Raising the Bar on the Future of Pilates

Episode 27: Starting Again — Trusting Your Judgement in Pilates with Sonia Ahmed In this episode of Raising the Bar on the Future of Pilates, Kim speaks with Sonia Ahmed — Physiotherapist, Classical Pilates teacher, and founder of The Pilates Physio. Sonia shares her journey from clinical mat classes in a small English village hall to building a fully equipped home studio in South Australia. Along the way, she reflects on: Beginning Pilates “through the back door” as a physio Teaching nervous first classes (and surviving them!) Recognising gaps in her training and investing again Transitioning into the classical system Navigating imposter syndrome and online divisiveness Leaving a full client list to move countries Rebuilding from scratch — twice This conversation is an honest look at growth, intuition, business resilience, and what it really takes to evolve in the Pilates industry. If you’ve ever questioned your judgement, your training, or your direction — this episode is for you.

Episode Description: In this special episode, the tables are turned as Helen Fletcher interviews me! From my beginnings as a young dancer to becoming a Pilates and Gyrotonic® practitioner, studio owner, Teacher Trainer, business coach, and podcast host, I share some pivotal moments that have shaped my career to date. In this conversation, we explore the realities of the Pilates industry—its challenges, rewards, and the vital role of community and the privilege of the work we do with clients. Helen chats with me about my evolution from teacher to mentor, the inspiration behind her coaching business and Podcast, and why building sustainable businesses matters for Pilates professionals. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: How Kim’s early dance training shaped her love of movement Her path from dancer to Pilates and Gyrotonic® teacher The leap into studio ownership, business coaching, and podcasting Insights into industry challenges, burnout, and resilience Why community and mentorship matter in the Pilates world Kim’s personal reflections and advice for the next generation of instructors Episode Breakdown: 00:00 – Introduction and Welcome 00:47 – Kim's Early Dance Journey 02:18 – Transition to Teaching and Pilates 04:50 – Discovering Gyrotonic® 08:33 – Business Coaching and Podcasting 15:47 – Challenges and Burnout 24:07 – Overcoming Challenges in Pilates Training 25:19 – Current State of the Pilates Industry 29:33 – Personal Reflections and Career Advice 31:41 – Lightning Round: Influences and Inspirations 39:47 – Words of Wisdom for New Instructors 42:19 – Upcoming Conference and Contact Information

Episode 23: From Mobile Pilates to DNS – Kirsti Vitala on Building a Flexible, Evolving Career Welcome to Episode 23 of Raising the Bar on the Future of Pilates. Today, I’m speaking with Kirsti Vitala of KPTY – Kirsti Pilates To You. Kirsti discovered Pilates while working in the corporate world, initially as a way to stay active. It was her own teacher who first suggested she consider becoming an instructor. But it wasn’t until a corporate reshuffle that she decided to take the leap, certifying as a Pilates teacher in 2013. She went on to build a thriving mobile Pilates business, bringing Pilates directly to her clients rather than working from a fixed studio. If you’ve ever thought about running a mobile business—or are curious about how it works—this episode is full of insights on making it a sustainable and rewarding model. More recently, she has transitioned to a home base at ME Pilates in Bentleigh, founded by Eve Fairbairn, who was one of my very first guests on this podcast. Kirsti’s approach to teaching has also evolved over the years. While her foundation is in Classical Pilates, she now integrates Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization (DNS), a method based on developmental kinesiology and infant movement patterns. We’ll explore how she blends these two approaches and how DNS has helped both her clients and her own body. Beyond the studio, Kirsti has a real talent for connecting with clients through marketing. She communicates Pilates in a way that feels engaging and accessible—something many instructors find challenging. Let’s dive in. Welcome to the podcast, Kirsti. What We Cover in This Episode: Kirsti’s journey from corporate life to Pilates teacher The early years of her teaching career How she built and ran a mobile Pilates business Balancing business and family life What Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization (DNS) is and how it benefits clients How she integrates DNS with Classical Pilates Transitioning from a mobile business to a studio-based model Her approach to social media and marketing in the Pilates industry Overcoming burnout, isolation, and self-doubt Thoughts on the current state of the Pilates industry Kirsti and Kim Mention: Brooke Siler - Big Book of Women’s Health Brooke Siler - The Pilates Body Flow - The Psychology of Optimal Experience The Prague School of Rehabilitation Reclaim Your body through Pilates and DNS - Podcast with Chris Lavelle How to get a hold of Kirsti: To learn more about Kirsti and her work, you can find her here:📍 Website: https://www.kirstipilatestoyou.com.au/📍 Instagram: @kirsti_pilates_plus More about Kirsti: In my old life, I worked nearly ten years in an awesome Government role where I was sure I would make my way up the corporate ladder, collecting sick leave and long service leave, have some holidays and do the standard work/life thing. I was a longtime client at a Pilates studio at the time (as a lover of dance and movement my whole life, I was hooked after my very first Pilates session!) and my teacher would often say that I’d make a great teacher. I would laugh and scoff to myself at the idea of this. I’d worked my butt off to get this corporate job and I wasn’t going to “throw it all away” to wear leggings all day. It was after an organisation-wide restructure that I started to (seriously) evaluate what I wanted from my professional working career. I always knew that I wanted to have kids and do more Pilates, and the teacher’s schedule suddenly looked more appealing to me family-wise. I took the leap. Fast forward several years and I quit my corporate job, completed my 600-hour classical Pilates teaching certification, had two sons (Maddox and Levy), and started KPTY. I built my then, mobile Pilates business, out of my own experiences of finding it hard to get out of the house and do exercise once I had kids. I strongly believe that Pilates is for everybody, and I wanted to do whatever I could to take the guesswork and hassle out of i

