As 2009 draws to a close and we refocus our energies on the year to come, it’s nice to reflect on the year past. Thus it’s time for our very own Pilates-Pro.com “Year in Review,” a countdown of the site’s 10 most popular articles in 2009. (This is a great place to start if you’re just discovering us!) We’d like to extend huge thanks to all of the innovative, thoughtful, dedicated and generally amazing Pilates experts who contributed to Pilates-Pro.com this year. Kudos as well to the growing number of community members who use the articles and forums as a place for lively, insightful discussion. Pilates-Pro.com continues to grow because of you. And of course, if you have topics you’d like us tackle in 2010, please drop a line and let us know!

1. Pilates for Scoliosis by Suzanne Martin, PT, DPT
2. Pilates for Feet by Madeline Black
3. Five Ways to Combine Cardio and Pilates by Nicole Rogers
4. Pilates on Call with Siri Dharma Galliano
5. Postpartum Recovery: Helping New Moms Get Their Bodies Back by Debbi Goodman, MSPT
6. 16 Fitness Wear Discounts for Pilates Instructors by Christine Binnendyk
7. Pilates DVD Review: The Jump Board Workout by Nicole Rogers
8. Pilates on Call: Core Conditioning PTs
9. Five Ways to Hook Men on Pilates by Julian Littleford
10. Five Ways to Build Successful Client-Instructor Relationships by Devra Swiger

Abi and Joseph Ballet WrapBy Lauren Charlip

Here on the East Coast we’re slogging through the first big snow of the season. When the mercury hovers this low, it can get pretty chilly in the studio. This has us thinking about what kind of cozy, moveable extra layer we’d like to be wearing. We can say this much: we don’t want to sacrifice style. We’ve always loved the look of the classic ballet wrap top, and it turns out our favorite workout wear lines do, too. Several of them have come out with chic new versions this year. They’re elegant alternatives to a hoodie and versatile pieces that you can easily wear out of the studio and keep on for the rest of the day.

We’ve rounded up our favorite updates on this dancewear classic, perfect for taking the chill off your workout. Click through to see five of our top picks. And don’t forget to wrap up, because baby, it’s cold outside!

By Nicole Rogers

Sometimes the best gifts are things you’d like to receive yourself. While you’ve been out shopping for family, friends and clients, have you stopped to think of what you might like to find gift-wrapped for your own Pilates practice this year? With that in mind, we asked some Pilates professionals what items are on their Pilates wish list for 2010, and they answered with great ideas and suggestions for every budget.

Practical and Portable
With a busy schedule and a practical budget, Kayla Laurene, who is currently pursuing her certificate at Power Pilates in Manhattan, has a list full of pragmatic ideas in a variety of price ranges. First on it, she writes, is this Sweetheart mat bag in papyrus green, “a great mat bag that is big enough for a nice thick Pilates mat and is really pretty too!” The regular price is $125, but it’s on sale for $85.

On him: Pilates Tech Pant and Long Sleeve Crew Neck. On ladies: Classic Tank and NewWave Pant with Pockets.Men who’ve worried about finding appropriate Pilates wear, fret no longer. There’s a new clothing maker out there with your needs in mind. NewWave Pilates Apparel is taking aim at the virtually untapped Pilates menswear market with a combination of high-tech, green fabrics and design specifically configured for Pilates movement. NewWave also has a full line of women’s clothing, too.

BASI Pilates™ founder Rael Isacowitz and Audrey McCann, owner of apparel line Pilates by Bonnie, teamed up to launch NewWave last year. The inspiration for the menswear comes straight from Isacowitz’s own personal experience. Though he’s had a decades-long Pilates career, he never quite found clothing that fit the right formula.

“Over the years it has been difficult for me to find appropriate clothing for Pilates, both to teach and practice. It was either dance clothing, athletic clothing, yoga clothing, martial arts clothing…none felt right,” he says.

McCann concurred, pointing out that most men’s active wear is either extremely loose, like basketball clothing, or extremely tight, like cycling wear.

Erika Bloom Organic Long Sleeve Tee

By Lauren Charlip

Tired of spending your waking hours in workout-wear fabrics that don’t breathe, in colors are that are just a little too…colorful? Manhattan Pilates studio owner Erika Bloom launched a new line of Pilates apparel in April, designed so that you don’t have to. It features camis, tees, tanks and pants in simple cuts and muted colors, with a trace of ballerina elegance—all made from organic cotton. Indeed it is one of the most subtle-looking fitness clothing lines we’ve seen. She’s finding that her formula for versatile, low-key Pilates-wear is a winner.

Pilates instructors can get 50% off prAna fitness clothing. Jump for joy!

By Christine Binnendyk

When I was a high school student, stressing out over every little thing, I had a mantra: “If you can’t do anything else right, at least look good.” At times, “looking good” gave me just enough oomph to show up for the next scary event in life. Once you’re dressed, you might as well get in the game, right?

Need a new outfit to give you the oomph to impress those potential new Pilates clients? We’ve got your back: 16 companies that offer fitness apparel discounts and perks to Pilates teachers!

Tip: For companies that request the address of your place of business, use your home address. Many ship only to a work address, but you may not want your items shipping to a larger club.

While technically not on sale, these Pilates holiday cards are a great way to honor Joe & Clara at the holidays. Available from the PMA; $20 for 16 cards.With the holiday shopping season in full swing, lots of sales announcements for Pilates goodies have been landing in our inbox. Here we’ve compiled a list of 14 deals on Pilates clothing, equipment—and even training—so you can finish (or start!) your shopping in one place. But act fast—some of these deals expire soon. Consider it our gift to you. Happy Shopping!

By Amy Leibrock

While you’re busy shopping for your loved ones this holiday season, don’t forget about your beloved Pilates clients who have supported you all year long. In today’s challenging economy it’s even more important to treat your loyal clients well. Consider it money well spent—they’ll appreciate the gesture and will be even more likely to spread the word about how fabulous you are.

Elisa Bluming of Bluming Studio in Brooklyn, NY, has been giving to her all her active clients for several years. “I am grateful every day for the best client base I could imagine,” she says. “I opened my studio right before 9/11, and while much new potential business quickly disappeared, I would not have survived without my client base that followed me and continued to scrape together money to continue their training. I think it really helps my business by making people feel that they are a welcome part of the studio community.”

Some of the gifts Elisa has given over the years include a pair of super-soft bamboo socks, a “Bonger” massage tool and a stainless steel water bottle. “I wanted to stop using disposable water cups at the studio and wanted to promote that my clients conserve as well so I put stainless steel cups in the studio and gave everyone a stainless steel water bottles with the studio logo,” says Bluming.

Bluming suggests spending around $5 per client, including shipping, so it pays to find wholesale or bulk pricing for the gift you choose. Look for items sold in pairs that you can split (that’s what she did with the Bongers, which are $9.50 per pair wholesale). Check the sale sections of some of your favorite vendors’ websites or turn to businesses in your community that may cut you a deal in exchange for promoting their product.

Still looking for ideas? We’ve rounded up a group of in expensive gifts that will leave your clients smiling. [Note: All of these items also make great items to sell at retail!]

In honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, which kicked off last week, we’ve rounded up a great group of Pilates clothing items and products designed to help raise funds for breast cancer research, including this “Kick It” tee from Lucy. Ten percent of the $30 price will be donated to Breast Cancer Network of Strength.



See products from STOTT Pilates, Peak Pilates, Power Pilates, Zobha, Gaiam and more after the jump.