Raymond Krushals: Master Pilates Instructor who studied with 5 of the Pilates elders

There is a lineage in the Pilates world, just as there is in other traditions (like martial arts or yoga). Tonight, Carla met up with Raymond Krushals of Santa Fe Pilates who studied with 5 of the Pilates elders and has dedicated his career to continuing the integrity of the tradition.

Ray has seen it all in the Pilates world — from being in the first Pilates videos to being a founding member of the PMA (The Pilates Method Alliance). Ray also helped get Pilates recognized in professional sports training as well as in academia. His many insights and abundance of knowledge was a treat for Carla!

Over dinner Ray and Carla discussed...

Who are the elders? How do they differ in their approach? Who studied with them? What is Pilates, really? Why are apprenticeships important? Is Pilates evolving? What can we do to preserve Pilates? How can you be both an educator and run a studio...the list goes on.

In the age of quick or partial trainings and fewer true apprenticeships in the greater Pilates world, Carla has been on a mission to connect with those who have done the work—those who have studied and learned from various schools. those who have taken the coursework, those who have learned the various apparatus’ and techniques, those who have spent the years and years apprenticing and learning from master instructors and even those who studied with the first ever Pilates instructors.

“Connecting with Ray was inspiring and helped me remember that all of the years of work and education matters—really matters—and that all of us who are part of this lineage need to stay connected and continue to learn from and inspire each other. Such a great conversation and looking forward to more!”