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Breathe Education Blog

Aug 07
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How to make $250k/year profit from your Pilates studio, with Josh Richardson and Raphael Bender

By Make more money

This episode could be worth literally millions of dollars to you.

Josh is an accountant and financial advisor to over 40 Pilates studios and has a unique insider’s view of the financial drivers that make some studios 10x more profitable than others.

In this episode, Josh and Raph break down step by step exactly what the best, most profitable studios have in common that enables them to clear $250-$300,000 per year in net profit.

Resources mentioned in the episode:

About Raphael Bender:

Raph believes everyone deserves the opportunity to transform into a better version of themselves. His main strength as a teacher and movement professional is the ability to distill complex research findings into a simple, science-based approach to help people move fearlessly, thoughtlessly, and painlessly. He LOVES running, weights, cycling, and Contrology.

Raph holds a Master’s degree in Clinical Exercise Physiology (Rehabilitation), a Bachelor’s degree in Exercise and Sports Science, Diploma of Pilates Movement Therapy, and STOTT PILATES full certification.

How to Connect with Raphael:

Purchase Raph’s new book:

  • Strengthen The Person Not Just The Body Part here
About Josh Richardson

Josh lives and breathes business, client relationships, and success.

With his career as a Chartered Accountant coupled with experience as a business owner, he has gained the hands-on knowledge and understanding of what entrepreneurs are seeking when it comes to business advice and accounting services.

This is how Growth IQ was established and how it has successfully become one of Adelaide’s leading firms in accounting, tax, bookkeeping and business advisory for startups, scale-ups and SMEs.

Fuelled by unwavering confidence in his knowledge and skills, he works together with clients to develop their goals, refine their professional services and maximize their impact.

How to Connect with Josh:

Looking for Pilates mastery?

Here are four ways we can help you really know your stuff.

1) Subscribe to our Pilates Elephants podcast and learn why most Pilates education is decades out of date at best, and at worst, just plain pseudoscientific. This inconvenient disconnect means there are many topics in Pilates that are “Elephants in the Room” – things we don’t question because it’s a bit heretical to do so. We’re here to change that.

2) Download our free report: “3 Myths about Posture in Pilates“. Ditch the myths and get the facts on posture. For Pilates instructors and movement enthusiasts alike.

3) Join us in our FREE live, open-mic Community Sessions. We start each session by sharing one of our latest insights that you can take and apply with your clients. And then we’ll go open-mic for the remaining 45-minutes — ask whatever questions you have so you can leave the session equipped to really know your stuff. Details here.

4) Or — our next intake for our Diploma in Clinical Pilates is open NOW. We have limited places for this in-depth, world-leading course. For a limited time — get a free 20-minute Discovery Call with one of our Pilates Trainers. This is not a high-pressure sales call – you’ll be talking with a Pilates instructor, and we’ll answer all your questions to find out if the course is a perfect fit for you. Go here to schedule

Jul 24
Love0

Gatekeeping in Pilates, with Natalie Wilson and Raphael Bender

By Become a better instructor

Do we excessively limit our clients from progressing because we hold them to some arbitrary standard like you must do 6 beginner classes before you can come to intermediate class?

Listen in to find out. This is a nuanced discussion of the drawbacks AND benefits of gatekeeping in Pilates.

Resources mentioned in the episode:

  • Follow Raphael Bender on IG here.
About Raphael Bender:

Raph believes everyone deserves the opportunity to transform into a better version of themselves. His main strength as a teacher and movement professional is the ability to distill complex research findings into a simple, science-based approach to help people move fearlessly, thoughtlessly, and painlessly. He LOVES running, weights, cycling, and Contrology.

Raph holds a Master’s degree in Clinical Exercise Physiology (Rehabilitation), a Bachelor’s degree in Exercise and Sports Science, Diploma of Pilates Movement Therapy, and STOTT PILATES full certification.

How to Connect with Raphael:

Purchase Raph’s new book:

  • Strengthen The Person Not Just The Body Part here
About Natalie Wilson:

Born and raised in Hawaii, Natalie’s foundation in movement comes from years of training in the native dances of Hawaii and Tahiti.  After college, Natalie pursued a career in social work and mental health.  She discovered Pilates after the birth of her second child and loved how the practice gave her renewed strength, energy, and focus. Desiring a career shift, Natalie enrolled in a comprehensive Pilates training program, graduating in early 2017.  In addition, Natalie received her National Pilates Certification in 2020 and her Pilates Certification from Breathe Education in February 2022.  She currently teaches at Vitality Pilates as well as the Multiple Sclerosis Center at Swedish Medical Center in Seattle, Washington, where she lives with her husband, two kids, and too many houseplants.

