PILATES AT THE PILLOW^® 100 Years of Contrology

April 17-19, 2026

Pilates at the Pillow^® is a three-day conference for pilates teachers at the historic Jacob’s Pillow and at Joe’s original studio in Becket, MA.

Pilates at The Pillow will offer the widest variety of archival and classical Universal Reformers together in one room to ever take place in pilates history. Thanks to Sean and Elaine’s combined extensive collection of reformers, workshops during the conference will utilize up to 20 different reformers, spanning the decades of the 1930s, 1980’s, 1990s, and early 2000s. These will include an original clawfoot reformer from Sean Gallagher’s Pilates Museum/Studio, vintage Gratz reformers from the 80s and 90s, vintage Gratz folding reformers, and more recent Gratz reformers. We are thrilled to offer this in-depth learning experience to attendees!

The Lost Art of Joe’s Foot Corrector™

Taught by Sean P. Gallagher and Elaine Ewing

Patented in 1924, The Foot Corrector is Joe’s first invention that we know of. Join us for a thorough exploration of the history of this apparatus and Joe’s original intentions for the use of the apparatus and purpose of the exercises on it.  Learn how to address common “leg and foot deformities” (according to Joe) using the Foot Corrector as he intended. 

The historical content of this workshop is composed from primary source materials from Sean Gallagher’s Pilates Archives®, which includes the only original, archival Foot Corrector that we know to exist today and as well as photo series of how to do the exercises, directly from Joe Pilates.

The Art and Science The Archival Pilates Push Through Bar™

Taught by Sean P. Gallagher, PT and Elaine Ewing

The Push Through Bar is one of Joe’s most unique inventions that assists in alignment and control when initiating resistance through the upper and lower powerhouses in relation to the function of the movement. 

For the first time ever, we are presenting the widest variety of archival exercises using the Push Through Bar as a unique experiential workshop. This work will include exercises using springs from both above and below the bar, as well as exercises using the Head & Chin Pillow.

Reproductions of Joe’s original Push Through Bar from The Pilates Museum will be used during the workshop and will be available for purchase so that attendees can take this piece of pilates history back home with them to use with students as soon as they get back to the studio. The Push Through Bar will fit a Gratz Cadillac.

Reproductions of Joe’s original Head & Chin Pillow from The Pilates Museum will also be used during the workshop and will also be available for purchase to use with the reproduction push through bar.

Comprehensive Archival Arm Springs™

Presented by Sean P. Gallagher and Elaine Ewing

This workshop will include both published and unpublished arm springs exercises from The Pilates Museum Archives™, many which have been previously untaught. 

Using replicas of Joe’s original arm springs from the Pilates Museum, we will practice teaching, doing, and learning the most comprehensive archival repertoire presented to date. This workshop will integrate an understanding of the upper and lower powerhouses and how it all works as a system, as the last part of the puzzle incorporating the prior two workshops presented at this conference.

The Pilates Body Systems Series: The Connective Tissues (Fascia)- The History, The Anatomy, and The Science

Presented by Sean P. Gallagher, PT

In keeping with the tradition of Pilates at the Pillow® of doing never before presented workshops on the science and understanding of Joe’s work. For this hundred anniversary conference Sean will be doing the next in the series of his Pilates Body Systems™ workshops. 

This workshop will be on the connective tissues (also called fascia) of the body which Sean will provide you with all you’ll ever need to know about the Fascial system in all of us. Join Sean to learn about the history and the understanding of fascia in the body (From before Joe’s time up to today). You will gain an understanding of the science and anatomy of all the different types and especially the myofascial system that is so important to the work you do as a Pilates teacher. After this workshop you will know what can be changed and how it can change as well as what can not really change and the why’s and how’s to go about making these changes with Joe’s Contrology® . You will explore in your own bodies how interconnected we are and how Joe understood this using his specific way to teach movement.

If you’re interested in gaining a deeper insight with his specific hands on cuing of the somatosensory system that is integral to each client’s myofascial interconnectedness in habituation then this workshop is for you. Lastly you will better appreciate how he used his body conditioning system with all the body systems including the fascia to make changes and return to life.

This extra special, historical presentation will consist of an archival pilates slideshow featuring important highlights from pilates history over the last 100 years in the US, show and tell of the original, restored clawfoot reformer, and a question and answer period for attendees to ask Sean and Elaine their burning pilates history questions. This interactive presentation will be one of a kind in that it incorporates primary source photos, film footage, archival apparatus, and community in a way that will bring us all closer to Joe and closer to the Pilates Source®.

Pilates Historics™ Unique Guided Tour of Joe’s Original Property, Studio, and Apparatus- and Joe’s Voice Teaching his Method

Join Sean P. Gallagher and Elaine Ewing for a guided tour of Joe and Clara’s original Berkshire property, studio, bungalow, and apparatus collection. Start at the famous Yellow Lion Pilars and make your way through each iconic moment of pilates history on the property- from the Iron Shoe sun design, to the bungalow, to the fully restored studio.

Up-close study and sometimes even personal use of Joe’s original apparatus will take place. Original equipment on display includes but is not limited to: the Bednasium, the Junior Reformer, wooden Cadillac, an Electric Chair, a high chair without a back, an original claw foot Reformer, Joe’s handmade Airplane board and so much more.

Sean will guide you through Joe’s studio and show you artifacts within his collection, including some of Joe’s tools and belongings. Not only will he show you the original pilates apparatus, but also the vintage Gratz side of the museum. Within the walls of the museum, attendees will have the profound opportunity to hear Sean play a recording of Joe’s voice teaching.

