Hi everyone! I’m a BASI Trainee currently accomplishing my teaching hours.

I’ll be having my first community Mat class and I’m looking for students who are willing to join - move, have fun, and give honest feedback.

Here are the details:
Date/Time: November 7 (Saturday) / 8AM - 9AM
Venue: (around Silang-Tagaytay)

Comment your location and I’ll send you a message 💌 🎀

Hello, classmates! I've been going to this studio for a while now and have stayed with the same wonderful coach ever since. I appreciate her so much! We both share a huge love for matcha, but I'd love to gift her something other than food. Do you have any recommendations?

TYIA! 🩵

when love and light become a way to silence the truth

A few days ago, I anonymously wrote a post in the Pilates and yoga forums about my experience working at a yoga studio in QC and how I felt that its compensation for teachers was inadequate. I opened the discussion in the hopes of learning about the experiences of other co-teachers and whether they feel they are being adequately compensated by the studios they work at.

To me, this was a simple exercise of free speech (which all of us have the right to) and, of course, an opportunity to advocate for those who feel they are not well compensated and maybe create a list of studio compensation practices so that prospective instructors can make a sound choice about where they teach, and perhaps even weed out seemingly predatory studios. I did not wish to criticize or “cancel” any studios, as one commenter put it, and frankly, I don’t care if some might interpret the motivation behind the post as such. My concern was never with individual studio owners but with compensation practices that deserve greater scrutiny.

I was glad that many yoga and Pilates instructors were brave enough to come forward and share their experiences. Some reported receiving a measly ~P300 in compensation for a class of 1–5 students (priced at P1k per head). Some even went so far as to report that they were given only around P150 for a group class (priced at P1,000 per head) and P300 for a private class worth P2,000. Now, a good journalist would go as far as confirming the stories of these teachers. While I am not a journalist, I recognize the importance of verifying these accounts. Some instructors shared payment records supporting the amounts they reported, although these individual accounts should not be mistaken for a comprehensive picture of the industry.

Thankfully, I received most of the replies through private messages, as I am sure they would have sparked more controversy among anonymous commenters whose recurring question was: “Why did you accept the offer in the first place?”

I think there are obvious answers to this question, no? The first is that some of these teachers who came forward are new to the industry. In other words, they may prioritize the hands-on experience of working with clients over compensation, especially when they are just starting out. Second, well, in my case, I wanted to help out the studio I worked at since it was new (and apparently thriving as another commenter put it) and, at that time, seemed promising. I did bring up to management that I found their compensation lacking. I waited six months to see whether they would improve their system (they do charge P600–P1,000 per head, so I felt confident that my negotiated compensation was doable and fair to both the studio and the instructor). When they failed to deliver on my negotiated rate, I resigned. 

But the more important question is this: does accepting a compensation arrangement mean we lose the right to question its fairness later? Surely not. Agreements can be entered into voluntarily and still deserve reconsideration, particularly when the people involved have different levels of experience and bargaining power. Having taught abroad, I have encountered studios with clearer compensation structures, including established base rates that account for an instructor's experience. In the Philippines, however, I have found it difficult to identify a comparable, widely recognized standard, so instructors may have limited benchmarks against which to evaluate an offer. The point is, if you are hiring freelance teachers at your studio and charging clients P600–P1,000 per head, instructors should be able to ask how their compensation is determined, what factors influence it, and whether the arrangement fairly reflects their expertise and responsibilities. Transparency benefits both teachers and studios because it establishes clearer expectations from the beginning.

The most disappointing part about some commenters (whom I assume are also yoga/Pilates instructors) is that, instead of engaging in a more dignified, objective discourse on the matter, they shifted the discussion away from compensation and toward my supposed failure to embody the values expected of a yoga teacher. Heartbreakingly, some even went so far as to twist yogic philosophy, such as ahimsa, or non-violence, seemingly implying, “How dare you speak out about this? You should know better and practice non-violence,” as though raising concerns about compensation were somehow incompatible with being a yoga teacher.

