What defines a teacher referring themselves as classically trained to those that teach a more contemporary style? You hear the term “classical” being thrown around, but what does it truly mean? Read on below to discover that there are actually two camps of classical Pilates, “Pure” or “Romana” trained and those who keep within the Classical methodology but have interpreted Pilates’ intentions differently. On the other end of the spectrum, is the Contemporary instructor, who interchanges the classical style with a more “free form” method of teaching, allowing for the general health and well being of her student(s) to guide the session. It is important to distinguish between the two and find out which style you prefer!

CLASSICAL PILATES- Pure vs Subset.

Pure/Romana classical Pilates covers ONLY Joseph Pilates’ original work. This means his original exercises and the order in which they were performed never change- these exercises are gleaned from the Pilates Elders (those who studied directly under his tutelage), pictures, and side-by-side pictures converted to video. There are no variations (except for ADVANCED exercises and to move to other apparatus at the discretion of the instructor), modifications or stepping out of sequence. This applies both to mat work and the reformer. If an exercise is modified or changed in any way, a pure classical instructor will let her student(s) know that the exercise is not a Pilates exercise or may refer to it as a preparatory one.

Joseph Pilates also created a set order of exercises on the mat and reformer. A pure classical Pilates teacher follows this order every time s/he instructs on the mat (and reformer). S/He may omit exercises to make it suitable for the level of the client- from the beginner (fundamental exercises) to the advanced exercises [truly challenging for even the strongest, healthy client], and finally to the super-advanced exercises [the extra challenge for elite athletes and Pilates professionals). These systems were developed to help apprentices and new teachers know what to do and what not to do with a client. His sequence appropriately warms up the body, challenges and cools it down. This order strengthens and stretches the torso, arms and legs in all planes of movement, challenging clients in the appropriate progression with and then against gravity: lying down, sitting up, kneeling, standing.

Although it is important to note that there are some key elements that distinguish classical instruction from contemporary Pilates, it is also important to understand that there exists a subset of classical Pilates teachers that contend that the pure classical guidelines are not entirely valid or substantiated. This confusion stems from some of the Elders (Romana being the first to study directly under Pilates and is known for creating the pure classical method), their students and those students’ students-where there appears to be a dilution of Joseph Pilates original teachings due to more word of mouth instruction rather than written and recorded manuals. This lineage of master teachers, although attempting to pass on the pure classical teachings through one on one apprenticeships and training programs, did not clearly outline their methodologies through any consistent recorded work and therefore there eventually developed some discrepancies between what is a pure classical vs a subset classical teacher.

Below is a list of what are some common characteristics of a classical teacher and whether they define themselves as pure classical (often classifying themselves as Romana-trained) or a subset classical teacher:

PURE/ROMANA TRAINED:

• Flattening the lower back in supine exercises
• Squeezing the buttocks/sit bones all of the time
• Pulling the shoulder blades down the back all of the time and when in a shoulder supporting position pushing the shoulder blades off the back to get them to appear flat on the back.
• External rotation of the leg in the hip (with the ballet term “turnout”) in nearly every exercise
• Dance-like style of movement.

CLASSICALLY TRAINED SUBSET:

• Neutral Pelvis in supine exercises
• The buttocks/glutes/sit bones “un-squeezed” to keep the lower back of the pelvis open and balanced.
• Open collarbones and draw the shoulder blades on the back more than draw the shoulder blades down.
• Teaching with the legs parallel and together or parallel and apart position except during heel to heel connection and “Frog” work where external hip rotation is used.
• Flowing movement is emphasized, but less like dance and more like exercise.  Pilates didn’t like dancers. He said, “Dancers ruined my method”. Fluid movement is part of it, but the style of movement is more like a long, lean muscle man, rather than a ballet dancer.

CONTEMPORARY PILATES: Thinking outside of the box!

Rael Isacowitz- Founder of BASI Pilates

Contemporary Pilates, on the other hand,  is also based on the work of Joseph Pilates but has been modernized by adjusting the exercises to fit with modern research and has a heavy influence from physical therapy and bio-mechanics. Many exercises remain the same, but a whole new slew of exercises have been added, or variations have been added allowing for injury rehabilitation and creativity by the instructor. Contemporary Pilates will generally teach exercises in a “neutral pelvis” or the position one’s spine is in when standing upright in a healthy posture. However, flattening the spine when appropriate remains an option. When laying on one’s back the lower spine will have some space between the back and the floor, and the hip points and the pubic bone will all be in one plane. This style of Pilates has more options available in terms of sequencing, inclusion of props, modifications or variations of exercises and when teaching on the apparatus, discretionary use of machines depending on client ability, progression, availability of equipment etc.

THE FUSS:

There is a continuous, and often hotly contested debate in the Pilates community about which style is the “TRUE” Pilates Method with the pure classical group drawing a very strict line in the proverbial sand. Their mindset is the original repertoire can only be termed Pilates, any deviation or derivative is not Pilates. However, the superior courts ruled that Pilates can not be owned by anybody or governing institute, including the Pilates Method Alliance, so their voices, comments and opinions are challenged and oftentimes routinely discarded.

The contemporary teacher will tell you that Joseph Pilates was an innovator who would have improved his method with any substantiated discovery or advancement of any knowledge in modern medicine, anatomy, biomechanics and kinesiology.  They will also counter the pure Pilates sect that people 30-60 years ago do not move like they did when Joe Pilates was alive. The current sedentary culture, along with the advent of computers and the smart phone has created a wave of bodies suffering from tight shoulders and hips, increase kyphosis in the thoracic spine, forward head and general bad postural habits. The Pilates Method must therefore adapt itself to this startling trend.

Original Article: 

http://www.coreconceptschicago.com/blog/2014/6/15/classical-vs-contemporary-pilates