Pilates Exchange

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This episode is the third instalment of our series exploring the role of music in pilates classes. Our first episode focused on the benefits of including music in your classes, while the second instalment covered all the reasons why you shouldn’t incorporate music into your teaching structure. During this conversation, we talk about both! Our primary goal is to create a space that is best for your clients and yourself and that supports you as you thrive as a teacher. Tune in as we discuss the legal, ethical, and experiential aspects of including a musical element in the classes that you teach. At the heart of our conversation is a vision to see every practitioner make considered decisions about every aspect of the pilates experience as we bring movement to more people. Thanks for listening! 

Key Points From This Episode:

• An introduction to the third part of our series on whether or not music should be used in a pilates class.
• The primary goal of a practitioner: to create a space that is supportive for yourself and your clients.
• What to consider when deciding whether or not to include music in the class.
• How your musical choices can help you to develop a new client base.
• Including a line about your musical choices in your class description.
• Where dissonance arises: when the experience is not clear from the beginning.
• Observation from Hannah’s Instagram poll.
• Empowering clients by giving them the choice. 
• How music can influence a teacher’s experience.
• Considerations to bear in mind if you choose to include music in your class.
• Defining copyright and the surrounding law.
• Why paying for your Spotify account is not the same thing as paying to use music for public classes.
• The difference between royalty-free and copyright-free music. 
• How to navigate ethical use of music. 
• Legal and ethical musical use in pilates classes.
• The root of this conversation: make sure that every aspect of the class experience is a decision you have made. 

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Epidemic Sound — https://www.epidemicsound.com/campaign/invite-a-creator/

Public Domain — https://www.pdinfo.com/

Free Ebook – 100 Pilates Class Themes: https://performance-fit-online.com/100-pilates-class-themes

Free Ebook – Top Teaching Tips: https://performance-fit-online.com/top-teaching-tips

Free Creativity Masterclass: https://mailchi.mp/pilates-studio-nuernberg/creativity-masterclass

Train the Trainers: https://www.pilates-studio-nuernberg.com/train-the-trainers/

Connect with Us: [email protected] 

Performance Fit Pilates: https://www.pilates-studio-nuernberg.com 

Performance Fit Pilates on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/performance_fit_pilates

Performance Fit Pilates on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PerformanceFitPilates 

Hannah Teutscher on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannah-teutscher/ 

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There is so much polarisation around whether or not music belongs in Pilates classes. This episode forms part two of our three-part series, which explores different viewpoints on the topic and focuses on why you might want to consider turning the music off in your Pilates class. Although these choices are deeply personal, today’s conversation explores how music can impact different people depending on their contexts as they step into your class. From timing and tastes to the flip side of music’s ability to trigger emotions, we cover multiple perspectives and experiences of music in Pilates class. Join us as we consider how music influences teaching and learning and the key role of silence in supporting the process. Thanks for listening! 

Key Points From This Episode:

• One reason you shouldn’t use music in your Pilates class: our lives are too busy.
• The unique opportunity a Pilates class provides for silence and introspection. 
• Why music often doesn’t fit the timing of the class.
• Understanding that not everyone has the same musical tastes.
• The flip side of music’s ability to trigger emotions.
• How rhythm affects movement.
• Why different music appeals to different people and why this can be a challenge.
• Hannah’s experience at a hip-hop dance class in Japan.
• The possibility of lyrics interrupting spoken cues. 
• How Hannah is influenced by music as a former dancer.
• Music and its impact on different people depending on their careers.
• Music’s sometimes unhelpful ability to allow a person to override certain cues from their body.
• The role of moments of silence in supporting people to figure it out.
• What to expect from part three: advice for how to integrate music into your classes.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

‘Let’s Get Physical: The Psychology of Effective Workout Music’: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/psychology-workout-music/

‘Music and the Brain: The Neuroscience of Music’: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5618809/

