There's always a cult

As I continue on my pilates journey, I've been exploring continuing education options. I'm a firm believer in continuing educations for all fields, especially the ones that you're passionate about. I believe in flexing the brain and that if you're not growing, you're dying.

As I continue on my Pilates journey, I see an increasing backlash online about how Pilates is elitist and unwelcoming. I've been really fortunate in my journey so far; the students, instructors and owners I work with are kind and welcoming. I've never felt judged for not wearing matching sets, and I've never been shamed for thinking matcha tastes like wet grass.

However, I recently had an experience that left me with a weird taste in my mouth. I'm a firm believer in dying on hills. I personally enjoy the experience. I enjoy righteous indignation and a cause. It's something I should have checked out, because I enjoy it far too much.

Back story: I'm a Bikram yoga girlie, in that I love sweating not that I love molestation. I've followed along; for those who haven't similar to so many men in power, he used that power to coerce people, exploited them and then ran from his accusers. It's always amazing when people who preach non-attachment have a secret fleet of high end cars including Rolls-Royces and Bentleys (it's weird just typing those brands in plural). I really loved the method of practice and felt like I always got something out of those practices. The silence, the consistent methods. It all worked for my brain. I feel like a lot of this news about Bikram Choudhury broke in 2019-ish.

Then in 2022, I was working on my 200-YTT and we watched a documentary on Paramahansa Yogananda, who was credited with bringing yoga to the US. Then he was at the center of lawsuits, ranging from financial scandals to allegations of fathering children with his disciples. The yoga industry is rife with sexual abuse allegations. When you're touted as having absolute power over your students, it becomes dicey fast.

Fast forward: My instagram feed is curated to my interests, as is everyone's, so mine tends to feed me strictly Pilates, yoga and dogs. And within this content there's like, a lot of drama. About people feeling ostracised, about people being made to feel less than, and about studios mistreating their instructors.

I've been working through my apprenticeship hours at a local studio (shout out to Restore), and taking private classes at a small studio in Pittsburgh that shall not be named. The instructor who runs the program I went through is on maternity leave so I haven't been getting instruction 1:1 for some times.

I should have known something was up with the phone call. I reached out to a studio that specialized in classic Pilates, the owner gave me a call within a few days and was asking me about my interest in private lessons, and I explained my situation. I should have just told her I was looking to increase spinal mobility and left it at that. She was curious what program I went through and when I told her, she had never heard of it. She then sounded like she was concerned that classic Pilates is too different from contemporary and that I might be confused. Which is valid when you see some of the stuff that passes for contemporary Pilates. Regardless, that should have been my first red flag; thinks her shit don't stink.

One of her instructors reached out to me and we set up standing weekly sessions. And they are really good. She and I have discussions about teaching, methodology and dogs. All things I love. It feels like this is a good thing. And then two weeks ago, the owner came in while I was in session and wanted to know if I was interested in their Teacher training program, becasue they're not really in the business of teaching other instructors. Which is like, the weirdest thing I've ever heard. I'm a paying client. I was baffled. I mean maybe, sure? I'm always interested in learning more.

And then that's when it gets weird, she sends me the information. And it's totally a cult. Minimum of fifteen hours a week in the studio, $500 mentorship fee (which it didn't really explain what that fee was for), and assisting with smooth operations of the studio. And a fee to test out. And a fee for the 4 day long course. I sighed. It's always a cult.

I politely penned an email back, explaining my reservations with the program (I'm an adult with bills and not 15 plus free hours a week to do unpaid labor). I have one more private session left in my package, and then I'll be done.

Guess it's back to driving to Columbus for private sessions.