Pilates Perspectives

Joakim Valsinger came to Pilates at 28, straight out of Australian Army commando selection. His first class humbled him. Every strategy the military had taught him - brace, push, repeat - was useless against a method built on stabilization and integration instead of brute strength.

Twenty-some years later, he's a Nationally Certified Pilates Teacher, a Lolita San Miguel Master Mentor graduate, and the owner of Bälans Pilates in Perth, Scotland. In this episode, he talks with Joy Puleo about what Pilates can do that nothing else quite does.

That includes his own Pilates rehab. Joakim has come back from a partially paralyzed diaphragm, caused by a neck spasm, and a ruptured Achilles tendon. His verdict on the difference between medicine and movement is the line that sticks: the doctors got him back to living, but Pilates got him back to a full life. Traditional treatment stopped at basic mobility. Pilates kept him functional.

He also built something with it. Joakim designed a 12-week Pilates mat program for three military cohorts: Australian contacts worldwide, British Army Reserve soldiers in England, and an online group, targeting the push-up and sit-up fitness tests that soldiers are actually scored on. Average improvement: 39%. He shares what worked, why the in-person groups stuck with it while the online group didn't, and how military-style goal setting translates to any client, including those who just want to lift their grandchildren without wincing.

And then there's Albie. Joakim's son has Prader-Willi syndrome, and through adapted equipment and systematic movement protocols, he's made real gains in coordination and strength. Joakim makes the case for adaptive Pilates for children with developmental disabilities and offers free adaptive Pilates sessions to families who need them. 

Whether you’re a Pilates teacher, a rehab professional, or a parent exploring Pilates for a child with a disability, this episode shows how adaptable the method can be.

This episode is powered by Balanced Body®.

What can biomechanics teach us about the way we move, and how can it help us better prepare for injury, strain, and everyday physical demands? On this episode of Pilates Perspectives, host Joy Puleo is joined by Cody Jussel, Master of Science in Kinesiology and Pilates instructor, for a deep dive into biomechanics, movement patterns, tissue adaptation, and injury prevention.

Cody breaks down what biomechanics actually means and what a biomechanical evaluation, or movement assessment, can reveal about the body. She explains the difference between kinetics and kinematics, explores the internal and external forces that influence movement, and looks at the “why” behind the movement patterns we develop over time.

The conversation also examines the relationship between biomechanics, tissue, and tension, including concepts such as tensegrity, fascia, and whole-body force distribution. Rather than trying to create one “perfect” way to move, Cody emphasizes the importance of giving the body as much movement variability as possible so it can adapt to different loads, positions, and demands.

Her own relationship with Pilates began postpartum, after the birth of her daughter 19 years ago, when movement suddenly felt unfamiliar in her body. Pilates offered something different: an invitation to slow down, pay attention, and become curious about how she was moving. 

Cody also shares how leading a para-athlete (adaptive sports) competition helped ignite her passion for biomechanics and expanded the way she thought about movement, adaptation, and individual ability.

Throughout the episode, Joy and Cody challenge the idea that the goal of movement is to avoid all physical stress. Instead, they explore how appropriately loading the body is essential for adaptation and growth, and how biomechanics and Pilates can help prepare us for the strains and injuries that are sometimes an inevitable part of an active life. Whether you’re a Pilates instructor, movement professional, or simply curious about how your body moves, this episode offers a deeper look at biomechanics, injury prevention, and building a more adaptable body.

This episode is powered by Balanced Body®.

Classical Pilates teacher Amy Taylor Alpers trained with Romana Kryzanowska, a protégé of Joseph Pilates, at the original Pilates Studio in New York and was certified in 1989.

In this episode, Amy takes us inside the room with Romana. What she was really like as a teacher. How her ballet background shaped the way she taught classical Pilates: the dancer's eye, the insistence on consistency, the refusal to let a sloppy repetition slide. Amy explains why "do it again, properly" is one of the most generous things a Pilates teacher can say.

From there: the Pilates equipment. Amy and her sister Rachel Taylor Segel co-founded The Pilates Center in Boulder, Colorado, in 1990, and later worked with Balanced Body founder Ken Endelman to develop CenterLine®, the classically-inspired Pilates equipment line. Amy walks through what they were chasing, and what changes when the apparatus is right.

She's also changed her mind about a lot. Pilates cueing especially. After decades of teaching Pilates teachers, Amy talks about moving away from correction-by-command toward something that lets the body find its own answer, and where she looks for inspiration when the anatomy textbooks run out: animals, movement in nature, the way a cat organizes its spine without being told. Underneath all of it is a humanist streak; a belief that Pilates is about the whole person, not just the whole body.

This episode is powered by Balanced Body®.

