Podcast · Learning

Pilates Elephants

by Raphael Bender · English · Learning

We get to grips with new research, teaching strategies, and social issues around Pilates and Pilates teaching. This is 100% authentic, unscripted, real talk about everything Pilates. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: AdBarker - https://adbarker.com/privacy

New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 39 min
Latest: 12 Jul 2026
Language: English

Latest episode

12 Jul 2026 · 40 min

365. Why you should stop cueing knee alignment

Everyone "knows" that knees going inwards in a squat is bad, right? It means the glutes are weak or underactive, and it's not good for the knee. But is it REALLY? This episode is a deep dive into the biomechanical, epidemiological, and prospective research on knee alignment during squatting, jumping, running and hopping. Our goal is to answer 2 questions: Does the knee going inwards indicate weak glutes? Is the knee going inwards dangerous? Links: Knees going in during a squat shifts load toward the glute max here Knee extensor effort rises with squat depth, hip extensor effort rises with…

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Earlier episodes 29 most recent

S4 · E364 · 5 Jul 2026 · 27 min
364. ITB: Why you might not want it loose
Almost all of us foam-roll the ITB and tell clients it's tight. Here's a richer picture, built from the anatomy: the ITB is a thickening of the fascia that wraps your whole thigh, it behaves as both tendon and ligament, it helps stabilise and lock your knee, and it backs up your ACL, contributing an estimated 13 to 40 percent of the resistance to your shin sliding forward. Which raises a question about trying to make it "release". PDF slides to accompany this episode here: https://breathe-edu-downloads.s3.amazonaws.com/IT%20band%20lecture%20slides.pdf This podcast uses the following…
S4 · E363 · 21 Jun 2026 · 27 min
363. How to keep your clients safe in Pilates according to science
Here's how we know humans are antifragile: Yoga is pretty dang safe here But if you REALLY want a safe sport, take up breakdancing here (no, seriously!) Or Crossfit here Knees going in during a squat or lunge doesn't predict injury here Plus here are my TWO episodes looking at this topic here and here But what DOES predict injury: Having weak hamstrings here Having a weak barbell squat here Doing too little for too long, followed by too much too soon here and here And what protects against injury: Strength training is the best injury prevention here and here High consistent workloads protect…
S4 · E362 · 14 Jun 2026 · 1 hr 56 min
362. Live lecture: What Actually Causes Neck Pain (It's Not Your Posture)
This is a live lecture I gave for the Diploma of Clinical Pilates. You can download the PDF lecture notes here: https://breathe-edu-downloads.s3.amazonaws.com/Diploma%202024%20Neck%20pathology.pdf You can watch this on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/igS35wdGQU8 This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: AdBarker - https://adbarker.com/privacy
S4 · E361 · 24 May 2026 · 14 min
361. How important is exercise form for results?
Research paper cited in this episode: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11970409/ This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: AdBarker - https://adbarker.com/privacy
S4 · E360 · 17 May 2026 · 1 hr 26 min
360. Nathan Ross Rees interviews Raph
This is my conversation with Nathan on his podcast, which you'll probably love if you like Pilates Elephants. Nathan's podcast is her: https://open.spotify.com/show/24md12qTQmTIYULyzGXmzT This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: AdBarker - https://adbarker.com/privacy
S4 · E359 · 26 Apr 2026 · 30 min
359. How to Train Great Pilates Instructors Fast
Train instructors faster by focusing on “good enough to start” , not perfection. Most studio owners overwhelm new instructors by trying to teach everything upfront. This slows learning and reduces confidence. Instead: Define the minimum skill set needed to teach one class competently Give instructors a clear, repeatable “recipe” (exact class plan) Have them practice and teach the same class repeatedly Layer in new skills only after mastery Key ideas: Prioritize depth over breadth Use real teaching reps + feedback as the main learning driver Standardize your class before trying to scale your…
S4 · E358 · 19 Apr 2026 · 45 min
358. Is your studio a Food Hall or a Restaurant?
Studio owners often think they need a new trend, new machine, or new offer to stand out. In this episode, Raphael and Heath argue the opposite. They explain why the studios that win are not the ones chasing novelty. They are the ones with a clear style, a consistent client experience, and a team that delivers the same standard every time. They also unpack the difference between running a food hall, where every instructor does their own thing under one roof. And running a restaurant, where the whole team delivers one clear product, as a team. If your studio feels inconsistent, vulnerable to…