How to Connect with Natalie:

Looking for Pilates mastery?

Here are four ways we can help you really know your stuff.

1) Subscribe to our Pilates Elephants podcast and learn why most Pilates education is decades out of date at best, and at worst, just plain pseudoscientific. This inconvenient disconnect means there are many topics in Pilates that are “Elephants in the Room” – things we don’t question because it’s a bit heretical to do so. We’re here to change that.

2) Download our free report: “3 Myths about Posture in Pilates“. Ditch the myths and get the facts on posture. For Pilates instructors and movement enthusiasts alike.

3) Join us in our FREE live, open-mic Community Sessions. We start each session by sharing one of our latest insights that you can take and apply with your clients. And then we’ll go open-mic for the remaining 45-minutes — ask whatever questions you have so you can leave the session equipped to really know your stuff. Details here.

4) Or — our next intake for our Diploma in Clinical Pilates is open NOW. We have limited places for this in-depth, world-leading course. For a limited time — get a free 20-minute Discovery Call with one of our Pilates Trainers. This is not a high-pressure sales call – you’ll be talking with a Pilates instructor, and we’ll answer all your questions to find out if the course is a perfect fit for you. Go here to schedule

Jul 17
Love0

How to Open a Pilates Studio for Zero Money Down and When to Sell It, with Phoebe Heyhoe and Raphael Bender

By Make more money

Phoebe bootstrapped her Pilates business from absolutely zero cash to 7 years later selling it for enough to enable her to buy a house.

This is her story, and what she learned along the way.

Resources mentioned in the episode:

  • Check out our Visualized Anatomy Program here
About Raphael Bender:

Raph believes everyone deserves the opportunity to transform into a better version of themselves. His main strength as a teacher and movement professional is the ability to distill complex research findings into a simple, science-based approach to help people move fearlessly, thoughtlessly, and painlessly. He LOVES running, weights, cycling, and Contrology.

Raph holds a Master’s degree in Clinical Exercise Physiology (Rehabilitation), a Bachelor’s degree in Exercise and Sports Science, Diploma of Pilates Movement Therapy, and STOTT PILATES full certification.

How to Connect with Raphael:

Purchase Raph’s new book:

  • Strengthen The Person Not Just The Body Part here
About Phoebe Heyhoe

Phoebe started her career as a professional contemporary dancer and found Pilates through her art form. She then trained as an instructor and began working full-time in Auckland, New Zealand in 2013. Phoebe has seen clients with extremely varied issues and really enjoys the challenge of creating classes to suit individuals’ needs. The thing she loves most about Pilates is that it encourages you to go beyond your daily range of movement, challenging your body in ways you wouldn’t have thought you could, and makes you feel awesome! Phoebe founded MatWorks Pilates in early 2015 and loves empowering both clients and staff through Pilates.

How to Connect with Phoebe:

Looking for Pilates mastery?

Here are four ways we can help you really know your stuff.

1) Subscribe to our Pilates Elephants podcast and learn why most Pilates education is decades out of date at best, and at worst, just plain pseudoscientific. This inconvenient disconnect means there are many topics in Pilates that are “Elephants in the Room” – things we don’t question because it’s a bit heretical to do so. We’re here to change that.

2) Download our free report: “3 Myths about Posture in Pilates“. Ditch the myths and get the facts on posture. For Pilates instructors and movement enthusiasts alike.

3) Join us in our FREE live, open-mic Community Sessions. We start each session by sharing one of our latest insights that you can take and apply with your clients. And then we’ll go open-mic for the remaining 45-minutes — ask whatever questions you have so you can leave the session equipped to really know your stuff. Details here.

4) Or — our next intake for our Diploma in Clinical Pilates is open NOW. We have limited places for this in-depth, world-leading course. For a limited time — get a free 20-minute Discovery Call with one of our Pilates Trainers. This is not a high-pressure sales call – you’ll be talking with a Pilates instructor, and we’ll answer all your questions to find out if the course is a perfect fit for you. Go here to schedule

Jul 10
Love0

What I learned from recording 150+ podcast episodes, with Olivia Bioni and Raphael Bender

By Become a better instructor

In this wide-ranging conversation, Olivia Bioni, host of the Pilates Teachers Manual and Pilates Students Manual podcasts, talks with Raphael about podcasting, teaching, learning, personal growth, book writing, letting go of shoulds, setting boundaries, reducing perfectionism and more.

