The Art of Personalizing Pilates: How to Customize Your Practice for Your Unique Needs
Pilates
Apr 25, 2025
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Pilates is often presented as a strict method—a set of exercises, rules, and techniques passed down since Joseph Pilates first developed his Contrology system. And while those foundations are important, movement has evolved. Bodies are different. Needs are different. Goals are different. Customization isn’t just about throwing in a few modifications—it’s about understanding how a body moves, why it moves that way, and how to meet it where it is while helping it progress.
At Ken Pilates, we embrace that evolution. Our approach blends science, intuition, strength training, and creative movement to make Pilates work for every body. The way we train isn’t just about “following the method." It’s about using the method as a foundation while building something that works for modern movement.
That’s why my teaching philosophy is built on four core pillars—the foundation of how I train, how I teach, and how I guide my instructors to think about movement. This isn’t just about Pilates; it’s about creating an intentional movement practice that is effective, intelligent, and adaptable.
Early in my career, I was lucky to learn from Kim Gibilisco, a brilliant movement educator and my mentor. She helped me understand not just how to teach movement, but how to see movement—to look at a body and recognize what it needs, what it’s missing, and how to make movement more effective.
That’s why, at Ken Pilates, injuries are our first priority. If a client has a spinal condition, post-surgical limitation, or chronic pain, we adjust immediately to keep them safe and strong.
Customization isn’t just about making things easier—it’s about making movement work smarter.
Strength training changed how I approach Pilates. It taught me that progression matters—it’s not just about what a client can do today, but how we build toward their long-term goals.
What personal training brought to my Pilates approach:
✅ Programming is everything. A good session isn’t just a sequence of movements. It’s structured to create strength, mobility, and endurance over time.
✅ Pilates isn’t just about control. It’s about capacity. We train clients to build strength alongside precision, so they feel more powerful in their daily lives.
✅ Meeting people where they are. Some clients need a slow, controlled approach while others need to be challenged to push past their limits.
This is why, at Ken Pilates, we don’t just “do Pilates." We integrate strength, mobility, and conditioning to make movement more effective.
Dancers don’t just perform movement; they embody it. This shaped how I customize Pilates for my clients because movement isn’t just mechanical. It’s personal.
What dance taught me about personalization:
✅ Movement is communication. Every body is different, and what works for one person won’t always work for another. Customization means listening to what the body is saying.
✅ Breath, rhythm, and flow matter. Pilates isn’t just about form. It’s about how movement feels. The way you breathe into a movement changes its intensity, ease, and efficiency.
✅ Customization is a creative process. If a movement isn’t working, we adjust, modify, and explore until it does.
At Ken Pilates, we don’t force bodies into rigid rules. We work with them to find their best expression of movement.
Not every great personal trainer is a great group fitness instructor, and vice versa. Teaching in big gyms like Crunch, Equinox, and boutique studios taught me that group fitness is its own beast.
A group setting changes everything:
✅ The energy has to stay high. A good instructor keeps the room engaged and challenged while maintaining safety and structure.
✅ Customization has to happen in real-time. You can’t stop a class of 15+ people to micromanage modifications. You have to adapt on the fly.
✅ The class must feel cohesive. Even if half the room is modifying, the class shouldn’t feel disjointed. Everyone should be able to progress together.
That’s why at Ken Pilates, we structure group classes differently. We start with the full version of an exercise, then scale it down as needed. That way, everyone finds their level while staying connected to the flow.
🔹 If a client has a spinal condition, post-surgical limitation, or chronic pain, we adjust movements immediately to keep them safe and strong.
🔹 Clients are responsible for communicating their needs before class. We can’t modify for something we don’t know about.
🔹 Some movements are non-negotiable. If it’s unsafe, we won’t do it. Period.
🔹 Modifications aren’t just about making things easier—sometimes, a client needs more challenge.
🔹 We use props, resistance, and alternative angles to make movements more effective, not just more accessible.
🔹 Customization means progression, not just simplification.
🔹 A post-rehab client needs different training than an athlete.
🔹 We tweak repetitions, resistance, and sequencing to align with what the client actually wants to achieve.
🔹 Progress isn’t just about what you do today. It’s about where we’re taking you tomorrow.
At Ken Pilates, we don’t just customize how you move. We customize how you experience the session.
🎵 Music & Atmosphere: The right music shifts energy. Disco beats for high-energy sculpting, low BPM for deep mobility work.
🛋️ Studio Environment: Lighting, temperature, and space affect movement quality—we curate it all.
🗣️ Cueing & Coaching: Customization isn’t just about movement—it’s also about how we guide you through it.
Ken Pilates isn’t about “doing Pilates the right way.” It’s about using Pilates as a tool to move better, feel stronger, and stay pain-free.
✅ If you’re in a group class: Take ownership of your modifications, listen to your body, and don’t be afraid to ask for help.
✅ If you need deeper customization: Private sessions are where we build a plan that works for you.
✅ Movement is movement. Pilates is just the language we use to help you move well.
The goal isn’t just to “do Pilates." The goal is to move better, feel better, and live stronger.