Episode 21: Building a Pilates Business & Family Life with Ash and Rob of Movementality Welcome back to Raising the Bar on the Future of Pilates! In today’s episode, I have the pleasure of interviewing Ash and Rob of Movementality Pilates in Perth. This dynamic husband-and-wife team has built a thriving Pilates business while navigating the challenges of family life—and I know you're going to love this conversation! Ash comes from a dance background, while Rob has a sports science background. They met in London in 2015 and later returned to the Southern Hemisphere—Rob hailing from New Zealand and Ash from Perth. In 2017, they purchased an established studio in Melbourne and successfully ran it until 2024, all while growing their family. Now, they’ve relocated to Perth to start Movementality from the ground up—again! And to top it all off, they recently welcomed their second child, four-month-old Gus. In addition to running their studio, Ash and Rob offer online classes and teacher education programs. This candid and insightful interview is packed with wisdom for anyone juggling business, family, and the pursuit of work-life balance. Their ambition, teamwork, and strategic mindset shine through in everything they do. In this episode, we discuss:✔️ Their early days in London—how they discovered their complementary skills and started working together✔️ Ash’s journey from professional dance to Barre to Pilates, and Rob’s background in Sports Science✔️ The experience of purchasing their first studio in Melbourne—making it their own while leading a team of instructors✔️ How they navigated the challenges of Covid lockdowns and ultimately decided to move to Perth for a fresh start✔️ The reality of running a Pilates studio while growing a young family and balancing personal and professional roles✔️ How reopening their studio in Perth gave them a chance to refine their values and prioritize work-life balance ✔️ How they started their teacher education programs and how they expanded it nationally. ✔️Their thoughts about the current state of the industry. Rob and Ash Mentioned: The Imperfects Podcast Bruce Hildebrand and Trimio Phillip Beach Tracey Nicolson - Somatics and Dance Movement Therapy How to get a hold of Ash and Rob: https://www.movementality.com.au/ @movementality_aus More about Ash and Rob: Rob Carruthers Rob completed his degree Sport Science degree in New Zealand back in 2011. After graduating and a period of travel, he fell into teaching fitness-based Reformer Pilates classes in some of central London’s most popular studios, managing a number of them. After 12 months, he retrained to focus on injury rehabilitation, and leveraged his sport science background to begin working in several physiotherapy clinics, and supported the medical staff at the Brentford Football Club by delivering Pilates. It was during this time, that he also began studying the world of Functional Neurology and finding avenues to bring it into the Pilates world. Upon moving to Melbourne in 2016, Rob and Ash worked together for the same company before opening Movementality in 2017. Over the next 7 years, Rob refined his teaching focus to develop strategies enabling a ground-up rehabilitative process for the Pilates side of his focus, and a top-down approach for those with more complex movement and pathological considerations. Ash Berry Ash is an ex-professional dancer, comprehensively trained level 3 PAA Pilates practitioner and Somatic Movement Therapist. She has been teaching Pilates for 10 years having run Movementality in Melbourne with Rob for 7 years prior to their move to Perth. During their time in Melbourne, Ash & Rob built their national reputations as industry thought leaders. They have been invited to present nationally for several conferences and have built their own workshop platform, Movementality Education, where they have been facilitating educatiing for other Pilates teachers since 2018. In 2021, Ash joined

