PILATES AT THE PILLOW^®:
The New Science and Lost Art of Joe’s Contrology^®

Sept 27-29, 2024

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 Fall 2024 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!

Archival Reformer: Medico-Mechanical System The Pilates’ Gymnasium 101 Exerciser 

Taught by Sean P. Gallagher and Elaine Ewing

In 1928 Joseph Pilates published a chart of 11 distinct movements on the Universal Reformer. This first series of exercises was to be mastered before the student could start the second chart of exercises in the second series.

This workshop will explore this unique set of archival exercises as Joe intended for them to be practiced according to his written instructions, photos, and chart that Joe originally copyrighted himself. Additionally, we will cover other exercises from the same photo series that are in Sean Gallagher’s Pilates Archive® that may have been intended for the second chart.

Each attendee will have the opportunity to take turns observing, practicing, and teaching each exercise while following Joe’s archives for the fullest learning experience possible.

Sean P. Gallagher

Sean P. Gallagher (BFA, PT, CPT, CFP, MS) is the owner and master physical therapist of Performing Arts Physical Therapy, as well as a master pilates teacher and Teacher of Teachers at The New York Pilates Studio®, the program he developed with Romana Kryzanowska over 13 years starting in 1990. This is where Classical Pilates got its name. This program includes the first ever comprehensive teacher training manual that documented the pilates system as it was taught at the Pilates studio and adapted to be able to transition from an apprentice only program at the studio in NYC to studios everywhere. This unique collaboration was instrumental in getting the Pilates method recognized and taught around the world.

Sean is also the owner of the largest collection Joseph Pilates’ archival material, Sean Gallagher’s Pilates Archives®, and has three published books, “The Pilates Method of Body Conditioning,” “The Collected Works of Joseph Pilates,” and “The Joseph H. Pilates Archive Collection.” Sean has also been teaching pilates at Jacob’s Pillow in Becket, MA for 21 years.

As a physical therapist, he has provided backstage Physical Therapy care at over 180 Broadway shows. With over 40 years of dance and physical therapy experience he has developed the most comprehensive injury prevention and self-care program available to performers today.

Sean was an adjunct professor for Anatomy, Somatics, and Authentic Pilates™ at Marymount Manhattan College for 4 years, Anatomy and Authentic Pilates™ at the New School for 12 years and was adjunct professor for Gross Anatomy at NYU’s Physical Therapy program for 9 years. He is a volunteer fireman in his town of Hastings-on-Hudson and currently is a Fire Policeman. He has a master’s in Clinical Nutrition from Bridgeport University. He also collects old books on medicine, exercise, and health.

Sean Gallagher is the property owner of Joe’s original studio and items displayed there. He along with Elaine Ewing has been presenting at Pilates at The Pillow® for the past 5 years and looks forward to continuing to share everything Joe and Clara, with the pilates community to ensure their legacy is here for generations of pilates teachers to come seeking the source.

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.

Progressive & Corrective Resistant Balance for the Whole Body Part 1

Taught by Sean P. Gallagher, PT and Elaine Ewing

Over his lifetime, Joseph Pilates documented multitudes of exercises on the Universal Reformer that are not typically practiced or taught today. This workshop will focus on progressive exercises that Joe documented that have almost completely been lost to history. We will focus on incorporating details from his written information, names of exercises, photos, and film of these exercises to achieve the most in-depth experience of Joe’s original work on the Universal Reformer.  You will find that there is a wide array of original exercises that you can use to expand your students’ repertoire without straying from the original method.

This workshop will go well beyond simply showing you what archival exercises look like. Together, Sean and Elaine will teach you how to use these exercises most effectively with your students, as well as how to use hands-on teaching skills to safely progress them to the full manifestation as shown by Joe and his students in the historical record.

Sean P. Gallagher

Sean P. Gallagher (BFA, PT, CPT, CFP, MS) is the owner and master physical therapist of Performing Arts Physical Therapy, as well as a master pilates teacher and Teacher of Teachers at The New York Pilates Studio®, the program he developed with Romana Kryzanowska over 13 years starting in 1990. This is where Classical Pilates got its name. This program includes the first ever comprehensive teacher training manual that documented the pilates system as it was taught at the Pilates studio and adapted to be able to transition from an apprentice only program at the studio in NYC to studios everywhere. This unique collaboration was instrumental in getting the Pilates method recognized and taught around the world.

Sean is also the owner of the largest collection Joseph Pilates’ archival material, Sean Gallagher’s Pilates Archives®, and has three published books, “The Pilates Method of Body Conditioning,” “The Collected Works of Joseph Pilates,” and “The Joseph H. Pilates Archive Collection.” Sean has also been teaching pilates at Jacob’s Pillow in Becket, MA for 21 years.

