News
Book Review: Movement and Identity
Title: Movement and Identity: Multiculturalism, Somatic Awareness and Embodied Code-Switching® 1 Basic Book Information Title: Movement and Identity: Multiculturalism, Somatic Awareness and Embodied Code-Switching® Author: Marcia Bonato Warren Publisher: Singing Dragon Release Year: March 21, 2025 Genre: Psychology & Cognition- Sports & Fitness Psychology / Anthropology / Self-Help Pages: 297 ISBN: 978-1839978371 Target Audience: Readers interested in cognition, psychology, mindset and behaviour, therapists, body workers, fitness professionals, Pilates practitioners. Overall comment: A critical read for anyone devoted to cultivating the mind as intensely as the body, and a rich exploration of how our movements reflect and express our cultural identities….
Pilates for People With Disabilities
What High-Quality Research Really Shows Pilates is increasingly recognised as a structured, adaptable and evidence-supported form of movement therapy for people living with disability. Far from being “just stretching,” well-designed Pilates programs function as progressive neuromuscular training—improving mobility, balance, fatigue, pain and quality of life. This article summarises findings from randomised controlled trials (RCTs), systematic reviews, and meta-analyses only. Why Pilates Works Well for People With Disabilities Pilates emphasises precision, control, breathing and body awareness. Movements can be modified in supine, sitting, standing or wheelchairs, making it highly adaptable for neurological conditions, musculoskeletal disability, chronic pain and fatigue-related disorders. Several…
Introducing the Why Pilates? podcast
A national consumer education initiative by the Pilates Association Australia In a landscape full of mixed messages, trends, and misinformation, we’re here to bring clarity, confidence, and a unified voice to what Pilates truly represents. Listen to the podcast now What problems does the Why Pilates? Podcast address? Market messaging and social media are confusing consumers about what Pilates is The delineation between Fitness trends and Pilates methods of movement is unclear The public’s experience and understanding of Pilates is mixed They don’t know how to discern quality Pilates instruction There is a loss of consumer trust and retention The…
From Bodily Knowledge to Intuitive Movement By Sherry Brourman
Where Physical Therapy, Yoga Therapy and Pain Science Meet This book is not an obvious choice for a Pilates Practitioner. However, it is a book packed with the kind of body reading material that all movement professionals need. Yoga teaches and cues feet and breath differently to Pilates and the information on those 2 topics in this book I found very valuable. The chapter on pain science was a standout for me. It is a fantastic read for anyone who is trying to navigate pain in themselves or their clients. Brourman connects the science to the experience with compassion and…
Health Fund Rebate Update – November 2025
We continue our discussions with the Health Funds Associations – Private HealthCare Australia (PHA) & the Australian Regional Health Group (ARHG) – and the individual health funds. At the moment, we are focused on gaining health fund rebates for therapeutic Pilates. This would cover treatment for a condition and does not include Pilates for general wellbeing and fitness. The latter was previously the only form of Pilates that was covered by health funds and is likely to be reincluded in the same format. At this stage, we anticipate that members at Level 2 Pilates Practitioner and above would be eligible…
Understanding Fascia, Tensegrity, and Myofascial Trigger Points by John Sharkey
Review by Fran Philip – PAA member After hours in the dissection lab, I’m often left reflecting on the incredible complexity of the human body—trying to connect what I’ve seen to the way I guide movement in the studio. John Sharkey’s new book, Understanding Fascia, Tensegrity, and Myofascial Trigger Points, offers a clear and practical framework for making those connections. John organises the content into three clear and practical sections. First, theory—covering foundational anatomy, the principles of tensegrity (or “fasciategrity”), and how fascia’s structure and function contribute to integrated, whole-body movement. Second, practice—with a focus on myofascial trigger points: how…
Supporting Women Through Perimenopause
Article written by: Katherine Tsebelis Are your 35+ year old female clients often complaining of aches and pains? Have they presented with shoulder and hip pain? Do their feet hurt? And do they always feel tired and lethargic? Anxious or depressed? Perhaps these women are dropping out of classes or leaving your studio as they feel they’re no longer achieving results like they used to… What’s the likely cause? Menopause… or to be more specific, perimenopause! This is the period in which women can struggle the most, in almost every aspect of their lives. Many women leave the workplace, experience…
Benefits of Pilates on Depression, Anxiety, and Stress:
An Observational Study Comparing People Practicing Pilates to Non-Active Controls For Mental Health Awareness Day, we’re excited to share new research that speaks directly to Pilates instructors and studio owners. It reinforces what many in our community have long believed: Pilates can do more than build strength and improve mobility—it can support mental health. A recent observational study, “Benefits of Pilates on Depression, Anxiety, and Stress: An Observational Study Comparing People Practicing Pilates to Non-Active Controls” by Guidotti, Fiduccia, Morisi, and Pruneti, explored the effects of a three-month, once-weekly mat Pilates programme. The results were compelling: participants experienced significant reductions…
Show me the Money
Carla Mullins, Body Organics unpacks key issues affecting instructors and studio owners There is nothing like a cranky social media post about teaching rates or superannuation to blow up a Facebook group. As Australian Pilates teachers and studio owners manage beginning of a financial year, I felt it could be helpful to try and bring together some considerations for pay and negotiations in the Pilates industry. There are many sides to what we believe we are worth to ourselves but also to our employers. In this article we explore: What is employment and contracting in the Australian legal context? What…
New PAA Project: Therapeutic Pilates Special Interest Group (SIG)
THERAPEUTIC PILATES SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP We are excited to introduce a new project within the Pilates Association for PAA Members (teaching levels) who are interested in Therapeutic style of Pilates teaching. The THERAPEUTIC PILATES SPECIAL INTEREST GROUP (SIG) is a community for professionals who are passionate about integrating the principles of Pilates with evidence-based therapeutic practices to support client health,recovery, and well-being. PLEASE JOIN US FOR AN OPEN INTRODUCTORY ZOOM SESSION on Friday 24th of October from 4pm – 5pm. Who are we? A group of experienced, comprehensively trained Pilates instructors with additional skills and study credentials for treating and addressing…