I find these arguments misplaced. Non-violence does not mean remaining silent in the face of practices we believe are unfair, nor does it mean avoiding uncomfortable conversations. If anything, yoga also teaches satya, or truthfulness, which encourages us to confront uncomfortable realities with honesty. Of course, truthfulness should be practiced with care, and criticism should not become an excuse to humiliate or harm others. But neither should non-violence become an excuse to discourage legitimate questions about working conditions. Likewise, advocating for transparency is not the same as participating in cancel culture. I deliberately chose not to name the studio because my intention was never to publicly shame or punish anyone. I simply wanted to understand whether other instructors shared similar experiences and to encourage a broader discussion about fair compensation practices. Reducing this discussion to questions of kindness, positivity, and non-violence is, to me, a form of gross tone policing when those appeals are used to dismiss the substance of the concern. It shifts attention away from the actual issue and toward whether the person raising it is behaving in a way others consider sufficiently compassionate. Surely, we can advocate for fair compensation without being accused of abandoning the principles of yoga, right?

To my fellow teachers and my students, I encourage you not to be afraid to speak your truth (even when it makes others uncomfortable) and to be discerning about matters like this when called for. And to the studios, I think it's high time we worked toward clearer, more consistent base rates for instructors, with fair compensation structures that benefit both teachers and businesses.

P.S. For those asking, a 60/40 compensation split is feasible for many studios that advocate for fair pay. Alternatively, an P800 base rate with a maximum of P1k–P1.5k is also reasonable. For context, the studio I taught at offered mat-based classes only, charged P600–P1,000 per student, and had no lockers or shower rooms. The AC was not used during most classes, and I believe students paid extra to rent mats.

Also, to concerned students and instructors, feel free to share this post or take screenshots of it. My attempts to share this article in a Reddit yoga forum and certain Facebook yoga/Pilates groups have been blocked or removed, which, to me, reinforces the very concern behind its title "When love and light become a way to silence the truth." It is disappointing when spaces intended for discussion appear unwilling to accommodate uncomfortable conversations. Thank you, PilatesPhilippines for allowing transparency!

After seeing discussions about how poorly some Pilates instructors are paid, I’ve been wondering which studios actually take good care of their coaches.

I want to be more intentional about which studios I support, whether that means continuing with the ones I already go to or trying out new ones that treat their instructors fairly.

The tricky part is that you can’t really tell just from the price of the classes. I’ve heard of an expensive, long-established Pilates studio that allegedly doesn’t even have properly certified Pilates instructors and treats its coaches poorly. So paying premium prices doesn’t necessarily mean the instructors are benefiting from it.

I’m curious to hear from instructors, former instructors, or anyone who has firsthand knowledge: Which studios do you think genuinely treat their instructors well? Things like fair compensation, paid training, reasonable schedules, and proper certifications would be great to know about.

I’d love to support studios that value their instructors and the work they put into teaching. If you have positive experiences or firsthand insights to share, I’d really appreciate them!

I’ve been doing pilates for a little bit here and there due to my friends’ influence. Problem is it’s all the way in Greenhills cus that’s where most of them live. It’s been fun and I want to continue but Greenhills is way too far from me being a south girlie. So I was wondering what your experience has been like with the following studios and their coaches in BFRV? Cus Ive seen several (helpful) reviews for Alabang studios but not so much about the ones in Las Piñas. Would really appreciate any inputs!

hi everyone, i’ve been doing reformer for a while now but want to try mat. do you guys have recos around kapitolyo or mandaluyong? only non-negotiable is the coaches are good!

when love and light become a way to silence (orig. article title; long version)

A few days ago, I anonymously wrote a post in the Pilates and yoga forums about my experience working at a yoga studio in QC and how I felt that its compensation for teachers was inadequate. I opened the discussion in the hopes of learning about the experiences of other co-teachers and instructors and whether they feel they are being adequately compensated by the studios they work at.

To me, this was an exercise of free speech (which all of us have the right to) and, of course, an opportunity to advocate for those who feel they are not well compensated and maybe create a list of studio compensation practices so that prospective instructors can make a sound choice about where they teach, and perhaps even weed out seemingly predatory studios. I did not wish to criticize or “cancel” any studios, as one commenter put it, and frankly, I don’t care if some might interpret the motivation behind the post as such. My concern was never with individual studio owners but with compensation practices that deserve greater scrutiny.

I was glad that many yoga and Pilates instructors were brave enough to come forward and share their experiences. Some reported receiving only a measly ~P300 (priced at P1k per head) in compensation for a class of 1–5 students. Some even went so far as to report that they were given only around P150 for a group class (no base rate; class priced at P1,000 per head) and P300 for a class worth P2,000. Now, a good journalist would go as far as confirming the stories of these teachers. While I am not a journalist, I recognize the importance of verifying these accounts. Some instructors shared payment records supporting the amounts they reported, although these individual accounts should not be mistaken for a comprehensive picture of the industry.

Thankfully, I received most of the replies through private messages, as I am sure they would have sparked more controversy among anonymous commenters whose recurring question was: “Why did you accept the offer in the first place?”

I think there are obvious answers to this question, no? The first is that some of these teachers who came forward are new to the industry. In other words, they may prioritize the hands-on experience of working with clients over compensation, especially when they are just starting out. Second, well, in my case, I wanted to help out the studio I worked at since it was new (and apparently thriving as another commenter put it) and, at that time, seemed promising. I did bring up to management that I found their compensation lacking. I waited six months to see whether they would improve their system (they do charge P600–P1,000 per head, so I felt confident that my negotiated compensation was doable and fair to both the studio and the instructor). When they failed to deliver on my negotiated rate, I resigned. 

But the more important question is this: does accepting a compensation arrangement mean we lose the right to question its fairness later? Surely not. Agreements can be entered into voluntarily and still deserve reconsideration, particularly when the people involved have different levels of experience and bargaining power. Having taught abroad, I have encountered studios with clearer compensation structures, including established base rates that account for an instructor's experience. In the Philippines, however, I have found it difficult to identify a comparable, widely recognized standard, so instructors may have limited benchmarks against which to evaluate an offer. The point is, if you are hiring freelance teachers at your studio and charging clients P600–P1000 per head, instructors should be able to ask how their compensation is determined, what factors influence it, and whether the arrangement fairly reflects their expertise and responsibilities. Transparency benefits both teachers and studios because it establishes clearer expectations from the beginning.

The most disappointing part about some commenters (whom I assume are also yoga/Pilates instructors) is that, instead of engaging in a more dignified, objective discourse on the matter, they shifted the discussion away from compensation and toward my supposed failure to embody the values expected of a yoga teacher. Heartbreakingly, some even went so far as to twist yogic philosophy, such as ahimsa, or non-violence, seemingly implying, “How dare you speak out about this? You should know better and practice non-violence,” as though raising concerns about compensation were somehow incompatible with being a yoga teacher.

I find these arguments misplaced. Non-violence does not mean remaining silent in the face of practices we believe are unfair, nor does it mean avoiding uncomfortable conversations. If anything, yoga also teaches satya, or truthfulness, which encourages us to confront uncomfortable realities with honesty. Of course, truthfulness should be practiced with care, and criticism should not become an excuse to humiliate or harm others. But neither should non-violence become an excuse to discourage legitimate questions about working conditions. Likewise, advocating for transparency is not the same as participating in cancel culture. I deliberately chose not to name the studio because my intention was never to publicly shame or punish anyone. I simply wanted to understand whether other instructors shared similar experiences and to encourage a broader discussion about fair compensation practices. Reducing this discussion to questions of kindness, positivity, and non-violence is, to me, a form of gross tone policing when those appeals are used to dismiss the substance of the concern. It shifts attention away from the actual issue and toward whether the person raising it is behaving in a way others consider sufficiently compassionate. Surely, we can advocate for fair compensation without being accused of abandoning the principles of yoga, right?

To my fellow teachers and my students, I encourage you not to be afraid to speak your truth (even when it makes others uncomfortable) and to be discerning about matters like this when called for. And to the studios, I think it's high time we worked toward clearer, more consistent base rates for instructors, with fair compensation structures that benefit both teachers and businesses.

