Behind the Scenes: 34 Exercises. 30 Minutes. One Very Hot Day in June

-

 


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 our upcoming education programme, including the original 34 Contrology exercises. So we presented Loraine with a unique challenge — one that, as a contemporarily trained (Stott Pilates) Matwork instructor, she had never undertaken before:
To complete the Joseph Pilates 34 in the precise order he sets out in Return to Life, incorporating transitions reflective of his original method, in a single, continuous 30-minute workout — all while delivering real-time commentary for those following along.

Picture this: 28°C outside, closer to 35°C inside under full studio lighting, with fans turned off to preserve audio quality. It was an exercise in sweat, stamina, and style; and Loraine delivered on all three, with only a few thoughtful adaptations to suit her body.

Capturing the action from 4 camera angles

Why This Matters

This new module forms part of a growing family of CPD opportunities designed to support Pilates instructors who wish to:

  • Expand their confidence and teaching repertoire by revisiting the fundamentals
  • Reconnect with the authentic roots of the Pilates method
  • Progress towards new qualifications or a comprehensive instructor certification

Each module stands strong on its own. Together, they form a clear pathway: whether you’re entering the profession or deepening your expertise.

An Exclusive Preview for Our Readers

As a thank you for being part of the Mbodies community, we are offering our newsletter readers early access to Loraine’s 30-minute workout.

Whether you’re revisiting the classical sequence or experiencing it seamlessly joined together for the first time, this is not to be missed.

We also invite you to take on the challenge: film yourself completing the full sequence alongside Loraine. With your permission, we would love to feature standout submissions on our platform, and offer selected individuals the opportunity to join the Mbodies team as freelance educators.


Expect sweat. Expect history. Expect inspiration.

Coming in the Autumn : 

The Full Matwork CPD Series (The Pilates Fundamentals, Applying The Method to Pre-Pilates repertoire for total beginners, The JP 34, Contemporary interpretation of Pilates Matwork, Standing Pilates.)

Stay tuned as we roll out more standalone CPD modules; all designed to boost your teaching toolkit, deepen your understanding and self confidence when teaching Pilates, and support for you wherever you are in your instructor journey.

In the meantime, we hope this behind-the-scenes peek reminds you: we’re building this together: one exercise (and one very warm studio session) at a time.

Author:  Chris Onslow - Pilates Consultant

Chris Onslow, has run Pilates focussed businesses since 1998.  He and his team specialise in supporting Pilates entrepreneurs and business owners.  With a rich history of owning and running successful Pilates studios in the UK, and supporting others in Europe and the Middle East, Chris has broad expertise in maximising profitability and optimising operational efficiency.  His agency provides top-tier advice on selecting new, pre-owned, and hireable Pilates equipment from renowned brands such as Align-Pilates, Balanced Body or Stott-Pilates/Merrithew.  As the founder of Mbodies Training Academy, Chris continues to revolutionise Pilates education, offering premier online and hybrid CPD and qualification courses for Pilates apparatus instruction and special population CPD.  Discover more about how Chris can support your Pilates Business or home exercise choices:

Pilates Business Specialist Consultant

Phone: +44 (0)1993 883449

Whatsapp text +44(0)7301052846 

20 Nash Lane, Freeland, Witney, Oxon, OX29 8HS, UK

Web: https://www.pilates-consultant.co.uk/  (Pilates Consultancy, Apparatus sales and hire)

Email: chris@pilatesconsultant.co.uk

Web: https//www.mbodiesacademy.co.uk/  (Instructor training)

Email: chris@mbodiesacademy.co.uk

Web: https://mbodies.thinkific.com/     (Online Training Portal)


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Ten ways that Pilates is Distinct from Other Movement Forms of Exercise?

-
Image
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...
Read more

Reignite Your Pilates Teaching: Overcoming Burnout with New Energy

-
Image
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. ·    ...
Read more

Can You Actually Explain What You Do? Why Pilates Instructors Must Have a Definition Off-Pat

-
Image
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 ...
Read more