The Myth of Perfect Form

Let's talk about something I care deeply about: the difference between movement that looks impressive and movement that actually transforms lives.

There's so much beautiful Pilates happening in studios everywhere. Skilled practitioners executing gorgeous exercises with precision and grace. And there's absolutely nothing wrong with that. It's lovely to watch and shows years of dedicated practice.

But here's what gets me excited: the moments when someone discovers their own authentic way of moving. When they stop worrying about how they look and start paying attention to how they feel. When the work becomes deeply personal rather than performative.

The Pretty Pilates Problem

What I find fascinating is how we've developed such strong ideas about what "good" Pilates looks like, often without considering what actually serves each person's body.

I had a student once who could execute a textbook Teaser. Beautiful lines, perfect balance, absolutely stunning to watch. But she would endlessly complain of severe back pain when she did Teaser. Her "perfect" Pilates looked amazing to her 100k followers but wasn't actually serving her body.

Then there was another client whose Roll Up looked quite different from the textbook version. She had to bend her knees, her spine moved in its own unique way, and she worked with audible effort. But over time, her chronic pain disappeared, her movement improved dramatically, and she moved through her daily life with more ease than she'd had in years.

Both students were dedicated and hardworking. But which approach was actually more effective?

What We See in the Historical Record

Here's something worth considering: when you look at Joseph Pilates' work, there's no evidence of him teaching perfect form as we understand it today. What we see is purposeful movement.

Look at the historical footage and photographs. Bodies of all shapes and sizes doing the work in their own unique way. Yes, there were principles and clear intentions behind each exercise, but there's also evidence of understanding that every body would express those principles differently.

From what we can observe, the focus was on function, not form. The goal appeared to be helping people move better, feel stronger, and live with more vitality. The aesthetic seemed to be a byproduct, not the primary aim.

The Real Work Lives in the "Imperfections"

In our PTT, I teach teachers and students to look for what I call "efforting." Those moments when someone is working right at their edge, when their form might not be textbook perfect, but they're accessing exactly what their body needs.

When someone is truly engaged with an exercise, you can see it. There's a quality of attention, a focus, a sense that they're genuinely exploring what's happening in their body rather than just going through the motions.

This is where real learning happens. Not in the perfect execution, but in the authentic engagement with the work.

How to Teach Real Pilates

So how do we honour good technique while allowing for individual expression? Here's what I've learnt over 20+ years:

Recognise that general cues don't work. Every body is different, so the same instruction will land differently for each person. What helps one student access an exercise might completely confuse another. Learn to observe and respond to the individual in front of you.

Teach the why, not just the what. When students understand the purpose behind an exercise, they can find their own authentic way to achieve it.

Celebrate effort over execution. The person working at 70% of their capacity with full attention is doing better work than someone at 30% who looks "perfect."

Question your own standards. That correction you're about to give, ask yourself: will this help them move better, or just look better?

This is exactly why I created the Classical Foundations Teachers Intensive. Even experienced teachers with diplomas tell me they feel like they know exercises but not the underlying system that makes it all make sense. When you understand classical sequencing and the "why" behind each exercise, you can teach authentic movement with unshakeable confidence.

The response to our February 2026 intensive has been overwhelming. Clearly there's a real need for this type of deep learning among qualified teachers. We're focusing on movement biomechanics, exercise deconstruction skills, and how to adapt classical work for real bodies with real limitations. Early-bird pricing is available until November 26th, with only 15 spots available for personalised attention.

Normal Human Variation is Not a Problem to Fix

I need to say it: not every body is meant to do every exercise in the same way. And that's not a failing of the student or the teacher.

Some people will never have a "perfect" Roll Up because of their spine structure. Others will never achieve the classic Teaser shape because of their limb length. And you know what? That's completely fine.

Our job as teachers isn't to force every body into the same mould. It's to help each person find their own authentic expression of the work.

What This Means for Your Teaching

If you're a teacher or student reading this, here's your permission to stop chasing perfection and start pursuing purpose.

Look for the quality of attention, not the quality of form. Notice the breath, the effort, the concentration. These are the real indicators of good Pilates work.

When you catch yourself making corrections based on how something looks rather than how it feels or functions, pause. Ask yourself if you're serving the student's body or your own idea of what Pilates should look like.

And please, for the love of the universe, stop comparing your students to Instagram. Those bodies might look perfect, but they're not any more "right" than the body in front of you right now.

The Beauty in the Real

There's something deeply beautiful about watching someone move authentically within their own body. When a student stops trying to look perfect and starts focusing on feeling integrated, that's when the real transformation happens.

That's what Pilates is supposed to look like. Not perfect, not pretty, but real and purposeful and uniquely theirs.

Looking forward to supporting your classical Pilates journey