Beyond the Reformer

Nic Lenny
  • 5.0 (2)
  • ALTERNATIVE HEALTH

Welcome to Beyond the Reformer, the podcast where Pilates professionals and enthusiasts come together for thoughtful conversations, genuine insights, and inspiring stories. Join Nic every Monday morning to feel more connected, inspired, and empowered in your Pilates practice, teaching, and beyond…

  1. 2H AGO

    Dr Brent Anderson: The Future of Pilates Education and Industry Standards (PART 2)

    We’re back with Part 2 of the amazing conversation with Dr Brent Anderson to go deeper into what is really happening behind the scenes in the Pilates world. They’re chatting about education standards and what it actually means to take responsibility as a movement professional. Brent shares why teaching principles matter more than teaching protocols, and how to assess clients based on their real goals rather than assumptions. They explore the growing conversation around Pilates governance, post Covid training standards, and the gaps that still exist in protecting both teachers and consumers. Brent also reflects on leadership, bias and how we create safe, mature learning environments in the Pilates industry. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction to Part 2 of the podcast 01:06 Teaching principles over protocols and the core Polestar framework 04:25 Nic’s story with Pilates 08:49 Questions to uncover what a client really needs 13:36 Critical reasoning and the importance of listening 18:44 Bridging physiotherapy and Pilates teaching 23:54 Education standards and governance 35:10 Quick fire questions 40:33 Defining the types of Pilates for clarity in research and practice 42:23 Brent’s new podcast 45:49 Bias and navigating difficult conversations If this episode resonated with you, make sure you’re subscribed to Beyond the Reformer so you never miss a conversation shaping the future of Pilates! Connect with Nic: Beyond the Reformer InstagramSoul Pilates InstagramSoul Pilates EducationNic’s InstagramJoin Soul at HomeBook a Pilates Class Connect with Dr Brent Anderson: Polestar Pilates WebsitePolestar Pilates InstagramBrent Anderson InstagramInterested in joining the July Teacher Training intake? Find all the details and book a call here. Thinking about investing in Pilates equipment? Balanced Body are offering our listeners a special discount! Simply fill in the form here and mention Soul Pilates when you order.

    59 min

  2. 3D AGO

    Dr. Brent Anderson: The Science and Philosophy Behind Polestar Pilates (PART 1)

    In Part One of this incredible two part interview, Nic sits down in California with Dr. Brent Anderson, physical therapist, educator and founder of Polestar Pilates. Brent shares how science has reshaped the way Polestar teaches core control, why positive movement experiences matter more than perfection, and how Polestar Pilates was born. The conversation goes deep into the emotional and spiritual power of movement. Brent reflects on how alignment creates presence, how presence builds internal locus of control, and why Pilates has the capacity to create life changing shifts far beyond the studio. Timestamps: 00:00 Introducing Dr Brent Anderson of Polestar Pilates 01:41 Polestar’s culture of collaboration 04:43 Blending science, compassion and evolving movement research 05:29 Theory of core control 08:18 Teaching reformer to mixed levels and applying the 80 percent challenge rule 11:25 Swarm intelligence and precise cueing 14:37 Going from novice to expert 18:24 Brent’s early movement background 22:24 Why Polestar was born 26:24 Pilates as a catalyst for life change through body, mind and spirit alignment 28:10 The power of collective presence 33:09 Teaching as inquiry, mindfulness in class and internal locus of control 37:35 Moving beyond dogma 42:43 Subscribe for Part Two Make sure to subscribe to the podcast so that you can be notified when Part 2 of the conversation is released. And please leave a review and share the podcast with a friend so we can continue to get amazing guests like Brent onto the podcast. Connect with Nic: Beyond the Reformer InstagramSoul Pilates InstagramSoul Pilates EducationNic’s InstagramJoin Soul at HomeBook a Pilates Class Connect with Dr Brent Anderson: Polestar Pilates WebsitePolestar Pilates InstagramBrent Anderson Instagram Interested in joining the July Teacher Training intake? Find all the details and book a call here. Thinking about investing in Pilates equipment? Balanced Body are offering our listeners a special discount! Simply fill in the form here and mention Soul Pilates when you order.

