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The Pilates Lounge

The Pilates Lounge

Written by: Katie Crane
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 Welcome to the Pilates & Movement Journey, a show tailored for Pilates Professionals, movement educators, and enthusiasts. Immerse yourself in transformative content that connects mind, body, and spirit. Explore holistic wellness, gain expert insights, and foster a vibrant community. Ignite your passion for Pilates with engaging discussions, practical tips, and a focus on overall well-being. Join us on this journey to elevate your spirit and embrace a healthier, more mindful lifestyle. https://www.thepilatesprofessional.com.au/2024 Exercise & Fitness Fitness, Diet & Nutrition Hygiene & Healthy Living Self-Help Success
Episodes
  • Pole Dancing Champion Joanna Littlewood - Johnsone

    Pole Dancing Champion Joanna Littlewood - Johnsone
    May 3 2026

    On The Pilates Lounge Podcast, Katie Crane sits down with Joanna Littlewood-Johnson, dancer, Pilates educator, and international pole athlete, for a grounded and honest conversation about athletic longevity, injury recovery, and what Pilates actually is when you strip it back to its roots.

    This episode moves beyond surface-level training conversations—diving into how Pilates supports high-level performance without becoming performance itself, why simplicity is often more powerful than complexity, and how deep body awareness allows athletes to keep evolving well into midlife and beyond.

    Joanna shares her journey from professional dance into Pilates and pole, including her experience recovering from a full Achilles rupture, and how her understanding of Pilates principles became the difference between simply doing rehab… and actually progressing through it.

    Together, they explore the realities of training in a changing body—touching on menopause, tendon health, bone density, and the responsibility we carry as movement professionals to teach with depth, not trends.

    In This Episode, We Cover:

    • How Pilates supports athletic performance and longevity

    • The role of body awareness and muscle recruitment in advanced movement

    • Why simplicity in Pilates creates better outcomes than complexity

    • Joanna's recovery from a full Achilles tendon rupture

    • The importance of progressive loading and structured rehab

    • How Pilates knowledge enhances injury recovery outcomes

    • Training through menopause and physiological change

    • Bone health, osteopenia, and the need for strength and load

    • Why Pilates is not the performance—but the preparation for life

    • The growing disconnect between true Pilates and modern interpretations

    Key Takeaways

    • Pilates is a practice and a system, not just a workout

    • Simplicity, done well, creates high-level performance outcomes

    • Injury recovery requires consistency, intention, and understanding

    • Women's bodies change—and training must adapt, not stop

    • The true benefit of Pilates shows up outside the studio

    💬 "Pilates prepares you for the world outside—not just what you do on the equipment."

    Learn More & Connect with Joanna

    • Instagram:
      @joannalittlewoodjohnson_pole
      @corefusion_pilates_pole

    • Links (classes, downloads, training):
      https://linktr.ee/JoannaLittlewoodJohnson

    Final Thoughts

    This episode is a reminder that Pilates doesn't need to be complicated to be powerful.

    When practiced with intention, it builds a body that is resilient, adaptable, and capable—whether that's on stage, in sport, or simply moving through life with strength and confidence.

    Continue the Conversation in The Pilates Muse

    If this conversation sparked something for you—professionally or personally—explore The Pilates Muse, where Katie shares deeper reflections on movement, injury, teaching philosophy, and the evolution of Pilates as a lifelong practice.

    🎥 Prefer to watch?

    Episodes of The Pilates Lounge Podcast are also available on YouTube.

    About The Pilates Lounge

    The Pilates Lounge Podcast is where intelligent movement meets real-world practice.

    Hosted by Katie Crane, the podcast explores the deeper layers of Pilates—from injury and rehabilitation to athletic performance, teaching philosophy, and the long game of movement.

    Each episode supports Pilates educators to think deeper, teach smarter, and serve their communities with integrity.
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    53 mins
  • Neuro Movement, Sensory Training & Real-World Function with Meghann Koppele & Mariska Breland

