.

One of my roles in the Pilates industry is serving as an expert witness in injury cases, and cases often become much murkier when a teacher was using their hands to manipulate a client’s body.

Touch can be an incredibly effective teaching tool—but it should never replace a client’s own movement or take away their sense of control.

And injury isn’t the only consideration.

I’ve had teachers use their hands on me far too aggressively. I’ve also experienced touch that, while probably well-intentioned, made me uncomfortable. After giving birth, I was particularly self-conscious about my abdomen, and having a teacher repeatedly place their hands there completely changed how I felt during the session.

We don’t always know what someone brings into the room with them.

That’s why I believe a well-trained teacher needs more than one way to communicate. You should be able to cue verbally, demonstrate visually, and use tactile cueing thoughtfully and appropriately.

Your hands should be one tool in your teaching toolbox—not the tool you depend on.

Teacher training isn’t simply about learning exercises. It’s about learning how to teach another human being.

Balanced Body Teacher Training at Bodyline

Movement Principles — August 28–30
Mat 1 — September 18–20
Reformer 1 — October 2–4
Mat 2 — October 16–18
Reformer 2 — November 13–15
Reformer 3 — December 11–13
Mat 3 — January 8–10

LET’S MAP PILATES. Which lane are you in?

There’s a lot of confusion in our industry right now. Almost anything done on a Reformer can be called Pilates—and maybe instead of arguing about what is and isn’t Pilates, we need a better way to describe the different ways this work is being taught.

So let’s call it all Pilates—and map the different lanes.

But I don’t want to decide what those lanes are. I want us to do it together.

If we don’t define our own industry, who will do it for us?

So Pilates teachers, I need your help:

What lane are you in?

Give your lane a name and describe it in one sentence.

Then tag another teacher who teaches in a similar style and ask them to do the same.

Put it all in the comments below. I’ll be reading your answers, sharing some of them, and using your input as we start building the map together.

Let’s Map Pilates.

Thank you for being part of this.

Pro Class is genuinely the highlight of my week. Many of you show up every single Wednesday without fail — I have new students diving into advanced work for the first time, professional movers flying in from all over the world, all in one room. It’s become one of my favorite ways to stay connected to this community, and I wanted to share the class to hopefully inspire you to get on the reformer and join me wherever you are. If you want more behind-the-scenes, business advice, my honest thoughts on the industry, plus occasional discounts and occasional free Pro Classes codes, my IG subscription is $4.99/month. AND I’ll be at the Pilates Journal in Miami Sept 12–13, come find me and say hi, would genuinely love to meet you.

—> UPCOMING Balanced Body Teacher Training
In studio/online (must have equipment). *Ref 3 in studio only*
Mvmt. Principles - Aug. 28-30
Mat 1 - Sept. 18-20
Reformer 1 - Oct. 2-4
Mat 2 - Oct. 16-18
Ref 2 -Nov. 13-15
Ref 3 - Dec 11-13

…………….

No matter your training, your teacher, your lineage — we can all agree: Stomach Massage is not a fan favorite with clients. But some teachers seem to love it on their body. Me some so much. Honestly, the setup is awkward. The why isn’t obvious. I only teach this if it is requested and that’s usually rare. So why do we keep teaching it? What’s the actual point.
Educators — I want your take.

Hunter and Miku are demonstrating this very well. They both have professional dance backgrounds and are able to handle deep range of motion. They make this look easy but it ain’t. You can take privates and group classes with them in studio or virtually.

UPCOMING Balanced Body Teacher Training
Mvmt. Principles - Aug. 28-30
Mat 1 - Sept. 18-20
Reformer 1 - Oct. 2-4
Mat 2 - Oct. 16-18
Ref 2 -Nov. 13-15
Ref 3 - Dec 11-13

PILATES JOURNAL EXPO - Miami 2026

How many springs is too many? How few is too few?

The answer is: what’s your intention?

Springs aren’t just settings. They’re load.

If my goal is control, mobility, balance or learning a new movement, I may choose less resistance.

But if my intention is building strength, that changes the conversation.

To build strength, at some point we need overload. Your client needs to work against enough resistance that the final repetitions are genuinely challenging and approaching muscular failure.

Sometimes we get so accustomed to our favorite spring settings that we stop asking whether they’re actually challenging the person in front of us.

But there’s another piece every Pilates teacher should know:

What was the traditional spring setting for the exercise?

Know the original intention. Understand what changing the springs does to the exercise. Then make an educated decision based on the body—and the goal—in front of you.

So before you ask, “How many springs?”

Ask: “What am I trying to accomplish?”

Join me for BALANCED BODY Teacher Training
LIVESTREAM and in studio

Movement Principles- August 28-30
Mat 1- September 18-20
Mat 2- October 16-18
Mat 3- January 8-10

Reformer 1- October 2-4
Reformer 2- November 13-15
Reformer 3-December 11-13 in studio only