Episode Details
Back to EpisodesThe Pilates Body Isn’t What You Think with Brooke Siler
Description
A Pilates body has nothing to do with aesthetics and everything to do with awareness, strength and freedom in your own skin.
Nic sits down with Brooke Siler, author of The Pilates Body, to explore what the phrase “Pilates body” really means and why it has been so widely misunderstood.
Brooke discusses her early training with Romana Kryzanowska, the direct lineage back to Joseph Pilates, and the responsibility of carrying a method forward without losing its philosophy.
Brooke explains why breath is the missing piece in so much modern Pilates, the misunderstood concept of tension and release, and how true control builds empowerment in life.
They explore classical vs contemporary Pilates, the explosion of reformer Pilates, why mat work is still important, and what it means to stay rooted in the method while teaching in a modern world.
Timestamps
00:00 Introduction to Brooke
02:05 What the Pilates body means
09:46 Discovering Pilates and training with Romana Kryzanowska
12:09 What Romana was really like
15:36 Becoming a teacher
20:12 Romana’s lessons and stories about Joseph Pilates
24:09 What is misinterpreted about breath and control
28:31 Understanding tension and release
30:36 Classical vs contemporary Pilates
32:37 Breath as the foundation of powerful movement
34:39 Staying true to the method during the modern Pilates boom
39:21 The story behind writing and revising the book
44:12 Why mat work is essential and more relevant than ever
47:27 Responsibility as a teacher and Pilates for life and sport
53:04 Quick fire reflections and how to work with Brooke
If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the podcast so you never miss a conversation. Share this episode with another Pilates teacher and leave a rating and review to help more people discover the show.
Connect with Nic:
- Beyond the Reformer Instagram
- Soul Pilates Instagram
- Soul Pilates Education
- Nic’s Instagram
- Join Soul at Home
- Book a Pilates Class
Connect with Brooke:
Get 5% off Balanced Body Pilates equipment with the code SOUL PILATES