17/06/2026
I had the great privilege of attending one of the most engaging and uplifting Classical Pilates training weekends with Sonjé Mayo last week - not only as a teacher, but as the body being observed, assessed, and worked with.
I shared the history of my scoliosis, my movement patterns, strengths, compensations, and experiences with a room full of teachers.
We explored how scoliosis presents within the body - uniquely, and not without its challenges (certainly very true from my own experience!). More importantly, we discussed where we as teachers can direct our focus to help those living with scoliosis move well and with confidence.
The education throughout the weekend was a powerful reminder that Pilates is about understanding the individual story each body carries and learning how to meet it with respect, curiosity, and skill. We have inherited a vast and beautifully crafted method, carried forward by teachers who are deeply committed not only to their clients’ wellbeing, but to their own ongoing practice and education.
Sonjé’s teaching lineage reaches back to Joseph Pilates himself. Speaking with her about her education, movement practice, and experience of managing scoliosis reassured me that the choices I have made - and continue to make - are supporting my ability to move and live well for years to come. I admire her dedication to the Pilates industry, the people within it, and the breadth of knowledge that makes her such a skilled teacher.
The ethos of my own health and teaching has always been to stay committed to practice and education; to care for my body and mind not through overwhelm, but through awareness, imagination, and intention. Most importantly, to share that commitment with others.
I left the weekend with a beautiful reminder:
Every body is its own teacher 💫
