Issue #463
Wednesday, June 11, 2025
Power of Form: Reclaiming the Movement Language of Pilates
by Tabatha Russell
The Pilates method is trending—and fast.
Scroll through Instagram or TikTok and you’ll find perfectly synced reformer routines, beautifully branded studios, and influencers sharing “Pilates-inspired” flows with thousands of likes. The aesthetics are polished, the bodies are toned, and the message is clear: Pilates is in.
As someone who has dedicated nearly three decades to teaching and living this method, I should be celebrating. After all, Pilates is finally getting the attention it’s long deserved. It’s gaining visibility, becoming more mainstream, and reaching new audiences across all walks of life.
And yet, behind the boom, something is being lost.
Something foundational.
Something essential.
Something I was recently reminded of in the most visceral way.
When Form Is Missing, Function Fails
Not long ago, a Pilates studio near mine closed unexpectedly. In the weeks that followed, my studio welcomed many of their former clients. Most of them told me they had years of experience—some had been doing Pilates for over a decade. A few had even completed teacher training programs.
They arrived with confidence and curiosity. But, once we began moving together, I saw something that both concerned and saddened me. They couldn’t articulate their spines. Their breath and movement were disconnected. Pelvic stability was absent. There was little to no core initiation. They struggled through exercises like bridging, ab preps, and even cat stretch with tension, compensation, and confusion.
What was missing wasn’t effort.
It wasn’t strength.
It wasn’t even willingness.
Tabatha Russell is a Master Pilates Instructor, NCPT, and Balanced Body Master Educator with over 29 years of experience in the healing body arts. For the past 15 years, she has owned and operated a boutique Pilates studio, combining her background as a professional dancer with and her M.A. in Interdisciplinary Arts Education to create transformative movement experiences.
Renowned for her ability to connect with clients, Tabatha offers dynamic group classes that challenge participants while fostering a sense of community and support. Her private sessions emphasize accessibility and personalization, tailoring classical Pilates techniques to individuals of all ages and abilities. Her empathetic approach empowers clients to grow both physically and mentally, making Pilates an inclusive and transformative practice.
Beyond her work in the studio, Tabatha is a passionate mentor, having trained over 100 Pilates educators. She founded the Pilates Professional Learning Community to uplift and support instructors, particularly those from historically excluded communities, by providing mentorship and resources to help them succeed.
Tabatha’s teaching philosophy emphasizes equity, inclusion, and empowerment, meeting individuals where they are and guiding them toward their goals. Her leadership and advocacy for diversity have helped shape a more inclusive Pilates industry.
A former professional dancer with a B.A. in Dance and extensive teaching experience, Tabatha has been featured in Essence.com, Cosmopolitan.com, and TheHealthy.com. She continues to inspire through movement, education, and community, ensuring Pilates is a source of strength and healing for all.
Follow her: @tabpilates @tabpilatesandbodyworkscenterinc https://www.youtube.com/@tabpilates map for the semester: