October Apparatus of the Month
October has been all about alignment, awareness, and control — qualities beautifully reflected in the Pedi Pole. As the season changes and our routines settle, we’re taking a moment to appreciate how this understated apparatus reminds us that true strength begins with stability and breath.
At first glance, the Pedi Pole appears simple: a vertical pole with spring-loaded handles, yet the work it demands is deeply refined. It challenges practitioners to stand tall, find lift through the spine, and move with unwavering precision. Every subtle shift requires balance, concentration, and connection from the powerhouse outward, lessons that carry into every aspect of the Pilates Method.
Community Highlights
Our community embraced the challenge of the Pedi Pole in thoughtful and inspiring ways. Through shared videos, posts, and teaching moments, instructors highlighted how this seemingly modest apparatus builds balance, control, and postural strength from the inside out.
The Pedi Pole: The Quiet Teacher That Reawakens Your Posture
Rocío Menéndez writes about how if your shoulders tend to live up by your ears, your neck feels tight, and your posture could use a reset, it may be time to meet the Pedi Pole, the quiet teacher you didn’t know you needed.
Why the Pilates Pedi Pole is a Must When Working with Seniors and Special Needs Clients
Risa Mathews, studio owner of Boditree Pilates and Healing, discusses why the Pedi Pole is a glue that holds the Classical Pilates system together, providing the elderly participant an opportunity to witness their improvement and confidence with each use of the device.
Posture, Breath, and Balance: The Art of the Pedi Pole
Sam Cotrone, co-owner of Cotrone Pilates, says to approach the Pedi Pole with curiosity— it will teach you more about your alignment, powerhouse, and breath than you might expect.
Customizing Pedi Pole for Individual Needs
Karen Washburn, owner of Axis Pilates LBC, shares how Moses Urbano shared great tools for her individual needs using the Pedi Pole.
The exclamation point at the end of a lesson
Alana Wilbur, owner of BOWA Pilates, talks about how the Pedi Pole helps strengthen the upper body and balance while encouraging good posture and alignment. One thing Pilates always reminds us—what looks simple is often the hardest.
November Spotlight: Pilates Small (Mini) Barrel
November invites us to return to the curve — to length, support, and flow. The Small (Mini) Barrel is a small but powerful apparatus that refines spinal mobility, strengthens the core, and opens the chest and shoulders through supported movement.
Though modest in size, it offers limitless depth. It encourages practitioners to explore extension, articulation, and lift, helping to restore balance and flexibility throughout the body. Teachers value its versatility — equally effective for alignment work, corrective exercises, and deepening their Classical practice.
We’re excited to see how you incorporate the Mini Barrel into your sessions this month. Tag @gratz_pilates to share your work — we look forward to highlighting your movement and teaching throughout November.