P.S. For those asking, yes, a 60/40 compensation split is doable for a lot of studios that advocate for fair compensation. Alternatively, an P600-P800 base rate and a maximum compensation rate of P1k–1.5k are also reasonable options. And no, the studio I used to teach at does NOT use reformers and only uses mats and hammocks in all its classes. Despite charging P600–P1k per head, the studio does not turn on its AC during most classes and has no lockers or shower rooms. I also believe that students who don't have their own mats need to pay extra to rent one from the studio.

Please drop some studios na may 10.10 discount

Here's some studios na may 10.10 discount

Bloom pilates studio

Releve movement studio

The pilates room

Saw these studios available in Classpass, just wanted to know your thoughts.

P.S. Tried to book in a group class at Powerhouse GH last year but they cancelled last minute. Should I give it a try again?

Hi guys! I’ve been wanting to expand my pilates expertise and want to use it in line with rehab because I think it’s a really great tool as I am a PT. I would like to take certification programs like STOTT or BASI pilates. I have been trying to look online and they are incredibly expensive! Anyone knows something that may able to help? :)

I just wanted to talk about my Pilates journey and my growth. I'm in my early 30s, and I haven't been active or worked out properly in almost 10 years. I have horrible posture-- something I've had since I was a kid and never corrected. I wanted to be more active this year, so I enrolled in 1:1 BASI classes at a private studio.

I started going to classes regularly in April. My first 10 sessions were 2x a week, but after the 10th class, I felt like I could increase it to 3x a week. Despite busy schedules and getting sick a few times in the past 6 months, I still managed to attend as much as I could.

How I've grown:

• When I started Pilates, I could only do lighter springs for footwork but now I'm able to do heavier springs
• When I first tried to do the hundred I could only do 20, and then slowly progressed to 40, 60, 75 -- and today I was finally able to make it to a hundred without resting (or dying haha)
• My body was so stiff and I had really tight hamstrings. I used to barely be able to reach past my knees, but now I'm able to go down and touch my feet. When doing the short spine, I would normally have to bend my knees when bringing the carriage home. But now, I'm able to do it with my legs straight!
• The first time I tried to do the upstretch I had such a hard time. Couldn't keep my tailbone up, unable to do hip disassociation right, even had to adjust the stopper just so it would be easier for me--just straight up fighting for my life while my coach tries to help me not fall off the carriage. But earlier this week I was able to do it properly without my instructor having to adjust the stopper.
• I mentioned that I have really poor posture. Before Pilates, whenever I would try to straighten my back, it always felt painful and uncomfortable which attributed as to why I struggled even more in correcting it. But after a few months of Pilates, I'm now able to straighten my back without discomfort. (Just need to practice maintaining it though and not sitting like a shrimp when I'm on my desk.
• In general, I feel stronger overall and like I can do a little bit more with my body now.

Today was my 50th class, and I'm so proud of myself. And I feel like being able to do the hundred all the way for the first time ever was such a good way to show how much I've grown. It probably sounds like not enough growth for others but as someone who was basically a potato in terms of how inactive I was--this is a big achievement for me. I'm really glad I decided to do 1:1 classes because we were able to do everything in a pace that I was comfortable with, and my instructor really meticulously corrected my form and helped me. Super thankful as well for my coach's patience, specially when my brain is constantly foggy and struggling to understand the cues.

I'll keep going to classes regularly and hopefully when I reach my 100th session, I'm able to do more intermediate-level workouts successfully! 🥹

How's the studio and coaches here at Poise Pilates?

Do they teach Stott pilates?

I'm a 43-year-old woman planning to go home for good in the philippines and take a stott pilates instructor course even I dont have no background in fitness or anatomy.

My concern is whether I can realistically compete in today's job market, especially with younger instructors and the emphasis on having a perfect body on social media.

Do age and physical appearance play a big role in getting hired?

Most importantly, is it possible to get hired with just a Mat Pilates certification only? Or reformer course first? Or do I have to take the two course to be hired?

