Here is where the GC FAQ’s will go

Here are a few of the Teacher Training programs we recommend:

Romana’s Pilates Teacher Training

Brooke Siler Training program at re:AB                                               

 Metropolitan Authentic Training

 Pilates Seattle International

Below is a growing list of our friends, studios and partners  ENJOY!

 Pilates Apparatus Manufacturer.  www.pilates-gratz.com 

TOESOX www.toesox.com

Solow Pilates Clothing www.solowstyle.com 

 Kathy Ross Nash Studio  www.americanbodytech.com 

 Alycea Ungaro Studio www.realpilatesnyc.com 

 www.authenticpilatesunion.com 

Jay Grimes, Karen Frischmann & Sandy Shimoda Studio www.vintagepilates.com

   Siri Dharma Galliano www.liveartspilates.com                                   

Tiziana Trovati Studio www.trovatipilatesworks.com 

 Kara Wily Studio and Training www.karawilypilates.com 

MeJo Wiggin Studio www.mejowiggin.com

Brooke Siler Studio  www.re:ab.com 

Dorothee VandeWalle Studio www.metropolitanpilates.com

Lauren Stephen Studio www.pilatesseattle.com

Chris Robinson Studio www.sscgym.com

 Romana’s Pilates Studio and Training  www.romanaspilates.com

Lori Coleman Brown

www.atlaspilates.com

Victoria Torrie-Capan Studio  www.pilateson66.com

Upgrading your membership is simple!

1) Click the “My Account” link in the upper right of the website.

2) Select “Subscriptions”.

3) Select “upgrade”.

You will be taken to a page where you may select another membership option. You will need to enter in your credit card information again.

* note: you will not be able to move from the monthly or annual plans to the free trial plan.

Streaming Video is still a new technology which requires devices such as laptops, tablets, Android cell phones and other mobile devices to have the latest version of Flash installed. Click on the following link to download and install the newest flash player: download flash player

Don’t give up! Most likely, your fix is an easy one and can make all of your internet surfing faster. Read through our most common issues guide below. If you can’t find a fix or get confused, please email us directly (info@pilatesology.com), we’re here to help!

Almost all video streaming problems happen for 2 reasons: 

• Stop the video if it is running poorly–> Refresh the page and then press play again. 
• Try locating yourself closer to the router that is sending out your internet Wifi signal. Close all other applications that use the internet like iTunes, email, YouTube etc… If you are at home kick everyone else who is online off. 
• If you are traveling, switch to 3G network if the Wifi is spotty (goes up and down in strength).

BANDWIDTH TEST # 2 :  Go to the “classes” drop down menu. In the “mat classes” section you will see the “exercise library.” Click any video and see if it plays. If the “exercise library” videos won’t play, your bandwidth/internet connection is too weak. If these videos play fine, then one of your devices probably needs an update, read on…

2) One of your devices needs an update.

SOLUTION: Try these steps:

1. Switch to using Firefox as your internet browser. Go here–> http://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/new/ to download Firefox onto your computer, laptop, tablet etc… Currently, Firefox is the best browser for streaming video, hands down. Try the website with this new browser. Still not working?
2. Update Flash. Go here–> http://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/ and make sure you are running the latest version of Flash player. Try the website and see if the videos play. Still not working? 
3. How old is your modem and/or Wifi router? (These are the annoying blinking boxes under your desk.) Devices older than 3 years will really struggle with the new technology of today. Replacing modems (and Wifi routers if you didn’t buy yours separately) is free from your internet provider. Call and tell them you cannot watch streaming video. They will replace that old box(es) with a new powerhouse that will dramatically increase your bandwidth overall, woohoo! 

Still having problems? Email us directly: info@pilatesology.com. We will get back to you as soon as possible, usually the same day. 

iPad users read this: There is a wonderful app called Puffin that you can download here. It’s designed specifically for fast video playback and may solve all kinds of issues you may be having. Also- If you find that the Wifi connection is spotty, switch to 3G or your cellular network instead.

If you are using a Mac, in your System Preferences click on Energy Saver and set the computer and display to sleep at a time greater than the class you plan to take. For Windows, right click on the desktop, click on Properties, click on Screen Saver and adjust the setting accordingly.

