With the boom of Pilates worldwide, particular in fitness reformer, the Pilates community will see many pros and cons as we all do.
Pilates was always taught as a complete system, and like it or not it is big business right now. Remember there is no black and white, we see things as we our, based on our belief system and conditioning.
Everyone should be able to express their views from their perspective. I recently carried out a study and here is some of the feedback I got back.
Constructive feedback helps us to improve and become better listeners. We can always grow by looking at the opposite point of view, that will challenge us.
Dislikes
‘That it is an industry.’
‘The lack of clarity of ‘types’ for the public to choose what meets their goals and the bigotry that exists between types , which also leads to very expensive equipment because it’s labelled Pilates!’
‘That everyone is a “master” delivering “master classes” in a ‘discipline’ that takes decades to “master”.’
‘Proprietorship. It’s disgusting.’
‘Inconsistencies, no one can define it correctly, the made up history that keeps being circulated as the gospel, and don’t get me started on the quality of teaching.’
I don’t hate anything…I’m concerned about stereotyping, ethical practices and lack of professional collaboration.’
‘People who talk about engaging ‘the right muscles’ People who who use ‘alignment’ and ‘safe’ in the same sentence. People who forget that Pilates is just exercise. In general The Pilates Police.’
‘Instructors who don’t know their anatomy and understand human movement properly. They create a “competitive fancy gym workout” out of it rather than focusing on the purpose of pilates.’
‘Cliquey nonsense/tribalism/gatekeeping.’
Likes
‘Nothing about the “industry” but I do love the Pilates system.’
‘That there are many instructors/teachers out there that support each other, share ideas, share concepts, and don’t judge.’
‘That this method has lasted almost 100 years and only now is science beginning to catch up with many of the concepts.’
‘I love helping people, whether that be those who gain a better condition in their bodies for themselves to live in or helping teachers grown and become better teachers and more excited about giving and sharing the gift of Pilates.’
‘It’s a gift that keeps on giving, you never get bored of if fully embracing the work.’
Conclusion
Everyone is doing what they think is right for them, with the existing tools in their toolbox.
As soon as we judge in life we create separation and segregation.
Problems and solutions will arise if we ask better questions and actually work on ourselves and our own practice.
