We sat down with Alison Johnson, owner of The Pilates Room NYC, to discuss what client-centered Pilates is, why it’s important to remain flexible as an instructor and how deviating from the script may be just what the session calls for.  

In today's fitness world, "Pilates" has become a catch-all term applied to everything from dance-inspired cardio classes to high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on reformers. While innovation and variety are not inherently misleading, the term "traditional Pilates" has a specific meaning—one rooted in the original method developed by Joseph Pilates.

Asking for feedback isn't just a courtesy—it's a core part of becoming a more effective, client-centered Pilates instructor. We respect and value our clients, and we celebrate their accomplishments alongside them. Building a strong relationship with a client involves learning to accept feedback without judgment.

Pilates was founded on six principles: concentration, control, centering, flow, precision and breath. Music can interfere with the subtlety of breath—the very foundation of your movement. In our studio, we’d prefer you to be able to concentrate on your inhales and exhales and feel the rise and fall of your chest. In a quiet space, you may begin to notice how your breath supports your spine, your core, your strength. That awareness is powerful.

Regardless of whether you’re new to Pilates or an experienced practitioner, these six core principles are important to keep in mind as you move through the sequences. Focusing on these principles—concentration, control, centering, flow, precision, breath—will help sharpen and elevate your practice and fortify the mind-body connection. 

This guide will walk you through the foundations of Classical Pilates and how it can benefit your body and mind. Key points include the origins and key principles of classical Pilates, and the standard equipment used in classical Pilates including The Reformer, The Cadillac, The Wunda Chair and The Ladder Barrel. We also discuss the benefits of Classical Pilates and some tips for getting started.