Contrology – “Contrology is complete coordination of mind, body and spirit.” (Return to Life, by J.Pilates) Joe Pilates called his method Contrology, but it was his own name that stuck and is why we say, ‘I’m on my way to Pilates,’ instead of ‘I’m on my way to Contrology.’ We chose Pilatesology as our name as a reminder of Joe’s original name.

What is Classical Pilates? – Classical Pilates refers to Joseph Pilates’ original repertoire without added exercises, interpretation or blending with other methods such as yoga or dance. Classical teachers promote the style and principles taught by Joseph Pilates and his protege, Romana Kryzanowska. Joe’s original method is meant to be a vigorous workout that acts as a foundation to keep the body balanced and in peak condition for daily activities and sports. Classical Pilates promotes autonomy and independence so that students learn how to care for their own bodies rather than becoming dependent on an instructor or a piece of equipment. Classical Pilates views the body as healthy and normal, so that if you have an injury it is something you work around, instead of the injury being the focus of your workout.

Powerhouse – Joe used the term ‘girdle of strength’ or Powerhouse to refer to the muscles that are targeted in Pilates. All Pilates movements aim to engage the Powerhouse, and then, radiate that strength out to support the arms and legs. The Powerhouse is comprised of the muscles that support your hips and spine–the abdominals, back muscles, buttocks and inner thighs–the area an old fashioned girdle would cover.

Imprint – To imprint the spine is to lengthen and press each and every vertabra into the mat so that the spine becomes long and supported by the muscles that are used to imprint. Imprinting is key to many movements in Pilates because by lengthening out the spine on a regular basis we can avoid and undo many of the havoc wreaked on the body by gravity.  

C-Curve – Creating the letter C out of your spine by curling your hips under and pulling your abdominal muscles back toward your spine–a movement that concentrates power and strength in your center while lengthening out your spine. This is a common action in Pilates.

Scoop – Scooping the abdominals in and up toward your spine. When you pull your abs in, you create a scooped feeling in the low belly. By hugging your abs into your spine, you provide a strong system of support to the spine as well as the vital organs. Weak abdominals can’t do their part to keep the body lifted against gravity and can be a common cause of back pain, poor posture and many other ailments.

Articulation – The rolling and unrolling of the spine. This articulation of the vertabrae of your spine creates length and is very important in the Pilates method. Joe wanted you to regularly articulate your spine, “You are only as old as your spine is flexible” he would say.

Mind-Body Exercise – Pilates is a mindful exercise. This is one of the reasons Joe didn’t add music to his workouts. He wanted you to listen to your body and pay attention. There is a growing body of research that shows that paying attention to complex movement helps to grow new brain cells and the comunication switchboard that tell our bodies what to do. “Contrology… reawakens thousands of dormant brain cells, thus activating new areas and stimulating further the functioning of the mind.” (p. 20, Return to Life by Joseph Pilates)

The Magic Circle is an example of Joe’s simple genius. Used to strengthen the Powerhouse, arms, legs and glutes, the ring was made from bands of tempered steel with wooden handles on the outside. It’s rumored that Joe used the steel hoop from a beer keg to construct his first Magic Circle. The magic of the circle is that it creates more stability in the body by engaging your Powerhouse when you hug it correctly.

The Foot Corrector does just what it’s name says, corrects your feet. It has two small heavy springs attached to a plate much like the one that you use to measure your feet for a new pair of shoes with a curved plate on top that you press down. With a series of stretching and strengthening exercises, feet become stronger and more flexible with improved proprioception. 

The Toe Corrector is designed to restore the toes to working function and particularly to help prevent or relieve pain from bunions. It works by slipping a strap over a toe and then using the toe to pull on the strap and stretch a small spring. This action strengthens the supporting muscles in the entire foot and stretches the opposing muscles.

The Breath-a-cizer is a pinwheel type device that you blow on to practice proper breathing. If asked how you should breathe, Joe would always say, “Get all the air out.” By completely expelling all stale air, your lungs expand further on the next inhale and this action has many benefits, including increased lung capacity.

The Pedi Pole is a tall pole with a T on top from which springs hang down. The pole is set in a small wooden platform that the student stands on to work the springs with the arms. The straight pole represents your spine and by lining your body up against it the student is challenged to lengthen and move with control against the springs. 

The Wall Unit or Tower consists of half of a Cadillac and a High Mat. It can be used to practice all of the exercises from the Cadillac except for those that require the overhead bars.