What does the pelvic floor actually do, and why does pelvic floor health involve so much more than Kegel exercises? Joy is joined by Dr. Charisse Balance, PT, DPT, RYT, a physical therapist specializing in chronic pain, pregnancy, and postpartum care with advanced training in Myofascial Release, Myofunctional Therapy, and yoga.

Dr. Balance breaks down the different layers of the pelvic floor, their functions, and their role in everything from sexual health and bowel and bladder function to core stability, Pilates practice, and overall movement. She explains the differences and relationships among structures such as the levator ani and perineal muscles, and why understanding pelvic floor anatomy requires looking beyond a single isolated group of muscles.

Explore the important relationship between the pelvic floor, diaphragm, and breath, including why the timing of diaphragmatic breathing and pelvic floor contraction matters. Learn how mobility and elasticity in surrounding structures, such as the psoas and piriformis, can influence pelvic floor function, along with the fascial connections between the pelvic floor, transverse abdominis, adductors, and the rest of the body.

They also examine common forms of pelvic floor dysfunction, why pelvic floor physical therapy involves far more than strengthening exercises, and how a nervous-system-informed approach is the first step when addressing pelvic pain, tension, or dysfunction. 

Listeners will also learn what internal myofascial release is, how trained pelvic health professionals may use it, and simple pelvic floor exercises and strategies to support pelvic floor awareness at home.

Whether you’re a Pilates instructor, movement professional, pregnant or postpartum client, or simply interested in better understanding pelvic health, pelvic floor anatomy, core stability, diastasis recti, breathing, pelvic floor physical therapy, postpartum recovery, and whole-body movement, this episode offers a deeper look at one of the body’s most important—and often misunderstood—systems.

Content warning: This episode discusses sexual health and sexual function in clinical terms. It may not be suitable for younger listeners.

This episode is powered by Balanced Body®.

Why are so many men hesitant to try Pilates, and what happens when they finally do? Join Joy and Reed Flanagan, ISSA Master Trainer and Founder of Atlantis Fitness & Pilates, for a candid conversation about Pilates for men, masculinity, and movement culture.

Reed explores some of the cultural assumptions that can make men apprehensive about stepping into a Pilates studio, from discomfort with entering a traditionally woman-dominated space to the challenge of being a beginner at something new. He shares practical ways Pilates instructors can make classes more approachable for male clients, including introducing concepts such as mindfulness, body awareness, flexibility, and functional mobility using language that resonates.

They break down the benefits of Pilates for weightlifting and bodybuilding. Reed explains how incorporating Pilates workouts can complement traditional strength training by improving core stabilization for heavy squats and lifts, movement control, joint mobility, and access to smaller or more specific muscle groups. 

Reed also discusses why qualities like flexibility and mobility are often undervalued in traditional men’s fitness culture, and why becoming comfortable with being uncomfortable (or simply not being “good” at something right away) can be an important part of personal growth. From training young athletes to working with older adults, Reed explains why, across ages, fundamental functional movement needs may be more alike than they are different. 

This episode ultimately looks beyond exercise to a broader question: What does healthy masculinity look like? Reed offers his perspective on embracing strength, confidence, self-awareness, and openness.

This episode is powered by Balanced Body®.

Who is the voice behind Pilates Perspectives? In this special episode, the spotlight turns to Joy Puleo, Director of Education at Balanced Body and host of the podcast, interviewed by her colleague, Paul Endelman, for a personal conversation about her path through a Pilates career, movement education, leadership, and creativity.

Joy reflects on her career as an “improbable and unlikely Pilates instructor,” sharing how her own experiences challenged assumptions about who belongs in the fitness and Pilates community. In an open conversation about body image, self-confidence, vulnerability, and curiosity, she explores the importance of creating inclusive movement environments where more people feel confident participating.

Learn about Pilates teacher education, including the benefits and limitations of traditional apprenticeship and modular Pilates teacher training models, the most meaningful moments of Joy’s career as a Pilates educator, and the challenges of stepping into the leadership legacy of Nora St. John and Al Harrison during a period of enormous change brought on by COVID.

Joy speaks candidly about fitness career sustainability and preventing Pilates instructor burnout, particularly what can happen when the thing you love becomes your profession. She shares lessons on protecting the sources of inspiration that brought you to the work in the first place: nurturing curiosity, seeking out what fills you up, surrounding yourself with people and passions that matter, and making space for life beyond your job.

The conversation also explores Joy’s creative process, her active imagination, and why quiet spaces are essential to the way she thinks and creates. Throughout it all is a theme central to her philosophy as an educator: the importance of cultivating joy in movement and confidence in the body, rather than focusing solely on performance or perfection.

This episode is powered by Balanced Body®.

What should you actually eat to support your workouts, and does “healthy eating” look the same for everyone? Joy and Kylie Benak, Registered Dietitian and Pilates teacher, cut through nutrition myths and explore how to fuel your body for movement, workout recovery, and long-term health.