    48 min

  3. FEB 23

    The Pilates Body Isn’t What You Think with Brooke Siler

    A Pilates body has nothing to do with aesthetics and everything to do with awareness, strength and freedom in your own skin. Nic sits down with Brooke Siler, author of The Pilates Body, to explore what the phrase “Pilates body” really means and why it has been so widely misunderstood. Brooke discusses her early training with Romana Kryzanowska, the direct lineage back to Joseph Pilates, and the responsibility of carrying a method forward without losing its philosophy. Brooke explains why breath is the missing piece in so much modern Pilates, the misunderstood concept of tension and release, and how true control builds empowerment in life. They explore classical vs contemporary Pilates, the explosion of reformer Pilates, why mat work is still important, and what it means to stay rooted in the method while teaching in a modern world. Timestamps 00:00 Introduction to Brooke 02:05 What the Pilates body means 09:46 Discovering Pilates and training with Romana Kryzanowska 12:09 What Romana was really like 15:36 Becoming a teacher 20:12 Romana’s lessons and stories about Joseph Pilates 24:09 What is misinterpreted about breath and control 28:31 Understanding tension and release 30:36 Classical vs contemporary Pilates 32:37 Breath as the foundation of powerful movement 34:39 Staying true to the method during the modern Pilates boom 39:21 The story behind writing and revising the book 44:12 Why mat work is essential and more relevant than ever 47:27 Responsibility as a teacher and Pilates for life and sport 53:04 Quick fire reflections and how to work with Brooke If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the podcast so you never miss a conversation. Share this episode with another Pilates teacher and leave a rating and review to help more people discover the show. Connect with Nic: Beyond the Reformer InstagramSoul Pilates InstagramSoul Pilates EducationNic’s InstagramJoin Soul at HomeBook a Pilates Class Connect with Brooke: Brooke Siler Pilates WebsiteBrooke Siler Pilates InstagramShop The Pilates Body Revised Edition Interested in joining the July Teacher Training intake? Find all the details and book a call here. Thinking about investing in Pilates equipment? Balanced Body are offering our listeners a special discount! Simply fill in the form here and mention Soul Pilates when you order.

    1h 2m

  4. FEB 16

    The Story Behind Pilates Anytime and the Future of Online Pilates with Kristi Cooper

    Pilates as we know it today would not exist without Kristi Cooper and the bold decision she made in 2009 to put the method online before anyone believed it would work. While in LA, Nic got the chance to visit Kristi Cooper in her gorgeous house in Santa Barbara to discuss the story behind Pilates Anytime and the evolution of online Pilates education. In 2008, at a time when YouTube videos were limited to ten minutes and Pilates was still seen as exclusive and studio based, she was asked a simple question: why not put Pilates online? They dive into Kristi’s early journey with Pilates at just 13 years old, her training with Rael Isacowitz, and her passion for preserving the lineage of the method through the Pilates Legacy Project. The conversation explores classical versus contemporary Pilates, inclusivity across styles, the rise of athletic reformer trends, and the balance between staying true to the method while responding to modern data and member demand. Timestamps 00:00 Intro to Kristi 01:03 The original idea behind putting Pilates online 05:04 Kristi’s introduction to Pilates at 13 and how it changed her life 07:00 Training with Rael Isacowitz and stepping into teacher training 09:52 Launching Pilates Anytime in 2009 12:50 The Pilates Legacy Project and preserving the history of the method 19:05 Inclusivity across classical and contemporary styles and managing industry competition 23:54 Responding to trends while protecting the integrity of Pilates 25:29 Building community through workshops, emails and connection 26:34 Creating new content while managing a vast online library 28:20 The depth of Pilates education and the challenges facing modern teachers 29:09 Observation, mentorship and what makes a great Pilates instructor 31:03 How teachers are selected for Pilates Anytime 36:23 The educational role of online platforms in an unregulated industry 40:38 The future of online Pilates 42:24 Quickfire questions If you want to keep hearing conversations from amazing people within the industry, then please make sure to follow the podcast, rate it five stars and share it on Instagram. Connect with Nic: Beyond the Reformer InstagramSoul Pilates InstagramSoul Pilates EducationNic’s InstagramJoin Soul at HomeBook a Pilates Class Connect with Kristi: Pilates Anytime WebsitePilates Anytime InstagramKristi’s Instagram Interested in joining the July Teacher Training intake? Find all the details and book a call here. Thinking about investing in Pilates equipment? Balanced Body are offering our listeners a special discount! Simply fill in the form here and mention Soul Pilates when you order.