Welcome back to Episode 19 of Raising the Bar on the Future of Pilates. Today I have the pleasure to sit down with Amanda Erlank of Kinected Pilates Studio in Peregian Beach, Queensland. Amanda has had her studio since 2015 (Happy 10 year anniversary of your business!) and has been teaching Pilates since 2009 She is Polestar Pilates Diploma and an educator with Polestar qualified as well as a Level 3 Franklin Method teacher and holds a diploma in Oriental therapies and Shiatsu. Amanda is also the founder of the MentorME program which offers guidance to Pilates teachers who are looking for support to further develop their skills in the studio. So I’m looking forward to chatting with her about how the mentorship works and how it benefits the Pilates community. Amanda is passionate about continuing education and the value it brings to your teaching skills and longevity as a teacher and we’ll be talking about that some more as well. In the interview, we talk about: How a Mat class in a Gym sparked a curiosity about the Pilates method Her early years of teaching and the creation of her studio Her MentorMe Program, an online group mentoring to help connect Pilates teachers together to create support and continual learning Moments when Amanda has felt isolated as a new studio owner Her thoughts about the importance of continuing education and why it is so important to invest in yourself as a teacher. How she feels about the current state of the Pilates industry To get a hold of Amanda: kinectedpilates.com.au And on Instagram: @kinectedpilatesstudio Amanda mentions: Kwik Brain with Jim Kwik Dr Robert Melillo: More about Amanda: Amanda Erlank is a Holistic Movement Specialist, full of passion in various topics, beliefs, industries and protocols. She loves natural living, Eastern philosophy, particularly meridian therapy, movement that makes life easier to live, but possibly her strongest desire is to share knowledge with clients and fellow Pilates instructors on the body's exceptional design. She pulls from resources that she has gathered along the way through her learnings in Shiatsu & Oriental Therapies, the simplicity and essential knowledge obtained from being a Franklin Method® Educator, a Pilates Teacher Trainer and a small business owner in the realm of health & wellness. Her mentorME membership is designed for all Pilates instructors, whether new, solo or seasoned, as a collaborative destination for community, learning, movement and anatomy enhancement.

Happy New Year! Inspired by all the New Year IG reels I’m seeing these days, this episode is all about looking ahead to 2025 and figuring out what I’m keeping in my business and mindset for the year ahead and what I’m leaving behind in 2024. I hope it inspires, you, (hardworking Pilates Business Owner) to reflect on the year that’s been and to plan for the year ahead.

Today I am thrilled to chat with a well loved veteran of the Pilates world here in Australia, Jo Bezzina. Jo started teaching Pilates in 2003 and is the owner of Pilates on George in the Sydney CBD, She is also a mentor, educator, examiner, committee member and presenter. You might already know Jo as she was the winner of the Pilates Anytime instructor competition in 2017. Jo has just recently completed her Masters in Learning Sciences and in this podcast we chat about her studies and the way she is integrating this knowledge into the Pilates studio. We also dive into how Jo has developed her business over the years, how she managed through Covid and what it’s like to operate a studio in the Sydney CBD. In this interview, we talk about: How Jo got started in Pilates and even though she didn’t initially see it as a career opportunity Her early years as a teacher, working in various studios and gyms. Her work as a mentor and educator for Polestar Pilates How she came to purchase her business, Pilates on George in 2016 and how she brought her own values to the business whilst maintaining existing client relationships. How Covid and the aftermath of Covid affected her business in the Sydney CBD We talk at length about her recent Master’s studies in Learning Systems and how she envisions integrating her learning into the Pilates teaching context for both clients and teacher trainees Her thoughts about the industry and where it’s going How to get a hold of Jo:Pilates on George Instagram: @pilatesongeorge More about Jo: Joanne Bezzina is a dynamic and dedicated Pilates practitioner with over 20 years of experience, recognised internationally and winner of the Pilates Anytime instructor competition in 2017. She is a highly sought after teacher in Sydney (owner of Pilates On George) and senior educator for Polestar Pilates Australia. Her teaching blends traditional and contemporary methods, emphasising clear communication, humour, and client empowerment. Jo holds a Master of Learning Sciences and Technology and is fascinated by the cognitive processes that support optimal Pilates instruction. She incorporates the latest evidence-based research when delivering sessions to the public and during her education offerings. Jo’s primary goal is to inspire and empower clients, ensuring they leave each session happier, more relaxed, and stronger.

