Teaching Pilates becomes a whole different experience when clients bring pain, injuries, and complex diagnoses into the room, and this episode shows how to handle those moments with confidence rather than fear.

In this episode of Beyond the Reformer, Nic is joined by physiotherapist, Pilates teacher, and author Samantha Wood for a deep and practical conversation about teaching Pilates in rehabilitation settings.

Together, they explore what it really means to support clients living with pain, injuries, chronic conditions, and complex movement histories, without stepping outside the scope of a Pilates teacher.

Samantha breaks down common misconceptions around rehab-informed teaching, the role of research in Pilates, the growing evidence supporting Pilates within medical and rehabilitation settings, and how teachers can collaborate more effectively with physiotherapists, osteopaths, and doctors.

Timestamps

00:00 Introducing Samantha Wood

01:41 How Pilates teachers can approach pain and injury with confidence

04:07 Samantha’s journey into physiotherapy and discovering Pilates

06:26 Why Pilates fits so well into rehabilitation work

08:04 Teaching, writing, and expanding education for Pilates professionals

20:12 Why research matters in Pilates and what the evidence shows

25:49 The future of Pilates within medical and healthcare systems

32:31 Practical approaches to client assessment

35:45 Adapting sessions for chronic pain and long-term conditions

38:18 Using Pilates to support autoimmune disorders

39:59 Collaborating effectively with medical professionals

44:03 Why continued education is essential for Pilates teachers

54:50 Understanding pain and how to talk about it with clients

58:16 Connecting with Samantha

If this episode resonated with you, make sure you are subscribed to Beyond the Reformer on your favourite podcast platform.

Share the episode with another Pilates teacher who works with injuries, and leave a rating or review to help these conversations reach more teachers around the world.

Connect with Nic:

• Beyond the Reformer Instagram
• Soul Pilates Instagram
• Soul Pilates Education
• Nic’s Instagram
• Join Soul at Home
• Book a Pilates Class

Connect with Samantha:

• Samantha Wood Physiotherapy Website
• Samantha Wood Physiotherapy Instagram
• Samantha Wood Physiotherapy YouTube

Interested in joining the February Reformer+ Teacher Training intake? Find all the details and book a call here.

Thinking about investing in Pilates equipment? Balanced Body are offering our listeners a special discount! Simply fill in the form here and mention Soul Pilates when you order.

To receive 10% off SPINEFITTER by SISSEL, click this link and use the code BEYOND at checkout. As an affiliate, I’ll receive a small commission which helps support the podcast.

Building a successful Pilates studio takes far more than great teaching, and this episode breaks down what truly creates long term growth, profitability, and sustainability in the Pilates industry.

Nic sits down with Pilates business strategist Seran Glanfield to explore what it really takes to build a thriving and sustainable Pilates studio.

They discuss the biggest mistakes studio owners make, why mindset plays such a crucial role in success, and how to shift from thinking like a teacher to stepping fully into the role of business owner.

Seran explains why great teaching alone is not enough, how to stop getting distracted by competitors, and what separates studios that struggle from those that consistently grow.

She shares practical insights into tracking key metrics, building a strong brand message, raising prices with confidence, and using marketing in a way that aligns with your values.

Timestamps

00:00 Introducing Seran Glanfield

02:20 How Seran found Pilates and transitioned from finance

04:33 Moving from teaching Pilates into business strategy

06:15 How Pilates businesses differ across cultures around the world

07:47 A deeper look at the business side of Pilates studios

08:04 The most common mistakes studio owners make

11:41 Traits shared by the most successful studio owners

12:53 Why leadership and mindset are so important

17:40 The numbers every studio owner should be tracking

28:43 Approaching marketing in a way that feels aligned and intentional

29:33 Why clear brand messaging makes such a big difference

31:14 How to build a sustainable marketing strategy

36:08 Raising prices and overcoming fear around money

40:36 Mindset shifts that support long term success

45:25 Future trends in the Pilates industry

51:59 Quick fire questions

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to follow or subscribe to Beyond the Reformer wherever you listen or watch.

Connect with Nic:

• Beyond the Reformer Instagram
• Soul Pilates Instagram
• Soul Pilates Education
• Nic’s Instagram
• Join Soul at Home
• Book a Pilates Class

Connect with Seran:

• Spring Three Website
• Spring Three Instagram
• Spring Three Facebook
• Spring Three YouTube
• Seran on LinkedIn
• Spring Three Podcast on Spotify

Interested in joining the February Reformer+ Teacher Training intake? Find all the details and book a call here.

Thinking about investing in Pilates equipment? Balanced Body are offering our listeners a special discount! Simply fill in the form here and mention Soul Pilates when you order.

To receive 10% off SPINEFITTER by SISSEL, click this link and use the code BEYOND at checkout. As an affiliate, I’ll receive a small commission which helps support the podcast.

Happy New Year and welcome to part 2 of the 2025 Beyond the Reformer Recap!

In this episode, Nic reflects on the lessons that emerged over the past year and how they are shaping the year ahead.

Following on from part 1, this episode explores balance, burnout, education, and the realities of building a sustainable life in Pilates alongside family, teaching, and leadership.

Guests such as Audrey O’Connor, Julie Driver, Rachel Hall, Amy Kellow, and Claire Sparrow share insights that go beyond movement and into how we live, teach, and lead.

Timestamps:

00:00 Reflections on the year

04:11 Audrey O’Connor on slowing down

08:56 Julie Driver on challenges in Pilates education

21:20 Rachel Hall on asking for help and building a community

30:31 Amy Kellow on classical versus contemporary Pilates

35:19 Claire Sparrow on balancing business, teaching, and family

41:04 Looking ahead to the new year

Thank you so much to all the guests who came onto the podcast in 2025! If you’d like to be a guest this year, please apply here!

Listen back to episodes mentioned!

Audrey O’Connor

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Julie Driver

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Rachel Hall

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Amy Kellow

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Claire Sparrow

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Interested in joining the February Reformer+ Teacher Training intake? Find all the details and book a call here.

Thinking about investing in Pilates equipment? Balanced Body are offering our listeners a special discount! Simply fill in the form here and mention Soul Pilates when you order.