Why Pilates is for Everybody
BY CAITLIN BURNS
There is no such thing as a “Pilates body”; there are bodies that do Pilates.
It’s no secret that Pilates is having a moment. Whether you are scrolling through social media or chatting with friends at dinner, Pilates is bound to come up. While we are thrilled to see this incredible practice enjoy a resurgence in the mainstream, we’d like to take a moment to remind you that Pilates does not have to look a certain way, and in fact, you should not expect it to.
One of our favourite things about teaching is that we get to witness the diversity and uniqueness of bodies every single day. We believe that every body tells a story and as you flow through movement that story begins to unfold. For us, Pilates is not about how it looks, it's about how it feels. We want to help you to tell your story and build your movement narrative so that you leave the studio feeling like your strongest and most empowered self.
We understand that stepping into a studio can be overwhelming and a little intimidating, so we make a conscious effort to cultivate a space where folks feel welcome and supported as you explore your practice and dive into the wonderful world of machine Pilates. Our instructors thoughtfully design each class so that the movements are layered, and you can choose the option that feels best in your body.
We encourage everyone in class to listen to their bodies and follow the path that feels right for them.
If that means taking rest or adjusting the pose, we celebrate that. As a studio, we have explored a number of trainings so that we can do our best to hold space for a variety of lived experiences and movement needs.
We do not make assumptions about the bodies that walk through the door, but we are prepared to offer modifications or alternatives so that you’re never left feeling alienated or without options. We make a conscious effort to continue our social and movement education to ensure that we offer the best Pilates in Toronto.
Pilates is indeed, for every body. A consistent mat or reformer Pilates practice will help you find ease, clarity, and grounding. It will help you navigate your daily life with a renewed connection to yourself and a greater capacity to tune in to your needs and honour them.
It bears repeating that Pilates does not and will never look a certain way despite what you may see on your feeds. There is no “right way” to do Pilates; what matters most is nurturing the ability to listen to your body, to move with and not against its needs, and celebrate all that it can do for you. If you are reading this blog and wondering, “where can I find Pilates near me?” You can find us in Artscape Youngplace, we can’t wait to meet you.