Today I am talking to my dear friend Suzanne McCarty, 2nd Generation Pilates teacher, Gyrotonic Master trainer, yoga teacher and now massage therapist. She is also about to join the faculty on my Classical Pilates Mat program which will be held in in Brisbane and Coffs Harbour in 2025. Suzanne has been teaching Pilates for almost 25 years, having had the amazing opportunity to learn from Romana Kryzanowska and other Pilates teachers in The USA , Europe and Australia. She is a deeply curious teacher and movement professional, and is constantly learning more about the human body to work more effectively with her clients. In the podcast, I chat with Suzanne about how she approaches working with her clients and how she uses these multi-modalities to bring the best out of her clients. Suzanne comes from a Background In Ballet, having an incredible career in Vienna 1989-2000 at the Vienna Volksoper and the Vienna State Opera. She returned back to Australia in 2008 to start her own studio and we chat about her earlier career and how she found Pilates. We’ll also touch on her home studio, her influences and what her plans are for the future. We discuss: Her early life as a dancer in Vienna How a switched-on surgeon in the early 2000’s led Suzanne to Pilates after a knee injury How she found herself studying in the US with Romana Kryzanowska and other master teachers Her memories on Romana, Drago’s Gym and the Classical Pilates teacher training How she found Gyrotonic®, how it informs her teaching and how she works with her clients in Gyrotonic® How she started her own studio in her house, then opened a commercial premise before bringing her studio back home during Covid How she has dealt with burnout in her commercial premise and how she has overcome imposter syndrome over the years Her love and passion for training other teachers Her thoughts on the current state of the Pilates industry Thanks Suzanne! You can find Suzanne here: Hara Beyond Movement Studio https://www.beyondmovementstudio.com/ And on instagram: @harabeyondmovementstudio Suzanne mentions: The Pilates Studio Teacher Training Mat certification, coming to Coffs Harbour and Brisbane in 2025 https://www.pilatesteachertraining.com.au/courses/classical-mat Did you catch Episode 12 of the Podcast? in this episode I get candid about my thoughts on the industry and the #safepilates ethos. To receive my 10, customisable #safepilates Canva templates, subscribe to my newsletter at kimpaxtoncoaching.com/safepilates to get them sent to your inbox! More about Suzanne: Suzanne loves to share her passion for movement, anatomy and the energetic body that is based on experience from a lifetime of studying and practising movement. She enjoyed a 12-year professional dance career in Vienna, Austria as a ballet dancer in the Vienna Volksoper & State Opera Ballet Companies before becoming a movement teacher in year 2000. Suzanne has taught Movement to people from all walks of life full-time for over twenty five years. Suzanne’s deep understanding and love of movement, dance & anatomy enables her to guide both the fully able and the injured to move in a way that honours their body and gets the most out of each session. Suzanne is passionate about ensuring everyone who comes to her leaves her care in a better physical state than they arrived. Suzanne has recently added remedial massage to her list of qualifications to offer a more hands-on approach to helping her clients achieve their best physical condition. Suzanne is a Teacher Trainer in the GYROKINESIS® and GYROTONIC® Methods. She is passionate about sharing her knowledge and skills with other teachers or helping to expand the network of The GYROKINESIS® and GYROTONIC® methods here in Australia. Suzanne holds the following qualifications: 2nd generation Pilates Instructor (Full Pilates education with Romana Kryzanoswka New York graduation year 2000.) Diploma of Pilates/ A