Your Brain on Music: https://www.changecounselingllc.com/blog/your-brain-on-music

Free Ebook – 100 Pilates Class Themes: https://performance-fit-online.com/100-pilates-class-themes

Free Ebook – Top Teaching Tips: https://performance-fit-online.com/top-teaching-tips

Free Creativity Masterclass: https://mailchi.mp/pilates-studio-nuernberg/creativity-masterclass

Train the Trainers: https://www.pilates-studio-nuernberg.com/train-the-trainers/

Connect with Us: [email protected] 

Performance Fit Pilates: https://www.pilates-studio-nuernberg.com 

Performance Fit Pilates on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/performance_fit_pilates

Performance Fit Pilates on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PerformanceFitPilates 

Hannah Teutscher on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannah-teutscher/ 

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Music in Pilates class has been hotly debated for years, and this episode forms the first installment of a three-part series exploring exactly that. We delve into the science supporting the use of music in your classes and explore the emotional benefits that make it a compelling choice. We also touch on some of the programming behind how to use music, including how to help foster communication in your studio, use music to ease the uncomfortable silences and elicit an atmosphere in your classes. Join us as we explore the impact of music on pace, flow, rhythm response, synchronizing movement and breath, and more. You’ll hear how music can be thought of as a legal drug for athletes, what is behind our visceral emotional responses to music, and how to use it in your training. Tune in to hear all this and more today! 

Key Points From This Episode:

• The three-part series introduced by this episode.
• Why the topic of music in Pilates class is so hotly debated.
• Different ways music can be integrated into a Pilates class.
• Benefits of having music in the background during a class.
• How music facilitates developing a pace and flow in your movement.
• Defining a rhythm response.
• How different music supports synchronizing movement and breath. 
• Dr. Costas Karageorghis’s definition of music as a legal drug for athletes.
• Our visceral emotional response to music.
• How music supports coordinated movements.
• Slower tempo tracks and mindfulness. 
• How music can support you to do extra reps.
• What changes when Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s clients engage with music.
• How your brain physically responds to music. 
• The Mozart Effect and how music influences the hypothalamus.
• Understanding how music influences people with Parkinson’s.
• A summary of how music enhances and supports those practicing Pilates. 
• How Hannah sees music as an additional tool for her clients. 
• What to expect from the second installment of this series: why you shouldn’t use music in your pilates class. 

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Music and the Brain — https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5618809/

Your Brain on Music — https://www.ucf.edu/pegasus/your-brain-on-music/

 Free Ebook – 100 Pilates Class Themes: https://performance-fit-online.com/100-pilates-class-themes

Free Ebook – Top Teaching Tips: https://performance-fit-online.com/top-teaching-tips

Free Creativity Masterclass: https://mailchi.mp/pilates-studio-nuernberg/creativity-masterclass

Train the Trainers: https://www.pilates-studio-nuernberg.com/train-the-trainers/

Connect with Us: [email protected] 

Performance Fit Pilates: https://www.pilates-studio-nuernberg.com 

Performance Fit Pilates on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/performance_fit_pilates

Performance Fit Pilates on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PerformanceFitPilates 

Hannah Teutscher on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannah-teutscher/ 

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The evolution of something is often defined as distinguishable differences resulting from modifications in successive generations. When we examine the movement and methodology of various disciplines, especially those with a long history, they no longer resemble their original forms. Movement evolves with each retelling of the story. Pilates and its evolution is an important topic to discuss, for many reasons, especially because of the growingly heated and contentious climate between Pilates teachers and schools of thought in the Pilates world, particularly online. Today, we want to begin to explore the evolution of a movement form while remaining open to differences in opinion. If you want to talk to Hannah about this topic, be sure to reach out on social media or send her an email! Join the conversation as Hannah delves into a brief history of different movement disciplines and how things change with the telling of a new story. She highlights the inevitable factors that influence the way we move and shares candidly why gatekeeping in the Pilates world makes her furious. Hannah delves further and deeper into the need for evolution in movement, including why limiting movements ultimately hinders us and how adapting movements can still honour their origin. She also shares her thoughts on how the importance of focusing your training on the specific body in front of you, and why being aware of the functionality behind movements is also worth keeping in mind. For all this, and much more, join the Pilates Exchange conversation and start listening now! 

