News

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….

The Science Behind Pilates and Osteoporosis: How Pilates can Support Bone Health Osteoporosis is a condition characterised by a loss of bone density, making bones brittle and more susceptible to fractures. Osteopenia, often a precursor to osteoporosis, indicates lower-than-normal bone density without reaching the severity of osteoporosis. With an ageing global population, the number of people affected by these conditions is on the rise, highlighting the need for proactive measures in maintaining and improving bone health. For Pilates teachers, understanding the science behind osteoporosis and how Pilates can play a key role in supporting bone health is crucial for effectively…

PAA Annual General Meeting, 20 September 2024 Welcome to the Annual General Meeting for 2024, covering the 2023-24 financial year. Apologies Lisa Jackson, Meredith Brooks and Donna Oliver.   2023 AGM Minutes Minutes of the previous AGM were accepted.   President’s Report Vision & Mission: Our vision is for the Pilates Method to be recognised as a professional and valued healthcare and fitness discipline. Our mission is to advance the interests of the Pilates Method and its member professionals. This vision has stood the test of time without significant change. There’s one minor change made to the strategy, which I…

There are lots of different insurance products out there and it can be difficult to figure out what coverage you need – and just as importantly, what coverage you don’t to protect your Pilates studio from the unexpected. In this article, BMS, the PAA’s insurance partner provides insight into the various insurance policies you might need to consider as a business owner, in addition to your individual Professional Indemnity and Public and Products Liability insurance. Business Insurance Business Insurance generally covers various elements of business risk from property, stock and contents damage to business interruption and operations. While there are several policies you might consider as a business owner, in almost all cases, you will need at…

Closing loopholes – changes to workplace laws Amendments to workplace laws come into effect on 26 August 2024. If you are an instructor who teaches in someone else’s studio or a studio owner who engages instructors to teach classes, it is crucial to understand the amendments. There are penalties associated for not complying with the amendments. Closing Loopholes legislation changes: how studios identify whether an instructor is an employee or independent contractor what happens if a contract for an independent contractor is unfair the definition for ‘casual employee’ the pathway for transitioning from casual to permanent employment the right to…

Christo Hall runs a successful global Marketing business while enjoying a healthy work-life balance, working globally, but with daily time out for surfing.  In his book ‘Beyond the Break’ he takes you through his surfing life from a 16-year-old kid from the Northern Beaches’ enjoying youthful experiences in Hawaii, to a fully sponsored successful professional surfing athlete staying in luxury accommodation in Japan with a personal guide.  But it’s not all glory, and he discusses his challenges and failures along the way, including a deeply personal insight into his depression while transitioning from professional surfing into marketing. Each chapter focuses…