Introduction
No client walks into the studio with exactly the same body they had five years ago, or even necessarily the same body they had last month.
Bodies change.
They change with age, pregnancy, injury, recovery, illness, stress, lifestyle, activity levels, and simply through the different stages of life.
As Pilates teachers, our teaching needs to be able to change with them.
Knowing the repertoire gives us an important foundation, but good teaching requires more than knowing which exercise comes next. It requires us to observe the person in front of us and recognise when our approach needs to change.
The Client You Know Can Change
When we have taught someone for a long time, it can be easy to assume we already know their body.
We know which exercises they enjoy. We know their usual springs. We know where they are strong and where they tend to struggle.
But familiarity can sometimes stop us from looking closely.
A client who moved comfortably six months ago may now be experiencing stiffness, pain or reduced confidence. Someone returning after an illness may not have the same strength or endurance. A client going through pregnancy will experience changes throughout each stage, while an older client may notice gradual differences in balance, mobility or recovery.
Even changes outside the studio can influence what we see during a session.
Our job is to keep observing rather than assuming.
The Exercise Doesn’t Always Need to Look the Same
Pilates gives us an extensive system to work with, but the client should not have to force themselves into an exercise simply because that is how we usually teach it.
Sometimes we need to change the range of movement.
Sometimes we need to adjust the resistance.
Sometimes we need to slow things down, provide additional support or spend more time on preparation.
And sometimes we need to leave an exercise out and choose something more appropriate.
This does not mean lowering the quality of the work.
It means understanding what we are trying to achieve and finding the most appropriate way to work towards it with the person in front of us.
Teaching Different Bodies Requires More Than Modifications
Working with changing bodies is sometimes discussed simply in terms of modifications.
But thoughtful teaching goes deeper than having a list of alternative exercises.
We need to understand why we are changing something.
What are we observing?
What are we trying to achieve?
What does this client need from the exercise?
What might make the movement more appropriate for them?
When we understand the reason behind our choices, adaptation becomes part of good teaching rather than something we add only when a client cannot perform the “standard” version.
Keep Developing Your Teaching Eye
The longer we teach, the more different bodies we encounter.
That experience is valuable, but experience alone does not mean we stop learning.
Continuing education gives us opportunities to revisit what we know, challenge our assumptions and develop a deeper understanding of the people we teach.
It helps us move beyond simply knowing the repertoire towards knowing how to use it intelligently.
Because ultimately, our clients don’t need us to show them how much Pilates we know.
They need us to understand how to use that knowledge to teach them.
The body in front of you will change.
Good teaching changes with it.
Continue Your Education With Anita Horry Academy
At Anita Horry Academy, we believe Pilates education should develop more than your knowledge of exercises.
Our teacher education encourages you to develop your observation, reasoning, communication and practical teaching skills so you can make informed decisions when working with different bodies and different needs.
If you’re ready to deepen your understanding of the Classical Pilates system and continue developing the way you teach, discover the education and training opportunities available through Anita Horry Academy.
Keep learning. Keep observing. Keep developing the teacher behind the repertoire.
Anita Horry
is a 2nd Generation Pilates Master Teacher, founder of the Anita Horry Academy, and an internationally respected educator, mentor, and business coach for Pilates professionals.
A fully certified Classical Pilates teacher, Anita holds a degree in accountancy and began her career in the corporate world before transitioning fully into the world of movement and wellness. Her teaching has been profoundly shaped by the mentorship of industry legends Lolita San Miguel and Bob Liekens, whose wisdom continues to influence her work.
Anita Horry is an international speaker and educator, recognized for her dedication to elevating Pilates standards worldwide. She serves as a juror for the Pilates Method Alliance’s International Teacher Training Accreditation Program (ITTAP), supporting the global standardization of excellence in Pilates education.
Anita is also a judge for the 2025 Pilates Journal Awards in Los Angeles and has presented at international events such as the Pilates Journal in California, USA.
Through the Anita Horry Academy, she offers a comprehensive Pilates teacher training program, hands-on mentorship, and business coaching for instructors ready to build purpose-driven, sustainable careers. Known for her evidence-based, heart-centered approach, Anita helps teachers move beyond memorization to truly understand the method as a complete system.
Based between Malta and Spain, Anita travels internationally to teach, speak, and mentor. With a deep commitment to quality, community, and integrity, she continues to inspire and elevate a new generation of Pilates leaders around the world.
