Have you ever wondered why some clients struggle to stay present during class? Or why certain movements, even when modified, feel like “too much” for someone? You might be seeing more than just tight hips or shallow breath—you might be witnessing a nervous system response. In this episode, Katie Crane invites you into a deeper understanding of the Polyvagal Theory, a game-changing framework developed by Stephen Porges that explains how our nervous system responds to safety, threat, and connectio...
Aug 05, 2025•1 hr 16 min•Ep. 69
Back pain is one of the most common physical challenges people face—yet it’s often misunderstood, misdiagnosed, and mismanaged. In this eye-opening episode, Katie Crane breaks down the myths, fears, and practical strategies surrounding back pain in the Pilates studio. With over 80% of people likely to experience back pain at some point in their lives, Katie explores how labels and diagnoses can sometimes do more harm than good. She shares her insights into how Pilates instructors can shift their...
Jul 15, 2025•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 68
Ever walked into a "Pilates" class and thought… Is this actually Pilates? You’re not alone. In this episode, host Katie Crane dives into the heart of what true Pilates is—and why that distinction matters more than ever. With 18 years of teaching under her belt, Katie breaks down the real difference between a reformer fitness class and the full Pilates method. She shares why slapping on some weights or trendy labels doesn’t evolve the method—it risks watering it down. If you're craving more depth...
Jul 04, 2025•44 min•Ep. 67
In this episode, Katie Crane explores the increasingly popular concept of training with your menstrual cycle. Is it legit—or just another wellness trend? Inspired by a recent social media conversation, Katie shares her personal journey of discovering the power of natural hormone cycles and how they've influenced her own approach to training and well-being. She breaks down the four phases of the menstrual cycle and explains how each phase can affect energy, strength, motivation, and emotional hea...
Jun 03, 2025•39 min•Ep. 66
Welcome to another episode of The Pilates Lounge, hosted by Katie Crane! This week, we're diving into a powerful and often overlooked topic: how the words we use as instructors can either heal or harm. Katie unpacks the profound impact of language in the Pilates space —especially when it comes to trauma-informed teaching. From shocking examples of inappropriate cueing to practical tips on positive instruction, this episode is a must-listen for any instructor who wants to create a safe, empowerin...
May 20, 2025•43 min•Season 3Ep. 66
In this episode of the Pilates Lounge podcast, Katie Crane discusses the profound journey of pregnancy, exploring the emotional and physical changes women experience. She emphasizes the role of Pilates in empowering women during this transformative time, highlighting the importance of community support. The conversation delves into the three trimesters of pregnancy, focusing on the first trimester's hormonal changes, the significance of pelvic floor health, and the necessity of listening to one'...
May 06, 2025•1 hr 16 min•Season 3Ep. 65
Summary In this episode of the Pilates Lounge Podcast, Katie Crane discusses the evolving understanding of the body and core muscles in Pilates. She emphasizes the importance of mindful movement, dynamic training, and listening to the body's signals. The conversation also highlights the significance of language in teaching Pilates and how it can shape perceptions of body awareness and self-love. Katie shares insights on how to improve core strength through cross-training and dynamic movement, pa...
Apr 23, 2025•28 min•Season 3Ep. 64
Welcome to another inspiring episode of The Pilates Lounge, hosted by Katie Crane! This week, we’re tackling a topic that is crucial for Pilates professionals (and anyone in service-based industries): what does it take to confidently charge what you’re worth? Katie dives into the mindset and strategies around pricing your services, attracting your ideal clients, and owning your unique expertise. If you’ve been struggling to set prices that reflect your value or battling comparisons with competit...
Mar 12, 2025•37 min•Season 2Ep. 62
In This Episode Katie Crane explores how Virtual Assistants (VAs) can help Pilates professionals streamline operations, cut costs, and reclaim valuable time. Running a studio is more than just teaching—it’s about creating a sustainable business that allows you to focus on your passion Katie is joined by Kristy Smith, founder of Virtual Elves, to discuss the power of outsourcing, the ethical impact of hiring a VA, and practical steps to get started. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: 🔹 What is a...
Mar 04, 2025•55 min•Season 2Ep. 61
In this episode, Katie dives deep into the power of discovering and connecting with your "why" as a Pilates instructor. The teaching movement is just the beginning—understanding your purpose fuels passion, builds resilience, and amplifies your impact. Katie shares her personal journey, explores key psychological insights, and invites you to reflect on your own "why" to keep your teaching meaningful and fulfilling. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: 🔹 Defining Your "Why" – What does it truly mea...
