Pilates Perspectives

Balanced Body
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  • Health & Fitness

Pilates Perspectives is your guide to how Pilates fits into real life, no matter your experience level. We unpack the method’s many approaches and history, where it sits in today’s wellness landscape, and simple ways to apply it day to day. Episodes range from building community through movement to using Pilates in physical therapy and rehab. We also explore timely topics, including education standards, diversity expansion across the field, and embracing Pilates as a lifestyle that supports both body and mind.You’ll hear from seasoned teachers, clinicians, and thought leaders who share firsthand experience and evidence-informed insights; useful for curious beginners and long-time pros alike. Our aim is to offer practical knowledge, foster inclusivity, and widen perspectives so the practice continues to evolve for everyone.Follow Pilates Perspectives and join a community committed to learning, growing, and practicing with purpose. Visit pilates.com/pilates-perspectives-podcast to learn more.

  1. 6 days ago

    Nutrition for Fitness

    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®.

  2. 9 Sept

    Movement and the Neurodivergent Brain

    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®.

  3. 2 Sept

    Pregnancy and Pilates

    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®.

  4. 8 July

    Lesser-Known Pilates Apparatus: Moving Beyond the Reformer

    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®.

  5. 1 July

    How Exercise Boosts Creativity

    Leah Grant, NCPT and BFA, explores the powerful connection between functional exercise, creative expression, and the ultimate mind-body experience. Through the lens of the Pilates method, Leah shares how mindful movement can help quiet distractions, invite emotional openness, and create the ideal conditions for achieving a psychological flow state. Leah reminds us that every fitness professional has the capacity to think, move, teach, and problem-solve creatively. Like any physical skill, creativity grows through deliberate practice, repetition, curiosity, and imagination. For Pilates instructors, that creative practice shows up every day in technical Pilates cueing, innovative Pilates sequencing, adapting exercises for diverse body types, and empowering students to trust their own somatic voice. Explore how letting someone else lead can open new pathways for professional inspiration, why setting structural boundaries is essential for reducing mental distraction, and how cultivating receptivity can help us access more creative freedom in both somatic movement instruction and everyday life. This episode is powered by Balanced Body®.

  6. 24 June

    The Anatomy & Physiology of Pilates

    What happens when therapeutic Pilates meets physical therapy, evidence-based practice, and decades of advanced movement education? Joy Puleo sits down with Chrissy Romani-Ruby—Educational Director of PHI Pilates, PT, D.Ed, MPT, ATC, NCPT—and Cassie Ruby-Nemec, NCPT, DPT, and Board Certified Orthopaedic Clinical Specialist, for a thoughtful conversation on the powerful relationship between clinical Pilates and physical rehabilitation. Learn how Pilates for physical therapy accelerates patient recovery, why deep anatomical knowledge matters for every Pilates teacher, and how movement professionals can become more effective communicators through precise Pilates cueing and instruction. Chrissy and Cassy discuss the vital importance of biomechanics, how to evaluate peer-reviewed research, and why high-quality Pilates continuing education is essential in an ever-evolving wellness industry. Unpacking the pitfalls of "meaningless movement" and examining the risks of becoming too mechanical in your teaching style, this episode offers practical insights for Pilates instructors, physical therapists, and movement educators who want to teach with greater clinical clarity, purpose, and impact. Tune in for an inspiring discussion on evidence-based Pilates, lifelong learning, and how sports science, communication, and human connection work together to create better rehabilitation outcomes for clients and students alike. This episode is powered by Balanced Body®.

  7. 17 June

    Be the Teacher You Want to See in the World

    What does it take to become the Pilates teacher you aspire to be? Joy chats with Lesley Logan, founder of OPC (Online Pilates Classes), Pilates educator, business owner, and host of the Be It Till You See It podcast, for a candid conversation about teaching, self-advocacy, and building a meaningful Pilates career. Lesley shares practical advice for new and experienced Pilates instructors alike, including how to build confidence before you feel fully ready, create the kind of learning environment you wish existed for yourself, and foster a genuine sense of belonging for every client. Hear about the power of curiosity, the importance of asking questions, and why great teaching starts with listening. Together, Joy and Lesley discuss how self-advocacy can help movement professionals find the right opportunities, why instructors should focus on what clients can do rather than what they can’t, and how creating a welcoming, supportive Pilates experience leads to stronger client relationships and better outcomes. Tune in for an empowering conversation on Pilates instruction, professional growth, authentic leadership, and creating the kind of movement community you’d be excited to join yourself. This episode is powered by Balanced Body®.

  8. 10 June

    Pilates for Fitness & Athletics

    What role does Pilates play in fitness, athletic performance, and real-life movement? Joy chats with John Garey, founder of Pilates & Fitness TV and Pilates Grad School, about how Pilates can support athletes, everyday fitness clients, and anyone looking to move through life with more ease. John shares how Pilates can impact strength, mobility, coordination, body awareness, and performance in meaningful ways. He explains why athletes, despite excelling in highly specific skills, can often feel like a “fish out of water” when asked to move outside their sport’s demands, and how Pilates can help fill those gaps. The conversation explores what personal fitness really means: being able to live easily and efficiently, without having to think about every movement. John also breaks down the “IT factor,” the importance of understanding human behavior, and why great teaching requires meeting clients where they are. For Pilates instructors and fitness professionals, this episode offers practical insight into blending Pilates with fitness training while staying clear on the Pilates principles you’re using, what you’re offering, and why it’s uniquely valuable. John also speaks candidly about branding challenges in the Pilates industry, the misconception that Pilates can “do it all,” and why no single modality can meet every need. This episode is powered by Balanced Body®.

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About

Pilates Perspectives is your guide to how Pilates fits into real life, no matter your experience level. We unpack the method’s many approaches and history, where it sits in today’s wellness landscape, and simple ways to apply it day to day. Episodes range from building community through movement to using Pilates in physical therapy and rehab. We also explore timely topics, including education standards, diversity expansion across the field, and embracing Pilates as a lifestyle that supports both body and mind.You’ll hear from seasoned teachers, clinicians, and thought leaders who share firsthand experience and evidence-informed insights; useful for curious beginners and long-time pros alike. Our aim is to offer practical knowledge, foster inclusivity, and widen perspectives so the practice continues to evolve for everyone.Follow Pilates Perspectives and join a community committed to learning, growing, and practicing with purpose. Visit pilates.com/pilates-perspectives-podcast to learn more.

Information

  • Creator
    Balanced Body
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    31
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Pilates Perspectives
  • Show Website
    Pilates Perspectives

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