The introduction episode of the Pilates Science Podcast sets the stage for a new, much-needed bridge between Pilates research and real-world practice. Hosted by Bruce Hildebrand on behalf of the Pilates Association Australia, with PAA President and PilatesScience.org curator Robyn Rix as co-host, the episode explains why this podcast exists: to make the growing body of Pilates research accessible, understandable and directly useful for teachers, students and enthusiasts. Rather than leaving valuable findings locked behind academic language and paywalls, the podcast will translate key studies into plain English and connect them to what actually happens in the studio and in people’s bodies.

Bruce and Robyn outline how each episode will either focus on a specific research paper—what it investigated, what it found, and how to apply those findings—or explore the broader evidence base around particular conditions such as chronic pain, neurological issues, mental health and post-operative recovery. They highlight the role of the PilatesScience.org library, developed in collaboration with the PAA, and note that many of the included studies contributed to the successful re-inclusion of Pilates in Australia’s Private Health Insurance rebates following the Natural Therapies Review 2024. This isn’t theory for theory’s sake; it’s research that has already influenced policy and can now inform day-to-day teaching with greater confidence.

Looking ahead, the hosts preview contributions from researchers, instructors and clinical professionals who will discuss how evidence intersects with lived experience, and tackle bigger questions such as Pilates’ role in public health, how to elevate professional standing, and what it means to teach in an evidence-informed way. At the same time, they emphasise that science doesn’t replace the art of teaching—it sharpens it, helping refine methods and open doors to broader collaboration across health and wellness. The episode closes with an invitation to instructors, students and clients alike: subscribe, share the conversation, and use this podcast as a tool to keep moving, keep learning and keep asking great questions about why Pilates works as well as it does.

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