Following is a blog post written by Joy Puleo who is the Director of Education for Balanced Body. Joy has been teaching Pilates since 2002 and has been in the health and wellness industry since 1996. She shares the vision with Balanced Body to elevate mindful movement as a component to long term health and wellbeing. 

I have been in this business long enough to remember when I avoided saying I was a Pilates instructor. For the few who knew what Pilates was, I did not look like one of those celebrity Pilates instructors but for most people Pilates was mysterious and I was ill-equipped, and insecure in my abilities, to stand strong in space of clarity. “It’s a little like fitness” “ a little like Yoga…”

Now, Pilates itself stands strong in a space of clarity and as a wellness modality unto itself. A modality that optimizes movement potential and helps clients do all the things they love to do well, do longer, and with physical proficiency. The value proposition to the client is now well understood, which makes the need for instructors, qualified instructors, who see the potential of Pilates as a profession greater than ever.

In a prior blog, we explored the earning potential of a Pilates instructor. Here, let’s discuss what it means to be a fully recognized profession. Our student population is growing, diversifying, and expanding the boundaries of practice. Prior to the pandemic the average student taking Pilates teacher training coursework was 35-57, mostly women, and were returning to the workforce post children or exploring training as a second/third career. There was very little diversity in persons and socioeconomic status, and the aspirations ranged from being able to teach clients inside a small home studio, to teaching inside a studio part-time, to becoming a studio owner of a physical space.

Today, the age has skewed younger, between 25-45, still largely women. We are seeing more diversity in the student makeup in both persons, bodies, and also in professional aspirations. There is a rise of Pilates professionals, for whom teaching Pilates is the goal. Practices are not only limited to in-person inside a physical space, but with virtual options, all manner of client interaction, classes, and teacher training can now be found online.

During the pandemic, we all wondered and feared this would negatively impact in-person teaching, conferences, and studios. The opposite has been happening. The virtual is fueling independent instructors, studios are thriving and growing, conferences are sought after, and the client is asking for Pilates. Many studios are also being opened by business forward operators seeking to leverage the professional gains and create business opportunities and strategies around the brand that is Pilates. Like-minded health professionals are joining in the ‘movement’ and seeking various avenues of education including physical therapists, massage therapists, chiropractors, and osteopaths.

This is a moment, an opportunity, for the whole of the Pilates community. The past is meeting the present and the future is open to possibilities. We can all now stand solidly in the space that is Pilates and own the space we stand in!

With all this growth comes a word of caution. Pilates is sought after not because it is like…fitness, yoga, tai-chi, or anything else. It is sought after for what it uniquely brings to the mind-body training environment. So as we all grow into our professional persona, let’s make sure we bring with us the essence that is Pilates, we root in the foundations of sound practice, we place value in the education process, and above all, we infuse the love of movement into the world.

Being a profession means we can be heart forward in practice and make a very good living doing so. It means we can make a difference to our client’s lives and be good businesses in our communities. It means we can continue to drive the positivity around Pilates and grow personally and intellectually through our chosen profession and practice, Pilates.

We all love holidays—a time to relax, indulge, and savor the joys of life. However, when the vacation comes to an end, it's not uncommon to find ourselves struggling to get back into our healthy routines. But fear not! With a positive mindset and a few practical strategies, you can easily resume your healthy habits and reclaim your well-being.  Let's explore some valuable steps to help you bounce back after a holiday and get back on track towards a healthier lifestyle.