    53 min

  5. FEB 9

    How Instagram Is Changing the Pilates Industry with The Pilates Snob

    Pilates is EVERYWHERE right now, but not everything being labelled Pilates is safe or rooted in the original method. Nic sits down with Victoria Batha Cuomo aka the Pilates Snob, for a thought-provoking conversation about the current state of the Pilates industry. They explore how social media has both helped and harmed Pilates and why misinformation spreads so easily. Victoria explains why a lack of regulation around education has created major issues for both teachers and clients, and why safety and understanding the system as a whole matters more than trends on Instagram. They also discuss Victoria’s ‘WTF Wednesday’s’, the Pilates Transparency Project, and the original Pilates lawsuit. Episode timestamps 00:00 Introducing Victoria aka The Pilates Snob 00:31 How social media is shaping the Pilates industry for better and worse 02:59 Victoria’s first experiences with Pilates and athletic training 05:27 Becoming a Pilates teacher 08:42 The realities and gaps in Pilates teacher training 21:06 WTF Wednesday and calling out unsafe industry trends 25:30 Common misconceptions about Pilates online 29:02 What the Pilates Transparency Project is really about 33:27 Breaking down the original Pilates lawsuit 38:06 Where Pilates education is falling short today 41:58 Pilates Snob University and mentorship for teachers 46:21 Quick fire questions Thanks for tuning in to this weeks episodes! As always, if you enjoyed it, please share it with your network, rate the show 5 stars and subscribe so you never miss an episode! Connect with Nic: Beyond the Reformer InstagramSoul Pilates InstagramSoul Pilates EducationNic’s InstagramJoin Soul at HomeBook a Pilates Class Connect with Victoria: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.pilates.snob/Website: https://www.thepilatessnob.comTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@pilatessnobInterested in joining the July Teacher Training intake? Find all the details and book a call here. Thinking about investing in Pilates equipment? Balanced Body are offering our listeners a special discount! Simply fill in the form here and mention Soul Pilates when you order.

    55 min

  6. FEB 2

    The Real Difference Between Classical & Contemporary Pilates with Tracey Mallett

    Pilates is not meant to be rushed, trendy, or reinvented every week, and this conversation explains exactly why. Nic sits down with Tracey Mallett in her California studio for an honest conversation about movement, teaching, creativity, and what it really takes to build a long and sustainable career in Pilates. They explore the evolution of Pilates, classical and contemporary work, and the challenges facing new instructors in a trend driven industry. Tracey speaks openly about confidence and trust in the teaching space, why simplicity often leads to better classes, and how understanding the foundations of the method allows for true creativity. They also discuss social media presence as a Pilates teacher, suffering from burnout, and the pressure to constantly show up online. Timestamps 00:00 How Pilates first entered Tracey’s life  08:25 Building a long term career in Pilates  12:40 How the Pilates industry has changed over the years  27:42 Social media, confidence, and personal growth as a teacher  34:05 Advice for anyone wanting to show up online  39:46 Barre, Pilates fusion, and how movement has evolved  49:35 Where Pilates education is heading next  58:31 Finding balance between work, ambition, and personal life  01:00:44 Quick fire questions If you want to keep hearing from amazing guests like Tracey, please rate the show 5 stars and subscribe! Connect with Nic: Beyond the Reformer InstagramSoul Pilates InstagramSoul Pilates EducationNic’s InstagramJoin Soul at HomeBook a Pilates Class Connect with Tracey: Tracey Mallett WebsitePilates Next EducationBootybarrePilates Barre On Demand AppTracey’s InstagramInterested in joining the July Teacher Training intake? Find all the details and book a call here. Thinking about investing in Pilates equipment? Balanced Body are offering our listeners a special discount! Simply fill in the form here and mention Soul Pilates when you order.

