Brands
Dear Michael,
I have been an avid enthusiast of yours since we first met at Beth Downey's Body Precision studio in Bryn Mawn PA. That was probably in 2000. I respect your views and your reverence to the body of work and Idea's of Joseph Pilates.
I read the email from you and I am curious why you feel the need to qualify yourself by pitting your "brand" of Pilates against the aristocracy.
Translation of the ideas of Joseph Pilates into human movement is what it's about for all of us. The study and exploration of the body mechanical and movement potential is exhaustive and every instructor I have worked with, from You to Irene Dowd, Amy Alpers to Cara Reeser, Ellie Herman and Bob Liekens , have their own take on the work. But I content that as long as I am learning how to teach my client's how to move with ease and eventually develop more quality in their life from feeling better , what difference does it make who's brand I am using. Because of all of you, my knowledge and creativity are expanding and with it my abilities as a teacher.
I know that you are all competing for the same buck, especially now, as there seems to be a new training program everyday. But don't decry the authentic educators (you know who they are) who really know and understand Joe's idea's. I am sad to see that you feel the need to promote yourself and your training program by resorting to the "brand" game. You don't need to do that.
Sincerely
Pilates Instructor
Dear PI,
Thank you for writing and asking for clarification of my views.
I feel the need to distinguish between claiming authority based upon who you know and what you know. The aristocracy's authority is based upon who they know, who they trained with, and not on what they know about Joe's original work. Joe never claimed his method was an idea. I did that. I claim that the original work of Joseph Pilates makes a statement, and points to the idea I'm referring to.
Yes, we all have our own take on the work. My take is based upon three things directly from Joe: his sequence, his definition, and his promise. My take is that those three things point to a specific meaning in the method, a specific target of energy in the body in the moment of the doing. This is much different than a "Translation of the ideas of Joseph Pilates". There is no difference in brand unless it is discernable, in the mind, in the sensation of the body, in the awareness of the spirit. I do decry the "authentic educators" because their authenticity is based upon tradition, hearsay, folklore, and self serving interpretation. We all have our own "take" on the method. And I beg to differ with you that just because you are an authentic educator means that your take on pilates is as good as anyone else's. I know my work has a very specific meaning. I believe that Joseph Pilates felt the same way about his work. Brands of pilates is no game. Brands represent different views, based upon different claims of authority. I do not feel that the pilates method is open to the arbitrary interpretation of educators, just like math equations are not arbitrarily interpreted by educators. It's not "Joe's idea's" as in plural; it is Joe's idea as in singular. This is what makes my brand unique. My brand is deeply rooted in the original work of Joe and is seen as a revelation to anyone willing to consider it with an open mind.
I am sad that you are sad. Sad that you think I am resorting to a game instead of being dead serious about my profession.
Sad that you don't see what I'm saying, sad that you don't see the difference of my brand compared to all the others. My hope is that someday we will not be sad, but instead happy from new insight and deeper appreciation of the work of Joseph Pilates.
In geist,
Michael
Thank you for writing and asking for clarification of my views.
I feel the need to distinguish between claiming authority based upon who you know and what you know. The aristocracy's authority is based upon who they know, who they trained with, and not on what they know about Joe's original work. Joe never claimed his method was an idea. I did that. I claim that the original work of Joseph Pilates makes a statement, and points to the idea I'm referring to.
Yes, we all have our own take on the work. My take is based upon three things directly from Joe: his sequence, his definition, and his promise. My take is that those three things point to a specific meaning in the method, a specific target of energy in the body in the moment of the doing. This is much different than a "Translation of the ideas of Joseph Pilates". There is no difference in brand unless it is discernable, in the mind, in the sensation of the body, in the awareness of the spirit. I do decry the "authentic educators" because their authenticity is based upon tradition, hearsay, folklore, and self serving interpretation. We all have our own "take" on the method. And I beg to differ with you that just because you are an authentic educator means that your take on pilates is as good as anyone else's. I know my work has a very specific meaning. I believe that Joseph Pilates felt the same way about his work. Brands of pilates is no game. Brands represent different views, based upon different claims of authority. I do not feel that the pilates method is open to the arbitrary interpretation of educators, just like math equations are not arbitrarily interpreted by educators. It's not "Joe's idea's" as in plural; it is Joe's idea as in singular. This is what makes my brand unique. My brand is deeply rooted in the original work of Joe and is seen as a revelation to anyone willing to consider it with an open mind.
I am sad that you are sad. Sad that you think I am resorting to a game instead of being dead serious about my profession.
Sad that you don't see what I'm saying, sad that you don't see the difference of my brand compared to all the others. My hope is that someday we will not be sad, but instead happy from new insight and deeper appreciation of the work of Joseph Pilates.
In geist,
Michael
HI Michael,
Thank you for responding. I see now that my translation of what you are stating as your credo needed clarification. I appreciate your time and consideration in helping me to understand. I have subscribed to your website for years now and look to your words and knowledge to guide me in my practice and teachings. I have recommended your site to many other instructors and will continue to do so.
Thanks again
Fondly
Pilates Instructor
P.S. I am not sad.
Dear Michael and PI,
Understanding is what it's all about. And the beautiful thing is that understanding doesn't have an endpoint, but can just keep spiraling higher and deeper.
All the best,
Matmajick
P.S. I am very glad you are no longer sad.
Posted by: matmajick | April 02, 2008 at 08:13 AM
Dear PI, Be sure that, which question you have, you can find an answer of it from MJM PILATES, Michael is a big thinker and a wonderfull teacher and an excellent practitioner.. He is living for pilates , for correctly and completely pilates..wellcome here..:))
Posted by: jale dural | April 16, 2008 at 06:19 PM