Michael Miller Pilates makes sense. sm
Cornu Tension is real.
Dear Reader,
The business of Pilates is promoting more than ever the value of being a Second-Generation Pilates Teacher. As far as I understand it, this means that someone who knew Joe can certify you as a Second-Generation Pilates Teacher because they personally interacted with him.
Let's look at three examples of First-Generation Pilates Teachers:
One knew Joe for years. They were the primary talent in much of his films recording his method and then taught his method for decades after he died.
Another who knew Joe, has a photo of themselves in the studio with Joe's wife, asked for and received a statement from Joe that they could teach his work to where they were moving.
Yet another, met Joe as a photographer doing a story for a magazine, only to start teaching the method decades after Joe died.
All three teachers knew Joe, which makes them First-Generation Pilates Teachers that can certify others as Second-Generation Pilates Teachers. So just how valuable is this unique distinction, and how does it work for you--and against you?
Pilates is presented by the aristocracy as a class system determined by who you know. What generation are you? And how that makes you less than someone from a higher generation, and more important than someone from a lower generation. See how it works? Keeps everyone in their place based on who they know without any regard to what they know.
This propaganda is meant to keep people in their place and structure a perception of Pilates as who you know is what matters. I think of it as an appeal to idolatry. Sure, you idolize those above you, but you place yourself in a position over others to be idolized. How great is that! This is all a conniving contrivance to establish your value as a Pilates instructor based upon who you know. How does that feel? To me, I'm not impressed because I believe what matters is what you know, not who you know.
The aristocracy, the elite, the snobs who would relegate you to a lower class cannot afford to even consider that Pilates has an essence of its own because it would undermine their claim to superiority.
Human nature is what it is. Humans seek advantage for prestige and profit to survive. I don't see the Pilates culture changing anytime soon, but consider this:
For a long time I've been pointing out the ideal within the original work. I've been saying that to the extent you understand that ideal you have a direct connection to Joe and his method. That makes you a First-Generation Pilates Teacher. You take your confidence and authority directly from the master, himself.
To survive as a Pilates teacher requires knowing what makes Pilates-Pilates, and about the culture that entices you to accept a status that subjects you to a system that benefits the system and asks you to accept your inferior role in that system.
"No one can make you feel inferior without your consent."
Eleanor Roosevelt
Be a First-Generation Pilates Teacher because you can be!
Geist,
Michael Miller
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