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Pilates: Understanding Your Profession

Tracing 100 Years of Pilates History and Evolution

To teach Pilates with confidence, it’s vital to understand its roots and how the discipline has transformed over the last century. This CPD module offers a comprehensive overview of the journey from Joseph Pilates’ original philosophy of Contrology to the diverse, global industry we know today.

You’ll examine the development of Pilates apparatus, the influence of the Elders, and the generational teachers who carried the work forward. The course also explores the commercialisation of Pilates, the landmark legal case surrounding its name, and the way the method has expanded into multiple professional contexts worldwide.

Whether you’re preparing for certification, refreshing your foundational knowledge, or simply curious about the heritage of your profession, this module provides the clarity and historical insight every modern instructor needs.

Learning Outcomes

By completing this module, you will be able to:

  • Explain Joseph Pilates’ life, philosophy, and the principles of Contrology.

  • Outline the historical development of Pilates apparatus.

  • Recognise the contributions of the Pilates Elders and their teaching lineage.

  • Discuss how teaching styles evolved after Joseph Pilates.

  • Summarise the legal case that shaped the use of the Pilates name.

  • Understand how Pilates grew into a global movement.

  • Speak with authority about the origins and evolution of the Pilates profession.

Who Should Enrol

This module is designed for:

  • Qualified Pilates Matwork teachers.

  • Instructors currently in training.

  • Medical professionals incorporating Pilates into their practice.

  • Any practitioner seeking deeper historical knowledge of the method.

No formal prerequisites are required, though prior interest or experience in Pilates is recommended.

Course Format

  • Study Time: 5–6 hours (flexible, self‑paced).

  • Activities: Written and visual content, video clips, reflection tasks, and assessments.

  • Delivery: Fully online via the Mbodies learning platform.

  • Assessment: Completion of online review tasks and short reflective summaries.

  • Certification: Downloadable certificate upon successful completion.

  • CPD Recognition: Counts toward Matwork or Studio CPD and qualifications.

This module can also be combined with Matwork or apparatus courses as part of a full Matwork or Reformer qualification, or the 350‑hour Studio Specialist pathway. It supports instructors preparing for the National Pilates Certification Exam (NPCE) and those wishing to professionalise their teaching voice.