Perfect Pilates Bodies.....

I read an article earlier this weekend by Roy Menzies @pilatesanytimeus that has struck such a chord with me. I can’t stop thinking about it and feel compelled to share my thoughts.

What IS the PERFECT Pilates Body?

There’s no doubt the fitness industry is fueled largely by the “body beautiful”. Images everywhere of so called perfect pecs, abs, quads and alas, faces. The Pilates industry is no doubt part of this. This morning’s perusal of Instagram’s Pilates pages threw up posts full of lithe, young, white women, with long lean legs, tight “pretty” abs and “oh so perfect” shapely arms, doing tough, mostly inaccessible to most, Pilates exercises. Yes they looked good but how do they make people feel – inspired? Empowered to try Pilates? Or just flat and defeated? The restrictions of the past six months has meant for most of us the only access we have to fitness is online and this constant bombardment of so called perfect bodies must be contributing to what has already been a tough time for our mental health?

I’ve had a good long hard think over the past 24 hours as to whether my attitude as an instructor, as a female, as a reasonably “thin” white woman contributes to this perception. I LOVE Pilates as you know and my thirst for constant knowledge drives me to look at all sorts of things about it online including Instagram. Am I being brainwashed into thinking lean, long, pretty equals Pilates? I’ve always believed Pilates is for everybody and every BODY. As I look back over all my classes and clients over the past 10 years I see SO many different people – universal age, size, gender, race, background, past physical activity, injuries - and what beautiful memories they create. All working together for one goal – the right to a fully functioning, healthy spine allowing full, pain free movement. Does it matter WHAT THE HELL we LOOK like. Joseph Pilates himself wrote that Pilates is the “unique trinity of a balanced body, mind and spirit… self-confidence follows. Everyone… should be doing my exercises. They’d be happier.” No mention here of how Pilates makes you look – it’s all about the FEEL. Have we lost sight of this in the Instagram generation?

The article that prompted this blog included a link to Harvard University “Implicit Association Test (IAT)” – a whole bunch of tests you can take to understand how you categorise certain beliefs – race, gender, wealth etc. I took the Fat vs Thin people test. I’m still coming to terms with my result (not gonna share here but suffice to say I was disappointed) I urge you all (particularly if you are a teacher in this industry) to take some time to do your own test.

It will challenge you. It WILL make you think. And, as it’s done for me, I sincerely hope it will make you reassess your view of the “perfect Pilates body.”

I welcome your comments, contributions and discussions.