Mbodies Pilates Instructor Training Academy

Published: August 2025 | By Mbodies Training Academy In July 2025, Women's Health UK published an article titled “Reformer Pilates is more effective than mat for preventing osteoporosis, experts say – here's how.”   The piece, while clearly a positive endorsement of Pilates, raises serious concerns when viewed through the lens of the UK’s public health landscape and the realities facing Pilates instructors and their clients in Britain today. At first glance, the article seems like great publicity for the Pilates industry: praising its popularity, physical and mental benefits, and growing studio presence.  However, on closer inspection, it's evident the piece has been adapted from a U.S.-centric original , with only superficial references to the UK context.  Unfortunately, this results in some dangerous omissions and misleading implications , especially around osteoporosis awareness, diagnosis, and exercise safety. The DEXA Divide: UK vs USA In the U.S., ...

  Modern Level 3 Pilates Matwork qualifications do not require instructors to do more than teach Pilates Matwork Repertoire in the whole.  This omission is a major impediment to the new instructor wishing to do more than be a group exercise instructor focussing on large group Matwork Pilates, or indeed limit a fitness trained Pilates Reformer instructor from understanding more than the teaching of a group class on the Pilates Reformer. Over the years I have seen how so many Pilates instructor training schools fail to recognise the value of  Joseph Pilates’ Method.  In a rush to create Contemporary Repertoire and dismiss the Classical repertoire they completely miss the core teaching skills that set apart a Pilates technician and true Pilates educator, from a Fitness Professional pivoting their Personal Training or Group Exercise teaching skills from the Gym or Health Club to the Pilates studio. Two of the most overlooked yet essential skills—particularly for thos...

  At Mbodies Training Academy, we are passionate about high-quality Pilates education. Not just teaching instructors to master the repertoire, but truly honouring and understanding its roots : while evolving its place in the future of movement education. And this June, things heated up in more ways than one. Yes, literally hot ! In the middle of one of the warmest days of the year, with every window sealed and the studio lights blazing, our film crew and instructor team gathered for something very special. The mission? To bring to life all 34 of Joseph Pilates’ original Matwork exercises, exactly as described in his iconic book Return to Life Through Contrology . We’ve been hard at work developing a new CPD module for existing Pilates instructors; one that is particularly close to our hearts, and deeply rooted in the origins of Pilates itself. The challenge? Our exceptional instructor trainer, Loraine Prokopiou, had already filmed over 200 pieces of Pilates repertoire for...

Many Pilates instructors struggle to describe what they do.  This article highlights why clear communication is vital to professional identity and client engagement.  It offers a concise Pilates definition, context-specific variations, and introduces a CPD training module by Mbodies to help instructors master their message.   I confess; there’s a part of me that feels slightly naughty when I ask this question in the title.  Not because I enjoy catching people out (well… maybe just a little), but because it reveals something genuinely important: "How would you describe Pilates to someone who has never heard of it?" I’ve posed this question to dozens, perhaps hundreds of instructors-in-training, and even fully qualified teachers.  And what follows is often the same: ·         A pause.... ·         A scramble for words.... ·         An apologetic ...

Pilates is frequently compared to a wide range of fitness and rehabilitation disciplines—yoga, Tai Chi, Personal Training, Physiotherapy, Feldenkrais, Alexander Technique, and Gyrotonic among them.  While it shares certain values with these practices, such as body awareness and alignment, Pilates possesses several defining characteristics that set it apart.  Understanding these distinctions is vital not only for practitioners and teachers but also for clients seeking intentional and effective physical conditioning. Discover how the Pilates method stands apart from yoga, physiotherapy, and other movement disciplines. With its focus on mind-body coordination , developmental sequencing, spring-based apparatus, and functional whole-body integration , Pilates offers a unique, intentional path to strength, control, and lifelong ease of movement. 1. Movement Quality over Quantity Pilates prioritises precision, alignment, and movement control over volume or intensity.  In co...

Reconnecting with Purpose, Creativity, and Community in Your Teaching Struggling with Pilates instructor burnout ? You’re not alone. Rekindle your passion and reignite your Pilates teaching through creative class planning, community connection, and continuous learning for Pilates teachers . Discover how to bring joy and purpose back into your sessions with support from Mbodies Training Academy. It’s a sentiment many Pilates instructors encounter: the initial spark that drew you to teaching feels dimmed.  Classes become routine, lesson plans repetitive, and the joy that once accompanied guiding clients through movement fades.  If this resonates with you, know that you're not alone and more importantly, there are pathways to reignite that passion. Recognising the Signs of Burnout Burnout in the Pilates profession often manifests subtly: ·         Monotony in Teaching: Repeating the same sequences without variation. ·    ...