10/02/2026
L 🌀 The Principles Behind the Practice
Hi everyone,
Our main source of social media is now Instagram so if you care to follow us that would be great.
This was something Maddi shared in our recent newsletter for clients and resonates strongly with us and we hope it does with you also.
Joseph Pilates never intended his work to be a collection of exercises. He called it Contrology, a method rooted in conscious control of the body, guided by the mind and supported by the breath. One of his most quoted reminders still anchors Pilates practice today:
“It is the mind itself which shapes the body.”
At its heart, Pilates is built on principles that continue to guide us in the studio: breath, control, coordination, full body integration, and mobility. These principles are not rigid rules, but living ideas that are adaptable, intelligent, and deeply human.
Breath is the first place we begin. Joseph Pilates believed breathing was essential to cleansing the body and energising the nervous system. When breath supports movement, the body becomes lighter, more responsive, and more connected. Control follows closely behind, not control in a restrictive sense, but control that encourages precision, safety, and intention over force or momentum.
Coordination and full body integration remind us that the body never works in parts. Every movement involves the whole system, muscles, fascia, joints, breath, and nervous system working together. Mobility, rather than flexibility alone, allows us to move through life with adaptability, resilience, and ease.
At Northern Rivers Pilates, these principles form the foundation of everything we do, whether a client is navigating rehabilitation, managing persistent pain, or refining performance and athletic capacity. Rehab work draws deeply on control, breath, and awareness to restore trust and clarity in the body. Performance work builds upon that same foundation, enhancing efficiency, strength, and longevity without sacrificing integrity.
Our approach is strongly influenced by Polestar Pilates, an organisation founded on the belief that movement is both a science and an art. Brent Anderson, founder of Polestar, often speaks about meeting the whole person, not just the injury, the diagnosis, or the goal. As he says,
“Movement is not just about what the body can do, it’s about what the person needs.”
All of our practitioners are Polestar trained, ensuring a shared language and philosophy that blends contemporary research with the original intentions of Joseph Pilates. This lineage is something we are incredibly proud of. Within our team, Maddi is now an Educator for Polestar, Lisa an Assistant Educator, and Sam actively mentoring within the Polestar community. Kimberley brings over 22 years as a Senior Polestar Educator and now also sits on the board of the Pilates Alliance Australasia, contributing to the future of Pilates education and professional standards nationally.
This depth of education and experience allows us to offer something truly special. A studio environment where movement is thoughtful, evidence informed, and deeply respectful of the individual.
We honour Joseph Pilates’ original vision while continuing to evolve, just as the body itself does.
In every session, we return to the same intention. To support people in moving better, feeling stronger, and living more fully with awareness, purpose, and care.
Maddi Garlick. Polestar Education Australia Polestar Pilates International