S4 · E357 · 12 Apr 2026 · 1 hr 41 min
357. Live Lecture: Foundations of Rehab
This lecture was delivered live for our Diploma of Clinical Pilates. You'll also find it as a video on YouTube if you want to see the visuals. Here's the YouTube link: https://youtu.be/UATwStlLVWI This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: AdBarker - https://adbarker.com/privacy
S4 · E356 · 6 Apr 2026 · 29 min
356. Are contraindications actually real?
Short answer - mostly not. But in a few cases, yes. I delve into a better way to think about contrainidications, and working with people with pain, injury and chronic conditions. Links: Brinjikji et al. 2015a - disc bulge is highly prevalent in pain-free people here Brinjikji et al. 2015b - disc bulge is slightly MORE prevalent in people with back pain here Painful exercises are slightly BETTER than non-painful exercises for people with chronic pain here This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: AdBarker - https://adbarker.com/privacy
S4 · E355 · 29 Mar 2026 · 11 min
355. Great instructors DO fill classes - here's why
Why I don't believe there is a better definition of a good instructor than a full class of strong clients. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: AdBarker - https://adbarker.com/privacy
S4 · E354 · 22 Mar 2026 · 20 min
354. What to do if your classes are not full
This is for instructors AND studio owners. It's the exact troubleshooting process I use to help studio owners fill their classes - based on the best practices of 100+ studios I've seen the numbers for, and what's working right now for the 30+ studios I currently work with. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: AdBarker - https://adbarker.com/privacy
S4 · E353 · 15 Mar 2026 · 33 min
353. Don't confuse giving information with teaching
Many Pilates instructors make the same mistake when introducing an exercise: they give too much information. Instead of helping clients move, long explanations overwhelm them and nothing sticks. In this episode, we explore the difference between explaining and teaching , and why fewer, simpler cues often lead to better movement and faster learning. If you want clients to actually do the exercise well, this mindset shift is essential. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: AdBarker - https://adbarker.com/privacy
S4 · E352 · 8 Mar 2026 · 46 min
352. Adam McAtee - We Don't Get to Redefine Physics
While we can adapt Pilates to the laws of physiology, we cannot change the definition of technical words like "strength" just to fit a specific teaching style or Pilates philosophy. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: AdBarker - https://adbarker.com/privacy
S4 · E351 · 1 Mar 2026 · 50 min
351. Nathan Ross Rees - Total Instructor Accountability
Nathan makes the case that instructors should take 100% responsibility for filling our classes. If our attendance is low,we should see that as a personal indicator that something in the experience or connection is missing. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: AdBarker - https://adbarker.com/privacy
S4 · E350 · 22 Feb 2026 · 24 min
350. The Law of the Spring:
A common mistake is assuming that two Pilates exercises are the same just because they look identical. However, the actual "exercise" depends on where the load and force are being applied. Nerd out with us. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: AdBarker - https://adbarker.com/privacy
S4 · E349 · 15 Feb 2026 · 39 min
349. Great Instructors Fill Classes
Studios hire Pilates instructors to fill classes with happy clients. If your instructors' classes are not full, by definition are not good at their job - yet. As a studio owner, it's your job to help them become good! This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: AdBarker - https://adbarker.com/privacy
S4 · E348 · 8 Feb 2026 · 29 min
348. Progressing Strength, Flexibility & Skill In Pilates
Every Pilates exercise trains strength, range of motion, and skill. We explore how to progress your clients intelligently by adjusting one dimension at a time to build capacity, clarity, and confidence in movement. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: AdBarker - https://adbarker.com/privacy
S4 · E347 · 1 Feb 2026 · 46 min
347. Why “Quiet the Big Muscles” Is Wrong
Special shout out to Adam McAtee for this post Citations in these episodes: ep 278 Does Pilates strengthen your little muscles? ep 216 Why knowing which muscles are working in a movement is a waste of time ep 160 Can we even feel muscles activating? This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: AdBarker - https://adbarker.com/privacy
S4 · E346 · 25 Jan 2026 · 1 hr 2 min
346. Why Dallas sold half her studio - then bought it back
