Master teachers share decades of Pilates wisdom  

Three first-generation Pilates instructors presented at the 6th annual Pilates Method Alliance conference, drawing crowds to the main ballroom of the Indian Wells Grand Champions Hyatt resort. During their individual sessions, each of the master teachers shared anecdotes of their time spent with Joe—mock German accents and all—as well as suggestions for creating an enriching and lengthy teaching career.

Ron Fletcher, a former Martha Graham company member and the creator of the Fletcher Towelwork system was the first to take the stage. During his two-hour session, the 86-year-old Fletcher spoke fondly of Clara Pilates, Joe’s wife and partner, saying, “He planted the seed, and she nurtured the growth. She brought the spirit to the work.”  Fletcher encouraged instructors to find joy in their work, to really feel with the hands when correcting clients and to start working with an older population. “It’s not just exercise,” he said. “Too many people think of it as a workout—that’s not what Clara and Joe were teaching.”

In Mary Bowen’s afternoon session, the comic-turned-Jungian psychologist made her trademark quips, causing the roomful of attendees to regularly burst into laughter. During her talk she highlighted the various instructors she has worked with over the years, including Kathy Grant, Bob Seed and Romana Kryzanowska. Despite her revered status as a master instructor, Bowen has taken weekly private sessions for the last 48 years, and encouraged other instructors to follow suit. “ This is a privilege,” she said. “It springs you into your teaching like nothing else.” For the most added benefit, she recommended taking lessons outside of your studio with an instructor who you think knows more than you.  

Lolita San Miguel, the youngest of the first-generation teachers and one of only two instructors to receive a teaching certificate from Joe, encouraged acceptance of the various styles of Pilates. To demonstrate, San Miguel led attendees though an updated mat class that featured variations she had learned from Joe, Kryzanowska and even San Francisco-based instructor Elizabeth Larkam. “Pilates is not one-size fits all,” said San Miguel. “You can adapt it for everyone.” She also shared examples of Joe’s original work that have been improved upon over the years, such as the Roll Over, which originally called for the feet to touch the mat overhead, or the Roll Up, during which Joe used a piece of paper on the chest to encourage a true “chin-to-chest” position.