The ‘Pilates Method’
The essence of the Pilates method lies in its focus on the key principles Joseph Pilates and his Elders emphasised: Centring, concentration, control, precision, breath, and flow, head, neck and pelvis placement. These principles are not merely guidelines, but the foundation of every exercise within the Pilates system. The method is about teaching the body to move more efficiently and effectively, with an emphasis on mind-body connection, ensuring that each movement is performed with intention and awareness.
Joseph Pilates developed his method to be adaptable and customisable to the individual, recognising that each person’s body and capabilities are unique.
Instructors trained in the Pilates method need to be skilled in observing the client and understanding these individual needs, in addition to teaching the repertoire effectively, allowing them to tailor exercises accordingly. This might involve regressing an exercise to its foundational components to focus on mastering these principles, then gradually reintegrating these elements to build back up to the complete exercise or repertoire. This approach ensures that the client develops the strength, flexibility, and control necessary to perform the exercises correctly, maximising the benefits of their Pilates practice.
The Pilates Repertoire
In contrast, the Pilates repertoire refers to the specific exercises developed by Joseph Pilates, encompassing a wide range of movements performed on the mat and various apparatuses like the Reformer, Cadillac, Wunda Chair and various Barrels. The repertoire includes exercises designed to stretch, strengthen, and balance the body, each with a specific purpose and benefit. However, the mere performance of these exercises without adherence to the Pilates method - that is; without the guiding principles that ensure each movement is executed with proper form, alignment, and intention, risks reducing the practice to a series of physical activities devoid of their full potential. It is possible for a Leg, Bums, and Tums Group Exercise teacher to select the same Repertoire and teach it with no reference to Pilates, and for the Pilates Instructor to teach the same Repertoire completely differently.
Pilates Method ensures each movement is executed with proper form, alignment, and intention
The Contrast Between Method and Repertoire
The distinction between the Pilates method and the Pilates repertoire is crucial, especially in the context of instruction and practice. Less experienced or inadequately trained instructors may focus predominantly on the repertoire - the 'what' - without sufficient emphasis on the 'how', the methodological principles that ensure the effectiveness of Pilates. This approach can lead to a superficial engagement with Pilates, where the depth, purpose, and benefits of the exercises are not achieved.
Instructors who embody and teach according to the ‘Pilates Method’, however, understand that the repertoire is a means to an end, not the end itself. The goal is not merely to perform a set of exercises, but to engage with these exercises in a way that reflects the core principles of Pilates. This ensures that clients not only achieve the physical benefits of Pilates, such as increased strength, flexibility, and improved posture, but also experience the holistic benefits, including enhanced mental focus, breath control, and a deepened mind-body connection.
Take Away for Pilates Studio Investors
Recognising the difference between the ‘Pilates Method’ and the Pilates Repertoire is clearly essential for practitioners and instructors but equally essential for Investors in Pilates Studios to ensure that Business Plans achieve goals through proper staff selection and in-house training. The Pilates Method is a comprehensive approach to movement and wellness that prioritises the principles Joseph Pilates established, focusing on the quality of movement rather than the complexity or quantity of exercise. The repertoire, while an integral part of the practice, serves as the vehicle through which the principles of the method are explored and mastered. Instructors who grasp this distinction can provide a Pilates experience that is not only physically rewarding but also deeply transformative, aligning with the original intent and spirit of Joseph Pilates’ own teaching.
Author: Chris Onslow - Pilates Consultant
Chris Onslow, has run Pilates focussed businesses since 1998. He and his team specialise in supporting Pilates entrepreneurs and business owners. With a rich history of owning and running successful Pilates studios in the UK, and supporting others in Europe and the Middle East, Chris has broad expertise in maximising profitability and optimising operational efficiency. His agency provides top-tier advice on selecting new, pre-owned, and hireable Pilates equipment from renowned brands such as Align-Pilates, Balanced Body or Stott-Pilates/Merrithew. As the founder of Mbodies Training Academy, Chris continues to revolutionise Pilates education, offering premier online and hybrid CPD and qualification courses for Pilates apparatus instruction and special population CPD. Discover more about how Chris can support your Pilates Business or home exercise choices at www.pilates-consultant.co.uk