Moving with Awareness, Strength, and Joy
When you step into a classical Pilates class with us , you’re entering a space designed for focus, growth, and genuine connection—with your body and with others. Our classes are small, intentionally sized to give each participant personal attention while fostering a sense of community and support. Here, we truly see you. We work with your body day by day, honoring what you bring to the class and adapting exercises to meet the needs of that particular moment.
In group classes, we also focus on building stamina, flow, and endurance. Small groups create a special dynamic: there’s the camaraderie of working alongside others, the shared energy that makes movement more fun, and the subtle inspiration that comes from seeing others progress.
We do not play music in class. This allows you to focus inward—on how your body feels, how your breath guides the flow of movement, and how each exercise connects in a precise sequence that builds upon skills you’ve learned before. By keeping the space quiet, you can deepen your awareness, strengthen your mind-body connection, and fully experience the subtleties of each movement.
The classical mat repertoire of 34 movements and the reformer exercises have a specific order—not to be rigid, strict, or overly structured, but to provide a framework that supports learning and progression. This structure is adaptable, allowing each class to meet the needs of the students present, so you can deepen your focus, explore subtle adjustments, and respond to your body on any given day. Even after years of practice, there are always new discoveries and insights about your own body waiting to unfold.
As Ron Fletcher (one of Joseph Pilates’ students) reminds us: “(Pilates) is movement that demands thought—with spirit, with breath, with body—one supporting the other.” Every movement, even the simplest, is an opportunity to feel your body, understand how each part connects with the others, and appreciate the intricacy of your own design. Fletcher also encouraged approaching movement “like life—with enthusiasm, joy, and gratitude—for movement is life, and life is movement.”
He would say that perfection is not the goal, that any effort spent in the direction of self-improvement is an achievement. Classical Pilates is about reconnecting with natural movement patterns, as Joseph Pilates intended. By reducing tension, tightness, weakness, or pain, we create space for a more fulfilling, enjoyable life. Pilates was designed not just for individual well-being but for the positive effect it can have on society: when our bodies are free from pain, we move through life with comfort and ease, spreading joy and shared happiness. In contrast, chronic discomfort can lead to frustration or irritability, affecting those around us. Feeling pain-free allows our energy, presence, and happiness to ripple outward.
In every class, you’ll be invited to slow down, breathe fully, and feel your body in ways that are often overlooked in our busy, modern lives. This is a practice of presence, precision, and self-awareness—qualities that extend far beyond the studio and into the way we live and relate to the world.
At the heart of classical Pilates is the mind-body connection. Each piece of apparatus—the mat, the reformer, the tower, the chair, etc.—serves specific purposes: addressing imbalances, building strength, increasing flexibility, and accommodating injuries or rehabilitation. These pieces do not work as separate entities; what you learn on one apparatus is applied to the others and helps you progress to more advanced levels. Together, they form a complete system—a full method that develops your body comprehensively and cohesively.
Joseph Pilates originally created his apparatus to help rehabilitate injured soldiers and dancers, designing each piece with healing and functional movement in mind. Today, that same spirit continues in private sessions, where we use the full Classical system therapeutically—adapting exercises for rehabilitation, postural alignment, and mindful rebuilding of the body after injury, strain, or surgery. Each session is tailored to the individual, whether you’re recovering from an injury, managing chronic pain, improving posture, or preparing for or recovering from childbirth. The method supports all stages of life—prenatal, postnatal, restorative, and performance-focused—meeting you exactly where you are and helping you progress safely, effectively, and intelligently
Becoming a classical Pilates teacher requires extensive study and ongoing learning. Teachers immerse themselves in Joseph Pilates’ work by studying directly with his students, reading his writings, and watching his films. They spend years mastering the exercises, understanding the subtle principles of alignment, breath, and movement flow, and learning how to adapt the method safely and effectively for different bodies, needs, and abilities. Even after certification, teachers continue to refine their skills, exploring the nuances of the method, deepening their knowledge, and bringing new insights from their own practice and experience to every class. This dedication ensures that every student receives instruction that is not only faithful to the original method but also responsive to their individual journey.
Even if you change cities or countries, practicing in a classical Pilates studio can feel familiar and connected. This is because classical Pilates follows Joseph Pilates’ original work, giving practitioners a sense of unity and continuity across the world. At the same time, each teacher brings their own personality, experience, and knowledge to the class, creating a unique and living expression of the method while remaining faithful to its roots.
Join us in Brussels, at Pilates School of Movement in Saint-Gilles— just a 5-minute walk from Trinité in Châtelain and a 10-minute walk from Louiza — and discover how Classical Pilates is not just an exercise, but a path to a stronger, more connected, joyful, and socially mindful way of living!