Pilates has expanded around the world in the last few decades, and one place it’s certainly taken root is Australia. Pilates-Pro.com caught up with Donna Oliver, president of the Australian Pilates Method Association (APMA), by email to get the scoop on the Pilates landscape in the land down under. Read on to find out who brought it there and what the scene is like today.

Pilates-Pro.com: Can you describe the level of popularity of Pilates in Australia?

Donna Oliver: The Pilates industry in Australia has continued to grow since it came to our shores in the early 1980s. It has somewhat mirrored the pathway taken in the U.S. Initially, used as a tool with dancers for injury prevention and rehabilitation, its reputation grew and its benefits within the general population were accepted. Of course, then the fitness industry came aboard with group mat classes for the masses in the gymnasiums and health clubs.

In the early days Pilates studios were only to be found in the capital cities of each state and were attended by the “in the know” dancers and the more affluent client who could afford private sessions, but these days Pilates in all its forms can be found in most larger towns and even some smaller regional centers from the tropical north Queensland to the southern wilderness areas of Tasmania and the extraordinary western region of Perth.

Essentially, you can find expert Pilates tuition covering areas of fitness, rehab and sports conditioning. There are instructors catering to the very deconditioned, frail client to the elite athletes. But we all wear corks hanging from our hats and say “crikey” at the end of most sentences.….Sorry, not really!

P-P: Who are the pioneers in bringing Pilates to Australia? When and how did it happen there?

DO: The lineage of Australian Pilates is an interesting one that began in the early 1980s. Australian Pilates philosophy has definitely been influenced by development of the Method in the UK and early teachers such as Penny Latey in Sydney (author of Modern Pilates) and Andrew Baxter in Melbourne had a strong role to play in providing credibility to the Method in the early years in this country.

Additionally, some of the other early Australian teachers traveled and trained with the PhysicalMind Institute around the same time, leading to a U.S. slant of the way we approach Pilates. This has provided Australian Pilates instructors with solid foundations but a lovely hybrid of ideas from which to grow.

Another important lady in the history of Pilates in this country was Megan Williams. She was one of the founding members of the APMA and sadly passed some years ago, but her influence had a lasting effect on the landscape of the Pilates industry.

Over the years, many highly respected teachers have visited our shores. Rael Isacowitz has been heading down under off and on now for many years. Many others include Michele Larsson, Brent Anderson, Sherri Betz and more recently Pat Guyton, Ron Fletcher, Nora St. John, Maya Aubrey and Kelly Kane. Lynne Robinson from Body Control UK was initially introduced to The Method by Australian Penny Latey!

DO: What kind of training do potential instructors need to go through to practice Pilates in Australia?

P-P: As in the U.S., there are training courses and then there are training courses. They vary widely in duration and content. Many unwary potential instructors enroll in courses not accredited by the industry’s peak body, APMA, and are disappointed with the outcome. The APMA recognizes many of the U.S. training systems such as the comprehensive programs provided by Polestar, BASI, STOTT Pilates, etc., as well as UK educational courses such as Body Control UK.

Currently, the requirements for membership recognition is the completion of a comprehensive program of study including history, philosophy, Pilates principles, anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, pathology, teaching methodology and of course repertoire including the pre-Pilates concepts of Eve Gentry to the traditional work of Joseph Pilates. It is expected that courses run for 6-12 months and include a minimum of 530 hours. Students are expected to log observation, supervised teaching or mentoring program hours as well as personal practice of the Method.

The inclusive nature of the APMA allows those who may have studied in various other schools of Pilates Method a guiding hand into the industry in Australia through various membership levels and encouraging further education (should it be necessary) to meet the accepted national standards.

P-P: What types of people become instructors in Australia? Is it, like in the U.S., a popular profession for former dancers? Are physical therapists working with Pilates?

DO: All sorts of people come to the profession, and a high proportion of those have historically come from a dance background. There has been a shift in the past decade as the Method has been embraced by the allied health industry and also the fitness industry. Our student teachers tend to include physical therapists, therapeutic masseurs, medical practitioners, osteopaths and registered nurses and exercise physiologists and fitness professionals. Firmly grounded in the concepts of the Method, their diverse backgrounds bring a wonderful melting pot of thoughts and ideas. They all bring their special skills to the table.

P-P: Do you know how many instructors there are in Australia? Do you know how many people practice Pilates in Australia?

DO: Unfortunately, I don’t have any statistics to offer you, but could confidently say that the growth of the industry would be very similar to that which the US has seen over the past 10 years.

P-P: If an American came to an Australian studio, what kinds of differences would they encounter? Are there different names for the exercises? A different approach?

DO: No, not really. As with many studios, instructors and studio owners have their pet names for certain exercises but most will be recognizable. Similarly to the U.S., the Pilates community spans from traditional / classical Pilates to the pre-Pilates work of Eve Gentry and the principles remain the principles whereever you may travel.

P-P: Are there opportunities for instructors from other countries to teach in Australia?

DO: There most certainly are! Comprehensively trained instructors should not have any trouble finding work in this country. I am not sure on the criteria for obtaining work visas though. [EDITOR’S NOTE: You can find Australian visa information here.]

P-P: What are goals of your organization?

DO: The aim of the APMA is to “Communicate the Power and the Passion of Pilates Method.” As the not-for-profit peak body representing the industry in Australia, we strive to build and achieve recognition of the Method at a government, insurance and health fund level.  It also makes a strong contribution to the Pilates education and training curriculum focusing on the incorporation of current research in the area of movement science, therefore assisting the evolution of the Method into the 21st century.

We believe in an “all embracing” attitude to the different schools of Pilates Method whilst maintaining the integrity of the work of Joseph and Clara Pilates. The association encourages and provides opportunities for continuing education, networking and is a keen and active proponent of professional ethics and standards.

So if anyone is thinking of heading “downunder,” give us a call. We’d love to hear from you. Donna Oliver has been a Pilates rehabilitation provider for 15 years. She is an Accredited Exercise Physiologist, is the current President of the Australian Pilates Method Association and provides accredited student teacher-training programs in Australia. She is also co-director of the Wollongong Pilates Studio. You can contact Donna via email donna@wollongongpilates.com.au and you can contact the APMA also admin@australianpilates.asn.au.

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