Along the property tour, Elaine will tell stories about pilates history in relation to the property and structures and provide an education about the original apparatus. Photos and videos of yourself using the equipment are welcome!

Pilates 34 in 34^®

Taught by Sean P. Gallagher

Sean Gallagher/Elaine Ewing teaches a mat class each day based on detailed notes from a dancer, Sharry Traver Underwood, who attended Joe’s mat class at Jacob’s Pillow during the summer dance intensive in the 1940’s. 34 exercises in 34 minutes, with additional, previously unknown breathing warm-up exercises that Joe taught as well as his specific cues not found published anywhere else and a little surprise as well. If you’ve been looking more to add to your mat classes for your clients at every level, then taking this classic mat will help you be more of “the source” teacher you’ve been looking to be.

Pilates Archival Standing Mat™ Class

Presented by Sean P. Gallagher

This complete and comprehensive standing mat class includes the majority of Joe’s standing mat exercises that most know as well as many that are rarely taught and some that are not widely known. Class will be lead by Sean P. Gallagher, PT and demonstrated by Elaine Ewing, with attendee participation.

Pilates Exercises: Original 1940’s Mat™ Class

Presented by Elaine Ewing

Based on newly discovered notes from 6 different, original mat classes taught by Joseph Pilates at Jacob’s Pillow in the 1940’s, this special mat class will be taught and practiced for the first time since Joe was there teaching it himself. Thanks to a young dancer who was also a student of Joe’s both at Jacob’s Pillow and his NYC studio, we have 6 sets of handwritten and typed notes describing Joe’s cues, exercise details, and variations that were previously unknown to have been taught by Joe.

The Pilatus Game of Stimulation™ 3 & 4

The Pilatus Game of Stimulation™ games 3 & 4 will make their Pilates at The Pillow^® debut! Join in on the fun of playing original games invented by Joseph Pilates that have not been played since Joe was alive.

Presented by Sean P. Gallagher and Elaine Ewing

Elaine Ewing

Elaine is the owner of Rhinebeck Pilates, and a third generation, certified Authentic Pilates teacher and Certified Teacher of Teachers through the New York Pilates Studio®. Elaine is also the owner of many pieces of original equipment from Joseph Pilates’ 8th Avenue Studio, which can be found within Rhinebeck Pilates.

Elaine has studied pilates extensively through lessons with Sean Gallagher, Pam Pardi, Steve Giordano, Cynthia Shipley, and Bob Liekens, to name a few. She teaches daily in her Rhinebeck studio, both in person and virtually, and also taught at The New York Pilates Studio® in New York City for four years. She has also taught mat classes at Jacob’s Pillow, the same place where Joseph Pilates famously taught his original mat classes.

Together with Sean Gallagher, Elaine presents workshops based on Joseph Pilates’ original method and apparatus. In 2018 Elaine worked alongside with Sean Gallagher to help create the yearly conference at Jacob’s Pillow, Pilates at The Pillow™. They continue to host and teach this yearly conference and that has been the first in the pilates community to present “lost” apparatus and original work, such as: The Lost Art of The Resister™, The Lost Art of the Ped-o-Pul™, and The Lost Art of the Bench Mat™. Elaine was thrilled to present The Lost Art of The Resister™ inside Joseph Pilates’ original Berkshires studio, (the property is owned by Sean Gallagher)- the first time a workshop had ever been presented within that historically significant location.

Elaine enjoys researching pilates history and maintains a webpage devoted to openly sharing accurate pilates history titled: Pilates History Research Archive.

Elaine can be found on Pilatesology teaching matwork, Gratz Push Up Devices, Archival Ped-o-Pul, the Resister®, and along with Sean Gallagher, Joe’s Four Original Airplane Boards.

Workshop 1:

How to Address Individual Needs with Joe’s Contrology®

10:00 am-12:30pm

Presented by Sean P. Gallagher and Elaine Ewing

Have you ever felt unsure of your understanding of what to do or teach when a student comes in with a specific problem or injury? How do you approach the workout with a new student who was told to try pilates to help their particular problems? How do you adapt the workout for a current student who has experienced a new injury and wants to continue their pilates practice? 

If you have questions about what exercises are good. or bad, to do in a pilates session when a student has an injury, join us for this interactive workshop where we will look at common issues and how the student’s individual needs can be met by using the Cadillac or Wall Unit.

Workshop attendees will be asked to submit a case study that may be selected for the workshop.

Workshop 2:

How to Address Problems When Teaching Certain Exercises

1:30-4:00 pm

Presented by Sean P. Gallagher and Elaine Ewing

Do your clients struggle with learning or executing particular exercises? Do you wonder how you could approach the exercises in a new way that would help your students successfully accomplish them?

As teachers, we have the ability to teach with our verbal cues, tactile cues, visual demonstration, and more. In this participatory workshop, we will discuss common exercises that teachers may feel challenged to teach effectively on the Cadillac (or Wall Unit) and the mat. We will practice a variety of ways of teaching to best impart an understanding of pilates that will have lasting effects on your students and the quality of their workouts.

Monday, April 20, 2026
Rhinebeck Pilates, Rhinebeck NY

$400 total for both workshops. Workshops are not available separately.
These workshops are in-person only. There is no virtual option.

Pilates at the Pillow^® is held at the Jacob’s Pillow in Becket, Massachusetts where Joe Pilates taught his historical and now-famous mat classes and had a studio on his nearby property. Once a hard-scrabble mountaintop farm, Jacob’s Pillow is now a home for international dance.

Joseph Pilates Becket Studio

Experience the recently renovated original studio of Joseph Pilates which is a museum and working studio where workshops and tours take place.