Beyond the Reformer

In this episode, Nic sits down with Andre Santaella, COO of Polestar Pilates and now leading Polestar UK, to explore her journey from discovering Pilates through her mum’s studio to stepping into a global leadership role.

Nic and Andre discuss what truly makes a great Pilates teacher beyond just their qualifications.

They also explore how to choose the right training provider, why mentorship is essential, and the importance of continuous education.

To finish off they chat about how we should be viewing other studios, teachers and trainings as an opportunity to collaborate instead of think of it as competition and and how shifting this mindset can completely change your experience within the Pilates industry.

Timestamps
00:00 Introd to Andre
01:41 Taking on Polestar UK
04:53 Discovering Pilates through her mum’s studio
10:55 The path from studio manager to COO
16:16 What actually makes a great Pilates teacher
20:52 Questions to ask when hiring teachers
26:05 Learning from observing different teaching styles
27:14 Choosing the right Pilates training provider
33:05 The role of continuing education in Pilates
37:34 Why collaboration beats competition
44:02 Differences in the global Pilates industry
50:22 Quick fire questions

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Connect with Andre:
Andre Santaella Instagram
Polestar Pilates UK Instagram
Polestar Pilates UK Website

Join the Soul Pilates Retreat in Cornwall on 19 June for a weekend of movement, rest and nourishment. Find all the details here.

Thinking about investing in Pilates equipment? Balanced Body are offering our listeners a special discount! Fill in the form here and mention Soul Pilates when you order.
Interested in joining the July Teacher Training intake? Find all the details and book a call here.

Welcome back to Part 2 of this conversation with Rael Isacowitz, founder of Basi Pilates, where Nic and Rael go deeper into the evolution of the method, the role of equipment, and what it really takes to become a great teacher in today’s industry.

Rael shares the story behind designing Basi equipment and how it was created to reflect both form and function. He breaks down the Basi block system, explaining how structure can actually unlock creativity in teaching rather than limit it.

The conversation also explores what it means to continue learning as a teacher, from Rael’s legacy programme to the importance of staying connected to your own practice.

To finish, they have a powerful discussion around standards in the Pilates industry, the challenges of accreditation, and why crediting others in this work is essential for growth.

Timestamps
00:00 Welcome back to Part 2
01:19 Designing equipment with both form and function in mind
05:59 How the Basi equipment first came to life
09:08 The origins of the Basi block system
13:49 Why structure actually fuels creativity in teaching
15:14 The idea behind marathon mat sessions
19:21 The legacy programme
26:08 The difference between advanced work and performance
28:25 Why Pilates needs stronger standards
30:02 Attempts at accreditation in the industry
35:32 The importance of crediting
40:44 Changing your mind and evolving as a teacher
44:49 Favourite exercises and staying connected to the work
47:21 Why teachers often overdo it in their classes
48:54 Habits that support a long career in Pilates
52:34 Community and relationships in Pilates

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Share this episode with a fellow teacher or studio owner who would benefit from hearing this, and if you haven’t already, we’d really appreciate you leaving a rating or review. It helps more people discover the show and be part of this community.

Connect with Nic:
Beyond the Reformer Instagram
Soul Pilates Instagram
Soul Pilates Education
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Connect with Rael:
Rael Isacowitz Instagram
Basi Pilates Instagram
Basi Pilates Website

Join the Soul Pilates Retreat in Cornwall on 19 June for a weekend of movement, rest and nourishment. Find all the details here.

Thinking about investing in Pilates equipment? Balanced Body are offering our listeners a special discount! Fill in the form here and mention Soul Pilates when you order.
Interested in joining the July Teacher Training intake? Find all the details and book a call here.

There are very few people in the Pilates world who have shaped the industry in the way Rael Isacowitz has.

In part 1 of this conversation, Nic sits down with the founder of Basi Pilates to explore the real foundations of the method, what it means to teach with purpose, and why the future of Pilates depends on more than just choreography.

From building one of the first curriculum-based teacher training programmes in the late 80s to creating a global community of educators, Rael shares the story behind Basi and the approach that continues to guide it today.

This episode goes deep into the art and science of movement, the importance of flow, and how great teaching can create real change in people’s lives.

Rael also shares his perspective on cueing, precision, and what separates a good instructor from a truly impactful teacher.

Timestamps
00:00 Introduction to Rael Isacowitz
01:57 The early vision behind creating a structured Pilates curriculum
04:17 What Pilates looked like in the late 80s
05:05 The very first Basi teacher training group
08:16 How Rael first discovered Pilates and his movement background
14:08 Opening one of the first Pilates studios in California
18:55 The story behind the name Basi Pilates
21:26 How the Basi platform and education evolved over time
25:05 The influence of yoga, dance, and giving credit in the industry
30:07 Creating joyful, athletic Pilates experiences
34:53 Pilates as a tool for positive change in the world
39:02 What the mind body connection really means in practice
42:51 Why cueing is one of the most important teaching skills

If you loved this episode, make sure you’re subscribed so you don’t miss part two coming later this week.

