Pilates episode on Maintenance Phase podcast

[Rivercat]

Has anyone else heard the Pilates episode of Maintenance Phase? I already knew a lot about the history but learned some new stuff, including how instrumental the Black dancer Kathleen Stanford Grant was in teaching Pilates techniques to other instructors. I also hadn't heard about the recent copyright fights going on between one guy who bought a box of Joseph Pilates' stuff and pretty much all other instructors.

They are still quite snarky, but less than usual in this episode

https://maintenancephase.buzzsprout....157627-pilates

[hch]

I scanned through it because of your link (I have a passing familiarity with Maintenance Phase but simply don't listen to podcasts very often). I was hoping for discussion about how diet culture has affected the greater Pilates world but didn't hear any. I'd want to listen to something about that topic!

P.S. As I've posted before, but not recently:

I first heard about Pilates over 20 years ago, on a fairly mainstream fitness-y site, now defunct, that made Pilates sound like an alternative to weights for women; the site didn't quite specify why it said so, but we can probably guess. For a few years I didn't hear about any reason that someone with no interest in "weight loss" or "slimming" would want to do Pilates.

VF was actually the first place where I heard anything about special functional benefits from Pilates. I finally looked in a library, picked the resource that was least laced with appearance talk, and did matwork 3 times a week for 10 weeks. Near the end of that time, I suddenly noticed feeling more connected and integrated in my movements. I've generally liked Pilates ever since but dislike how it's usually promoted. I can say the same type of thing about fitness in general, but Pilates is the most specific and striking example in my own life.

I probably would've heard about Functional Benefits Of Pilates by some point, but VF happened to the first place for me. I don't mean to congratulate ourselves but have appreciated how it wasn't like what I was seeing elsewhere 20 years ago, fitness-ish forums that were really more about weight, size, looks, and dieting.

[Rivercat]

Originally Posted by hch

Near the end of that time, I suddenly noticed feeling more connected and integrated in my movements. I've generally liked Pilates ever since but dislike how it's usually promoted. I can say the same type of thing about fitness in general, but Pilates is the most specific and striking example in my own life.

Absolutely. I did Pilates videos early in the arc of popularity, escpecially Michelle Dozois' Pilates for Dummies, which I traded away and reacquired twice. Eventually other workouts took their place, but lately I've been getting back into it because I was looking for something to help my posture and counteract the hunching forward of being on a computer all day. Plus, it helps my running form.

There's a Pilates studio near me as I considered trying a few in-person classes, but it came up in conversation with acquaintances recently and unfortunately their experience with instructors there was not encouraging for "non ideal" bodies. Sad that even professionals continue to be gatekeepers for an exercise that can help pretty much anyone.

[Jane P.]

I used to go to a Pilates studio at the height of its popularity. Fortunately I experienced no body shaming. I wasn't the only one with a less than perfect body.

Joseph Pilates worked primarily with dancers, but I think he worked with non dancers as well.