As a physical therapist, he has provided backstage Physical Therapy care at over 180 Broadway shows. With over 40 years of dance and physical therapy experience he has developed the most comprehensive injury prevention and self-care program available to performers today.

Sean was an adjunct professor for Anatomy, Somatics, and Authentic Pilates™ at Marymount Manhattan College for 4 years, Anatomy and Authentic Pilates™ at the New School for 12 years and was adjunct professor for Gross Anatomy at NYU’s Physical Therapy program for 9 years. He is a volunteer fireman in his town of Hastings-on-Hudson and currently is a Fire Policeman. He has a master’s in Clinical Nutrition from Bridgeport University. He also collects old books on medicine, exercise, and health.

Sean Gallagher is the property owner of Joe’s original studio and items displayed there. He along with Elaine Ewing has been presenting at Pilates at The Pillow® for the past 5 years and looks forward to continuing to share everything Joe and Clara, with the pilates community to ensure their legacy is here for generations of pilates teachers to come seeking the source.

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.

Progressive & Corrective Resistant Balance for the Whole Body Part 2

Presented by Sean P. Gallagher and Elaine Ewing

A great deal of Joe’s original work includes corrective exercises for common bodily ailments such as knock knees, bow legs, spinal curvatures, and more. Joe began archiving these exercises in the 1920s, and today most people still have similar issues that can be helped with Joe’s corrective work.

In this workshop, we will go on a deep dive into exercises that Joe’s deemed “corrective”.  We’ll teach you how and when to apply them to your students, what type of ailment they are best for, when to introduce them to your students, and how to most effectively use hands-on teaching cues to help your students get the most out of their practice and the most out of Joe’s method.

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.

Sean P. Gallagher

Sean P. Gallagher (BFA, PT, CPT, CFP, MS) is the owner and master physical therapist of Performing Arts Physical Therapy, as well as a master pilates teacher and Teacher of Teachers at The New York Pilates Studio®, the program he developed with Romana Kryzanowska over 13 years starting in 1990. This is where Classical Pilates got its name. This program includes the first ever comprehensive teacher training manual that documented the pilates system as it was taught at the Pilates studio and adapted to be able to transition from an apprentice only program at the studio in NYC to studios everywhere. This unique collaboration was instrumental in getting the Pilates method recognized and taught around the world.

Sean is also the owner of the largest collection Joseph Pilates’ archival material, Sean Gallagher’s Pilates Archives®, and has three published books, “The Pilates Method of Body Conditioning,” “The Collected Works of Joseph Pilates,” and “The Joseph H. Pilates Archive Collection.” Sean has also been teaching pilates at Jacob’s Pillow in Becket, MA for 21 years.

As a physical therapist, he has provided backstage Physical Therapy care at over 180 Broadway shows. With over 40 years of dance and physical therapy experience he has developed the most comprehensive injury prevention and self-care program available to performers today.

Sean was an adjunct professor for Anatomy, Somatics, and Authentic Pilates™ at Marymount Manhattan College for 4 years, Anatomy and Authentic Pilates™ at the New School for 12 years and was adjunct professor for Gross Anatomy at NYU’s Physical Therapy program for 9 years. He is a volunteer fireman in his town of Hastings-on-Hudson and currently is a Fire Policeman. He has a master’s in Clinical Nutrition from Bridgeport University. He also collects old books on medicine, exercise, and health.

Sean Gallagher is the property owner of Joe’s original studio and items displayed there. He along with Elaine Ewing has been presenting at Pilates at The Pillow® for the past 5 years and looks forward to continuing to share everything Joe and Clara, with the pilates community to ensure their legacy is here for generations of pilates teachers to come seeking the source.

The First Act of Life and the Last- Breathing JoE’s Wā™

Presented by Sean P. Gallagher

Joseph Pilates demonstrated and instructed specific ways of breathing, in general and during exercise, on film, photos, and in writing. This lecture/workshop will explore the reasons why Joe’s original breathing methods not only enhance his work during the Return to Life matwork and apparatus exercises, but also why his instructions are integral to developing a stronger practice across his system of body conditioning.

Sean P. Gallagher

Sean P. Gallagher (BFA, PT, CPT, CFP, MS) is the owner and master physical therapist of Performing Arts Physical Therapy, as well as a master pilates teacher and Teacher of Teachers at The New York Pilates Studio®, the program he developed with Romana Kryzanowska over 13 years starting in 1990. This is where Classical Pilates got its name. This program includes the first ever comprehensive teacher training manual that documented the pilates system as it was taught at the Pilates studio and adapted to be able to transition from an apprentice only program at the studio in NYC to studios everywhere. This unique collaboration was instrumental in getting the Pilates method recognized and taught around the world.