Connect with Nic:
Beyond the Reformer Instagram
Soul Pilates Instagram
Soul Pilates Education
Nic’s Instagram
Join Soul at Home
Book a Pilates Class
Sign up to Our Newsletter

Connect with Rael:
Rael Isacowitz Instagram
Basi Pilates Instagram
Basi Pilates Website

Join the Soul Pilates Retreat in Cornwall on 19 June for a weekend of movement, rest and nourishment. Find all the details here.

Thinking about investing in Pilates equipment? Balanced Body are offering our listeners a special discount! Fill in the form here and mention Soul Pilates when you order.
Interested in joining the July Teacher Training intake? Find all the details and book a call here.

Are you feeling pressure to make your Pilates classes more creative but not sure where to start?

We’ve seen how much you’ve been loving the solo episodes, so Nic is back today to discuss how to be more creative in your classes without losing structure or purpose.

With so much inspiration coming from social media, it’s easy to feel like you need to constantly reinvent your teaching. But Nic challenges this idea and brings it back to what really matters, which is strong foundations, clear intention, and teaching that actually serves your clients.

She shares how creativity in Pilates is not about adding more complexity, but about understanding movement patterns, building from the fundamentals, and creating a class experience that feels purposeful and connected.

This episode will help you rethink creativity in Pilates and give you simple ways to make your classes feel fresh without losing what makes Pilates so powerful.

Timestamps
00:00 Why creativity in Pilates teaching is such a big topic right now
02:24 Why do you feel the need to be creative?
03:10 The impact of social media on Pilates classes
06:18 Letting your personality shape your teaching style
08:06 Teaching with intention and clear class outcomes
13:06 How to break down complex exercises into simple steps
16:11 Creating flow and storytelling in your classes
17:44 How to layer progressions and regressions for clients
20:09 Simple ways to adapt and evolve Pilates exercises
24:09 Taking clients on a journey over multiple weeks

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to follow or subscribe so you never miss a new one. And let Nic know if you took anything away from this episode, she loves receiving your DMs!

Connect with Nic:
Beyond the Reformer Instagram
Soul Pilates Instagram
Soul Pilates Education
Nic’s Instagram
Join Soul at Home
Book a Pilates Class
Sign up to Our Newsletter

Join the Soul Pilates Retreat in Cornwall on 19 June for a weekend of movement, rest and nourishment. Find all the details here.

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

Most Pilates studios are sitting on far more revenue potential than they realise.

With the right pricing, membership strategy and business model, a single studio can grow into a multi-million-pound business without needing more space or more classes.

In this episode, Nic sits down with Pilates business expert Lise Kuecker, founder of Studio Grow, to discuss what actually drives profitable Pilates studios.

Lise works with hundreds of boutique fitness studios around the world and shares the real numbers behind successful studios.

From pricing psychology and memberships to team structure and sales metrics, this conversation reveals the systems that help studio owners turn passion into a sustainable and scalable business.

They discuss the most common mistakes studio owners make in their early years, why many studios unknowingly leak profit, and how simple adjustments to pricing or membership structure can dramatically increase revenue.

Timestamps
00:00 Intro to Lise
01:57 How Lise first got started in Pilates and the fitness industry
04:11 Early mistakes many studio owners make in their first year
09:45 How successful studios protect themselves from competition
11:53 The story behind how Studio Grow was created
12:54 Understanding memberships and how studios actually sell them
18:55 Where studios often lose money without realising
22:29 How labour models and organisational structure impact profit
24:12 The financial metrics every studio owner should track
24:44 Pricing strategies that guide clients towards the right option
27:40 Why memberships work and the psychology behind commitment
29:03 What the most successful Pilates studios do differently
34:22 Global boutique fitness trends and the rise of niche studios
40:03 Quick-fire questions

If you’re a pilates studio owner looking for a mastermind to help you scale, systemise, and grow your business, check out Studio Grow here for a FREE masterclass! 

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 Lise:
Studio Grow Website
Studio Grow Podcast
Studio Grow Instagram
Studio Grow Free Trainings

Join the Soul Pilates Retreat in Cornwall on 19 June for a weekend of movement, rest and nourishment. Find all the details here.

Thinking about investing in Pilates equipment? Balanced Body are offering our listeners a special discount! Fill in the form here and mention Soul Pilates when you order.
Interested in joining the July Teacher Training intake? Find all the details and book a call here.