In this episode of the *Pilates Science Podcast*, hosts Bruce Hildebrand and PAA President Robyn Rix explore how simply changing the **angle** of the body can dramatically alter muscle activation in familiar Pilates exercises. Robyn begins by sharing her studio experience with the Total Gym Gravity Training System—initially assuming that a slight incline would make chest lifts easier, only to discover that they actually felt more challenging through the abdominals. That curiosity leads into a...
In this episode of the Pilates Science Podcast, hosts Bruce Hildebrand and PAA President Robyn Rix explore the fascinating world of heart rate variability (HRV) and what it can tell us about our health, stress levels and resilience. They unpack what HRV actually measures—the tiny variations in time between each heartbeat—and explain how these fluctuations reflect the dynamic balance between the sympathetic “gas pedal” and the parasympathetic “brake” of the autonomic nervous system. A healthy ...
This episode of the Pilates Science Podcast tackles a big, practical question: what does the research actually say about the broad benefits of Pilates? Host Bruce Hildebrand and PAA President / PilatesScience.org curator Robyn Rix walk listeners through key systematic reviews and meta-analyses, translating academic findings into everyday language. They start with mental health, highlighting evidence that Pilates can significantly reduce anxiety, depression and fatigue while improving overall ...
The introduction episode of the Pilates Science Podcast sets the stage for a new, much-needed bridge between Pilates research and real-world practice. Hosted by Bruce Hildebrand on behalf of the Pilates Association Australia, with PAA President and PilatesScience.org curator Robyn Rix as co-host, the episode explains why this podcast exists: to make the growing body of Pilates research accessible, understandable and directly useful for teachers, students and enthusiasts. Rather than leaving v...
Jen Guest (Physiotherapist, senior Polestar educator and long-time PAA leader) joins Daniela Di Fabio to unpack the pelvic floor in practical, teacher-friendly terms. The conversation opens with clear anatomy — the pelvic floor as a diamond-shaped stack of muscles and connective tissue — and a concise breakdown of its five key functions: support of the pelvic organs, sphincteric control, sexual function, lymphatic/venous return and its role as the base of the core “cylinder” (with the diaphra...
In this episode Lisa Jackson sits down with Donna Bridge — a high-level rock climber, lifelong adventurer and soon-to-be 60-year-old who discovered Pilates just 18 months ago. Their conversation draws a vivid line between the demands of climbing and the principles of Pilates, showing how breath control, razor-sharp focus and embodied self-mastery translate between vertical rock faces and the studio mat. Donna’s story reframes Pilates not as a gentle add-on but as a performance-enhancing, mind...
This episode delves into the often-overlooked power of breath in Pilates, focusing on diaphragmatic breathing and how it reconnects us to centre, calms the nervous system, and supports spinal function. Host Bruce Hildebrand unpacks why many people default to shallow, high chest breathing—especially under stress—and outlines the cascade of compensations that follow: tight necks and shoulders, braced abdominals, a rigid pelvis, and a pelvic floor that can’t rhythmically expand and contract. The...
Robyn Rix, President of the Pilates Association Australia, joins Daniela DeFabio to trace Pilates back to Joseph Pilates and his early work in “Contrology,” then translates that history into clear, usable principles for listeners. Robyn explains the six commonly taught Pilates principles — Concentration, Control, Centering (the “powerhouse”), Precision, Breath and Flow — and shows how they interrelate: control and precision enable flow, while breath underpins stability and movement quality. H...
Welcome to the first episode of the Why Pilates Podcast — a clear, practical introduction to the Pilates method with Lisa Jackson (PAA Education Officer). Learn what Pilates really is (and isn’t), discover the six core principles that make it powerful, and get simple, real-world tips to start moving smarter — not harder. In this introductory episode Lisa Jackson explains the true spirit of Pilates — a century-old movement system created by Joseph Pilates that combines breath, alignment...
Register for the PAA Conference here Hello and welcome to this Presenter Introduction series of the Pilates Association Australia Podcast. I’m your host Bruce Hildebrand and I’m privileged to bring you this series in the lead-up to the biggest event on the Australian Pilates calendar — the 2025 PAA International Conference, taking place in Sydney this September. From September 12th to the 14th the Pilates world will gather under one roof for three incredible days of connection, education, ins...
