Pilates Elephants

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:Get 1:1 coaching with me to grow your studioThis 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:Get 1:1 coaching with me to grow your studioThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: AdBarker - https://adbarker.com/privacy

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 well, this mindset shift is essential.Mentioned in this episode:Get 1:1 coaching with me to grow your studioThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: AdBarker - https://adbarker.com/privacy

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:Get 1:1 coaching with me to grow your studioGet 1:1 coaching with me to grow your studioThis 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:Get 1:1 coaching with me to grow your studioThis 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:Get 1:1 coaching with me to grow your studioGet 1:1 coaching with me to grow your studioThis 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:Get 1:1 coaching with me to grow your studioGet 1:1 coaching with me to grow your studioThis 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:Get 1:1 coaching with me to grow your studioGet 1:1 coaching with me to grow your studioThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: AdBarker - https://adbarker.com/privacy

Special shout out to Adam McAtee for this postCitations 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 timeep 160 Can we even feel muscles activating?Mentioned in this episode:Get 1:1 coaching with me to grow your studioGet 1:1 coaching with me to grow your studioThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: AdBarker - https://adbarker.com/privacy

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 in this episode:Get 1:1 coaching with me to grow your studioGet 1:1 coaching with me to grow your studioThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: AdBarker - https://adbarker.com/privacy

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 hereEpisode 160 "Can we even feel muscles activating?" hereMentioned in this episode:Get 1:1 coaching with me to grow your studioGet 1:1 coaching with me to grow your studioThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: AdBarker - https://adbarker.com/privacy

Studies mentioned in this episode:2025 longitudinal study finds text neck is not associated with future neck pain here2023 systematic review of interventions for neck pain finds strengthening works here2017 Chen et al. systematic review finds neck strengthening is the most effective intervention for workplace neck pain - more effective than posture or ergonomic advice hereMentioned in this episode:Get 1:1 coaching with me to grow your studioGet 1:1 coaching with me to grow your studioThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: AdBarker - https://adbarker.com/privacy

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 attendanceThe paradox of overwhelm: needing structure but lacking the bandwidth to create itHow studios unintentionally design for no-shows and drop-offA simple shift from “choice” to “default” that increases consistency and retentionIf your clients say they “don’t have time”, this episode explains what’s really happening and how to fix it.Mentioned in this episode:Get 1:1 coaching with me to grow your studioGet 1:1 coaching with me to grow your studioThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: AdBarker - https://adbarker.com/privacy

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:Get 1:1 coaching with me to grow your studioGet 1:1 coaching with me to grow your studioThis 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:Get 1:1 coaching with me to grow your studioGet 1:1 coaching with me to grow your studioThis 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:Get 1:1 coaching with me to grow your studioGet 1:1 coaching with me to grow your studioThis podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: AdBarker - https://adbarker.com/privacy