Fusion Schmuzion!!
Criminy!!
I saw a Pilates segment on the news today that made the hair on the back of my neck stand up and then fall out!
What in heaven’s name is going on in the Pilates world?
Anyone who can get their hands on a list of Pilates exercises seems compelled to shred it to pieces and then dress it up real “purty-like” with paper and a bow and call it something “new”. Something “better”. More “intense”, they say.
Know what I say?
Crap!
It’s crap.
First of all, if Pilates wasn’t already great, you wouldn’t be ripping it off in the first place.
Second, if you have been doing Pilates, and it wasn't intense or hard enough for you....well then it wasn't real Pilates!
And finally, if you’re going to completely deconstruct the method, bastardize it with accessories, and blast mindless, ear-piercing music while you teach, well don’t you dare call it Pilates! Call it calisthenics and let’s move on with it!
Mind you, I’ve got no problem with mindless exercise done to bad music. It’s fine by me – I even go to classes like that when I feel like tuning out and just swaying to music.
My problem here is with the misrepresentation.
Conning customers in with the promise of Pilates and delivering something completely unrelated is false advertising, an abuse of public trust and an insult to the dedicated professionals who actually do teach Pilates.
Pilates police, where are you? Can't someone regulate the marketing of senseless and anatomically damaging workouts that are posturing as Pilates and ruining the reputation some of us have worked so hard to build....
What do you think? I'd love to hear from you!!
Alycea
I agree. Pilates needs to be appreciated more in it's pure form. Linking other words to Pilates...It's embarrassing. On a positive note; the real thing always attracts the right practitioners. It all comes down to education and practice. Those of us dedicated to Pilates must continue to uphold the integrity of Pilates' work.
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I agree, Pilates is such a unique form of exercise and unfortunatly it is becoming popular in the chain gyms that attract the ''gym'' type. Do't get me wrong its great to give Pilates to everyone, but most gym rats want bigger faster and more, and well Pilates will definatly give you more, but not bigger and faster. Us educated true Pilates practioners need to speak up and educate the public on this wonderful form of movement.
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I totally agree. It is very upsetting to see the hybrids calling themselves "classical" and "authentic" and using bands, balls, music, and foam rollers. Education is key and a lot of patience on our part to keep doing the "true" work. The right people always find us and more people seek out the "authentic" work.
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What's wrong with using foam rollers if it helps a client release tight muscles in order to find the deeper ones?!? Geez, you "Classical" folks can be so rigid.
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Not a thing!
I've got no problem with props or choreography.
But I've got a big problem with turning Pilates into aerobics and performing mindless reps with minimal attention and bad form!
In fact, I rather like foam rollers!
Keep it up and thanks for commenting!
Alycea
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Amen!
I saw you had Irene Dowd at your studio. Wish I'd known sooner. Please add me to your email list for further workshops.
Thanks,
Ashley
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I totally agree. There's Pilates and there's the real Pilates. I get so frustrated with the public when they say they can take Pilates at the rec center then say that the Pilates "hurt" them. Also, other studios offering "free" mat classes. It so cheapens the quality of this art I take very seriously. I maintain that Pilates is a gift we give ourselves - it's not exercise, it's a lifestyle!
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Alycea,
I'm interested in your opinion as a PT and pilates instructor... . What is the difference between representing pilates as a form of aerobics as you described above, and representing pilates as a means to address back problems (disc problems, herniations, stenosis, scoliosis, whiplash, etc.)? I see many, many pilates teachers claiming pilates helps these situations, yet the anatomical and physiologic education in pilates teacher trainings doesn't even come close to providing adequate knowledge and understanding to work with these scenarios. As a PT you understand that each of these conditions, and others, can present very differently in each individual... thus necessitating the need to work differently.
Isn't this a form of "misrepresentation" as well... Possibly to the detriment of the student in many cases? It seems to me that unless you're a PT as well (or something of the like), as you are, then teachers probably shouldn't be working with these people in a 'classical' sense. This would be when modifications (possibly many) would be very relevant... But would that mean you're not doing pilates any more? Should we ignore these concerns for an alternate approach simply to prevent 'bastardization' of the authentic style?
w/ regards,
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