Key Points From This Episode:

• Hannah defines what she believes evolution (and as it relates to movement) is.
• A brief historical overview of different movement disciplines (yoga, ballet, Pilates, etc.).
• What Hannah wishes to impress upon listeners: things change with the telling of a new story.
• The different factors that inevitably influence our movement.
• Hannah highlights the significance of the lack of precision in the information received from Joseph Pilates regarding movements. 
• Why gatekeeping in the Pilates world, in both movement and education, makes her furious. 
• Hannah touches on avoiding the limiting of movement but still honouring the origin. 
• Don’t be afraid to teach Pilates; do what inspires you. 

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Anna Pavlova — https://www.britannica.com/biography/Anna-Pavlova 

Margot Fonteyn — https://www.britannica.com/biography/Margot-Fonteyn 

Adam McAtee on Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/adammcateepilates  

Raphael Bender on Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/the_raphaelbender 

Free Ebook – 100 Pilates Class Themes: https://performance-fit-online.com/100-pilates-class-themes

Free Ebook – Top Teaching Tips: https://performance-fit-online.com/top-teaching-tips

Free Creativity Masterclass: https://mailchi.mp/pilates-studio-nuernberg/creativity-masterclass

Train the Trainers: https://www.pilates-studio-nuernberg.com/train-the-trainers/

Hannah Teutscher on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannah-teutscher/ 

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Sometimes opportunities come our way, and it’s only later that we realize their implications for the rest of our lives. During this episode, your host, Hannah Teutscher, shares one of the crazier experiences of her dance career. While the details of this example might not resonate with your own experience, it illustrates a principle we could all benefit from implementing in our decision-making. Tune in to hear the story of a very exclusive opportunity to audition to dance for Cher turned into a pivotal moment of choosing what’s best for yourself. Tune in today to hear all about it! 

Key Points From This Episode:

• Why Hannah has chosen to share this particular story with listeners. 
• The call she received from fellow dancer, Jamal, years ago.
• Planning for and arriving at an audition to dance for Cher.
• Where she found confidence: in her physicality, athleticism, and ability to dance.
• How she knew she was in the right place despite being underprepared and inappropriately dressed.
• Ways the audition differed from other processes.
• Seeing Cher and making a case for why each dancer should be chosen.
• Announcing that she was not right for the position.
• What was behind her decision to bow out. 
• The lesson in her decision. 
• How the experience altered her attitude towards life. 
• Why it is so important to keep an internal compass focused on the goals we want to have.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Free Ebook – 100 Pilates Class Themes: https://performance-fit-online.com/100-pilates-class-themes

Free Ebook – Top Teaching Tips: https://performance-fit-online.com/top-teaching-tips

Free Creativity Masterclass: https://mailchi.mp/pilates-studio-nuernberg/creativity-masterclass

Train the Trainers: https://www.pilates-studio-nuernberg.com/train-the-trainers/

Connect with Us: [email protected] 

Performance Fit Pilates: https://www.pilates-studio-nuernberg.com 

Performance Fit Pilates on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/performance_fit_pilates

Performance Fit Pilates on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PerformanceFitPilates 

Hannah Teutscher on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannah-teutscher/ 

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Today on the Pilates Exchange podcast, we delve into the topic of teaching in a second language. Hannah and Christian Teutscher are both experienced in doing it and want to dive into a discussion on the good, the bad, and the embarrassing! Tune in for valuable insights on navigating Pilates instruction when not a native speaker. We unravel the challenges, emphasize the power of simplicity, and discuss the importance of honing communication skills. Stay tuned for some great tips and language-related embarrassing stories to wrap up the episode. Thanks for listening!