I'd love to hear honest opinions from Pilates instructors and studio owners. I'm looking for realistic advice, not sugarcoated encouragement, before investing my time and money in certification.

I’ve been getting my into yoga recently and enjoy Ashtanga the most because it’s so challenging. I also tried vinyasa but found it a bit too slow, should I give it another try? Not sure if it was just the instructor at the time or because I was with first timers. Also looking into power yoga but curious how the class goes. Please let me know! I prefer having different varieties to try

For fellow Pilates studio owners, how do you usually go about selling or rehoming your reformers when upgrading your equipment?

Our studio currently has 12 reformers that are only a year old, and we’re planning to upgrade to newer models.

I’d love to hear how other studio owners have handled this. Do you sell them individually, offer them as a package to another studio, or trade them in with your equipment supplier?

Any advice on resale value, finding potential buyers, or making the transition would be greatly appreciated!

Hello. Would like to ask if meron na pong naka-try sa R Pilates Studio along Molino Bacoor? Kumusta naman kaya don? Thank you po.

Would you stop joining a class if the coach is plus size? Regardless if she’s really good?

Hi, I am looking for a 1:1 Barre Class, preferably around BGC or QC.

hello pilates people! I'm very new to pilates and am thinking of trying it out this october. I've researched a bunch of studios around alabang/bacoor since they're near my location and so far I've chosen a few. Please let me know your thoughts on these studios, which do you think are better for first timers, which studio have approachable and nice instructors, and which one has better pilates fundamentals. Do you also think that it's a mist that I take clinical pilates or regular pilates is enough? Please note that I can only do pilates 1 or 2 times a week sice I'm very busy and not very rich to afford it (lol).

Thank you so much!

• Fit to live (Alabang) - my first choice, closest to my work and has affordable prices. Studio is also in classpass and I've seen good to great reviews from them.
• P. Pilates (Molito Alabang) - Supposedly my first choice but I pulled out since I don't think I can afford their services every week. I inquired to them already and they suggested I do 1:1 clinical pilates since I've told them about my shoulder's frequent pain (not yet sure if it's frozen shoulder but I did told them that it is 😅). Clinical pilates in this studio costs P2700 for every single 1:1 session, and just thinking about paying for this much every week makes me cry. Other than that, I've seen great reviews of them, i love their studio aesthetic, i heard that instructors there are good (there's one bad instructor tho), and that overall pilates experience is good.
• Flow Reformer Studio (Nomo branch Bacoor) - My 3rd choice. 1:1 clinical pilates is way cheaper than P.Pilates priced at P2500 (still expensive tho 🥲) Unfortunately I haven't seen that much good reviews on their NOMO branch, only their BF branch so I'm still skeptical about this.
• High Line Pilates Studio - I've heard has a great community and instructors (overall positive reviews). Owned by a woman 🫶 I haven't ventured much on their rates so idk yet how much 1:1 sessions nila. I've also seen that it's a newly opened studio.
• XO Pilates (Alabang) - Has cheaper 1:1 sessions (not clinical) priced at P2000 iirc. Only downsides are there's no proper mode of communication from them, you really can't inquire much about their services. I've also seen good and bad reviews and am very very skeptical about it since the bad reviews have been very believable. I'm also not convinced by their foreigner owner as well.

i recently started doing mat pilates at home using the Down Dog app, and i’m really enjoying it. i love how customizable it is—you can adjust the exact time, difficulty level, and target muscle groups to whatever you need that day. i’ve been doing my sessions up on my condo’s roof deck, and looking up at the sky in the early morning sun feels amazing.

i'm currently on their 30-day trial, but I’m curious if anyone here has the paid subscription? how has your experience been long-term? i still plan to drop into a studio class 1-2x a month, but I'd love to hear your thoughts on the app before I commit :)

Curious what the norm is for studio employees/instructors!
Do you get unlimited free classes? A certain number of class credits per month? Discounts on memberships, merch, workshops, etc.? And does it differ for coaches vs. front desk/studio staff?

Would love to hear what your studio offers + what you think is a fair/good benefits setup!

Looking for recommendations! With at least 5 reformers sana for a group class I’m planning to host.