    Neuro Movement, Sensory Training & Real-World Function with Meghann Koppele & Mariska Breland
    Apr 26 2026
    On The Pilates Lounge Podcast, Katie Crane sits down with Meghann Koppele and Mariska, co-founders of The Neuro Studio, for a deep and honest conversation about neurological movement, brain-based training, and the future of Pilates. This episode goes beyond theory—diving into how the nervous system truly drives movement, why traditional cueing often falls short, and how movement professionals can create more meaningful, lasting change for their clients. Meghann and Mariska share their approach to sensory-driven movement, explaining how working with the brain—not just the body—can dramatically improve outcomes for both neurological and non-neurological clients. They also challenge common practices in Pilates, from over-reliance on supine work to the idea of "perfect alignment," and instead introduce a more adaptive, individualized, and functional way of teaching movement. 🎧 In This Episode, We Cover: What "brain-based" or sensory-driven movement actually meansWhy sensory input drives motor output Understanding neurological conditions like MS, stroke, and Parkinson'sWhy traditional Pilates doesn't always translate to real-life movementThe limitations of supine trainingHow to improve walking, balance, and function Accuracy vs. precision in movement training Using movement itself as an assessment Applying this approach in group classes Avoiding burnout and bringing curiosity back into teaching 💡 Key Takeaways All movement is brain-based—but not all training reflects that Better movement comes from improving sensory awareness Every client has a unique nervous system—there's no one-size-fits-all Functional outcomes (walking, balance) should guide trainingYou don't need to throw away Pilates—just evolve how you use it 💬 "Don't be compliant—be curious." 🌏 Upcoming Workshops in Australia (June) Meghann will be in Australia teaching immersive, hands-on workshops: Sydney — June 21st: Hemiparesis (Single-Sided Weakness) 👉 https://www.theneurostudio.com/offers/vEQHKJCL/checkout Sydney — June 22nd: Hypermobility 👉 https://www.theneurostudio.com/offers/FoSpc2Ho/checkout Sydney Bundle (Save with both workshops) 👉 https://www.theneurostudio.com/offers/GpGBesao/checkout Brisbane Advanced Neuro Lab — June 27–28 👉 https://www.theneurostudio.com/offers/ouxrNLf2/checkout ✉️ Learn More & Connect For private sessions while Meghann is in Australia: 📧 meg@koppelemethod.com Explore their courses and curriculum: 🌐 www.theneurostudio.com 📧 info@theneurostudio.com 💬 Final Thoughts This episode is a powerful reminder that movement is not just physical—it's neurological. When we understand the brain's role in movement, we unlock new ways to support our clients—creating more meaningful, lasting results. Continue the Conversation in The Pilates Muse If this conversation sparked something for you — professionally or personally — explore The Pilates Muse, where Katie shares deeper reflections on movement, pain, teaching philosophy, and the evolution of Pilates as a therapeutic practice. ➡️ https://www.thepilatesprofessional.com.au/the-pilates-muse-publication 🎥 Prefer to watch? Episodes of The Pilates Lounge Podcast are also available on YouTube. About The Pilates Lounge The Pilates Lounge Podcast is where intelligent movement meets real-world practice. Hosted by Katie Crane, the podcast explores the deeper layers of Pilates — from chronic pain and nervous system regulation to business leadership, teaching philosophy, and the evolving role of movement professionals in modern healthcare. Each episode supports Pilates educators to think deeper, teach smarter, and serve their communities with integrity.
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    1 hr and 13 mins
  • Functional Neuro Movement with Nick Moss

    Functional Neuro Movement with Nick Moss
    Apr 12 2026
    On The Pilates Lounge Podcast, Katie Crane sits down with nervous system–oriented therapist, educator, and founder of Functional Neuro Health Nick Moss for a deep and honest conversation about the nervous system, stress, movement, and what it really means to restore the body from the inside out. Nick brings a unique perspective shaped by his journey from military life to personal training, through burnout and recovery, and into the world of functional neurology and applied neuroscience. With over 17 years of experience as a movement professional, he now helps practitioners and high performers understand how the nervous system drives pain, behavior, and performance. Together, Katie and Nick explore how the nervous system underpins everything we do — from movement patterns and pain to emotional responses and long-term health — and why many issues can't be solved through movement alone. This conversation is both practical and reflective. Because healing isn't just about doing more. Sometimes, it's about slowing down enough to let the system reset. We Explore What it means to be a nervous system–oriented therapistHow Nick's military background and personal breakdown shaped his work todayThe connection between stress, trauma, and movement patternsWhy chronic pain and dysfunction often come from deeper nervous system driversThe role of primitive reflexes and how they affect adult movement and behaviorWhy many adults are operating in a "neurological safe mode"How breathing, stillness, and restorative movement rebuild capacityThe importance of progressive loading vs. overtrainingWhy movement professionals need to understand more than just biomechanicsThe future of healthcare through a more holistic, nervous system–based approach This Episode Is For Pilates teachers wanting to understand the nervous system behind movementMovement professionals working with chronic pain or complex clientsCoaches and therapists interested in functional neurology and stress regulationAnyone navigating burnout, recovery, or nervous system overloadPractitioners wanting to deepen their work beyond exercise alone A Moment That Landed "Less is more. Less is more. Less is more." One of the biggest themes in this episode is the idea that more effort is not always the answer. Many people — especially high performers — are stuck in cycles of pushing harder, training more, and doing more… while their nervous system is already overwhelmed. Nick shares how his own recovery required the opposite: Slowing downRestoring capacityRebuilding from the ground up Because when the system is exhausted, adding more stress — even in the form of exercise — can make things worse. True progress comes from working with the nervous system, not against it. Key Takeaway for Movement Professionals If you work with the body: You are working with the nervous system — whether you realize it or not. Nick outlines a more complete way of thinking about client care: Look beyond the symptom – pain is often the output, not the causeUnderstand the nervous system state – is the client in stress, shutdown, or balance?Assess deeper patterns – including primitive reflexes and movement driversBuild capacity gradually – avoid pushing a system that isn't readyIntegrate, don't isolate – movement, emotions, and physiology are all connected For movement professionals, this means your role is not just to teach exercises. You are helping regulate, guide, and support a whole human system. Connect with Nick Moss Nick Moss is the founder of Functional Neuro Health, a practitioner, educator, and mentor specializing in applied neuroscience, nervous system regulation, and functional neurology. He helps practitioners and high performers resolve chronic stress patterns, pain, and performance limitations through his clinical systems and training programs. 📸 Instagram https://www.instagram.com/functionalneurohealth 🌐 Website https://functionalneurohealth.com About The Pilates Lounge The Pilates Lounge Podcast is where intelligent movement meets real-world practice. Hosted by Katie Crane, the podcast explores the deeper layers of Pilates — from neurological conditions and chronic pain to teaching philosophy, studio leadership, and the evolving role of movement professionals in modern healthcare. Each episode supports Pilates educators to think deeper, teach smarter, and better serve the people who trust them with their movement.
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    43 mins
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