On The Pilates Lounge, Katie Crane speaks with Reanne Murray, a mother, breathwork practitioner, and woman living with fibromyalgia.

Reanne shares her lived experience of chronic pain, invisible illness, and the long road to diagnosis — and how trauma, emotional suppression, and nervous system dysregulation shaped her symptoms.

• What it's like to live with pain long before receiving a diagnosis
• Why fibromyalgia is often misunderstood — even by healthcare professionals
• How trauma, stress, and emotional suppression can manifest as physical pain
• The role of the nervous system in chronic pain and flare-ups
• Why pain can be information, not something to fear or fight
• How self-care, boundaries, and self-responsibility changed everything

• Pilates teachers working with clients who have fibromyalgia or chronic pain
• Movement professionals supporting nervous-system-sensitive bodies
• Anyone living with an invisible illness who feels unseen or unheard
• Teachers ready to move beyond purely structural explanations of pain

"Pain is always telling you a story. It's there as a protection mechanism."

Fibromyalgia — and chronic pain more broadly — cannot be understood through muscles, joints, or pathology alone. This conversation reinforces why Pilates teachers must expand their lens to include trauma, stress load, belief systems, and nervous system regulation.

When we only treat the body mechanically, we miss the deeper drivers of pain. This episode challenges practitioners to listen more closely, cue more intelligently, and create environments where clients feel safe enough to heal — not just move.

If this episode resonated, your next step is simple:

➡️ Listen again with curiosity, not urgency.

➡️ Reflect on one client whose pain may be asking for something deeper.

➡️ Consider how safety, pacing, and nervous system support show up in your sessions.

If you're craving deeper reflections, intelligent conversation, and writing that challenges how we think about Pilates, pain, and professional practice:

✨ Explore The Pilates Muse — a publication for Pilates teachers who want to think beyond cues and exercises ➡️ https://www.thepilatesprofessional.com.au/the-pilates-muse-publication

🎥 Prefer to watch? This episode is also available on YouTube, where you can experience the full conversation in a different way.

This is where philosophy meets practice.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGs4C3-8NIw2BQZ1QTHZetg

The Pilates Lounge Podcast is where intelligent movement meets real-world practice. Hosted by Katie Crane, each episode supports Pilates teachers and movement professionals to think deeper, teach smarter, and build sustainable careers grounded in integrity, autonomy, and whole-person health.

Bursitis is one of those conditions that's often brushed aside with a cortisone shot and a pat on the back. But is that really healing—or just a quick way to silence symptoms? In this episode of The Pilates Lounge Podcast, Katie Crane takes a bold look at how the Pilates community can do better for clients by addressing the real root causes of bursitis: poor mechanics, lack of movement variability, and ignoring the body's natural signals.

Katie challenges the over-reliance on cortisone injections, unpacks the critical difference between natural and synthetic cortisol, and makes the case for fascia hydration, movement diversity, and listening to pain as valuable feedback. Beyond the physical, she digs into why community and emotional support are just as essential in the healing process.

This conversation is part education, part reality check—inviting Pilates professionals to step away from band-aid solutions and lean into the body's wisdom, resilience, and true capacity for recovery.

Key Takeaways

• Healing doesn't come from quick fixes—it comes from addressing root causes.

• Cortisone injections may shut you up, but they don't set you free.

• Bursitis is less about "bad luck" and more about mechanics and movement.

• Pilates offers a powerful path to restore function and resilience.

• Pain is not the enemy—it's feedback the body needs us to hear.

• Fascia health depends on hydration and varied movement.

• Community and emotional support are non-negotiable in recovery.

• Educated decisions—not shortcuts—lead to lasting change.

Special Offers Just for You!
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Have you ever wondered why some clients struggle to stay present during class? Or why certain movements, even when modified, feel like "too much" for someone? You might be seeing more than just tight hips or shallow breath—you might be witnessing a nervous system response.

In this episode, Katie Crane invites you into a deeper understanding of the Polyvagal Theory, a game-changing framework developed by Stephen Porges that explains how our nervous system responds to safety, threat, and connection.

Katie shares how learning about the vagus nerve reshaped her approach to teaching. It's not just about alignment and muscle engagement—it's about seeing the whole person, understanding their internal state, and using movement and breath to create safety and healing.

In This Episode, You'll Learn:
The three autonomic nervous system states:
• Dorsal vagal (shutdown/freeze)
• Sympathetic (fight/flight)
• Ventral vagal (connection/safety)

How these states show up in Pilates sessions—and what we can do as teachers to meet clients where they are

Why language, tone, and choice matter more than we think

How breath and stillness can be just as therapeutic as movement

How to create a space that invites trust, empowerment, and nervous system regulation

Why It Matters:
Pilates isn't just about better movement—it's about better connection. When we understand the nervous system, we realize that offering someone a sense of safety in their body is one of the most profound gifts we can give.

This episode is a gentle nudge to look beyond the exercise and into the human experience—to teach from a place of compassion, curiosity, and consciousness.

🎁 Resources & Support:
✨ Free Gift Workshop:
https://www.thepilatesprofessional.com.au/free-gift-workshop

📬 Subscribe to The Pilates Muse Newsletter:
https://www.thepilatesprofessional.com.au/the-pilates-muse-publication

Connect with Us!
🌐 Discover more resources or sign up for updates:
https://www.thepilatesprofessional.com.au

📩 Loved this episode? Share it with a fellow Pilates professional who needs to hear this!

