Pilates is everywhere right now. Reformer studios are popping up on every corner, classes are selling out days in advance, and the once-niche workout has become one of the fastest-growing corners of the wellness industry. We’re certainly booking weekly classes. But as the trend explodes, some say that the original philosophy behind Pilates has been lost in the noise.
That’s where Heather Andersen, founder of New York Pilates, comes in. A former ballerina, Heather built her brand around the idea that movement should strengthen your body for the long run—not burn you out in the process.
We spoke with Heather about how Pilates changed her relationship with movement, the difference between trendy workouts and “true” Pilates, and why real wellness is less about chasing results and more about building resilience over time.
You were a ballerina and now the founder of one of the hottest Pilates studios. How did your relationship with movement evolve over time?
Growing up as a ballet dancer gave me an incredible foundation in technique, mindful movement, discipline, and the value of showing up every day. I think that level of discipline at such a young age organized my mind to be able to do hard things, to persevere through challenges, both mental and physical. These are valuable skills as a founder.
When I found Pilates, it unlocked my mind to be able to see alignment in a whole new way, with the clarity of anatomical understanding. Pilates also shifted the focus of movement from being purely aesthetic to a focus on function and longevity, from performance to self care. I think this is a profound change that makes for a healthy practice for life.
Pilates is having a serious moment. How do you define “true” Pilates, and what do you wish more people knew about it?
To me, Pilates is about intelligent movement. It is methodical. It is precise. It is built on biomechanics, breath, and control. Many Pilates-inspired workouts are heavy or fast for the sake of sensation, which definitely feels hard in the moment but does not necessarily yield the results that people are after, like improved posture, nice lines, and deep core strength.
Joseph Pilates called it Contrology, the art of control. That word matters. Pilates should make you stronger in a way that supports your life outside the studio. It should improve your posture, your joint stability, and your connection to your core. I wish more people knew that Pilates is not meant to leave you depleted. It should leave you feeling integrated and aligned. When it is done well, it is both incredibly challenging and deeply restorative.
What are some signs that a workout style is not supporting your body, and how can people shift toward something more sustainable?
Avoid anything painful. Avoid exhaustion. Avoid feeling inflamed or tight instead of mobile. If you are needing more and more intensity just to feel something, that is usually a red flag.
Your nervous system tells the truth. If your workouts leave you anxious, depleted, or disconnected from your body, they are probably not sustainable long-term.
Shifting does not mean stopping movement. It means choosing movement that builds you instead of breaks you down. Look for training that prioritizes alignment, breath, and recovery. Strength should feel steady and supported, not