    1h 7m

  7. JAN 26

    How to Cue Pilates Classes That Transform Your Teaching

    The difference between a good Pilates class and a great one often comes down to how and when you cue. After receiving such a positive response from our previous episode on class planning, Nic is back for a solo episode that goes deep into the art of cueing. Cueing completely changes the experience a client can have in a Pilates class, and Nic shares her advice on the different types of cues you can use to deepen their overall experience. She discusses verbal cues, imagery, tactile feedback, breath and observation. Nic explores why less can often be more when it comes to cueing, how to avoid overwhelming clients with information, and how thoughtful language can help people feel safer, more grounded, and more connected to their bodies. Timestamps 00:00 Goals for the new year 03:01 Why cueing deserves deeper attention 03:53 How class structure supports better cueing 04:31 Understanding cueing as an art form 07:58 Using verbal cues clearly and effectively 16:10 Imagery and anatomical cueing explained 22:59 Exploring tactile cueing and appropriate touch 27:07 Teaching through observation and presence 32:55 Shifting from negative to constructive cueing 35:22 The importance of noticing within a class 39:01 Using breath as a flexible cueing tool If this episode resonated with you, please follow or subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode. Connect with Nic: Beyond the Reformer InstagramSoul Pilates InstagramSoul Pilates EducationNic’s InstagramJoin Soul at HomeBook a Pilates ClassInterested in joining the July Teacher Training intake? Find all the details and book a call here. Thinking about investing in Pilates equipment? Balanced Body are offering our listeners a special discount! Simply fill in the form here and mention Soul Pilates when you order.

    43 min

  8. JAN 19

    How to Work With Pain and Injuries in Pilates with Samantha Wood

    Teaching Pilates becomes a whole different experience when clients bring pain, injuries, and complex diagnoses into the room, and this episode shows how to handle those moments with confidence rather than fear. In this episode of Beyond the Reformer, Nic is joined by physiotherapist, Pilates teacher, and author Samantha Wood for a deep and practical conversation about teaching Pilates in rehabilitation settings. Together, they explore what it really means to support clients living with pain, injuries, chronic conditions, and complex movement histories, without stepping outside the scope of a Pilates teacher. Samantha breaks down common misconceptions around rehab-informed teaching, the role of research in Pilates, the growing evidence supporting Pilates within medical and rehabilitation settings, and how teachers can collaborate more effectively with physiotherapists, osteopaths, and doctors. Timestamps 00:00 Introducing Samantha Wood 01:41 How Pilates teachers can approach pain and injury with confidence 04:07 Samantha’s journey into physiotherapy and discovering Pilates 06:26 Why Pilates fits so well into rehabilitation work 08:04 Teaching, writing, and expanding education for Pilates professionals 20:12 Why research matters in Pilates and what the evidence shows 25:49 The future of Pilates within medical and healthcare systems 32:31 Practical approaches to client assessment 35:45 Adapting sessions for chronic pain and long-term conditions 38:18 Using Pilates to support autoimmune disorders 39:59 Collaborating effectively with medical professionals 44:03 Why continued education is essential for Pilates teachers 54:50 Understanding pain and how to talk about it with clients 58:16 Connecting with Samantha If this episode resonated with you, make sure you are subscribed to Beyond the Reformer on your favourite podcast platform. Share the episode with another Pilates teacher who works with injuries, and leave a rating or review to help these conversations reach more teachers around the world. Connect with Nic: Beyond the Reformer InstagramSoul Pilates InstagramSoul Pilates EducationNic’s InstagramJoin Soul at HomeBook a Pilates Class Connect with Samantha: Samantha Wood Physiotherapy WebsiteSamantha Wood Physiotherapy InstagramSamantha Wood Physiotherapy YouTube Interested in joining the July Teacher Training intake? Find all the details and book a call here. Thinking about investing in Pilates equipment? Balanced Body are offering our listeners a special discount! Simply fill in the form here and mention Soul Pilates when you order.

    1h 5m
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out of 5
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About

Welcome to Beyond the Reformer, the podcast where Pilates professionals and enthusiasts come together for thoughtful conversations, genuine insights, and inspiring stories. Join Nic every Monday morning to feel more connected, inspired, and empowered in your Pilates practice, teaching, and beyond…

Information

  • Creator
    Nic Lenny
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    44
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Beyond the Reformer
  • Show Website
    Beyond the Reformer

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