Choosing a suitable Pilates Studio

A reader has set her mind to learn pilates from professional studio, and asked how to choose a suitable one.

I personally feel that most of the fully-equipped studios have 2 major differences, which is, their studio ambience and their instructors' teaching style.

Ambience, well, mainly depends on the layout of equipments and mat area, the lighting, background music etc., which should make you feel (if not like home), at least, at ease when you step in.

Teaching style is a little trickier, and it depends on 2 things:
1. Instructor's personality - Fun/ serious/ slave driver or soft mommy-style, you get what I mean
2. Schools/ certifications of pilates where the instructors receive their training.

Some schools teach classical pilates, which meant to teach the principle, teaching method and exercise repertoires originally developed by Joseph Pilates himself; on the other hand, other schools teach "evolved" pilates. Evolved pilates add findings from modern sport and movement science research into classical pilates, while removing or modifying some of the exercises that may deemed otherwise too tough (or "Gang-ko" in hokkien) for the general population.

I would say it is best to keep an open mind and try out the studio that is most convenient for you. If it doesn't have the "X-factors" to make you feel right, try another one, and soon you will find the studio environment and instructor that suit you best!