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For thousands of years, Eastern medical traditions have described the body as an interconnected system of flowing pathways rather than a collection of separate parts. Systems such as Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurvedic medicine proposed that health depends on the balanced movement of energy, fluid and communication throughout the body. Western medicine eventually identified many of these physical transport systems — including the cardiovascular system, lymphatic system and nervous system. More recently, scientific interest has expanded toward fascia and connective tissue as body-wide communication and force-transmission networks. Now, researchers are turning their attention to another widespread internal system known as…

5 QUICK STUDIO TIPS Handling Tricky Client Situations with Confidence & Consistency Running a calm, professional Pilates studio is about more than great programming — it’s about creating clear expectations and a consistent client experience. Here are 5 simple reminders that help maintain the environment you want to teach in. 1. Phones & Smart Watches in the Studio — Less Distraction, More Connection Encourage clients to place phones on silent and smart watches on Do Not Disturb during sessions (unless they’re on call for urgent matters). Framing this as a benefit to their experience helps clients understand the “why”. Consistency is…

Leadership Transition at the Pilates Association Australia The Pilates Association Australia (PAA) is pleased to announce a planned leadership transition, marking the next phase in the continued growth and development of the Association and the profession. Following a recent Board meeting, the following appointments will take effect from early May: Kimberley Garlick has been appointed President Jen Guest has been appointed Vice-President Robyn Rix has been appointed Treasurer Susie Bond is stepping down as Vice President and will remain on the Committee as an Ordinary Member. She will continue to chair the Therapeutic Pilates Special Interest Group Cheryl Burgess is…

What Pilates Instructors Need to Know About Australia’s New Payment Rules If you’ve been adding a 1.5% surcharge to your Pilates packs or casual classes to cover your bank fees, it’s time to prepare for a major change. On 31 March 2026, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) announced a total overhaul of how we pay for things. By 1 October 2026, the way you handle payments in your studio will look very different. What is changing? Currently, many studios add a small surcharge at the checkout to cover the cost of processing credit and debit cards. From 1 October 2026, this will…

No matter where your music comes from, if you play music protected by copyright in your Pilates business, you will likely need permission or a ‘public performance’ music licence. Public performance? But I’m not the one performing! ‘Public performance’ of music describes the act of a business (such as a Pilates practice, a shop, a fitness studio or a bar etc) playing music protected by copyright for a commercial purpose, whether that is background recorded music, live music or a DJ etc. Many Australian businesses are unaware that almost all commercially-available music is protected by copyright. Under the Copyright Act…

Introduction The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) is currently undertaking a consultation on updates to the Occupation Standard Classification for Australia (OSCA) — the framework used to define and categorise occupations across the Australian workforce. Pilates is currently classified within the Sport and Recreation Instructor category. However, this classification may not fully reflect the range of services Pilates professionals provide, particularly in areas such as individualised programs, work with health conditions, and supervised exercise programs. PAA Survey and Submission The PAA will be preparing a submission to the ABS as part of this consultation process. To ensure the submission accurately…

At a recent industry conference, a panel discussion referenced a figure suggesting there had been 45,000 Pilates-related injuries in Australia, reportedly based on AusPlay data. The statement understandably raised concern among attendees and prompted an important question: How safe is Pilates — and what does the evidence actually show? A review of AusPlay and national injury datasets revealed that Australia does not currently collect injury statistics specific to Pilates. It is therefore likely that this figure reflected a misunderstanding of participation or survey data rather than documented injury incidence. This highlights an important reality: despite Pilates being practised by hundreds…

Your website is often the first point of contact between you and potential clients. For Pilates practitioners in Australia, a professional website has become one of the most powerful tools you have for running a credible, compliant business that meets contemporary consumer expectations. Here’s an example. With the Pilates Association Australia (PAA) actively working towards health fund rebates for therapeutic Pilates and the profession moving towards greater recognition and regulation, there has never been a better time to invest in the quality and professionalism of your online presence. This article explores what constitutes a professional website for Pilates practitioners in…

Integrating Pilates and Ballet Technique I was first introduced to Pilates at fifteen, in Albury, New South Wales. I loved movement in all its forms, but mat work felt strange to me at the time disconnected from how my body naturally wanted to move. During my full-time training at the National Theatre Ballet School and later at the Victorian College of the Arts, I sustained a significant injury in rehearsal. I slipped from an overhead lift and landed directly onto my coccyx with my legs extended in front of me, fracturing my spine and unknowingly creating an anterior disc bulge….

Pilates Practitioners – Important 2026 Updates There are several important national processes taking place in the next few months. Two key dates for the Pilates community are: 1️⃣ OSCA Input – From 11 March 2026 From 11 March 2026, there will be an opportunity to provide input into the next Occupation Standard Classification for Australia (OSCA) consultation process. If you believe Therapeutic Pilates should be clearly recognised within the national occupation framework, please be prepared to contribute feedback and supporting evidence. 2️⃣ May 2026 Census – Your Main Occupation Matters In the May 2026 Census, if Therapeutic Pilates is your primary…