Key Points From This Episode:

• A little bit of context: what we do, how we teach, and what our studio looks like.
• Chris and Hannah share their language journey as it relates to their [Pilates] education.
• Changing languages and how it requires a lot of concentration. 
• Making up words: taking your language disadvantage and making it an advantage. 
• The parallel between learning and teaching in a new language and the experience of our students learning pilates. 
• The challenge of teaching Pilates in a language that is not the first language of the students.
• Simplicity as best: simplifying how we try to get people to do things.
• Honing down on communication: what are you trying to communicate?
• The importance of the clarity and efficiency of your word choice.
• How other teaching tools can come into play (mirrors, visual aids, etc.).
• Tips to help those who are starting to teach in a second language. 
• Embarrassing stories: the funniest things we’ve said accidentally or misunderstandings.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Christian Teutscher on Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/christian_teutscher/

Free Ebook – 100 Pilates Class Themes: https://performance-fit-online.com/100-pilates-class-themes

Free Ebook – Top Teaching Tips: https://performance-fit-online.com/top-teaching-tips

Free Creativity Masterclass: https://mailchi.mp/pilates-studio-nuernberg/creativity-masterclass

Train the Trainers: https://www.pilates-studio-nuernberg.com/train-the-trainers/

Connect with Us: [email protected] 

Performance Fit Pilates: https://www.pilates-studio-nuernberg.com 

Performance Fit Pilates on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/performance_fit_pilates

Performance Fit Pilates on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PerformanceFitPilates 

Hannah Teutscher on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannah-teutscher/ 

Hannah Teutscher on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hannah_teutscher/

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Many movement professionals don’t yet know how valuable the principles of Schroth are in their daily teachings, especially for patients with scoliosis. So today, we decided to call on the internationally appointed SSOL Schroth Method teacher, Meredith Weiss, to help us gain a deeper understanding of scoliosis and how the Schroth Method ties into its treatment. Meredith is a licensed physical therapist, nationally-certified Pilates teacher, experienced yoga teacher, Schroth Method expert, and the founder and director of both Kioko Therapy and Physiolutions. After gaining a clearer picture of Meredith’s background, our guest walks us through the ins and outs of scoliosis, how her background in yoga and Pilates informs her current work, and everything you need to know about the Schroth Method. We also discuss common scoliosis misconceptions, the importance of self-compassion, why curiosity matters, and why every movement professional should be making greater efforts to learn more about the Schroth Method and scoliosis. Join the conversation as we learn about the three-dimensional nature of scoliosis, the effects of bad posture, and why all we need to do as movement professionals is accept and embrace our (magical) differences. 

Key Points From This Episode:

• Introducing the Schroth Method expert and two-time Founder, Meredith Weiss.
• Who Meredith is and what she does, and how she first fell in love with yoga and Pilates. 
• Understanding Meredith’s biggest passion – scoliosis. 
• How her yoga-philosophy background reveals itself in the work that she does with scoliosis.
• The ins and outs of the Schroth Method. 
• Why movement professionals should be careful not to diagnose scoliosis in their clients. 
• The three-dimensional nature of scoliosis. 
• Why curiosity matters, and why you should always be striving to learn more. 
• Respecting and embracing our differences. 
• How movement professionals would do well to ground their teachings in Schroth principles.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Meredith Weiss Email: [email protected] 

Meredith Weiss on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meredith-weiss-3815ba2/ 

Meredith Weiss on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kiokotherapy/ 

Free Ebook – 100 Pilates Class Themes: https://performance-fit-online.com/100-pilates-class-themes

Free Ebook – Top Teaching Tips: https://performance-fit-online.com/top-teaching-tips

Free Creativity Masterclass: https://mailchi.mp/pilates-studio-nuernberg/creativity-masterclass

