News

New Occupation Code for Pilates On December 6th, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) released the latest version of occupation codes, the numerical system used to classify and categorise occupations in Australia. For the first time, there is now a code for Pilates instructors. Whilst this is a step in the right direction, there are issues with the new code. This article will explain the history behind the introduction of the Pilates code, the issues of concern and the future planning for a revised code.   Background Previously, the codes were called the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification System…

PAA Conference 2025 – Call for Presenters The 2025 PAA conference will be a live event at the ICC Sydney, 12 – 14 September, and we are curating an exciting schedule of international and national presenters. Callout to PAA members! Be the first to apply!! The PAA is seeking applications from PAA members for workshop presenters and class instructors to share their Pilates passion and expertise in a broad range of Pilates workshops and class. Qualified and experienced Pilates teachers are invited to apply to present a 2 hr workshop or class. You can also partner with a colleague to…

In 2023 we decided to rebrand the organisation to update the PAA logo and change the name to be more inclusive with the merging of the Pilates Alliance of Australasia and the Australian Pilates Method Association. We discussed colour options for the PAA logo with the graphic designer and he was keen on using purple. Purple is an interesting colour as it was originally made from a mollusc which made it rare and expensive which is why it was favoured by royalty. Because it’s not common in nature, purple can also be exotic and mysterious. Purple is a combination of…

Summer Reading – Our Favourite Articles from 2024 Have you seen an article we’ve posted that you’d really like to read, but at that moment you just couldn’t find the time? Did you spot something interesting that you would love to return to but couldn’t find again? We have got you covered. Some of these articles can be found on the PAA website, or a quick Google search will find it. Here is a list of our favourite articles we have featured from 2024. -Should I Do Pilates, Really? – The Pilates Bridge -Case Study: Frozen Shoulder – Donna Oliver,…

Get ready to spoil yourself, a friend, teacher or your colleague in your life this Christmas with these thoughtfully curated gift ideas inspired by the PAA Member Benefits. Remember to login to your account to see the discounts as a PAA member. Each item is paired with an exclusive discount available to PAA members. Myofascial Release Balls From The Movement Collective 🎄 PAA Discount: 10% discount off your first order of myofascial release balls Books Books on authoritative bodywork, manual therapy, complementary health from Human Kinetics, distributed by Woodslane Health 🎄 PAA Discount: 20% off. Free delivery for orders over…

Remember the rules on gym cancellations WA Consumer Protection is reminding fitness providers, including Pilates studios, about their obligations under the Fitness Industry Code of Practice when it comes to membership cancellations. They continue to receive a high number of consumer complaints against fitness service providers who are not honouring cancellation requests for medical reasons. Under the Code, consumers have the right to cancel their membership due to permanent illness or incapacity. They have been made aware of instances where a fitness service provider will monitor the client’s illness or incapacity by requesting regular updates from the client or doctor…

As a 55-year old perimenopausal Pilates teacher with a client base of predominantly 40+ women, I could not wait to read ‘Pilates-based Movement for Menopause by Dinah Siman. And it did not disappoint. Being in that phase of my life myself, I had done some reading about menopause online and listened to podcasts on the topic, so when I first opened the book, I wasn’t sure how much more I would get out of it. But as soon as I started reading, I was drawn in. This book provided all the factual and academic knowledge around menopause in an easy…

While cyber risks may not be front of mind for you in your day-to-day practice, it’s important to be aware of the cyber risks that exist. Especially in the health industry. According to the Australian Digital Health Agency, personal health information in particular, is an attractive target to cyber criminals. Individual health data is considered to be more valuable than other types of data. What do these risks mean for your Pilates studio? In this article, the PAA’s insurance partner, BMS, discusses common risks and trends associated with cyber incidents. Ashlee Sherman and Scott Shelly of law firm, Barry Nilsson,…

I personally put my hand up to review the book Pilates-Based Movement for Menopause: A Guide for Teachers and Practitioners by Dinah Siman as it is something I am going through at the moment, and have a handful of clients going through the same experience. This book is a very detailed guide/ practical manual / book on how Pilates-based movement supports women/ individuals experiencing symptoms of menopause. What I like is the open-mindedness of Dinah, as she points out that ‘In order to be trans-inclusive, she uses ‘women, trans men and non-binary people’, but she also uses ‘biologically female’ at…

If you are based in NSW and have an ABN, you may have received emails about mental health coaching being provided for free to businesses in NSW. I received a number of these and just deleted them, thinking I didn’t need coaching on mental health. Then one day, I got a call from the company providing the service, “Transitioning Well”. I thought they were a little pushy but agreed to have an initial chat. It was fairly standard fare and pretty much what I expected. They asked about any mental health issues within the business e.g. dealing with difficult clients….