Thomas (my husband) and I have been painting the interior of our house since July 2025.
Painting runs in my family. My brother, Mark, is the professional. I’m not – though I don’t mind painting a room or two. Heck, I even painted the exterior of our first house way back when. Two stories, which meant a lot of time high up on a ladder, despite being afraid of heights.
Leading up to this project, we hadn’t even planned to do it ourselves. We were trying to find a painter, but nothing was falling into place.
The funny thing is, the last time our entire interior was painted was 2015 – right when I moved my Pilates studio from a home setup into a real brick-and-mortar location. (So yes… it was time.)
Then last year, Mark came over to fix a few cracks in our ceilings. And while he was here, he started revealing some ugly truths about our previous paint job.
He turned off the lights and pulled out what I now call his magic flashlight.
And wow.
Our jaws dropped.
Under that light, you could see everything you don’t notice at first glance:
- where “two coats” clearly became one coat
- baseboards and door jambs with paint slapped right onto them
- vent covers painted over – never removed – so the wall behind them was never repainted
On the surface? It looked fine.
But up close? It was a sloppy job.
And I remember feeling frustrated, because we paid a considerable amount of money for a service that – under closer inspection – wasn’t professional. It felt like the painter had misrepresented the level of work we were getting.
And honestly… the same can be said about Pilates.
Pilates is still having its moment. It’s everywhere. And everyone is “teaching Pilates.”
But I want to gently urge you to do what my brother did for us:
Grab your magic flashlight and take a closer look at what you’re really getting.
Because Pilates has become a little like the telephone game we all played as kids – passed along, watered down, and sometimes changed so much it barely resembles the original.
Here’s what Pilates is not:
- It’s not “fitness on a reformer”
- It’s not dim lights, music, or a microphone
- It’s not a packed class with too many bodies to be seen
- It’s not about pulses or going to fatigue for a “burn”
And here’s what Pilates is:
- Getting connected from your center
- Mindful movement that asks you to concentrate and focus
- Building awareness of your body – how you move, where you compensate, what you avoid
- Controlled movement with precision and control
- Strength and stretch working together – intentionally, not frantically
Pilates isn’t meant to just look good.
Pilates should leave you feeling rejuvenated, supported, and good in your body.
And the difference – just like that paint job – often shows up when you take a closer look.
Grab Your Magic Flashlight
6 Questions to Vet a Pilates Studio or Teacher
- Are the teachers comprehensively trained on all the Pilates equipment?
Pilates is a full system – not just a reformer workout. Mat, Reformer, Cadillac, Chair, Barrels… they all matter. - How big are the classes?
If the room is full and the teacher can’t see you, they can’t teach you. Pilates works best when corrections, cueing, and individual attention are part of the experience. - Is the focus on control, precision, and connection – or just keeping you moving?
Pilates isn’t about nonstop motion. It’s about how you move, not how fast you get through it. - Do you start with private sessions – or are you dropped straight into group classes?
Privates build the foundation. Without them, it’s easy to miss the details that make Pilates effective (and safe). - Can the teacher clearly explain why you’re doing an exercise – not just what to do?
Good Pilates teaching goes beyond choreography. You should understand the purpose behind the movement. - Can the teacher trace their training back to Joseph Pilates – or is it disconnected from the original lineage?
Not all teacher trainings are created equal. Some have a direct connection to the original work, while others are modern interpretations with no true lineage. Knowing where your teacher’s training comes from tells you a lot about the depth, integrity, and intention behind the class.
If a studio or class looks great on the surface but can’t clearly answer these questions, it may be time to shine a little more light.
Because just like a paint job…
What matters most is what’s happening beneath the surface.