Train the Trainers: https://www.pilates-studio-nuernberg.com/train-the-trainers/

Connect with Us: [email protected] 

Performance Fit Pilates: https://www.pilates-studio-nuernberg.com 

Performance Fit Pilates on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/performance_fit_pilates

Performance Fit Pilates on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PerformanceFitPilates 

Hannah Teutscher on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannah-teutscher/ 

Send us Fan Mail

How boring would we be if we all looked the same? We all carry abundance in certain parts of our bodies and today’s guest is passionate about changing the stigma surrounding movement for larger-bodied people. Rachel Piper is the owner of Size Diverse Pilates, a company focused on making Pilates accessible for all people. Tuning in, you’ll hear all about our guest, how she got into Pilates, the VARK method, the importance of inclusivity and teaching for the individual, and much more! We even delve into what connecting to the Pilates method means and Rachel gives us tools to help both teachers and students explore how to create connections in their bodies regardless of their body shape and size. Lastly, Rachel tells us about cueing for neurodiverse students. From affirming language to props for larger bodies, this episode touches on it all! So to hear all about size diverse Pilates, press play now!

Key Points From This Episode:

• A brief overview of today’s guest, Rachel Piper. 
• Rachel shares her passion for making people feel included in Pilates. 
• How she moved from the biotech industry into Pilates.
• Rachel tells us about the VARK method and why she wants to adapt learning to each person. 
• The importance of making your inclusivity obvious to the public as a studio. 
• The dangers of stock imaging and why they need to be more positive and empowering.  
• Affirming language Rachel uses to empower her students to make choices. 
• What accessibility means to Rachel and why it is so important. 
• Rachel’s favorite props for accessibility in Pilates. 
• Our guest discusses the kinds of cues she uses for neurodiverse students. 

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Rachel Piper on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/size_diverse_pilates/

Rachel Piper on YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6MoQulTgCxBbY1Cs7gfc-g

Rachel Piper on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/sizediversepilates/

Free Ebook – 100 Pilates Class Themes: https://performance-fit-online.com/100-pilates-class-themes

Free Ebook – Top Teaching Tips: https://performance-fit-online.com/top-teaching-tips

Free Creativity Masterclass: https://mailchi.mp/pilates-studio-nuernberg/creativity-masterclass

Train the Trainers: https://www.pilates-studio-nuernberg.com/train-the-trainers/

Connect with Us: [email protected] 

Performance Fit Pilates: https://www.pilates-studio-nuernberg.com 

Performance Fit Pilates on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/performance_fit_pilates

Performance Fit Pilates on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PerformanceFitPilates 

Hannah Teutscher on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannah-teutscher/ 

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Movement teachers have the power to help people move their bodies in a way that makes them feel alive! Joining us today is Rebecca Sebastian, a yoga therapist with more than 20 years of teaching experience, a yoga studio and apothecary owner, and the host of the Working in Yoga podcast to discuss tactile cueing and consent. Tuning in, you’ll hear all about Rebecca’s entry into yoga and teaching, how a lot of peoples’ ‘why’ for doing yoga has changed recently, enthusiastic consent, Rebecca’s take on ‘brave spaces’, the importance of getting to know your students, and so much more! We then delve into all things tactile cues and consent before discussing the pros and cons of touching your students and ultimately, why Rebecca has decided not to touch them in group classes. Our guest even expresses why self-advocacy and being mindful of your body is important in movement practice. Finally, Rebecca shares how she creates a liberating environment in her studio. Thanks for listening in!