Resources mentioned in the episode:

  • Purchase Raph’s book: Strengthen The Person, Not Just the Body Part here
  • Find Olivia online here
  • Pilates Teachers Manual podcast here
  • Pilates Students Manual podcast here
  • Olivia’s Masterclass series OG Matwork with Roller here
  • Olivia’s ‘Buy Me A Coffee’ here
About Raphael Bender:

Raph believes everyone deserves the opportunity to transform into a better version of themselves. His main strength as a teacher and movement professional is the ability to distill complex research findings into a simple, science-based approach to help people move fearlessly, thoughtlessly, and painlessly. He LOVES running, weights, cycling, and Contrology.

Raph holds a Master’s degree in Clinical Exercise Physiology (Rehabilitation), a Bachelor’s degree in Exercise and Sports Science, Diploma of Pilates Movement Therapy, and STOTT PILATES full certification.

How to Connect with Raphael:

Purchase Raph’s new book:

  • Strengthen The Person Not Just The Body Part here
About Olivia Bioni

Olivia is a Nationally Certified Pilates Teacher and a Registered Yoga Teacher based in Chicago, IL, USA. She hosts Pilates Teachers’ Manual and Pilates Students’ Manual podcasts, and works as a Trainer at Breathe Education.

How to Connect with Olivia:

Looking for Pilates mastery?

Here are four ways we can help you really know your stuff.

1) Subscribe to our Pilates Elephants podcast and learn why most Pilates education is decades out of date at best, and at worst, just plain pseudoscientific. This inconvenient disconnect means there are many topics in Pilates that are “Elephants in the Room” – things we don’t question because it’s a bit heretical to do so. We’re here to change that.

2) Download our free report: “3 Myths about Posture in Pilates“. Ditch the myths and get the facts on posture. For Pilates instructors and movement enthusiasts alike.

3) Join us in our FREE live, open-mic Community Sessions. We start each session by sharing one of our latest insights that you can take and apply with your clients. And then we’ll go open-mic for the remaining 45-minutes — ask whatever questions you have so you can leave the session equipped to really know your stuff. Details here.

4) Or — our next intake for our Diploma in Clinical Pilates is open NOW. We have limited places for this in-depth, world-leading course. For a limited time — get a free 20-minute Discovery Call with one of our Pilates Trainers. This is not a high-pressure sales call – you’ll be talking with a Pilates instructor, and we’ll answer all your questions to find out if the course is a perfect fit for you. Go here to schedule

Jul 03
Love0

How to Get Your Clients Results, with Nathan Ross Rees and Raphael Bender

By Become a better instructor

Nathan started an odyssey around Australia where he has so far visited, attended class, and taught at 88 Pilates studios and counting. He shares his observations and views on what makes great instructors and a great class.

Resources mentioned in the episode: 

  • Nathan Ross Rees Instagram here and website here
  • Nathan’s Reformer Workshop here
  • Kefi Studio in Sydney Australia website here and Insta here
About Raphael Bender:

Raph believes everyone deserves the opportunity to transform into a better version of themselves. His main strength as a teacher and movement professional is the ability to distill complex research findings into a simple, science-based approach to help people move fearlessly, thoughtlessly, and painlessly. He LOVES running, weights, cycling, and Contrology.

Raph holds a Master’s degree in Clinical Exercise Physiology (Rehabilitation), a Bachelor’s degree in Exercise and Sports Science, Diploma of Pilates Movement Therapy, and STOTT PILATES full certification.

How to Connect with Raphael:

Purchase Raph’s new book:

  • Strengthen The Person Not Just The Body Part here
About Nathan Ross Rees:

Nathan Ross Rees is a highly motivated and passionate Pilates instructor based in Tasmania who enjoys traveling around Australia to run guest classes and hold workshops.

He has taught in 50 different studios across 7 Australian states and territories. A big believer in relationship building, Nathan values progress, vitality, results, connection, presence, abundance, and understanding. He’s always seeking to develop relationships with other instructors and expand his network of mentors. He also believes in the collective genius of the Australian Pilates Community, whose members have exponentially developed his understanding of Dynamic Reformer Pilates.

