Pilates Day: a global celebration

Pilates Day is celebrated worldwide and serves as a wonderful reminder that we are all united by our love for the method and movement. Balanced Body reached out to studios from various corners of the globe to ask what makes their spaces unique and how they plan to celebrate this year’s Pilates Day. Our educators and studio owners from the United Kingdom, Poland, Venezuela, and China share their thoughts below…

Pilates as Medicine

“Over ten years ago, while searching for the best rehabilitation methods for my patients after surgeries, I came across Pilates. From the moment I saw the practice of Pilates, I knew it was exactly what I needed. That’s why I founded the Mind In Pilates Rehabilitation Training Center and Mind In Pilates Academy in Guangzhou, China, offering my clients rehabilitation through the Pilates method and conducting Balanced Body instructor classes.

In my studio, national team athletes in soccer and ice hockey train, as well as outstanding dancers and cycling enthusiasts… I use Pilates to help them recover from injuries, improve their sports performance, and most importantly, I use the philosophy of Pilates to help them become true “movers,” individuals who know how to use their bodies.

Every year on Pilates Day, my academy organizes an awards ceremony. We invite the “Best Students” and “Best Studio Owners” from the previous year to reward them for their outstanding achievements and encourage all instructors to learn from them.”

“Pilates has transformed my body and my life, and I hope to share it with others. I wish everyone joy in practicing and teaching Pilates.”

– William Li Zhihan, sports medicine surgeon

Pilates as a Lifestyle

“At Sentiré Pilates, we see movement not just as exercise, but as a lifestyle. A lifestyle based on body awareness, balance, and overall well-being. Our studio is a friendly space where elegance meets functionality, encouraging clients to reconnect with their bodies through calmness, focus, and mindfulness. Every detail has been carefully planned, creating a space that is both sophisticated and supportive.

We take the time to understand the needs of each client and offer individual support during small group classes. The sessions are led by highly qualified specialists, and each class is conducted with care, knowledge, and a genuine commitment to the Pilates community.

Our instructors strive to find a balance between what each client desires and the needs of their body, creating a safe, mindful, and effective practice. By teaching technique, breath, and control, our method adapts to many goals, from building strength and improving posture, to supporting recovery, and providing moments of pause and self-connection.

We also offer physiotherapy, working closely with clients to facilitate their recovery. From simple posture corrections to full rehabilitation after injuries, as well as support before and after pregnancy – our team provides care tailored to each body and goal. Additionally, we offer massages that enhance the benefits of exercise and provide a space for deep rest, helping to release tension and reduce physical and mental stress.

Visitors to Sentiré Pilates can count on caring and friendly support. It’s more than just a studio – we are building a community that cares for well-being, a place where everyone can feel welcome, whether they drop by for a matcha latte, join workshops, or participate in lectures on various health and wellness topics. Every visit is an invitation to connect, learn, and be part of a supportive, conscious community.

For our studio, Pilates Day is a celebration of the body, the community we have built, and the healthy lifestyle we lead every day. It’s a moment to appreciate the extraordinary capabilities of our bodies at every stage of life.”

“Personally, for me, this day is an expression of gratitude. I am immensely grateful to my mom for introducing me to Pilates from the very beginning. Seeing my parents stay strong and fit by exercising in the studio, and watching my mom continue to inspire others as an instructor, is the best proof that movement is a gift for life.

Happy Pilates Day to every generation of our community!”

– Iza Recelj, owner of Sentiré Pilates

Pilates as a Movement Experience

“Pilates Zenter is more than just learning the method; we lead the movement. As absolute pioneers of Pilates Day in Venezuela, we transformed the studio discipline into a huge cultural experience that celebrates health, community, and holistic well-being.

