There is a particular group of people in the Pilates social media realm who get their kicks undermining those of us who put ourselves out there to enhance and improve our practice. In this episode of Pilates Elephants, we call out the cyber bullies and internet trolls and discuss why the self-proclaimed Pilates Police are obsessed with tearing others in the movement community down, instead of helping others build themselves and their skills up.

What You Will Learn:

• Why it is so critical that we continue to shine a light on antiquated belief systems and update our professional knowledge with scientific research
• Why you need to be an evidence-based practitioner when you work in health
• Why technique shaming is an insidious form of online bullying
• How to deal with Pilates social media trolls by responding with facts and moral authority like Arnold Schwarzenegger did
• Why you should surround yourself with inspirational people who are honest about their journey and normalize making mistakes along the way

Pilates Social Media: Pilates Police

Thankfully most professionals in the movement realm are supportive and committed to helping others enhance their practice. But there are a few — the Pilates Police — who just love shouting people down who don’t stick to their imaginary code of practice. We are all about exposing mistaken beliefs and helping our student-instructors to level up their skills using critical thinking and evidence-based scientific research — not myths. Our mission today is to explore why internet trolls and cyberbullies are intent on tearing others down and why it’s so essential to foster love and respect in the Pilates community.

Always Gold Standard Instruction

Our goal is always to inspire you to level up as a Pilates practitioner. We shine a light on antiquated belief systems and explain why precisely what we teach is based on empirical evidence and fact — not myth or opinion. We are beholden, ethically and legally, as instructors to serve our clients with the very best practices and gold-standard health literacy, and that’s always our mission at Breathe Education.

Inspiration and Teachable Moments

We show you how to recognise the insidious internet trolls, as well as the overt bullies on Pilates social media, and I (Raph) give you my best mental health hygiene tips for keeping your social media stress-free. Our discussion also focuses on using negative comments on your social media channels as teachable moments focused on the silent watchers rather than feeding the trolls. Surround yourselves with inspirational people, people who are honest about their journey and normalize making mistakes along the way.

About Raphael and Cloe:

Raphael Bender, CEO, Breathe Education

Raph believes everyone deserves the opportunity to transform into a better version of themselves. His main strength as a teacher and movement professional is the ability to distill complex research findings into a simple, science-based approach to help people move fearlessly, thoughtlessly, and painlessly. He LOVES running, weights, cycling, and Contrology.

Raph holds a Master’s degree in Clinical Exercise Physiology (Rehabilitation), a Bachelor’s degree in Exercise and Sports Science, Diploma of Pilates Movement Therapy, and STOTT PILATES full certification.

Cloe Bunter, Training Manager, Breathe Education

Cloe finds great joy in her connection with clients, students, colleagues, and the broader global movement community. She is passionate about empowering both clients and new teachers to move fearlessly and think critically. She is fascinated by movement in general and the ways in which it can enhance our lives, help us age well, and overcome pain. Her personal movement practice includes daily running, HIIT, and Contrology.

Cloe holds a Diploma of Clinical Pilates, Certificate IV in Pilates, and STOTT PILATES certification.

How to Connect with Raphael and Cloe:

• You can find Breathe Education online here
• You can find Cloe Bunter on Instagram here: @cloebunterpilates
• You can find Raphael Bender on Instagram here: @the_raphaelbender

Download a free course guide:

• Pilates Certification
• Visualized Anatomy

Become a Breathe Education Mentor Affiliate: Program info

A simple reminder of how to deal with trolls:

1. Don’t feed them – Ignore them
2. Respond – but remember that you’re not talking to the bully -you’re talking to the people who are watching silently on the sidelines
3. Correct them with facts
4. Correct them with moral authority like Arnold Schwarzanegger

This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis:

AdBarker - https://adbarker.com/privacy