Kylie explains why fitness nutrition is highly individual, with dietary needs influenced by genetics, lifestyle, activity level, and body composition. She breaks down what a truly balanced meal looks like and why building a plate around only protein intake may leave out important nutrients your body needs for energy, athletic performance, muscle repair, and post-workout recovery.

The conversation explores the roles of protein, carbohydrates, healthy fats, and fiber, including why the quality of carbohydrates and fats matters, how protein supports muscle recovery and bone strength, and practical examples of nutrient-dense foods to incorporate into your diet. Kylie also discusses creatine supplementation, including its potential benefits for physical performance, cognition, and memory.

Learn practical strategies for pre-workout fueling and post-workout nutrition, and how your needs may change depending on the type and timing of exercise.

The episode also takes on popular detoxes and cleansing diets, exploring why they are generally unnecessary and, in some cases, can do more harm than good. Most importantly, Kylie discusses how to move away from rigid food rules and develop a healthier, more sustainable relationship with eating.

Whether you’re a Pilates instructor, fitness professional, athlete, or simply looking to better understand nutrition, exercise, muscle recovery, workout fueling, and balanced eating, this episode offers practical guidance for fueling your body without getting caught up in diet culture or nutrition trends.

This episode is powered by Balanced Body®.

What happens in the brain when we move, and why does cognitive movement complexity matter more than high intensity? Joy is joined by Dr. Julia Basso, neuroscientist, certified yoga teacher, Director of the Embodied Brain Lab, and Co-Director of the Science and Art Movement Lab at Virginia Tech, for a fascinating dive into the neuroscience of exercise, neurodivergence, and the deep mind-body connection.

Dr. Basso and Joy explore how physical activity cultivates mind-body integration while breaking down peer-reviewed research on exercise and executive function. She discusses how complex movement activates key neurotransmitter systems targeted by common ADHD medications and explains why movement therapy for ADHD offers unique cognitive benefits for neurodivergent individuals.

Learn about the link between physical conditioning and neuroplasticity, including why multi-planar, complex movement patterns are so powerful for brain health. Dr. Basso also contrasts solo training with group movement, citing groundbreaking research showing that synchronized movement enhances social bonding and prosocial behavior.

Along the way, she demystifies the neuroscience research methods used to study the brain in motion, offers practical strategies for creating neurodiversity-affirming Pilates classes, and examines how music drives motor learning and engagement.

For Pilates instructors, physical therapists, movement professionals, and anyone curious about the neuroscience of exercise, this episode offers an evidence-based roadmap for leveraging movement to enhance cognitive function, social connection, and lifelong brain health.

This episode is powered by Balanced Body®.

Pregnancy often comes with a long list of exercise restrictions, but how many movement "rules" are actually backed by evidence? In this episode of Pilates Perspectives, host Joy Puleo sits down with pre- and postnatal specialist Stephanie Forster to unpack the realities of prenatal Pilates and postpartum Pilates recovery, debunking pervasive myths that make pregnancy workouts feel unnecessarily restrictive.

Stephanie explores how cultural misconceptions have shaped ideas around prenatal fitness, specifically clarifying common myths about core exercises during pregnancy, twisting, and abdominal training. She shares practical modification strategies for each trimester, details which Pilates exercises need adaptation as the body changes, and explains why maintaining active movement is essential for joint mobility, core strength, and overall maternal wellness.

The conversation also looks beyond delivery, offering evidence-informed guidance on postpartum exercise and safe return-to-fitness protocols. Discover expert strategies for managing diastasis recti, supporting pelvic floor health, rebuilding deep core strength, and helping clients safely transition back to full-body movement after birth.

View resources here.

This episode is powered by Balanced Body®.

Joy talks with Kathi Ross-Nash, creator of the Red Thread Method, founder of the KRN Education and the Pilates Advanced Professional Teacher Training (PPATT) program, celebrated author, and globally renowned classical Pilates teacher, about utilizing lesser-known specialized Pilates apparatus and props to deepen the work beyond the familiar Pilates Reformer and Mat work.

Kathi shares how a systematic approach to the Pilates method reveals the biomechanical purpose behind every piece of equipment, from its dimensions and proportions to its role in supporting progressive skill-building. She explores how the flow and transitions between Pilates apparatus should be customized to the individual body in front of you, and why effective Pilates education cannot thrive in an environment of fear or criticism. Hear how her close mentorship with Pilates Elder Jay Grimes continues to influence her teaching today, and how reconnecting with her own practice taught her self-love and deep appreciation for the movement.

With profound insight, historical reverence, and practical wisdom, Kathi reminds us that when you truly understand the classical Pilates method, the work becomes critical, transformative, and life-changing for both the teacher and the client.

This episode is powered by Balanced Body®.