Feb 25, 2025•44 min•Season 2Ep. 60
Money mindset plays a pivotal role in business success, yet many health, wellness, and creative professionals struggle with deep-rooted beliefs around money. In this episode, Katie Crane sits down with Kristina Driskill, a former international opera singer turned transformational coach, to explore the emotional and psychological blocks that hold professionals back from financial confidence—and how to overcome them. If you’re ready to move from surviving to thriving in your business, this convers...
Feb 18, 2025•1 hr 3 min•Season 2Ep. 59
In this episode of The Pilates Lounge, host Katie Crane sits down with award-winning HR expert and small business advocate Kristy-Lee Billett to unpack the essential role of Human Resources in Pilates businesses. From hiring the right team members to navigating tricky workplace situations, Kristy shares expert insights tailored specifically for Pilates studio owners and small business leaders. Whether you’re a solo operator or managing a growing team, this episode will help you make informed HR ...
Feb 11, 2025•57 min•Season 2Ep. 58
In this episode, host Katie Crane tackles a challenge that many Pilates instructors and creative professionals face—imposter syndrome. She’s joined by special guest Coach Danny (Danielle Detiege), a business and mindset coach who helps professional women overcome self-doubt and build the confidence they need to thrive. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: What Imposter Syndrome Is & Why It Happens – Understand the root causes of self-doubt and how to quiet the inner critic. Owning Your Experti...
Feb 04, 2025•1 hr 4 min•Season 2Ep. 57
Welcome to this episode of The Pilates Lounge Podcast! In this discussion, Katie Crane delves into the intersection of wellness and our digital lives. Feeling overwhelmed by notifications, endless scrolling, or a lack of balance? This episode is your guide to navigating the tech-heavy world with wellness in mind. Katie blends her passion for Pilates with practical advice for living intentionally in a tech-saturated age. Episode Highlights: Setting Intentions for the New Year Katie kicks off the ...
Jan 28, 2025•46 min•Season 2Ep. 56
Join us in this episode as we sit down with Rosemary Gattuso, family mediator and author of “It's Not You, It's Me: A Chronic Overthinker's Guide to Self-Reflection.” Rosemary opens up about her experiences turning chronic overthinking into a tool for personal reflection and growth. We discuss practical strategies to overcome overthinking, the surprising benefits of it, and how adopting a strengths-based approach can transform your mindset. Whether you're a serial overthinker or looking for tool...
Jan 21, 2025•1 hr•Season 2Ep. 55
In this episode of The Pilates Lounge, host Katie Crane shares her reflections as a Pilates professional and unveils her guiding theme for 2025: Foundations. Katie explores the importance of returning to core principles in life and Pilates, offering insights that will resonate with practitioners, teachers, and wellness enthusiasts alike. Key Takeaways: Katie’s thoughtful approach to decision-making. Gratitude for life’s experiences and growth. The enduring relevance of foundational Pilates princ...
Jan 14, 2025•42 min•Ep. 54
Host Katie Crane kicks off this episode of The Pilates Lounge Podcast by introducing Season 2's primary focus—not just choreography or exercises but also exploring what it takes to build a successful Pilates business and career. She highlights the importance of Pilates professionals owning their expertise and truly understanding their unique value. Katie welcomes her guest, Amy Rost, owner of Arc Pilates in Canada. Amy shares her inspiring story of transitioning from a corporate career to Pilate...
Jan 07, 2025•58 min•Season 1Ep. 53
In this episode of The Pilates Lounge, Katie Crane chats with Dr. Ailina Ismail, a Functional Medicine Coach who helps busy women beat fatigue, aches, and brain fog. Dr. Ailina explains how issues like hidden hormonal imbalances, gut health, and stress impact energy and vitality—all areas that align with Pilates and holistic wellness. They dive into thyroid health, focusing on autoimmune conditions like Hashimoto's and Graves' disease, which mostly affect women. Dr. Ailina shares her journey int...
Dec 24, 2024•1 hr 4 min•Season 1Ep. 51
In this episode of The Pilates Lounge podcast, Katie Crane chats with Courtney Moore, an intuitive healer with a background in Classical Chinese Medicine and energy work. Courtney opens up about her shift from Western medicine to a more intuitive approach, where she helps people uncover how emotional and energetic blockages can show up as physical pain. Katie and Courtney discuss how tuning into our intuition and addressing both the emotional and physical sides of health can create powerful shif...
Dec 17, 2024•52 min•Ep. 50
In this episode of The Pilates Lounge podcast, host Katie Crane chats with breathwork coach Jenny Cheifetz about the transformative power of breathwork and life coaching in fostering personal growth and healing. Jenny shares her unexpected journey into the world of breathwork, highlighting its benefits for managing stress, building emotional resilience, and creating balance in life. Together, Katie and Jenny explore the emotional and physical benefits of different breathwork techniques, the impo...
