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I was reading through a list of Japanese mental practices and was struck by this one. Ikigai translates to “a reason for being” or “a reason to get up in the morning”. It represents finding purpose and meaning in life, where your passions, strengths, needs, and the needs of the world intersect. Essentially, it’s about discovering what truly matters to you and living a life filled with purpose and joy. Elaboration: Ikigai is not just about finding a job or career; it’s a broader concept encompassing various aspects of life. It encourages individuals to find their passions, identify their strengths and understand the needs of…

“I had a great time at the Pilates Expo where the PAA were sponsoring the event and had a stand in the exhibition. I also found time to attend a few workshops, catching up with friends and colleagues, and checking out the exhibitors. The venue (Stamford Hotel, Sydney Airport) was a bit out of the way for me but it turned out to be an easy run there and I got parking close by. The facilities were good and there were plenty of helpers if I needed them as an exhibitor. There was a wide selection of workshops to choose…

Joanne Everson writes with a holistic voice that puts the emphasis clearly onto the human aspect of study of human movement. As a movement practitioner and Doctor of Spiritual science, her writing will resonate for teachers of movement, especially those with an interest in new perspectives on health and the body human motion. Throughout Myofascial Magic in Action Everson expresses reverence for the human spirit and weaves the spirit into anatomy. This gives the book a richness and a point of difference. In a long but enjoyable introductory section Everson writes about the impacts of a long history of reductionist…

We are another step closer to getting health fund rebates back Yesterday, a press release from Mark Butler, Minister for Health and Aged Care, stated “The Albanese Government has accepted the recommendations of the Natural Therapies Review….. The following 7 natural therapies will be returned [for inclusion in eligible health fund rebates]: Yoga Pilates Tai chi Shiatsu Naturopathy Western herbal medicine Alexander Technique” Mark Butler Press Release, 14.04.2025 (link) The steps involved in getting our health fund rebates back are: Completion of the Natural Therapies Review – done Natural Therapies Review recommendation that Pilates be re-included for health fund rebates…

Decoding Your Heart’s Rhythm: What Heart Rate Variability Tells You We all know about the importance of a healthy heart rate, but the fairly recent emergence of interest in Heart Rate Variability (HRV), intrigues me. If you are unaware of this, let me give a quick summary: HRV is the slight variations in timing between heartbeats and can offer valuable insights into your overall health and well-being. Think of it this way: a truly healthy heart isn’t a rigid metronome, but rather a responsive instrument that subtly adjusts its tempo. YitzhakNat via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA The Symphony of Your…

Natural Therapies Review – Review Results and Summary The release on Friday 4 April of the Natural Therapies Review Report and Professor Michael Kidd’s recommendation (as Chair of the Review) to have Pilates re-included for health fund rebates is a significant milestone. (If the recommendation had been to continue with the exclusion for Pilates, we would have had an exceedingly hard time in being able to do anything about this.) Again, enormous thanks to Dr Penny Latey for her incredible contribution to this outcome. Given this hurdle has now been cleared, the government needs to remove the limitations imposed by…

Prof. Michael Kidd recommends the re-inclusion of Pilates for health fund rebates “I recommend re-inclusion as eligible for private health insurance benefits the following natural therapies: Alexander Technique naturopathy Pilates shiatsu tai chi western herbal medicine yoga” Message from Robyn Rix, PAA President: I am super excited that Prof Michael Kidd has recommended the re-inclusion of Pilates for health fund rebates. We owe a truckload of gratitude to Dr Penny Latey, co-founding member of the APMA and now PAA life-member, who has fought tirelessly on the Natural Therapies Review Expert Advisory Panel to secure this result. I have “fond” memories…

Introduction Late last year the first version of the Occupation Standard Classification for Australia (OSCA) was released. Included in this were two occupation codes for Pilates. (The previous system, ANZSCO, did not recognise Pilates as a stand-alone profession.) The Australian Bureau of Statistics is now asking for consultation on the maintenance strategy for OSCA. Dr Penny Latey, a PAA member, has written the below article in connection with the new codes. Robyn Rix, PAA President ANZSCO transition to OSCA and what that means for the Pilates Profession The Business Industry Codes (BIC) designate specific professions or industries for the ATO….

The media seems quite interested in the fact that there are more men attending Pilates.  Quite a few articles have appeared in the press about men “infiltrating”  Pilates and yoga classes. I was interviewed by the Sun Herald as the President of the Pilates Association Australia, asking whether Pilates businesses had seen an increase in men attending. I personally have not seen a major uptick in men attending, with historically around 25% of clients attending my studio being male. This contrasts to around 10% of Pilates clients being male around Australia. For businesses that have strategically targeted men, this figure…

International Presenters Announced We are thrilled to welcome two amazing international presenters to the PAA Conference 2025, 12-14 September at the ICC, Sydney. Both bring a wealth of experience, insight, and passion for Pilates education, ensuring an enriching experience for everyone.   Classical Pilates Educator, Mentor, and Presenter Karen Frischmann is a leading voice in classical Pilates education, known for her ability to help teachers deepen their understanding of the original Pilates method. With decades of experience, she has mentored hundreds of instructors worldwide, guiding them to refine their teaching, master the classical repertoire, and develop a keen eye for…