In the latest episode, I had the pleasure to talk to Jodie Tapper of the Soul Flexible Online App and Soul Flexible Studio in Harrisdale, Western Australia (and my first guest from WA!) The Soul Flexible App offers online access to classes run by fully certified Pilates instructors and educators from around Australia. These instructors come from diverse backgrounds and training schools, but share a common passion for delivering high-quality Pilates classes on demand. I’m really excited to talk with an entrepreneur that is doing something different by building a business online, where the potential is vast, but the competition is real! In this interview we talk about how Jodie is carving out a niche in her corner of the internet. (and look out for some Wunda Chair and Tower classes that I will be filming for the app soon!) In this interview we talk about: 🌟 How Jodie got into Pilates after becoming injured in her corporate career. 🌟 Why she decided to start an Online App and how Soul Flexible Online came to fruition with the help of her business (and life) partner 🌟 How her mentors have shaped her as a teacher 🌟 How she has struggled with burnout and feelings of isolation and how she has worked through it 🌟 How she combines running a home studio with developing the Soul Flexible Online App. 🌟 The hard work (and technology headaches) that comes with the territory of launching an app. 🌟 How the demographic for the app has changed over time. 🌟 How she collaborates with teachers to build the business 🌟 How she sees her business growing in 2 and 5 years 🌟 Her thoughts on the current state of the Pilates industry Thank you Jodie!

In this podcast I get to chat with the inimitable Olga Tamara. Creator and owner of Authentic Pilates International (APEI) and Authentic Pilates Studio in Sydney. I’ve known Olga for almost 10 years now. When we first met, I hadn’t been in Australia very long and really knew very few people in the industry. I was looking to further my knowledge of Classical Pilates after studying it in Canada. Olga was incredibly welcoming to me, I have learnt a great deal from her and she has introduced me to a community of incredible, like minded instructors - many of whom I consider great friends today. I don’t think I’m alone when I say that Olga has created a real sense of inclusivity in the Pilates world here in Australia. Classical Pilates has been known to be very insular in the past, but Olga has brought down many of those barriers to learning. In fact she won Educator of the Year in the Pilates Journal Awards last year, which is so well deserved. Olga also facilitates and runs Classical Pilates conferences, where she brings in some amazing talent from overseas for us to learn from. She is about to host the next workshop in Sydney this coming October 18-20 (there’s still a few tickets available!). In this interview we talk about: Olga’s varied, creative careers: From dancer, to actress, movement teacher and fitness studio owner (including Jane Fonda workouts!) to events management and now as a Pilates studio owner and teacher trainer. Her introduction to Pilates as a dancer and her retroduction to it years later Her early days as a studio owner and how she manifested her clients from the beginning How she stays inspired over the years and the varied clientele that she has taught in the past How she launched her Classical Pilates teacher training program and how it has evolved over the years How she makes Classical Pilates training accessible to a contemporary audience The work that goes into creating a successful conference (spoiler: It’s a lot of work!) Her feelings of burnout in her early career and how she overcame that. Her views on the current state of the Pilates industry. Thinking of going to the conference? A few tickets are still available: Book here https://authenticpilateseducation.com/event/apei-classical-pilates-conference/ In the podcast, Olga mentions: Lateral Thinking: Edward De Bono https://www.amazon.com.au/Lateral-Thinking-Creativity-Step-Step/dp/0060903252 You can reach Olga via https://authenticpilateseducation.com/ And via socials: @authenticpilatesstudiosydney @apei_sydney Thank you Olga! More about Olga: OLGA TAMARA Olga began her career as a professional classical dancer with the Australian Ballet Company in 1971 and first experienced the wonders of Pilates during those first precious years. She toured with the company for seven years then enjoyed a successful career performing on stage and television as an actress from 1979 until 1984. Her interest in movement didn’t waver during that time so in 1985 she became a certified fitness instructor. Olga opened her first business “Designing Moves” in 1986. She taught body conditioning classes, movement classes to aspiring young actors and worked freelance as dance coach at McDonald School of Performing Arts as well as managing the corporate gymnasium at “Carlton United”. Over the years Olga trained in a number of Pilates studios however it wasn’t until she experienced the essence of the Authentic Pilates Method with Cynthia Lochard that she was truly inspired. Impressed by the authenticity, quality and integrity of the NY Pilates method, Olga became a certified instructor of “The NY Pilates Method” and “Romana’s Pilates”. Olga is founder and manager of the Authentic Pilates Studio, Lilyfield NSW and is Principal Trainer of Authentic Pilates Education International Teacher Training Program. Olga has presented a number of workshops and training seminars nationally, NZ and London. She presents ongoing continuing Education semi