Dallas Noerdlinger (Core Pilates, Oklahoma City) shares why she sold 50% of her studio during pregnancy, what changed in the business and culture, and how she bought it back. We talk boutique vs franchise positioning, keeping instructors happy, managing owner overwhelm, and the “unlimited membership” + waitlist problem—plus practical fixes for capacity, pricing, and schedule structure. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: AdBarker - https://adbarker.com/privacy
S4 · E345 · 18 Jan 2026 · 39 min
345. Where Should I Be Feeling This?
The most useful kind of body awareness is mostly unconscious and automatic control, like a cat. This is built through practice, not narration. Links: Glute activation drills increase perception but not actual glute activation here Episode 160 "Can we even feel muscles activating?" here This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: AdBarker - https://adbarker.com/privacy
S4 · E344 · 11 Jan 2026 · 20 min
344. Text Neck Isn’t Causing Your Neck Pain
Studies mentioned in this episode: 2025 longitudinal study finds text neck is not associated with future neck pain here 2023 systematic review of interventions for neck pain finds strengthening works here 2017 Chen et al. systematic review finds neck strengthening is the most effective intervention for workplace neck pain - more effective than posture or ergonomic advice here This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: AdBarker - https://adbarker.com/privacy
S4 · E343 · 4 Jan 2026 · 13 min
343. Why Your Clients Don’t Show Up (Even When They Want To)
Your clients don’t skip Pilates because they don’t care. They skip because the system asks them to do work they don’t have the capacity for. In this short episode, Raphael shares: Why flexibility often reduces attendance The paradox of overwhelm: needing structure but lacking the bandwidth to create it How studios unintentionally design for no-shows and drop-off A simple shift from “choice” to “default” that increases consistency and retention If your clients say they “don’t have time”, this episode explains what’s really happening and how to fix it. This podcast uses the following…
S4 · E342 · 28 Dec 2025 · 40 min
342. 3 Pilates exercises walk into a bar...
What do flamingo, arms in straps and knee pulls have in common? They look different. They feel different. They’re secretly doing the exact same thing . This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: AdBarker - https://adbarker.com/privacy
S4 · E341 · 21 Dec 2025 · 42 min
341. There's a grape under your back
A Pilates cue goes off the rails and exposes everything we get wrong about “perfect form.” Expect heresy, biomechanics, and a very small grape that ruins neutral forever. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: AdBarker - https://adbarker.com/privacy
S4 · E340 · 14 Dec 2025 · 45 min
340. What's the minimum effective dose of Pilates for strengthening?
How much Pilates do you need to do to get stronger? Probably less than you think! This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: AdBarker - https://adbarker.com/privacy
S4 · E339 · 7 Dec 2025 · 41 min
339. Is Pilates Education Increasing Our Risk Of Injury?
Resources: Strength training reduces injury risk substantially here and here and here Resistance training itself is a very safe activity here and here Foot pronation increases risk of shin splints here , but has no effect on overall injury risk here and there is minimal evidence that any biomechanical variable predicts running injuries here Knee valgus does not predict future ACL injury here This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: AdBarker - https://adbarker.com/privacy
S4 · E338 · 27 Nov 2025 · 15 min
338. The 3 Skills That Differentiate Average Pilates Instructors From Superstars
What to look for when coaching your team - or critiquing your own classes. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: AdBarker - https://adbarker.com/privacy
S4 · E337 · 23 Nov 2025 · 39 min
337. What are lunges for?
The humble lunge - there's a LOT more there than meets the eye. We go there - biomechanics, cueing, how to layer it and why most instructors don't get the full value from it. This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: AdBarker - https://adbarker.com/privacy
S4 · E336 · 20 Nov 2025 · 58 min
336. How Build A Studio That Attracts VIP Clients with Patricia Robinson
In this episode Patricia Robinson from Pilates Vita, London, breaks down how she built a boutique, premium-priced Pilates studio serving VIP clients in Kensington. Find Patricia here: https://www.pilatesvita.com/ This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: AdBarker - https://adbarker.com/privacy

About Pilates Elephants

Pilates Elephants is a English learning podcast from Raphael Bender. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.

Publisher: Raphael Bender
Language: English
Category: Learning
New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 39 min
Latest episode: 12 Jul 2026
Feed: RSS — paste into any podcast app
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1533945420

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