Deborah Lessen - Foto: Deborah Lessen

A.G. When was your first contact with the method Pilates? When did you get to know the method?

D.L. I was introduced to the Pilates Method in 1980 when I began my study with Carola Trier. I was a client for a year and then apprenticed and was hired as a teacher in Ms. Trier's studio.

I was sued for trademark infringement in 1994 by Sean Gallagher for using the name "Pilates". I joined forces with Ken Endelman of Balanced Body and we won in US Federal Court in 2000, making the name Pilates generic. There is extensive documentation of the suit available in the Balanced Body website.

A.G. When was the PMA created? And why do you think it came up the need of an alliance such as the PMA?

D.L.The PMA was created the year following the legal victory. Since Pilates would be free in the marketplace, there was a recognized need for a professional organization to establish standards for teaching Pilates and to foster professional growth.

A.G. As far as I know the PMA is an international organization with its general headquarters in Miami. Do you think we will have a branch of the PMA here in Spain shortly?

D.L.We are encouraging teachers from each country to organize following the blueprint used to establish the PMA. This includes adopting the PMA Code of Ethics, Scope of Practice and role delineation for teaching Pilates as published in the PMA Certification Exam Study Guide. When this has been achieved in Spain or other countries, we can move forward to a more formal relationship. The PMA does not want to dictate to foreign groups. Coming together as a group from within is a necessary process to achieve strength and unity. This is the goal of the PMA.

A.G. For you, what was the main goal that Joseph Pilates had when he created the method?

D.L. From reading Mr. Pilates philosophy in his book Return To Life, his goal was to promote health and wellness of the body, mind and spirit. His exercise regime was a vehicle to achieve integration and harmony. (I do a two-hour presentation on this topic- the Pilates Principles. Everything one needs to know is articulated in Return To Life.)

A.G. Do you think it is important to keep the method as it was taught by Joseph Pilates? Or do you prefer to improve it, if that is possible, by adding some exercises or avoiding some others?

D.L. It is important for Pilates teachers to know the original work. It is the foundation from which all else grows. As we learn more about the body, we must be vigilant to change with new knowledge. Creativity and change are essential to life. Time will tell whether changes, additions and modifications are worthy.

A.G. If I wanted to become a member of the PMA or if I wanted to have a certifiacate, what would I have to do?

D.L. To become a PMA member, go the PMA website and download an application for membership. It has complete instructions for joining. To become PMA Certified, go to the website and download the Candidate's Handbook for the PMA Certification Exam. It contains requirements to sit for the exam as well as instructions for the candidate application. The application is sent to the PMA testing company, Castle Worldwide. When the application has been approved, Castle Worldwide will assist in scheduling an appointment to take the exam.

A.G. About the method itself, is there one for rehabilitation and another one for training, or could we say that it is the same method for both modalities?

D.L. What defines the Pilates method is its philosophy. The teacher's problem-solving skills and experience define the parameters of success with students. The approach always must be Whole Body.

A.G. What do you think about providing the method in the schools?

D.L. The PMA has a pilot program in several school districts in the US. We think it would be excellent for children's self-awareness, mental focus and general fitness as part of their school day.

A.G. Would it be a good idea to start practising at a young age? What age would you recommend they begin with the method?

D.L. One is never too young or too old to start formal exercise. Age must be considered for programming to target the physical and mental capabilities of different age groups.

A.G. Is the dance community the most important one that practices Pilates? Or maybe there are some others like sportmen, old people, injured people...

D.L. Joseph Pilates believed that everyone can benefit from his exercises. It has unlimited practical applications.

A.G. Some people say that the method is in fashion because many celebrities practice it or talk about it. Do you think it is just fashion, or it has somethig different that makes it so special?

D.L.The Pilates Method has already stood the test of time. I am impressed by the results of the work. I do not pay attention to marketing and advertising.

A.G. Is it better to do individually/private sessions or group classes?

D.L. Unfortunately, this decision is primarily financial. If one has the resources, private study is optimal, at least until the client learns good work habits. Group classes have their benefits, but progress for beginners will be much slower with less depth unless the teacher is outstanding.

A.G. How many hours of training should a future instructor be given before starting teaching?

D.L. The PMA recommends that teacher training consists of 400-450 hours. The guidelines and breakdown of hours are available on the PMA website.

A.G. What is the future of the method? Do you think we will keep practising for a long long time?

D.L. Popularity of exercise forms will always ebb and flow. I think there is a definite need for Pilates exercise and we can expect it to maintain viability indefinitely.

A.G. A lot of customers/patients ask me as a physiotherapist if a Pilates instructor can give a class without having the knowleg required in order to assess the different patologies that a patient can have. Should it be necessary to be a physiotherapist before becoming a Pilates instructor?

D.L. Physiotherapists and Pilates teachers have different skill sets. A Pilates teacher obviously cannot diagnose and treat patients as a physiotherapist. A physiotherapist cannot teach the Pilates method without the necessary background in teaching movement. There is some common ground, but each has a course of study necessary for that profession.

A.G. Should the method be taught during the degree of physiotherapy?

D.L. I think it should be an option for the physiotherapist to implement their training with Pilates.

A.G. What do yo think about teaching Pilates at the gym, in groups of 20 people or more? Should there be more control over this?

D.L. Again I have to emphasize that the safety and efficacy in large group classes depends on the skill and experience of the teacher. In general I think class size should be limited.

A.G. In that case, who is responsible? Who is supposed to control the right performance of the method in the different places where it is practised?

D.L.The employer should be more interested in safety than profit and the teacher should have enough training to know what limits are reasonable for them.