The High Mat is a padded wooden box that is about 3-4″ high. One end has handles that stick out to the side and the other end has a foot strap. The handles are used to open the chest and shoulders while the strap helps the body work as one piece during roll up exercises such as Neck Pull and provides stretch and stability during exercises such as Single Leg Circles.

This underused apparatus has a scary name but is fun to use. Two bars attached to the ceiling house springs that a horizontal bar attaches to like an H. The student must push the bar up or down while keeping the springs even. More advanced exercises on the Guillotine become more gymnastic, swinging under and through the upright bars.

The Pilates Barrels do wonderful things for the spine. The curves of the barrels are meant to correct the imbalances that happen to the body due to gravity and bad habits. Exercises for strengthening and stretching the whole body are performed on all three of the barrels.

The Wunda Chair was originally designed by Joe for his clients who wanted an apparatus they could use at home. If you turn the Wunda Chair over, it becomes an actual chair that you can sit in. He would design a full workout on the chair only for those who had one at home, otherwise it was used just for those exercises a student needed. 

The High Chair is sometimes called the Electric Chair because of it’s medieval looks. Similar to the Wunda Chair with a tall back support and handles on the sides, it uses the heaviest springs of all of the apparatus. It is often used for strengthening and balancing the hips, glutes and legs.

The Arm Chair or Baby Chair is a low chair with a back that tilts forward and back and springs on the back. It uses the lightest springs of all of the apparatus and is commonly used to restore proper balance and strength to delicate students or those with upper body issues.

The Cadillac is sometimes referred to as the Trap Table or Trapeze Table. It gets it’s name for being the largest and perhaps most luxurious of the apparatus. WIth overhead bars that students can hang upside down in fuzzy straps from, to the trapeze like bars attached to springs to roll down with, the Cadillac provides a large array of exercises to choose from. 

The Universal Reformer as it was originally called, is a bench-like system of springs and pulleys that provide support to the body to aid in strengthening, stretching and teaching control while creating a balanced musculature. As the student becomes more experienced, the apparatus begins to offer less and less support via the springs and repertoire so that the student is continually challenged. 

The Jumpboard is an addition to the Reformer that was invented by Romana Kryzanowska, Joseph Pilates’ protege. Romana added the Jumpboard as a tool to help teach the proper connection to the Powerhouse when jumping. It is used only at the end of a class for this purpose, it is not meant to be used for an entire Pilates workout.

If you are new to Pilates, check out our Beginner Guide where you’ll find videos to get you started. Please use the following skill level explanation as a guide, keeping in mind that you should practice any unfamiliar exercises first with a Certified Pilates Teacher who can adjust the exercise to fit your specific needs.

• Beginner – The basics and fundamental principles of Pilates are introduced through movement. Note that often these classes are not ‘easy’ at all because you are learning proper alignment.
• Beginner/Intermediate – More complex movements, including some twisting, rolling and extension of the spine.
• Intermediate – Complex movements are faster with smooth transitions and increased range of motion. 
• Intermediate/Advanced – Exercises that roll body-weight onto the neck are added. 
• Advanced – Recommended for experienced Pilates students and teachers.
• Super-Advanced – Recommended for experienced Pilates students and teachers with a very high level of skill.

If you’d like to track your progress try our Self Assessment Test which is designed to give you a benchmark in which you can track your progress. You can do the the Self Assessment anytime but we recommend every two weeks. 

Pilates is an amazing, complete, and corrective system of exercise, created by a man that George Balanchine called a ‘genius of the body:’ Joseph Pilates. A German immigrant, Joe came to the US in 1926 and settled in New York City with his partner Clara. There they ran his “Studio for Body Contrology” for 50 years until his death in 1967 at age 83. Clara continued teaching the method herself until she passed the method on to their long time student and protégé, Romana Kryzanowska.

Yes. Our classes stream through your internet connection and require a high speed connection to play.

By connecting your computer to your TV you will be able to watch our classes on a larger screen. Click here for a video tutorial on how to connect your TV to your computer or you can find written instructions here.

Yes! Our classes can be viewed on any mobile device with a strong broadband connection. Wifi is best. It may take a few moments for the video to load. You will see a black screen in the player window and then once it has loaded you will see the triangle play icon. Click on the triangle play icon to play the video.

If you cannot watch videos on your device, or they play poorly, please install or upgrade your Flash Player.

