In this episode, physiotherapists Tanya Winter and James Mangahas dive into one of the most important ‘make or break’ skills in Pilates instruction: programming. They unpack why great programming can completely change the effectiveness of a class, from improving strength outcomes and muscle activation to enhancing safety, flow and client experience. The episode explores key programming principles including centering, exercise layering, mechanical tension, class sequencing and why more complicated exercises don’t always lead to better results. They also discuss common programming mistakes seen in the industry, the importance of progression and why understanding the science behind exercise selection is essential for creating truly effective Pilates classes.
In this episode, physiotherapists Tanya Winter and James Mangahas dive into the power of hands on corrections and muscle palpation in Pilates instruction. They explore how physical touch can be the missing link for kinesthetic learners, help clients overcome fear of movement after injury and supercharge muscle activation in ways that verbal and visual cues simply can’t. They also discuss the importance of gaining client permission before getting hands-on and why this essential skill is surprisingly undertaught in most instructor courses.
In this bonus episode, physiotherapists Tanya Winter and James Mangahas unpack a common misconception in Pilates teaching: that correct positioning guarantees correct muscle activation, when in reality even “perfect” alignment doesn’t always mean the right muscles are working. They explore the importance of intentional activation and effective warm ups, along with how palpation, client feedback and observation help ensure the right muscles are working before progressing exercises.
In this episode, physiotherapists Tanya Winter and James Mangahas unpack how Pilates can be used as effective cross training for runners of all levels. They explore how building strength in the Glutes, calves, foot muscles and deep hip stabilisers can improve lower limb control, enhance performance and support long term resilience. They also share practical teaching insights, including key exercises and strength benchmarks to help instructors assess readiness for running loads and confidently support clients who run.
In this episode of the Pilates Physios Podcast, physiotherapists Tanya Winter and James Mangahas discuss how to safely and confidently instruct clients with a lordosis. They break down what a lordosis actually is, common movement patterns to watch for and practical teaching strategies, including exercise selection, cueing and modifications to support stronger abdominals and glutes in class.
In this episode, Tanya and James unpack the Studio Pilates T-Zone and the science behind effective core activation. They explain why common Pilates abdominal activation cues aren’t effective, how the pelvic floor and Transversus Abdominus work together and how simple, consistent cueing can improve client understanding, teaching clarity and exercise outcomes.
In this episode, physiotherapists Tanya Winter and James Mangahas share practical ways to teach mixed-level classes with confidence, from choosing accessible exercises to offering progressions that help every client feel successful. They also chat about the influence of social media Pilates and why solid, effective programming is what truly delivers results.
Is the Transversus Abdominus (TA) still relevant, or is it an outdated concept? In this bonus episode, Tanya and James dive into the science behind the TA, exploring its role in core stability, back pain, post-pregnancy recovery and overall strength. They break down common myths about ab training, explain why crunches alone won’t cut it and share how to properly activate and layer your core work for real results.
In this episode, physiotherapists Tanya Winter and James Mangahas unpack how Matwork Pilates is having a resurgence in the Pilates world, how it builds core strength and stability, and why its accessibility makes it a powerful option for clients, athletes and instructors alike.
In this episode, we explore why evidence-based pregnancy guidelines are essential in Pilates. We cover why many instructor courses don’t address them, how to balance exercise safely during pregnancy, whether or not to work the abdominals, and key ways to minimise risk while supporting pregnant clients.