Did you learn how to teach like yourself, or like someone else in your Pilates teacher training program? In this episode, guest Kyle Marsh sheds light on the pedagogy of Pilates teacher education. Join us as we challenge authoritarian teaching styles, discover the power of good assessments, and more. How to Connect with Kyle Marsh: Find Kyle on Instagram Find True II Form online here Find True II Form on Instagram Connect with me on Instagram : @the_raphaelbender Download a free course guide: Pi...
Feb 20, 2022•1 hr 17 min•Season 2Ep. 75
Being a solo Pilates instructor is a dream for many of us. But how can you build your business while holding on to self-doubt? Learn how to reframe rejection, sell your classes, and get more clients on this episode of Pilates Elephants with Laura Cruz. --------------- About Laura Cruz : Laura is a diversely-educated movement trainer and practitioner born and raised in NYC. She utilizes Pilates, mobility, and strength training to live life more fully and to support others in doing the same. From ...
Feb 13, 2022•1 hr 7 min•Season 2Ep. 74
TLDR: Yes, it is. Longer version - there is a bit of nuance so you should listen to the episode! Resources and links to research mentioned in this episode: Cochrane review finding exercise is effective for chronic back pain here Some types of exercise are more effective than others in people with chronic low back pain: a network meta-analysis here Pain centralizing is a positive prognostic indicator here Joseph’s letter to President Kennedy - Shared by Jonathan Grubb FB here Connect with me on I...
Feb 06, 2022•52 min•Season 1Ep. 73
How can we motivate clients and what should we focus on with different skill levels? Guest Nathan Ross Rees shares how instructors can get their clients to push their limits at every class. Connect with me on Instagram : @the_raphaelbender Download a free course guide: Pilates Certification Visualized Anatomy Become a Breathe Education Mentor Affiliate: Program info This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: AdBarker - https://adbarker.com/privacy...
Jan 30, 2022•1 hr 23 min•Season 1Ep. 72
Pilates is for everybody… So where are all the men?! We challenge the Pilates paradigm today and explore how to make Pilates more welcoming to men- and everyone! -------------------------------- About Martin Reid: Martin is a Movement Specialist who has worked as a fitness trainer, worldwide speaker, and fitness model in the big-box and boutique fitness spaces since 2002. Martin earned his first Pilates certification in 2008 and has since continued to hone his skills. Martin realized the benefit...
Jan 23, 2022•1 hr 2 min•Season 1Ep. 71
How do you know when it’s time to take action and make a change? How can you confidently leap into the unknown? Raph and Cloe share insights about personal transformation and explore how to embrace change, even when it’s scary. Resources mentioned in the episode: Read my book: Strengthen the Person, Not Just the Body Part here . Connect with me on Instagram : @the_raphaelbender Download a free course guide: Pilates Certification Visualized Anatomy Become a Breathe Education Mentor Affiliate: Pro...
Jan 16, 2022•53 min•Season 1Ep. 70
Simple doesn’t mean easy, and complicated doesn’t mean effective. In this episode, Heath Lander explains how to simplify your exercise programming to challenge clients and improve your teaching skills at the same time! ------------------------------ About Heath Lander: Heath has been teaching movement for the last 20 years and Pilates for the last 13. He runs White Dog studio with his partner in Melbourne and also owns a virtual instructor-focused studio. With over 20,000 hours teaching large gr...
Jan 09, 2022•1 hr 13 min•Season 1Ep. 69
Neutral spine gets a lot of attention in the Pilates and fitness world, but where does it come from and what does it mean? Listen in to find out what the evidence says about neutral vs flexed spine during load bearing, our ability to assess neutral spine, as well as some practical tips for cueing your clients. Connect with me on Instagram : @the_raphaelbender Download a free course guide: Pilates Certification Visualized Anatomy Become a Breathe Education Mentor Affiliate: Program info DISCLAIME...
Jan 02, 2022•1 hr 4 min•Season 1Ep. 68
Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussions about mental health and eating disorders. If you or someone you know needs help please reach out to a qualified professional. Australia: Butterfly National Helpline, Butterfly.org.au USA: NEDA, NationalEatingDisorders.org This raw yet uplifting chat with instructor Dani Font reminds us that there is always more than meets the eye. Join us as we explore the power of self-transformation through movement education. -------------------------------- ...
Dec 26, 2021•1 hr 29 min•Season 1Ep. 67
Do you try to teach Pilates like someone else because you’re afraid you're not doing it right? Listen in to learn how to let go and facilitate a flow state for both your clients and yourself! -------------------------------- About Sarah Michael: Sarah began teaching Pilates ten years ago and has taught at several studios across Sydney. She is now at Vive Active where she advanced her career to head trainer and head of performance. In addition to Pilates, Sarah has a passion for music which has d...