Register for the PAA Conference here Hello and welcome to this Presenter Introduction series of the Pilates Association Australia Podcast. I’m your host Bruce Hildebrand and I’m privileged to bring you this series in the lead-up to the biggest event on the Australian Pilates calendar — the 2025 PAA International Conference, taking place in Sydney this September. From September 12th to the 14th the Pilates world will gather under one roof for three incredible days of connection, education, ins...
Register for the PAA Conference here Hello and welcome to this Presenter Introduction series of the Pilates Association Australia Podcast. I’m your host Bruce Hildebrand and I’m privileged to bring you this series in the lead-up to the biggest event on the Australian Pilates calendar — the 2025 PAA International Conference, taking place in Sydney this September. From September 12th to the 14th the Pilates world will gather under one roof for three incredible days of connection, education, ins...
Register for the PAA Conference here Hello and welcome to this Presenter Introduction series of the Pilates Association Australia Podcast. I’m your host Bruce Hildebrand and I’m privileged to bring you this series in the lead-up to the biggest event on the Australian Pilates calendar — the 2025 PAA International Conference, taking place in Sydney this September. From September 12th to the 14th the Pilates world will gather under one roof for three incredible days of connection, education, ins...
Register for the PAA Conference here Hello and welcome to this Presenter Introduction series of the Pilates Association Australia Podcast. I’m your host Bruce Hildebrand and I’m privileged to bring you this series in the lead-up to the biggest event on the Australian Pilates calendar — the 2025 PAA International Conference, taking place in Sydney this September. From September 12th to the 14th the Pilates world will gather under one roof for three incredible days of connection, education, ins...
Register for the PAA Conference here Hello and welcome to this Presenter Introduction series of the Pilates Association Australia Podcast. I’m your host Bruce Hildebrand and I’m privileged to bring you this series in the lead-up to the biggest event on the Australian Pilates calendar — the 2025 PAA International Conference, taking place in Sydney this September. From September 12th to the 14th the Pilates world will gather under one roof for three incredible days of connection, education, ins...
Register for the PAA Conference here Hello and welcome to this Presenter Introduction series of the Pilates Association Australia Podcast. I’m your host Bruce Hildebrand and I’m privileged to bring you this series in the lead-up to the biggest event on the Australian Pilates calendar — the 2025 PAA International Conference, taking place in Sydney this September. From September 12th to the 14th the Pilates world will gather under one roof for three incredible days of connection, education, ins...
Register for the PAA Conference here Hello and welcome to this Presenter Introduction series of the Pilates Association Australia Podcast. I’m your host Bruce Hildebrand and I’m privileged to bring you this series in the lead-up to the biggest event on the Australian Pilates calendar — the 2025 PAA International Conference, taking place in Sydney this September. From September 12th to the 14th the Pilates world will gather under one roof for three incredible days of connection, education, ins...
Register for the PAA Conference here Hello and welcome to this Presenter Introduction series of the Pilates Association Australia Podcast. I’m your host Bruce Hildebrand and I’m privileged to bring you this series in the lead-up to the biggest event on the Australian Pilates calendar — the 2025 PAA International Conference, taking place in Sydney this September. From September 12th to the 14th the Pilates world will gather under one roof for three incredible days of connection, education, ins...
In March 2025 Robyn Rix, PAA President was interviewed by Tom Elliot on 3AW. He wished to see if she could convince him to try a Pilates class. He asked questions about the cardiovascular benefits (of course), how Pilates works and whether he should give up other exercise and only do Pilates. PAA Course Competency Criteria standards Visit the PAA website Find us on Facebook Join the PAA Member Forum (Members only) Find us on Instagram Email us at support@pilates.org.au
In the lead up to the PAA conference happening in August this year, we have a series of short podcast episodes to introduce each of the workshop presenters. On this episode we have Stephanie Sibel. The PAA strives to continue promoting the expansion of the Pilates Method as a professional and valued healthcare and fitness discipline. The goal of the PAA podcast is to explore the many facets and layers of the Pilates industry through conversations with the community. ...