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Pilates Is A Way Of Life

Shining light on Pilates truths, honoring Joseph Pilates, and supporting you in your Pilates journey.

Tags: pilates

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What Did Joseph Pilates Mean by “Elevates the Spirit”?

Last week, we talked about what happens when your mind becomes fully involved in moving your body.But Joseph Pilates didn't stop at body and mind.He included one more aspect. Spirit.He wrote that Contrology:“...invigorates the mind and elevates the spirit.”But what does it mean to elevate the spi...

by Joanna Telacka — Sep 03, 2026 balance body awarness body mind spirit contrology joseph pilates pilates pilates practice spirit

Pilates Is Physical. But Your Mind Has to Show Up Too.

There is a comment I still hear regularly:“Wow. There is so much to think about.”And every time I hear it, I think: “Yes. Now we are beginning to understand what practicing Pilates asks of us.” :)You most likely know by now that Pilates isn't supposed to be a workout you perform while your mind i...

by Joanna Telacka — Aug 27, 2026 body and mind breathing classical pilates classical pilates mat joseph pilates mat pelvis stability pilates practicing pilates quote shoulders video

Do You Know How To MEASURE Progress?

Learning Pilates is much like learning any skill you hope to understand, enjoy, and practice for many years. By now, you already know that it doesn't happen all at once. You don't simply "do" Pilates. You study it. 🙂 As you practice, you gradually develop the skills that allow you to perform each...

Jul 31, 2026 body awarness classical pilates movement skills pelvic stability pilates pilates fundamentals shoulder stability

The Question My Clients Kept Asking

When I first started teaching Pilates, I noticed a pattern.Nearly every client would ask me the same question:"What is this exercise for?"If we were doing Single Leg Circles, they wanted to know if it was strengthening their legs.If we were doing Arm Circles on the Reformer, they wanted to know i...

by Joanna Telacka — Jul 24, 2026 awarness body awarness body organization exercises learning movement movement movement patterns movement quality muscles pilates whole-body movement

Is Pilates Strength Training or the Foundation You Just Might Be Missing?

Strength training is important. But I meet many people who have tried to become stronger and ended up getting hurt. They start lifting weights, something begins to hurt, they stop, and conclude that strength training simply isn't for them. Can you relate? From my experience, oftentimes the proble...

by Joanna Telacka — Jul 17, 2026 footwork pilates reformer resistance training springs strength training weight lifting weights

If Pilates Isn't Teaching Exercises, What Is It Teaching? Part 2

Last week, I wrote about an exercise called Bicep Curls on the Reformer and how its purpose isn't really about strengthening the biceps at all. The movement of the arms is the action, but shoulder girdle stability is the skill being practiced. This week, let's look at Frog. While teaching it to a...

by Joanna Telacka — Jun 25, 2026 frog frog on reformer pelvic stability pilates reformer

Joseph Pilates Was Solving Modern Problems 80 Years Ago?

First a fun fact: What you and I call Pilates, he called Contrology. He outlined the art and science of Contrology in his two books: "Return to Life Through Contrology" and "Your Health". He wrote them last year… Just kidding 😊 He wrote them about 80 years ago, yet many of his observations sound ...

by Joanna Telacka — Jun 04, 2026 abdominal support body awarness body organization breathing contrology exercise flexibility hip mobility human body joseph pilates movement pilates shoulder mobility spinal mobility strength

Are Your Pilates Lessons Note-Worthy?

Have you ever walked out of your Pilates lesson feeling like you uncovered a golden nugget of knowledge? Maybe it was a phrase your teacher used that resonated with you, imagery that helped you understand a new movement you were learning, or connect to muscles you did not know you had. I certainl...

by Joanna Telacka — May 20, 2026 corrections cuing pilates pilates corrections pilates cuing pilates session

How to Make Your Pilates Lesson Stick

Have you ever walked out of your Pilates class feeling like you uncovered a golden nugget of knowledge? Maybe it was a phrase your teacher used that resonated with you, imagery that helped you understand a new movement you were learning, or connect to muscles you did not know you had. I certainl...

by Joanna Telacka — Nov 03, 2025 effective workout own your workout personalized exercises personalized pilates pilates pilates workout

What's the secret to feeling energized and calm at the same time?

During and after the Pilates workout? Breathing:) Of course. It is hard to believe that even the most dedicated Pilates students often struggle with one foundational skill: Breathing. Some hold their breath without realizing it.Some try to force their exhale like they are lifting weights.Some are...

by Joanna Telacka — Nov 02, 2025 at home workout breathing low impact workout lung health pilates pilates at home strength training stress stress-free workout