Dec 19, 2021•1 hr•Season 1Ep. 66
What do we really mean when we say someone is “body aware”? Raph and Cloe explore the brain activity behind the mind-body connection and explain where we should focus our attention to maximise physical performance. Resources mentioned in the episode: Read Raph's book: Strengthen the Person, Not Just the Body Part here Connect with me on Instagram : @the_raphaelbender Download a free course guide: Pilates Certification Visualized Anatomy Become a Breathe Education Mentor Affiliate: Program info T...
Dec 12, 2021•59 min•Season 1Ep. 65
How can Pilates instructors design inclusive programs for clients with varied skill levels and experience? Alice Scott joins us for a candid talk about how to cultivate inclusivity and break down barriers to doing Pilates against the backdrop of her own postpartum Pilates experience. -------------------------------- About Alice Scott: Alice has been in the Health and Fitness industry since 2009. Based in Sydney, Australia, she is currently the Head Coach at Virgin Active Australia. Alice holds q...
Dec 05, 2021•1 hr 13 min•Season 1Ep. 64
Who is an adaptive client, and how should you work with them? Cody Jussel has extensive experience training adaptive athletes and shares her insights on thinking creatively, effective collaboration and knowing when to let go. -------------------------------- About Cody Jussel: Cody earned a Master's of Kinesiology from A.T. Still's Graduate School of Health Sciences with a double major in orthopedic rehab and adaptive sports. She has been teaching Pilates for 15 years in a variety of environment...
Nov 28, 2021•1 hr 20 min•Season 1Ep. 63
Raphael Bender has written a book! It's called Strengthen The Person Not Just The Body Part, the surprisingly simple guide to rehabilitating any injury and feeling more genuine as a movement professional. Find the book here https://strengthentheperson.com/ This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: AdBarker - https://adbarker.com/privacy
Nov 25, 2021•5 min
When is it okay to ‘poke into pain’? Do strengthening exercises need to be specific? Listen in for the facts surrounding pain during exercise and targeted workouts for conditions like osteoarthritis and more. -------------------------------- About Greg Lehman: Greg Lehman is a practicing physiotherapist, researcher, and educator in Toronto, Canada with over 20 years of experience in the rehabilitation field. Greg’s background includes an MSc in Spine Biomechanics, MSc in Physiotherapy, and a Chi...
Nov 21, 2021•1 hr 9 min•Season 1Ep. 62
How can studio owners thrive during times of uncertainty? Learn how to successfully navigate changing Pilates markets with our guest, James Trennery. -------------------------------- About James Trenerry: James started in the health and fitness industry at KX Pilates as a Trainer and Studio Manager. In 2015 he moved to NSW to help launch the KX Pilates brand and took on the role of Master Trainer and Multi Studio Manager, and was awarded Trainer of the Year at two KX Pilates Studios and National...
Nov 14, 2021•2 hr 1 min•Season 1Ep. 61
Body shape and Pilates are tightly linked in many people’s minds. Well... it is time to grow past that outdated illusion, because it isn’t good for the industry or the people it intends to help. Listen in as Laura Cruz shares her insights on how to increase diversity and accessibility in Pilates. Resources mentioned in the episode: Read Raph's book: Strengthen the Person, Not Just the Body Part here -------------------------------- About Laura Cruz: Laura is a diversely-educated movement trainer...
Nov 07, 2021•1 hr 45 min•Season 1Ep. 60
Many exercises, like squats, are described as being risky if you do them wrong, but is that true? Foot placement, knee placement and spinal alignment, we are diving into all of it! Connect with me on Instagram : @the_raphaelbender Download a free course guide: Pilates Certification Visualized Anatomy Become a Breathe Education Mentor Affiliate: Program info This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: AdBarker - https://adbarker.com/privacy...
Oct 31, 2021•1 hr 28 min•Season 1Ep. 59
Pilates has been heavily influenced by dance in terms of aesthetics and industry practices. What does this mean for instructors and clients? Raph and Josselyn discuss how to instruct clients of diverse movement backgrounds while keeping your Pilates business thriving. -------------------------------- About Josselyn Levinson-Dustin: Josselyn is a movement lover, anatomy geek, wife, mama, Pilates student and teacher, and the owner of Root & Limb Pilates in Berkeley, CA. She holds a BA in dance...
Oct 24, 2021•1 hr 24 min•Season 1Ep. 58
What do studio owners really want from new hires? And what are new instructors looking for from a studio? We pull back the curtain on both Pilates instructors and studio owners to help you find the perfect match, whether you’re looking for a new job or a new team member, listen in! Connect with me on Instagram : @the_raphaelbender Download a free course guide: Pilates Certification Visualized Anatomy Become a Breathe Education Mentor Affiliate: Program info This podcast uses the following third-...