How to Connect with Nathan:

  • Find Nathan Ross Rees on Instagram here
Looking for Pilates mastery?

Here are four ways we can help you really know your stuff.

1) Subscribe to our Pilates Elephants podcast and learn why most Pilates education is decades out of date at best, and at worst, just plain pseudoscientific. This inconvenient disconnect means there are many topics in Pilates that are “Elephants in the Room” – things we don’t question because it’s a bit heretical to do so. We’re here to change that.

2) Download our free report: “3 Myths about Posture in Pilates“. Ditch the myths and get the facts on posture. For Pilates instructors and movement enthusiasts alike.

3) Join us in our FREE live, open-mic Community Sessions. We start each session by sharing one of our latest insights that you can take and apply with your clients. And then we’ll go open-mic for the remaining 45-minutes — ask whatever questions you have so you can leave the session equipped to really know your stuff. Details here.

4) Or — our next intake for our Diploma in Clinical Pilates is open NOW. We have limited places for this in-depth, world-leading course. For a limited time — get a free 20-minute Discovery Call with one of our Pilates Trainers. This is not a high-pressure sales call – you’ll be talking with a Pilates instructor, and we’ll answer all your questions to find out if the course is a perfect fit for you. Go here to schedule

Jun 29
Love0

Overcoming Fear & Anxiety to find your Authentic Voice as a Teacher, with Belinda Survilla

By Become a better instructor
A FREE Live Community Session on “Overcoming Fear & Anxiety to find your Authentic Voice as a Teacher” hosted by Breathe Education’s Lead Trainer, Belinda Survilla.
What You’ll Learn:
  • Bel’s personal story of worry and anxiety
  • Differences and scale of fear and anxiety
  • Tips and tricks to get over fear and anxiety and as a result, find your authentic voice as a Pilates instructor
  • Resources that can help

You can find the link to the PDF of the lecture slides HERE. If you’d love to continue the conversation, feel free to connect with Bel on IG.

Jun 26
Love0

Do we under-load our clients in Pilates? With Julie Driver and Raphael Bender

By Become a better instructor

Do we focus too much on gentle movement in Pilates? Could our clients benefit from more vigorous exercises and more progression over time?

Maybe the answer is different for different countries.

Resources mentioned in the episode:

  • Join our FREE Live Community Sessions here
  • Liftmor trial here
  • Nonagenarians get ripped with high-intensity strength training here
  • Injuries in fitness facilities are mostly caused by people dropping shit on themselves and falling off stuff – not by “incorrect” technique here
  • A lot of the disability from low back pain is caused by well-meaning health and fitness professionals scaring the shit out of their clients here
  • Persistence hunting is a likely explanation of how humans fed ourselves for several hundred thousand years even though we’re weaker, slower and less ferocious than almost everything we hunt here
About Raphael Bender:

Raph believes everyone deserves the opportunity to transform into a better version of themselves. His main strength as a teacher and movement professional is the ability to distill complex research findings into a simple, science-based approach to help people move fearlessly, thoughtlessly, and painlessly. He LOVES running, weights, cycling, and Contrology.

Raph holds a Master’s degree in Clinical Exercise Physiology (Rehabilitation), a Bachelor’s degree in Exercise and Sports Science, Diploma of Pilates Movement Therapy, and STOTT PILATES full certification.

How to Connect with Raphael:

Purchase Raph’s new book:

  • Strengthen The Person Not Just The Body Part here
About Julie Driver:

Julie is an award-winning, internationally renowned Pilates teacher with over two decades of teaching experience. 

For over 10 years Julie was a senior faculty member for the largest Pilates teacher training school in Europe before setting up her own education company.

Julie now coaches equestrians of all levels from the weekend rider to the elite athlete and is the Pilates teacher for the Wesko Foundation three-day-eventing team.

In 2014, Julie was awarded the title of Pilates Anytime, International Instructor of the Year.

How to Connect with Julie:

  • Find Julie Driver online here
  • Find Julie on IG and FB
Looking for Pilates mastery?

Here are four ways we can help you really know your stuff.

1) Subscribe to our Pilates Elephants podcast and learn why most Pilates education is decades out of date at best, and at worst, just plain pseudoscientific. This inconvenient disconnect means there are many topics in Pilates that are “Elephants in the Room” – things we don’t question because it’s a bit heretical to do so. We’re here to change that.