Dec 10, 2024•58 min•Ep. 49
In this episode of The Pilates Lounge podcast, host Katie Crane sits down with Alice Johnstone, a passionate postnatal Pilates coach on a mission to revolutionise postnatal care for women. Alice opens up about her own journey with Pilates, which began after facing challenges during and after her pregnancies—including C-sections and pelvic floor issues. Together, they chat about the common misconceptions around postnatal recovery, the importance of personalised care, and how Pilates can empower w...
Dec 03, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 48
As we near the end of the year, Katie Crane takes a moment to reflect on the journey so far and invites you to do the same. In this heartfelt episode of the Pilates Lounge, Katie encourages Pilates professionals to celebrate their wins, big or small, and start setting thoughtful intentions for the new year. She shares her personal insights on the power of reflection, the importance of building a supportive community, and why recognizing each client’s unique needs makes all the difference in your...
Nov 26, 2024•35 min•Ep. 47
In this episode of The Pilates Lounge Podcast, Katie Crane sits down with mindset coach Julie Dempsey to dive into the importance of a positive growth mindset, especially in times of burnout— a challenge for both Pilates instructors and clients. They discuss powerful tools to shift self-belief, manage negative thoughts, and use visualisation and positive self-talk to drive personal and professional success. Julie shares her perspective on how essential it is for instructors to recognise their ow...
Nov 19, 2024•55 min•Ep. 46
In this episode of The Pilates Lounge Podcast, Katie Crane breaks down the concept of the layering effect in Pilates teaching. This technique is a game-changer, helping instructors make sure everyone in the class—no matter their level—feels included and gets something valuable out of the session. Katie also talks about the power of progression in Pilates, reminding us that real results come from steady, consistent work, not rushing through. She wraps things up with an invitation to join her Refi...
Nov 12, 2024•31 min•Ep. 45
In this episode, Katie Crane speaks with podiatrist Andy Bryan, who has 25 years of experience focusing on natural foot function, including the past seven years. They discuss how modern footwear and movement patterns contribute to common foot issues and the importance of aligning foot health with natural function. Andy explains the critical role of foot mechanics, emphasising the significance of arches and proprioception. He also offers practical strategies for improving foot health, especially ...
Nov 06, 2024•55 min•Ep. 44
In this episode of *The Pilates Lounge Podcast*, Katie Crane dives into the dual facets of being a Pilates professional: managing the business side and prioritizing self-care. Reflecting on her own experience with burnout, she highlights the importance of setting boundaries and making self-care a priority to maintain passion and longevity in the profession. Katie also explores the role of community support and gratitude practices in fostering both personal and professional well-being. Takeaways ...
Oct 31, 2024•40 min•Ep. 43
In this episode of The Pilates Lounge Podcast, host Katie Crane sits down with Lesley Logan, NCPT, to dive into the often-overlooked business side of being a Pilates instructor. Lesley, also a Habits, Mindset, and Breathwork coach, is the founder of OnlinePilatesClasses.com, the largest catalogue of free Pilates tutorials and the only on-demand platform that provides Pilates lovers with accountability and community. She shares her journey from a retail background to becoming a successful Pilates...
Oct 22, 2024•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 42
In this episode of The Pilates Lounge Podcast, host Katie Crane explores the multifaceted topic of the pelvic floor, emphasizing its critical role in Pilates practice. She addresses common misconceptions about pelvic floor strength, discusses the impact of stress on pelvic floor dysfunction, and underscores the importance of ongoing education for Pilates professionals. Katie also shares practical strategies for helping clients relax their pelvic floor using breathing techniques and movement and ...
Oct 15, 2024•46 min•Ep. 41
In this episode of the Pilates Lounge podcast, host Katie Crane speaks with Carla Mullins, a seasoned Pilates professional and educator. Carla Mullins founded Body Organics® in 2002, growing it into a leading Pilates studio and education center. With a background in law and extensive Pilates qualifications, Carla now focuses on training new instructors and developing innovative movement tools like the Makarlu®. They discuss Carla's journey from a solicitor to a Pilates practitioner, her insights...
Oct 08, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 40
In this episode of the Pilates Lounge podcast, I explore the limitations of the "belly button to spine" cue for core activation. While this cue has been popular, I discuss why it may only resonate with some and how it can restrict our understanding of core engagement. Key Insights: The Complexity of the Core: I break down the core as a multifaceted system, highlighting the roles of the pelvic floor, diaphragm, multifidi, and transverse abdominals. The Role of Self-Practice: I emphasise the signi...
Oct 01, 2024•52 min•Ep. 39