Oct 17, 2021•1 hr 44 min•Season 1Ep. 57
Is how I experience pain different than other people? The way people think, what they're told, and what they're exposed to, along with their biology, significantly impacts their pain. Listen in to forever change the way you see pain. -------------------------------- About Brendan Mouatt: Brendan is an accredited exercise physiologist and director of The Biomechanics—A multidisciplinary health practice in Footscray and Port Melbourne, Australia. Brendan is also the founding director of The Knowle...
Oct 10, 2021•1 hr 37 min•Season 1Ep. 56
Sometimes it can feel like outdated beliefs are rampant in the rehab world... Well, this episode is here to help change that. Adam Meakins is one of the most followed clinicians in the world on socials, and for good reason. He is open and informative, even sharing his own first-hand rehab experiences in full public gaze. His no nonsense, evidence-based approach is worth learning from. Resources mentioned in the episode: Read Raph's book: Strengthen the Person, Not Just the Body Part here -------...
Oct 03, 2021•1 hr 18 min•Season 1Ep. 55
Are small group classes really better than large group classes in Pilates? Are there injury risks with Pilates? And if so, how likely are they and what causes them? Class safety and mitigating risk are important for any instructor, so it’s important to make evidence-based decisions to facilitate an environment where your clients can flourish. Connect with me on Instagram : @the_raphaelbender Download a free course guide: Pilates Certification Visualized Anatomy Become a Breathe Education Mentor ...
Sep 26, 2021•1 hr 17 min•Season 1Ep. 54
Do you understand all the legal mumbo-jumbo surrounding your Pilates Studio? Probably not, but Cory Sterling makes that easy to solve. In today's episode, Cory explains the implications of staff working as employees versus contractors and whether teaching online is different from teaching in person from a legal perspective. We also get the low down on non-compete clauses, and how binding they actually are. Resources mentioned in the episode: Cory's online course Don't Get Sued: Legal Essentials ...
Sep 19, 2021•1 hr 14 min•Season 1Ep. 53
Dealing with a setback or negative self-talk? Let’s talk about how to overcome those self-imposed limits...Learning how to pick yourself up and dust yourself off after a setback is a critical skill to have and one that will serve you well in all aspects of your life. We share why it’s important to challenge negative self-talk, seek constructive feedback and ensure that you’re hanging out with people who support and nurture you. Resources mentioned in the episode: Grit by Angela Duckworth here 20...
Sep 12, 2021•1 hr 6 min•Season 1Ep. 52
In this episode we talk with Dr. Bronnie Lennox Thompson, an incredible practitioner and researcher in the psychosocial aspects of persistent pain. We discuss her work in pain management, and how Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) can be incorporated into your interactions with clients to help them reframe how they feel about their pain. Resources mentioned in the episode: The happiness trap book here Exploring Pain Research and Meaning facebook group Free ACT learning resources from Russ H...
Sep 05, 2021•1 hr 34 min•Season 1Ep. 51
In this episode, we talk with Nick Hannah, a genuinely innovative physiotherapist in London, Ontario, Canada. We discuss why communication is the next frontier in physical rehabilitation and how it can be utilised in a Pilates class for clients with persisting pain. Resources mentioned in the episode: Read Raph's book: Strengthen the Person, Not Just the Body Part here ------------------ About Nick Hannah: Nick is physiotherapist in London, ON deeply passionate about practice skills. You may kno...
Aug 29, 2021•1 hr 10 min•Season 1Ep. 50
In this inbetween-isode Raph answers your questions about the Diploma of Clinical Pilates. Who it's for What you learn - like holy cow you'll learn a SHIT TON (that's a metric shit ton) about the body, and pain science, and how to learn effectively, and pathology, and biomechanics. How it works Webinar registration Register here for the Diploma information webinar Tuesday 31 August 2021 USA 2pm PDT / 5pm EDT UK 10pm BST This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: AdBarker ...
Aug 24, 2021•7 min
Does Pilates really give you long, lean muscles? The answer might surprise you. Listen to find out. Connect with me on Instagram : @the_raphaelbender Download a free course guide: Pilates Certification Visualized Anatomy Become a Breathe Education Mentor Affiliate: Program info This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: AdBarker - https://adbarker.com/privacy...
Aug 22, 2021•1 hr 8 min•Season 1Ep. 49
In today's episode, we talk to Pilates Superstar, Movement Educator and Health Coach Jenna Zaffino. We cover Jenna's Pilates education and friendship with Master Teacher Ron Fletcher and why the guru model of learning Pilates is no longer serving our community. Jenna shares her perspective on finding your voice as an instructor, transitioning to online teaching, and describes why she is such an enthusiastic proponent of self-attendance. Resources mentioned in the episode: Unfortunately we're una...
Aug 15, 2021•1 hr 29 min•Season 1Ep. 48