2) Download our free report: “3 Myths about Posture in Pilates“. Ditch the myths and get the facts on posture. For Pilates instructors and movement enthusiasts alike.

3) Join us in our FREE live, open-mic Community Sessions. We start each session by sharing one of our latest insights that you can take and apply with your clients. And then we’ll go open-mic for the remaining 45-minutes — ask whatever questions you have so you can leave the session equipped to really know your stuff. Details here.

4) Or — our next intake for our Diploma in Clinical Pilates is open NOW. We have limited places for this in-depth, world-leading course. For a limited time — get a free 20-minute Discovery Call with one of our Pilates Trainers. This is not a high-pressure sales call – you’ll be talking with a Pilates instructor, and we’ll answer all your questions to find out if the course is a perfect fit for you. Go here to schedule

Jun 22
Love0

Pilates for Spondylolisthesis and Pars fracture, with Raphael Bender

By Become a better instructor
A FREE Live Community Session about “Pilates for Spondylolisthesis and Pars fracture” led by Breathe Education’s CEO, Raphael Bender.
What You’ll Learn:
  • Spondylolisthesis is not a specific cause of back pain
  • Sciatica is complex and multifactorial, and often related to whole-person factors
  • Surgery & all forms of exercise seem to work equally well
  • Guideline-care is reassurance and advice to stay active

You can find the link to the PDF of the lecture slides HERE and connect with Raph on IG HERE.

Jun 19
Love0

How to build your own on-demand Pilates business, with Ruth Bruno and Raphael Bender

By Make more money

Right now, there is an unprecedented proliferation of exciting and creative ways for Pilates professionals to make a great living, and one of them is building your own on-demand platform.

Ruth Bruno has done that, and in this conversation, she shares the good, the bad and the numbers of exactly how to build your own online, on-demand Pilates business.

Resources mentioned in the episode:

  • Follow Raph on IG here
  • Ashley DeLeon’s IG here
  • Pilates by Amanda’s here
  • Find Arketa platform’s here (not a sponsored link)
About Raphael Bender:

Raph believes everyone deserves the opportunity to transform into a better version of themselves. His main strength as a teacher and movement professional is the ability to distill complex research findings into a simple, science-based approach to help people move fearlessly, thoughtlessly, and painlessly. He LOVES running, weights, cycling, and Contrology.

Raph holds a Master’s degree in Clinical Exercise Physiology (Rehabilitation), a Bachelor’s degree in Exercise and Sports Science, Diploma of Pilates Movement Therapy, and STOTT PILATES full certification.

How to Connect with Raphael:

Purchase Raph’s new book:

  • Strengthen The Person Not Just The Body Part here
About Ruth Bruno:

Ruth Bruno is a Pilates Instructor and business owner based in Los Angeles, CA. She has studied movement for 16 years and was comprehensively certified in Classical Pilates in 2019. Her membership-based online business; Ruth Pilates Studio, is focused on making mat Pilates effective, accessible and fun. When she’s not running her business or doing Pilates, you can most likely find Ruth walking, hiking or enjoying quality time with her fiancé and their dog.

How to Connect with Ruth:

Looking for Pilates mastery?

Here are four ways we can help you really know your stuff.

1) Subscribe to our Pilates Elephants podcast and learn why most Pilates education is decades out of date at best, and at worst, just plain pseudoscientific. This inconvenient disconnect means there are many topics in Pilates that are “Elephants in the Room” – things we don’t question because it’s a bit heretical to do so. We’re here to change that.

2) Download our free report: “3 Myths about Posture in Pilates“. Ditch the myths and get the facts on posture. For Pilates instructors and movement enthusiasts alike.

3) Join us in our FREE live, open-mic Community Sessions. We start each session by sharing one of our latest insights that you can take and apply with your clients. And then we’ll go open-mic for the remaining 45-minutes — ask whatever questions you have so you can leave the session equipped to really know your stuff. Details here.

4) Or — our next intake for our Diploma in Clinical Pilates is open NOW. We have limited places for this in-depth, world-leading course. For a limited time — get a free 20-minute Discovery Call with one of our Pilates Trainers. This is not a high-pressure sales call – you’ll be talking with a Pilates instructor, and we’ll answer all your questions to find out if the course is a perfect fit for you. Go here to schedule

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