Once you reach the halfway point in any video, it will appear in the My History tab. You can save classes to your My Favorites tab by clicking on the heart icon below the class star rating. You can rate classes anonymously using the stars and you can make comments on classes. Your Profile information will appear next to your comments. You can also share classes via email and social media.

No. Classes on Pilatesology stream through the Pilatesology website and are not downloadable. We may offer downloads in the future.

Cancel Subscription

If you wish to cancel your subscription go to the “My Account” link (in upper right corner)

1)  Click “subscriptions”

2) Select ” cancel”

Please note that you will still have full access to the website until your next billing cycle.  In addition, all your favorites, class views, history and class comments will be kept if you should ever want to re-activate your subscription. We would love your feedback so you can help us continue to improve our service.

Re-activate your Subscription

Simply login to the website using your same username and password and you will be prompted to re-activate with your credit card.

Update Credit Card

1) Select “My Account” in the upper right corner of the website.

2) Select “Subscriptions” in the options listed.

3) Select “Update”.

4) Enter in new credit card information and click “Update Credit Card” at bottom.

5) Thats it!

Yes, your credit card is secure.

 We have partnered with Authorize.Net, a leading payment gateway since 1996, to accept credit cards and electronic check payments safely and securely for our customers.

The Authorize.Net Payment Gateway manages the complex routing of sensitive customer information through the electronic check and credit card processing networks. See an online payments diagram to see how it works.

The company adheres to strict industry standards for payment processing, including:

• 128-bit Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) technology for secure Internet Protocol (IP) transactions.

• Industry leading encryption hardware and software methods and security protocols to protect customer information.

• Compliance with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS).

For additional information regarding the privacy of your sensitive cardholder data, please read the Authorize.Net Privacy Policy.

www.Pilatesology.com is registered with the Authorize.Net Verified Merchant Seal program.

No, our classes are added to the site shortly after they are taped. When you become a member on Pilatesology you have access to our growing library of Pilatesology classes 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. In the future we may “live” stream special events, and will notify you when we do.

There are a few solutions that can help: 1) turn up the volume on your computer, 2) put your mouse over the video player and increase the volume in the timeline navigation bar, 3) and/or connect external speakers to your computer.

On the video play page put your mouse over the video player to reveal the video timeline bar. In the bottom right corner click on the square icon to expand the video to full screen.

If you have a strong internet connection, all of our videos will automatically stream in High Definition (HD). If you have a poor or slow connection then the video will automatically drop from HD to the bandwidth you have available. If you notice a shift to lower quality, try closing other websites while streaming videos in order to maximize your bandwidth. 

First, sign up for our free 10 day trial by registering here. Then find a class that’s right for you. If you’re new to Pilates, start with our Beginner Guide. Or, at the bottom of our homepage are the 8 most recently posted classes. You can also find classes by putting your mouse over Teacher, Style, Level, Duration, Body Needs, and select an option. You can further refine the results by clicking on the drop down menus. Choose a class to take and click on it. The class will open into a bigger window and you can click anywhere on the picture to begin to play. 

First of all, welcome! We want you to feel the benefits right away and have created a Beginner Guide to get you started. If you haven’t started your 10 day free trial click here to register and start working out right now.

No. Joseph Pilates created his mat program long before he invented his apparatus and he taught the mat work to every client. The mat is the purest form of Pilates and builds independence, strength, control and flexibility in every body! We offer more mat classes than apparatus-based classes for this very reason–our site is meant to be an educational and motivational way to keep your practice going when you can’t get to a Pilates studio. If at some point you decide to purchase apparatus, you should take private lessons with a certified Pilates instructor first.

Yes, we offer a 10-day free trial. Join here. Fill in the fields to register. The next page will ask you to enter your credit card information. After you complete the form and click submit you have full access to classes on Pilatesology. If you cancel your account before the end of the day on the 10th day of your trial your credit card will not be charged. You may cancel at any point, there are no hidden fees. You can see your billing date by going to My Account, and then click on the Settings tab. If you cancel before the end of your billing cycle you still have access to the classes until the end of that billing cycle.

$19 per month or $150 per year (that’s $12.50/mo) for unlimited access to our streaming video library of classes.

If you choose the monthly option, once your 10-day free trial is complete, your card will be charged $19 and then monthly thereafter until you cancel your account.

If you choose the yearly option, once your 10-day free trial is complete, your card will be charged $150 and then annually thereafter until you cancel your account.