This is part of our Style Guide series, exploring diverse practices and the teachers who bring them to life. Whether you're deepening your current practice or discovering something new, these guides are here to inform and inspire. This edition features Pilates instructor Lara Beusenberg.
Pilates is a mindful movement practice that helps build strength, stability, and body awareness from the inside out. By combining intentional movement with focused breathing, it encourages a deeper connection to your body while supporting posture, balance, and ease of movement in everyday life.
History of Pilates
Pilates was developed in the early 20th century by Joseph Pilates, who believed that physical and mental health were deeply connected. Originally called Contrology, his method used controlled, mindful movement to build strength, flexibility, coordination, and body awareness.
After moving to New York in the 1920s, Joseph and his wife Clara opened a studio where dancers and athletes embraced the practice for both performance and recovery.
In my teaching, I build on these foundations while integrating modern knowledge of anatomy, biomechanics, motor control, and movement science. Rather than focusing solely on exercises, I help clients better understand how their bodies move, creating strength, awareness, and habits that carry over into everyday life.
Structure of a Pilates Class
In my classes, we always begin with the breath. Breathing is one of the key principles of Pilates and helps activate the deep abdominal muscles that support the spine and pelvis. From this strong foundation, movement becomes more efficient, controlled, and connected.
Classes focus on strength, mobility, stability, and body awareness, with an emphasis on moving well rather than doing more. I often incorporate props such as Pilates balls, resistance bands, weights, blocks, magic circles, and foam rollers to improve body awareness, build strength, and support movement quality.
The atmosphere is welcoming and supportive, with plenty of individual guidance to help you move with greater confidence.
Key Benefits of Pilates
Pilates offers benefits that extend beyond physical exercise, supporting both body and mind.
Physically, it can improve core strength, posture, flexibility, mobility, balance, coordination, and overall movement quality. By developing greater body awareness and more efficient movement patterns, Pilates can also help reduce tension, support recovery, and improve the way you move through everyday life.
Mentally and emotionally, Pilates encourages you to slow down, focus on your breath, and stay present. Many people find the practice helps reduce stress, improve concentration, and cultivate a greater sense of confidence, resilience, and wellbeing.
Biggest Misconceptions About Pilates
One of the biggest misconceptions is that Pilates is just stretching or that it's the same as yoga. While both practices encourage body awareness and mindful movement, Pilates places a stronger emphasis on strength, stability, alignment, and the mechanics of movement.
Another common misconception is that Pilates is only about getting toned abs or achieving a certain look. While it certainly builds strength, its true purpose is much broader. Pilates is designed to improve posture, movement quality, and how you feel in your body every day. The goal isn't simply to look better, but to move and feel better.
As Pilates continues to grow in popularity, training standards can vary widely. In my experience, the most effective Pilates instruction is grounded in anatomy, biomechanics, and an individualised approach that adapts exercises to the person in front of you.
Difference Between Mat and Reformer Pilates
The main difference between Mat Pilates and Reformer Pilates is the equipment used and the type of resistance it provides.
Mat Pilates is performed on a mat using your own body weight as resistance, often with props such as Pilates balls, resistance bands, or light weights. Because you're working primarily with your own body, mat exercises require a high level of strength, control, coordination, and body awareness.
Reformer Pilates is performed on a specialised piece of equipment called the Reformer. Using springs, straps, and a moving carriage, the Reformer provides resistance that can both challenge and support the body.
Both methods are rooted in the same principles of breath, alignment, control, precision, and body awareness. Mat Pilates relies primarily on your own strength and stability, while the Reformer provides adjustable resistance and feedback through its spring-based system.
Pilates Book Recommendations
For anyone looking to deepen their understanding of Pilates and movement, I recommend:
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The Pilates Body by Brooke Siler, an accessible introduction to the Pilates method and its principles.
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Anatomy of Movement by Blandine Calais-Germain, a practical guide to understanding how the body moves.
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Trail Guide to the Body by Andrew Biel, an excellent resource for learning anatomy, muscles, and movement patterns.
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Low Back Disorders by Stuart McGill, particularly valuable for understanding spinal health, core function, and back pain.
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Movement Matters by Katy Bowman, a great introduction to the importance of natural movement and how our daily habits affect the body.
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The MELT Method by Sue Hitzmann, a practical approach to improving body awareness, reducing pain, and caring for the body's connective tissue through simple self-treatment techniques.
These resources offer valuable insights into anatomy, movement, and the principles that underpin an effective Pilates practice.
First Time Pilates Advice
My biggest piece of advice: be patient with yourself.
Pilates is often very different from other forms of exercise. You're learning a new way of breathing, moving, and connecting with your body. It's completely normal to lose track of a movement, forget the breathing pattern, or feel like there's a lot to think about at first.
Don't worry about getting everything right. Focus on becoming familiar with the principles and sensations rather than trying to perform every exercise perfectly. The awareness, control, and coordination will develop naturally with practice.
Pilates is a journey, not a performance. The more curious and open you are to the learning process, the more you'll benefit from it. Over time, movements that once felt unfamiliar will become second nature, and you'll begin to notice positive changes both in class and in everyday life.
Practice with Lara
Connect with Lara
Website: pilatesbylaar.com
Instagram: @pilatesbylaar
Upcoming retreats: Sahara Retreat Morocco March 14th - 21st 2027
Interested in exploring other movement practices? Check out our full Yoga Style Guide series for more insights into diverse modalities and the teachers bringing them to life.