Sean is also the owner of the largest collection Joseph Pilates’ archival material, Sean Gallagher’s Pilates Archives®, and has three published books, “The Pilates Method of Body Conditioning,” “The Collected Works of Joseph Pilates,” and “The Joseph H. Pilates Archive Collection.” Sean has also been teaching pilates at Jacob’s Pillow in Becket, MA for 21 years.

As a physical therapist, he has provided backstage Physical Therapy care at over 180 Broadway shows. With over 40 years of dance and physical therapy experience he has developed the most comprehensive injury prevention and self-care program available to performers today.

Sean was an adjunct professor for Anatomy, Somatics, and Authentic Pilates™ at Marymount Manhattan College for 4 years, Anatomy and Authentic Pilates™ at the New School for 12 years and was adjunct professor for Gross Anatomy at NYU’s Physical Therapy program for 9 years. He is a volunteer fireman in his town of Hastings-on-Hudson and currently is a Fire Policeman. He has a master’s in Clinical Nutrition from Bridgeport University. He also collects old books on medicine, exercise, and health.

Sean Gallagher is the property owner of Joe’s original studio and items displayed there. He along with Elaine Ewing has been presenting at Pilates at The Pillow® for the past 5 years and looks forward to continuing to share everything Joe and Clara, with the pilates community to ensure their legacy is here for generations of pilates teachers to come seeking the 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 or Elaine Ewing

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 and Elaine Ewing

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.

Historical Lecture with Cathy Strack: They All Went to Joe

Join our guest pilates historian extraordinaire, Cathy Strack, for a glimpse into the history of some of Joe’s most famous students, many of whom are now known as pilates Elders. Cathy will share some of her research into their personal and professional history and accomplishments, and how they came to work with Joe and Clara. Through primary source documentation, she will reveal details about their experience with Contrology, and the places they went after their time in Joe’s studios.

Cathy is the published author of two pilates history books, “Love All Around, The Romana Kryzanowska Biography” and “Get to Know Joe Pilates.” This lecture is a sneak peek into her upcoming book on the Pilates Elders who were Joe and Clara’s students.

Interview with Sean Gallagher
Pilates and Physical Therapy: What are the Positives within the Negatives?

Elaine Ewing interviews Sean P. Gallagher, PT about his history of combining Pilates with physical therapy. Learn how Sean used his first introduction to Pilates as a student with Romana and Steve Giordano into over 5 PT/Pilates centers around the country.

We will discuss how he incorporated Pilates into his Performing Arts Physical Therapy practice so that most patients who needed and would benefit from Pilates were able to receive it as part of their PT with fully certified classical pilates teachers working in conjunction with Sean to ensure that they were provided the best care available in NYC.

You will also hear about the obstacles as well as the rewards in trying to integrate pilates into a traditional allied medical practice before hardly anyone knew what pilates was. Curious to learn about the outcomes that were achieved in this groundbreaking combination that Sean originally initiated? You’ll find out about this and so much more as Elaine and Sean cover the past 38 years of Sean’s pilates and physical immersion during his career as a practitioner of both professions.

*Photo by Nan Melville, courtesy of Performing Arts Physical Therapy

Two Workshops: Classical Endings Around the Studio and Case Study

Presented by Sean P. Gallagher and Elaine Ewing

Classical Endings Around the Studio

10-12:30pm, 2.5 hours

This fun workshop will cover multiple endings with an emphasis on those with the Cadillac. The Ladder Barrel and Guillotine will also be utilized. From beginner to advanced, we’ll teach and practice the variety of Ending sequences that leave your students energized and inspired.

Some of the equipment used in this workshop was Joe’s original apparatus, such as the 1960’s Cadillac and Ladder Barrel.

Case Study

1:30-4pm, 2.5 hours

Are you curious about how to use the system when people present to you with issues? Do you want to learn how to address their issues in a safe, pilates way? Whether it be old injuries, new injuries, diseases, or just about anything else, this workshop should help you have a better way of understanding what you can address and what you cannot as a pilates teacher, as well how to start and progress a program with classical pilates.

If you take this workshop, you will be sent a form to fill out about your case study, providing the issues that you find most common amongst your students and would like to be able to address in your sessions with them. From the submitted we will choose a few case studies for the group to learn from in the time allotted.

Register Online for the Monday, September 30th Workshop >

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.