What is now an important point on the fitness calendar in the country was born from a bold vision in 2013. Our story is a continuous evolution of commitment:

• 2013 | Beginning: We started with an intimate gathering at our studio in Maracaibo. Special classes dedicated to the method of Joseph Pilates, followed by dinner with instructors; this was the beginning of something that soon became a nationwide phenomenon.
• 2014 | Community Development: Guided by the mission of democratizing wellness, we moved our practice to the symbolic location of Vereda del Lago in Zulia. We transformed the sunrise over Lake Maracaibo into the perfect setting for free classes, breaking down barriers and uniting families and friends in the fresh, breezy air from the lake.
• 2018 | International Recognition: The sixth edition was a historic breakthrough. With over 120 participants and live music, the “Pilates & Music” event caught the attention of Balanced Body, a global authority in Pilates equipment, which showcased our work on its global Instagram. This achievement secured us the status of an official PMA (Pilates Method Alliance) event – one of the few representatives in Latin America.
• 2020 – 2021 | Resilience and Virtual Connection: Facing the challenges of the pandemic, we did not stop. We created “Pilates Day at Home,” a platform that united instructors from Mexico, Caracas, and Maracaibo, bringing this movement to every corner of the country through technology.

Today we proudly observe that the spark we ignited in Zulia has inspired celebrations in Caracas, Valencia, and other places. As the creators of this tradition in Venezuela, our vision for this year is bolder than ever:

• Maracaibo (Vereda del Lago): a huge event integrating local studios and strengthening our original community.
• Caracas: a strategic expansion aimed at uniting the capital around the standards of excellence and accessibility that define us.”

At Pilates Zenter, Pilates Day is more than just exercise; it is a shared joy and development of the method. Our essence is captured in this iconic image: hundreds of mats laid out before sunrise, the reflection of the lake, and the vibrant energy of a community moving in harmony.

We are pioneers. We are a point of reference. We are the soul that nurtures authentic Pilates in Venezuela.”

– Gustavo Garcia Markovic, Balanced Body educator

Pilates as a Community

“Palm Studio is a boutique training studio, whose interiors are inspired by a love for movement and the idea of balance between professional and private life. It is a designer space created out of passion for movement and travel, equipped with professional sports equipment – American Balanced Body Allegro 2 reformers. PALM STUDIO is more than just a traditional Pilates studio. It is the first concept in Poland that combines Pilates Reformer and Fitness Reformer classes. We blend different styles and approaches – tradition with modernity, strength training with the reformer, and cardio with fun. We believe that combining different training methods yields the best results. We stand out with our creative approach to group and individual training and proprietary training programs that I developed myself.

We care not only about the quality of movement but about the entire experience: natural daylight, large beautiful windows, greenery, natural materials, elegant interiors, pleasant scents, cleanliness, designer details, lighting, art books, fresh flowers, towels, Kusmi Tea, and the best Italian coffee.

Our equipment allows for Pilates training, but also functional training, Tabata, and stretching. We are the only studio that has created a proprietary exercise program on the reformer – Fitness Reformer – a program by Kuba that has become an absolute hit. It is the best reformer training in the country: refined and well-structured. The classes are based on simple yet extremely effective exercises performed on the reformer. The secret lies in perfectly crafted sets. Carefully planned sequences focus on strengthening the glutes and back muscles. Nothing here is random – every movement has its purpose. Under Kuba’s expert guidance, you will discover that the reformer is not just a Pilates machine, but also an excellent tool for functional training.

“On May 2nd at PALM STUDIO, we celebrate a special event – PILATES DAY.

This is a time for mindful movement, breath, and our extraordinary community. On this occasion, both of our locations will host classical and modern Pilates classes led by Monika Kobus-Sobieska, Monika Kwiecień, and Izabela Zackiewicz. On this day, we want to slow down and simply be together.

After the classes, our guests will be invited to a light breakfast. We believe that the greatest value of our studio is the Pilates community, which is why we want everyone to stay a little longer – to chat, share smiles, and build meaningful relationships. It is the people who create the space that you want to return to – not only for movement but also for closeness and the feeling of being part of something truly special. That is what Pilates Day means to us.” – Jakub Głąb, owner of Palm Studio

The text is a translation of the article: https://thecore.pilates.com/pilates-day-around-the-world/