Today I am excited to be talking to fellow South Australian, Kate Shelby-James of Pilates Barossa and creator of ‘Pilates for Rural Living’. Kate has owned and operated her studio, Pilates Barossa since 2016 , and in the past 12 months has moved into her amazing custom built space. Kate is passionate about creating programming for members of her rural community and has developed her ‘Pilates for Rural living’ program to specifically take care of the mind and bodies of local farmers and their specific physical needs. If you are familiar with the Barossa region (and if you are a wine lover than I expect you’d be very familiar), this area of South Australia is filled with award winning vineyards as well as a large farming community. I’m excited to talk to Kate about her evolution from the finance and admin career change in her mid 30’s as well as her thoughts on the state of the industry and where she sees her business growing into the future. If you’re a Pilates business owner outside a metropolitan area, this one is definitely for you! In this interview we talk about: How Kate segued from a career in finance and admin in the wine industry to a career in Pilates How her studio grew from her living room into her custom built studio over the course of several years. How she built her own commercial space to accommodate her growing business Her new initiative: ‘Pilates for Rural Living’ a program designed for her rural community and how it supports the local farming community and beyond How she grew her teaching roster, despite being in a smaller community. How she prioritises down-time and holidays to avoid burnout How she supports new teachers in the industry Her thoughts about the future of the Pilates industry in relation to her rural location Kate mentioned the following resources in the podcast:Are you bogged Mate? https://areyouboggedmate.com.au/bogged-blog/article/are-you-bogged-mate Beyond Blue - For small business owners https://www.beyondblue.org.au/get-support/newaccess-mental-health-coaching/small-business-owners Her PAA Article: https://www.pilates.org.au/kate-shelby-james-bringing-pilates-to-farming-communities/ Pilates for Rural living program: https://pilatesbarossa.com.au/core-strength-pilates-for-rural-living/ And where to get a hold of Kate: Socials: @pilatesbarossa Email: kate@pilatesbarossa.com.au More about Kate: Kate Shelby-James is the founder and senior instructor at Pilates Barossa, formally known as Pilates by Kate. Pilates is a form of exercises conducted on mats and / or apparatus. It focuses on core strength, overall body strength, toning, balance, flexibility, functional movement patterns and mindfulness. She holds the following qualifications; a Diploma in Studio and Rehabilitation Pilates, a Certificate 4 in Mat Instruction and an Advanced Diploma in Accounting. She has grown her business from a new concept in the region in 2016, to now being a viable long-term business, with multiple instructors by her side. In 2023 Pilates Barossa relocated to a new purpose built, self-funded studio at the northern end of Nuriootpa. Kate continues to focus on her education and engagement within the Pilates community. She lives Tanunda with her husband and their two fur babies. When away from her studio she can be found, cycling, enjoying general outdoor activities, travelling and relishing in good food and wine.

In this interview, I had the pleasure of interviewing Ben Rashleigh of Aligned for Life Pilates. Ben came to Pilates from a career as a chef with chronic lower back pain. Pilates helped him strengthen his back and his fascination with the method changed his career trajectory from chef to Pilates teacher. In this podcast we talk about: How Ben approaches his work as a collaborative and educative process with his clients Why our role as experienced instructors is to mentor the next generation of teachers. How he marries Pilates with other modalities and influences His feelings about the current gap in the market with finding experienced instructors as the Pilates teaching profession has boomed. The importance of getting out from under the ‘tribal’ mentality of the Pilates industry to foster greater community and the sharing of ideas. Ben mentioned: Centered - By Madeleine Black Where to find Ben: www.alignedforlife.com.au www.benjaminrashleigh.com @bjrashleigh_pilates_movement Thanks Ben!