1. Set Realistic Goals: Before diving headfirst into your healthy habits, take a moment to set realistic and achievable goals. Start small and focus on specific areas you wish to improve. Avoid overwhelming yourself with unrealistic expectations that may lead to frustration. Remember, progress is a journey, and every step counts.
2. Reflect on Your Holiday: Reflecting on your holiday experiences is essential for understanding the habits you deviated from during that time. Take a mindful approach and identify the areas where you need to make changes. By pinpointing these areas, you can prioritize them and work towards integrating healthier choices into your routine.
3. Plan Your Meals: Rebooting your healthy habits begins with nourishing your body. Create a meal plan that emphasizes balanced and nutritious choices. Fill your plate with an abundance of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats. Minimize processed foods, sugary snacks, and excessive alcohol consumption. A well-planned diet will help you regain energy and support your overall well-being.
4. Stay Hydrated: One of the simplest yet most overlooked aspects of a healthy lifestyle is hydration. Make it a priority to drink an adequate amount of water throughout the day. Staying hydrated aids digestion, boosts energy levels, and promotes overall health. Keep a water bottle handy as a reminder to sip regularly.
5. Get Moving: Physical activity is an integral part of resuming your healthy routine. Start by incorporating light exercises and gradually increase the intensity and duration. Choose activities that you enjoy—whether it's going for a brisk walk, jogging, swimming, or joining a fitness class. The key is to find something that motivates you and makes you look forward to being active.
6. Prioritize Sleep: A good night's sleep is crucial for optimal health and well-being. Establish a consistent sleep schedule and aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night. Creating a soothing bedtime routine and ensuring a comfortable sleep environment will help you unwind and wake up refreshed.
7. Manage Stress: Holidays can be both joyous and stressful. Transitioning back to your routine might also introduce additional stress. Take proactive steps to manage stress by incorporating mindfulness practices, deep breathing exercises, meditation, or engaging in activities that bring you peace and relaxation. By managing stress effectively, you'll set the stage for a more balanced and healthy lifestyle.
8. Seek Support: Don't go at it alone! Share your goals and progress with a friend, family member, or a supportive community. Having someone to hold you accountable and provide encouragement can make a significant difference in your journey. Join fitness groups, online communities, or even enlist the help of a workout buddy to stay motivated and inspired.
9. Be Patient and Kind to Yourself: Resuming healthy habits takes time and effort. It's essential to be patient and kind to yourself during this process. Embrace the occasional slip-ups as learning opportunities, and avoid dwelling on setbacks. Focus on getting back on track and making positive choices moving forward. Remember, each step towards a healthier you is a step in the right direction.
10. Celebrate Small Victories: Don't forget to celebrate your achievements along the way. Every milestone, no matter how small, is worth recognizing. Treat yourself to a non-food-related reward—a spa day, a new workout outfit, or some well-deserved relaxation time. Celebrating your progress will help you stay motivated and inspired to continue your healthy habits.

Consistency is the key to success when it comes to exercise. Whether you are trying to lose weight, build muscle, or just maintain a healthy lifestyle, sticking to a regular exercise routine is crucial. Here are some tips for staying consistent with your workouts:

1. Set Realistic Goals: One of the main reasons people give up on their exercise routine is because they set unrealistic goals. Don't try to do too much too soon. Start with small, achievable goals and work your way up.
2. Find Something You Enjoy: It's important to find an exercise that you enjoy doing. If you hate running, don't force yourself to run every day. Try different activities until you find something that you look forward to doing.
3. Create a Schedule: Treat your exercise routine like an appointment. Schedule it into your calendar and stick to it. If you have trouble sticking to a routine, try working out at the same time every day.
4. Have a Backup Plan: Life happens, and sometimes you may not be able to make it to the gym or go for a run. Have a backup plan for those days. Maybe you can do a workout at home or take a walk around your neighborhood.
5. Hold Yourself Accountable: Find someone to hold you accountable. This could be a friend, family member, or personal trainer. Having someone to check in with and share your progress with can help keep you motivated.
6. Track Your Progress: Keep track of your workouts and progress. This can be as simple as writing down your workouts in a journal or using a fitness tracking app. Seeing progress can be a great motivator to keep going.
7. Be Patient: Results don't happen overnight. It takes time and consistency to see progress. Don't get discouraged if you don't see immediate results. Stick with it, and you will eventually see the benefits of your hard work.

Pilates is a popular form of exercise that is known for its ability to improve strength, flexibility, and posture. However, did you know that Pilates can also help to improve your endurance? Endurance is an important component of fitness that is necessary for many different types of activities, from running a marathon to hiking a mountain.

Pilates is often thought of as a low-impact form of exercise, but it can actually be quite challenging and help to build endurance over time. Pilates exercises focus on engaging the core muscles, which can help to improve your posture, balance, and breathing technique.By improving your breathing technique, you can increase your lung capacity and improve your endurance during other physical activities. Pilates exercises also help to build muscular endurance, which is the ability of your muscles to perform physical activity over an extended period of time.

The combination of improved breathing technique and muscular endurance can help to improve your overall endurance and make it easier to engage in physical activity for longer periods of time.Another way Pilates can improve endurance is by helping to prevent injuries. Pilates exercises focus on building strength and flexibility throughout the body, which can help to reduce the risk of injury during other physical activities.

For example, strong core muscles can help to support the spine during running or other high-impact activities, reducing the risk of back pain or injury.

Overall, Pilates is an excellent form of exercise that can help to improve your endurance, prevent injuries, and support your overall fitness goals. Whether you're a seasoned athlete or just starting out on your fitness journey, incorporating Pilates into your routine can help you go the distance.

The primary difference between Pilates and weight training is that Pilates focuses on the stability system, the mechanics of movements, and building postural awareness and mobility. Weight training builds strength and power by targeting global muscles rather than small muscles and movements. Momentum is needed for lifting weights, and as a result, people often use different muscles and overload other areas. Pilates is a great complement to weight training as it teaches how to control the body rather than just use  power. The slower movements build more body awareness. Understanding the movements will help improve form and consequently strength in the gym. Pilates helps with posture, flexibility, and muscular endurance so it is an excellent complimentary workout to weight training.