Pilates for the Queer Community

Pilates for the Queer Community

What does it mean to facilitate Pilates “queerly”? In this episode of Pilates Perspectives, host Joy Puleo speaks with Sofia Engelman [https://queerbodypilates.com/] about creating more inclusive, trauma-informed Pilates spaces for queer and trans clients and for everyone who deserves to feel respected, supported, and safe in movement. Sofia Engelman shares practical ways Pilates instructors can move beyond surface-level inclusion and create meaningful change in their inclusive Pilates teaching. Learn the importance of using pronouns on intake forms, avoiding gendered assumptions in group Pilates classes, and building trust around verbal and tactile cueing in LGBTQ+ friendly fitness spaces. Joy and Sofia also discuss the importance of trauma-informed Pilates instruction, accessible movement practices, and the power dynamics that exist in Pilates and fitness environments. Sofia offers grounded advice for people who want to strengthen their empathy and compassion “muscle,” including doing their own research, practicing pronouns, seeking out education, and engaging with books and media that deepen understanding of queer and trans experiences. This episode offers thoughtful guidance for creating inclusive Pilates studios rooted in consent, inclusivity, accessibility, and authentic care. Perfect for movement professionals seeking to build safe movement spaces and develop trauma-sensitive movement education that welcomes all bodies and identities. This episode is powered by Balanced Body [https://www.pilates.com/]®.

How to Stay Safe in Your Pilates Class

Safety is essential to a strong, effective Pilates practice for students, teachers, and studio owners alike. In this episode, Brooke Bowersock [https://www.brookebowersockpilates.com/about-brooke-bowersock], Balanced Body Principal Educator and Founder of ALIGN Pilates Studios, talks about how to create safer, more supportive Pilates class experiences. Brooke shares practical Pilates safety tips for both students and instructors, including what to look for in instructor credentials, why correct form and thoughtful corrections matter, and how to approach equipment safety with greater awareness. She also discusses the importance of offering modifications, creating systems that support safety at scale, and building an environment where students feel emotionally safe, empowered, and able to advocate for themselves. This episode is powered by Balanced Body [https://www.pilates.com/]®.

There's No One-Size-Fits-All In Fitness

Joy and Shelly Power [https://www.instagram.com/shellyapower/], VP of Education at Polestar, have a thoughtful conversation on navigating movement advice and fitness misinformation in a world full of conflicting information. Shelly Power shares how to identify fitness misinformation, evaluate sources, and model critical thinking in fitness when deciding what guidance to trust. She also explores why evidence-based movement is rarely as simple as “right” or “wrong,” and how movement professionals and practitioners can prioritize safety, effectiveness, and the individual needs of each body. This episode is powered by Balanced Body [https://www.pilates.com/]®.

Unpacking Proprioception

Proprioception is often described as the body’s “sixth sense,” but what does that really mean for movement quality? In this episode of Pilates Perspectives, Joy talks with Misha Von Bechtolsheim [https://brainbodyapproach.uteach.io/] about proprioception, kinesthesia, and the sensory systems that shape how we move through the world. Together, they unpack the relationship between proprioception, kinesthesia, the vestibular system (balance), and the visual system. You’ll learn how these systems work within the neural hierarchy to help the brain make better movement decisions and improve neuromuscular control. Misha explains why high-quality sensory input is essential for improving movement quality, developing body trust, and supporting the nervous system. Plus, she shares simple exercises you can do at home to improve proprioception, enhance body (somatic) awareness, and use sensation training for more connected, confident movement. This episode is powered by Balanced Body [https://www.pilates.com/]®.

Teaching Autonomy With Pilates

How do we teach Pilates in a way that empowers rather than corrects? Joy and Cara Reeser [https://carareeserpilates.com/about/], Master Teacher and second-generation Pilates educator, explore a more nuanced, relational approach to Pilates teaching. Drawing inspiration from Kathy Stanford Grant’s gentle dissuasion of performance, Cara reflects on the value of helping clients move how they actually move, not how they think they’re supposed to move. Together, they unpack how mindfulness in Pilates requires attention, intention, and attitude. They discuss the importance of nurturing both the teacher-client relationship and the client’s relationship with themselves, offering a model of teaching rooted in self-exploration, curiosity, and embodied learning. If you’re a Pilates teacher interested in mindful movement, client-centered cueing, and more empowering ways to teach, this conversation offers a thoughtful perspective and practical insight. This episode is powered by Balanced Body [https://www.pilates.com/]®.