In this episode, Raphael Bender chats with Bernadett Gazsi, a Dallas-based Pilates instructor who transitioned her business online to help moms overcome back pain. Bernadett shares:

• How her clinical Pilates education ignited her purpose.

• Strategies for building a remote business while moving across continents.

• Insights into high-touch client care, group sessions, and fostering progress.

• Lessons learned, including the importance of clarity, action, and perseverance.

• Balancing motherhood, entrepreneurship, and personal growth.

Listen for inspiration on taking bold steps, learning through action, and creating a meaningful impact.

Resources mentioned in the episode:

• Connect with Bernadette online here, on Instagram, and Facebook
• Connect with Raph on Instagram: @the_raphaelbender
• Download a free course guide: Pilates Certification and Visualized Anatomy

I talk through a recent study looking at whether strict form gives better results from exercise.

Resources mentioned in the episode:

• Read the paper cited in the episode here

Connect with me on Instagram: @the_raphaelbender

Download a free course guide:

• Pilates Certification
• Visualized Anatomy

Can you reduce activation of one muscle, by increasing activation of another? Find out in this episode.

Resources mentioned in the episode:

• Read the paper cited in this episode here.

Connect with me on Instagram: @the_raphaelbender

Download a free course guide:

• Pilates Certification
• Visualized Anatomy

You can watch this episode on YouTube here

Free workshop on how to track these KPIs plus a free Google Sheet here

Connect with me on Instagram: @the_raphaelbender

Download a free course guide:

• Pilates Certification
• Visualized Anatomy

Do biomechanics predict running injuries? Learn how to move beyond single-factor thinking, the 80/20 of injury prevention, and why simple changes like increasing cadence can reduce risk. Clear, actionable tips for Pilates instructors to help clients run injury-free, or rehab injured runners.

Connect with me on Instagram: @the_raphaelbender

Download a free course guide:

• Pilates Certification
• Visualized Anatomy

Citations and my notes for this episode are in a Google Doc here

Watch this episode on YouTube here

Flow is a cornerstone of Pilates, but can there be too much of a good thing?

Raphael Bender and Heath Lander dive into the balance between seamless transitions and overwhelming choreography.

Learn how to harness flow to keep your clients engaged, avoid common pitfalls, and create transformative sessions that leave them saying, “Where did the time go?!”

Connect with me on Instagram: @the_raphaelbender

Download a free course guide:

• Pilates Certification
• Visualized Anatomy

This episode is my Christmas gift to you: a done-for-you promo that will help you attract new clients, increase revenue, and make your current clients feel like the ultimate gift-givers. 🎁

I'm releasing this episode a day earlier than usual to give you an extra day to run the promo.

What’s Inside:

• How to run a $270 gift card promo for just $50, to generate new clients
• Step-by-step instructions and a timeline.
• Why this strategy works to grow your studio.

Ready to launch your promo?

Grab the email templates and terms of use here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ORSyqxYRhjSkE74YMVwl4AypOenndJOoGwIu9btnhks/edit?usp=sharing

Set it up today, and watch your studio thrive this holiday season! 🎄

Watch this as a video on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/PuwdQ0vVkls

The most versatile, valuable exercises to know (like the back of your hand) to master group reformer programming and teaching.

Connect with me on Instagram: @the_raphaelbender

Download a free course guide:

• Pilates Certification
• Visualized Anatomy

In this episode of Pilates Elephants, Raph sits down with Heath Lander to explore a surprising truth: great Pilates teaching is simple—but not easy.

They discuss why simplicity is the ultimate challenge for instructors and how it sets the best apart from the rest. You'll learn how to focus on what really matters, avoid over-complicating your teaching, and deliver classes that inspire and transform your clients.

Whether you’re a new teacher or a seasoned pro, this conversation will challenge your approach and leave you thinking differently about what it takes to be exceptional.

Connect with me on Instagram: @the_raphaelbender

Download a free course guide:

• Pilates Certification
• Visualized Anatomy

In this episode of Pilates Elephants, Raphael Bender and Heath Lander break down how to truly progress your Pilates clients for long-term health, happiness, and longevity. They challenge conventional wisdom about progression, spring settings, and perfect form, offering practical insights to elevate your teaching.

For more insights, tune in to the full episode on YouTube.

Connect with me on Instagram: @the_raphaelbender

Download a free course guide:

• Pilates Certification
• Visualized Anatomy

Become a Breathe Education Mentor Affiliate: Program info

In this episode of Pilates Elephants, Raphael Bender and Dr. Kevin Wernli dive into the surprisingly nuanced relationship between movement and pain. They explore why changing movement patterns doesn’t always reduce pain, (and when it can!) the limits of the biomechanical model, and how beliefs and context play a crucial role. Discover actionable insights for Pilates instructors on fostering more effective, evidence-based approaches to managing low back pain.

Resources mentioned in the episode:

• Does movement change when back pain changes? Systematic Review here
• Kevin’s case series here
• Qualitative interviews here
• Gracely 1986 dentist study here

Watch this episode on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/vjpyxHr3lLY

About Kevin Wernlin:

Kevin is a Physiotherapist from Perth, Western Australia. He completed his PhD with esteemed supervisors Peter Kent, Peter O’Sullivan, Anne Smith, and Amity Campbell. His research investigated how movement, posture, and psychological factors relate to persistent low back pain, particularly as people recover. He has appeared on numerous podcasts and radio segments, published research in high-quality international research journals, and presented at national and international conferences. He has a passion for using technology to help make healthcare more equitable and effective, and translating research into the real-world, evidenced by his work as the former producer and co-host of the popular empowered beyond pain podcast, and now as co-founder of a digital health startup called Matilda Health which helps people undergoing endometriosis surgery optimise the pre and post-surgery journey.

Connect with Kevin Wernlin:

• A bunch of resources I’ve put together: https://www.backtoliving.health/givingbackresources
• Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/3ogpeLlDGLRLiHofEWvCje
• RESTORE clinical trial: https://www.restorebackpain.com/
• Social media links: Twitter|FB|IG|LinkedIn - @KWernliPhysio
• ORCID - 0000-0001-6035-9873

Connect with Raph on Instagram: @the_raphaelbender

Download a free course guide:

• Pilates Certification
• Visualized Anatomy