👋 Follow us on social media for more tips, reflections, and behind-the-scenes inspiration.

Thanks for listening!

Be kind with your words—and we'll catch you next week for another meaningful conversation on The Pilates Lounge.

Back pain is one of the most common physical challenges people face—yet it's often misunderstood, misdiagnosed, and mismanaged. In this eye-opening episode, Katie Crane breaks down the myths, fears, and practical strategies surrounding back pain in the Pilates studio.

With over 80% of people likely to experience back pain at some point in their lives, Katie explores how labels and diagnoses can sometimes do more harm than good. She shares her insights into how Pilates instructors can shift their approach to support healing—by meeting clients with empathy, education, and movement experiences that restore confidence and connection to the body.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:
🔹 Why structural abnormalities don't always equal pain
🔹 How fear and mindset play a big role in chronic pain
🔹 The importance of trust, body awareness, and regulation techniques
🔹 Practical tools: neutral spine, breathwork, traction, and core engagement through footwork

Whether you're a Pilates teacher or someone dealing with back pain yourself, this episode is packed with powerful reminders: every body is different, and healing starts with listening, moving, and empowering.

Perfect For: Pilates instructors, movement professionals, rehab specialists, and anyone living with or supporting someone with back pain.

Resources & Extras:
✨ Want to dive deeper into Pilates for back pain? Subscribe to our newsletter and grab free training resources at thepilatesprofessional.com.au

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Ever walked into a "Pilates" class and thought… Is this actually Pilates? You're not alone. In this episode, host Katie Crane dives into the heart of what true Pilates is—and why that distinction matters more than ever.

With 18 years of teaching under her belt, Katie breaks down the real difference between a reformer fitness class and the full Pilates method. She shares why slapping on some weights or trendy labels doesn't evolve the method—it risks watering it down. If you're craving more depth, more clarity, and more purpose in your Pilates practice or teaching, this episode is a must-listen.

Whether you're an instructor, a dedicated client, or just Pilates-curious, Katie brings the truth, the passion, and the clarity you didn't know you needed.

What You'll Walk Away With:
✔️ Why lumping everything under "Pilates" can dilute its impact
✔️ The real difference between reformer fitness and the full Pilates system
✔️ Why learning on real bodies—not just manuals—is essential for teachers
✔️ When props and weights help (and when they distract from the work)
✔️ How clearer language can unify and elevate the Pilates community
✔️ A reminder that Pilates is not just a workout—it's a long-term relationship with your body

Special Offers Just for You!
FREE Gift Workshop: Start deepening your practice today!
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Discover Your Pilates Personality: Take our quick 60-second quiz!
👉 Start the quiz

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In this episode, Katie Crane explores the increasingly popular concept of training with your menstrual cycle. Is it legit—or just another wellness trend?

Inspired by a recent social media conversation, Katie shares her personal journey of discovering the power of natural hormone cycles and how they've influenced her own approach to training and well-being. She breaks down the four phases of the menstrual cycle and explains how each phase can affect energy, strength, motivation, and emotional health.

Katie also challenges the outdated view of the body as a machine that should perform the same way every day, advocating instead for a more holistic, hormone-aware approach to movement. She discusses the science, the myths, and why fascia, stress, and recovery all play a major role in women's health and performance.

💡 In This Episode:

• Is menstrual cycle training fact or fiction?
  
  

• Katie's journey from hormonal suppression to natural awareness
  
  

• The four phases of the cycle and what they mean for your workouts
  
  

• New research on muscle-building and timing your training
  
  

• The connection between fascia, hormones, and stress
  
  

• Why your nervous system matters more than a perfect training plan
  
  

✨ Key Message: Understanding your cycle isn't about limitations—it's about liberation. Listen to your body, adapt your movement, and embrace the full spectrum of your physical and emotional self.

🌐 Discover more resources or sign up for updates https://www.thepilatesprofessional.com.au

📩 Loved this episode? Share it with a fellow Pilates professional who needs to hear this!

👋 Follow us on Social Media Handles for more tips, reflections, and behind-the-scenes inspiration.

Thanks for listening! Be kind with your words—and we'll catch you next week for another meaningful conversation on The Pilates Lounge.

Welcome to another episode of The Pilates Lounge, hosted by Katie Crane! This week, we're diving into a powerful and often overlooked topic: how the words we use as instructors can either heal or harm.

Katie unpacks the profound impact of language in the Pilates space —especially when it comes to trauma-informed teaching. From shocking examples of inappropriate cueing to practical tips on positive instruction, this episode is a must-listen for any instructor who wants to create a safe, empowering space for their clients.

The Hidden Harm in Everyday Cues

Psychological Insights That Matter

Trauma-Informed & Empowering Cueing Techniques

Katie's Perspective on Instructor Responsibility

Words aren't just instructions—they're experiences. As instructors, we have the opportunity (and responsibility) to choose language that heals, empowers, and reconnects clients to their bodies. Your words matter more than you think.

Exciting things are coming! Katie is working on a new resource focused on trauma-informed teaching in Pilates. Stay tuned for more details—especially if you're ready to deepen your impact as a mindful, compassionate instructor.

🌐 Discover more resources or sign up for updates at https://www.thepilatesprofessional.com.au/

📩 Loved this episode? Share it with a fellow Pilates professional who needs to hear this!

👋 Follow us on Social Media Handles for more tips, reflections, and behind-the-scenes inspiration.

Thanks for listening! Be kind with your words—and we'll catch you next week for another meaningful conversation on The Pilates Lounge.