Key Points From This Episode:

• Introducing today’s guest, yoga expert Rebecca Sebastian. 
• How being born with hip dysplasia got Rebecca into yoga. 
• Rebecca shares her reluctance to become a yoga teacher and how she fell in love with it. 
• The importance of enthusiastic consent in any movement class and what that means. 
• Why you need to make sure you truly see your students in a movement space. 
• How the motivator for entering a yoga environment has changed recently. 
• Why Rebecca thinks ‘safe spaces’ are a myth and why she prefers ‘brave spaces’.
• The multitude of benefits that come with getting to know your students on a personal level. 
• How touching students make your verbal cues lazy and less effective. 
• When touching is needed and when, instead, it makes clients less confident in their abilities.
• Yoga as a liberation practice and how Rebecca embodies that in her classes. 

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Rebecca Sebastian on LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebeccasebastianyoga/

Rebecca Sebastian on Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/rebeccasebastianyoga/

Rebecca Sebastian Email Address – [email protected]

Free Ebook – 100 Pilates Class Themes: https://performance-fit-online.com/100-pilates-class-themes

Free Ebook – Top Teaching Tips: https://performance-fit-online.com/top-teaching-tips

Free Creativity Masterclass: https://mailchi.mp/pilates-studio-nuernberg/creativity-masterclass

Train the Trainers: https://www.pilates-studio-nuernberg.com/train-the-trainers/

Connect with Us: [email protected] 

Performance Fit Pilates: https://www.pilates-studio-nuernberg.com 

Performance Fit Pilates on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/performance_fit_pilates

Performance Fit Pilates on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PerformanceFitPilates 

Hannah Teutscher on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannah-teutscher/ 

Send us Fan Mail

We're about to delve into a topic that may stir some debate, though its significance can't be denied. Exploring the subject of posture has the potential to alleviate a considerable amount of stress for Pilates teachers and that's precisely why we're tackling it today. Get ready to explore Posture and Pilates on today's episode of The Pilates Exchange with Hannah. We'll delve into the complexity of posture; touching on a range of factors, from injury and compensation to mental attitude, genetics, clothing, diet, the subconscious mind, trauma, general muscle tension, and weakness. Hannah's aim is for you to grasp the multi-dimensional nature of posture and, through a mindful approach, consider that some individuals may not require any 'fixing' at all. Enjoy. 

Key Points From This Episode:

• Why Hannah wanted to tackle the topic of posture today.
• Her belief is that posture is much more than just standing there.
• What we are looking at when we look at posture.
• Two things to keep in mind when working with posture.
• Be careful of putting too much weight on “the ideal alignment.” 
• Hannah sheds light on different things that might be affecting posture.
• Injury and compensation: working toward equilibrium. 
• Disease: movement as powerful. 
• Habits: bringing awareness to the client.
• Overall weakness in the body: moving all together.
• Mental attitude: creating a positive environment.
• Genetics of posture: trying to fix it may not be productive.
• How the clothing we wear can affect our posture. 
• Asking about eyesight and wearing glasses: it can also affect body alignment.
• Improper diet and malnourishment and its effect on posture.
• Looking at chronic fatigue: getting the maximum benefit for that person.
• Thinking about the different overloads that can affect the person.
• She underlines the multifaceted and intricate nature of posture.
• Ask yourself, as a teacher, “Does their posture genuinely require fixing?”
• How muscle tension and muscle weakness can affect our posture.
• Her encouragement to look at the whole person. 

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Mariska Breland —https://www.mariskabreland.com/ 

Neuro Studio — https://theneurostudio.com/

Free Ebook – 100 Pilates Class Themes: https://performance-fit-online.com/100-pilates-class-themes

Free Ebook – Top Teaching Tips: https://performance-fit-online.com/top-teaching-tips

Free Creativity Masterclass: https://mailchi.mp/pilates-studio-nuernberg/creativity-masterclass

Train the Trainers: https://www.pilates-studio-nuernberg.com/train-the-trainers/

Connect with Us: [email protected] 

Performance Fit Pilates: https://www.pilates-studio-nuernberg.com 

Performance Fit Pilates on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/performance_fit_pilates

Performance Fit Pilates on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PerformanceFitPilates 

Hannah Teutscher on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannah-teutscher/