Inside Flex’s Classical Pilates education, led by Heather Thomas, and the graduates shaping the future of teaching
Why Teach?
There comes a point in a serious movement practice where curiosity deepens into something more deliberate. What begins as a pursuit of strength or alignment evolves into a desire to understand not just how a practice feels, but why it works, how it connects, and what sits beneath it.
For some, that curiosity becomes a question. Could I teach this?
That question is taken seriously at FLEX. The Classical Pilates teacher training programme, developed and led by Heather Thomas, is not a fast-track certification. It is designed to cultivate teachers who can uphold the method with precision, clarity and integrity. With over two decades of experience in the lineage of Classical Pilates, her approach combines technical rigour with a deeply invested mentorship style. Students learn to meet a high standard and are supported every step of the way in getting there.
From Experience to Intention
The decision to teach rarely begins as a strategic one. More often, it is rooted in a moment that feels unexpectedly personal. For Shawna, founder of FLOW Classical Pilates in Johor Bahru, what began as a physical correction became something more profound. “Something clicked into place in my body and in my heart. I wanted to truly understand the work, not just experience it, but be able to share it with others in a meaningful way.”
Jacqueline’s journey was shaped by a different realisation. After years in a corporate environment, she found herself physically fatigued and disconnected from how she was moving. Pilates offered something fundamentally different. “It was the first time I felt like I was truly understanding my body, not just pushing it.”
Across the cohort, these moments vary in detail, but not in impact. They mark a shift from participation to intention, from doing the work to wanting to understand it deeply enough to guide others through it.
The Making of a Teacher – A Method That Builds True Understanding
Choosing to teach Classical Pilates is, by nature, a commitment to a system that resists shortcuts. It is structured, progressive and exacting, designed to develop the body uniformly through precision, control and flow. But more than that, it is a method that demands understanding.
If the method demands depth, the teacher training demands even more. Flex’s programme is deliberately rigorous, structured to develop not only technical competency, but a true understanding of each exercise.
Karolina, a Singapore-based graduate, describes it as “a sophisticated system of movement science that yields superior, accelerated results,” one that requires complete engagement.
Shiori experienced this as a kind of foundation for all movement practices. “Classical Pilates is what you need to do before other movements to get better at them,” she notes, recognising its role as a base system for strength, control and longevity.
“The standard is non-negotiable. There’s no faking it through,” Karolina explains. This insistence on integrity is what shapes the experience. “You’re not just memorising exercises,” she continues. “You learn how everything connects, how to observe bodies intelligently, and to build programmes that leave clients progressing and feeling better.”
“You don’t need to have everything figured out at the start. You just need to show up, stay curious, and trust the process,” says Shawna
Mentorship That Supports and Elevates
Central to this process is mentorship. Under the guidance of Heather, students are supported through each stage of the programme with a level of attention that is both structured and personal. Her approach balances high expectations with genuine investment in each student.
“If your teaching isn’t where it needs to be, you go back to the drawing board. There’s no shortcut through that, but that’s also what makes you better. It’s demanding, but in the best possible way. You grow because you have to,” says
Karolina.
Yi Ling speaks candidly about the impact of this. “Heather always checks in with the apprentices and pushes you in a good way. When I was struggling, she said, ‘I won’t leave anyone behind. And she didn’t.’”
This balance creates an environment where students are encouraged to drive themselves, but without being left to navigate the challenges alone.
A Shared Standard, A Shared Journey
While the decision to undertake teacher training is deeply personal, the experience itself is shaped by the collective. The programme fosters a strong sense of camaraderie, where students support one another through practice hours, shared learning and ongoing dialogue.
Yi Ling describes how her cohort became an essential part of her journey, and this shared experience reinforces a central idea: That excellence in teaching is not developed in isolation, but through a combination of individual discipline and community support.
Beyond Certification
Graduation marks a significant milestone, but it is not the conclusion of the process. What changes most is not simply physical capability, but perception. Graduate teachers speak of a heightened awareness that extends beyond the studio, influencing how they move, think and engage with daily life. Karolina describes the practice as something that develops not only strength and alignment but focus and curiosity.
Jacqueline shares that teacher training has impacted how she views progress: “I used to feel discouraged when I couldn’t do certain exercises. Now, I’ve reframed my mindset and it’s simple: to aim for just 1% better each day, and to be kinder to my body. If one exercise doesn’t work for me on a particular apparatus, I find another way to build towards it, and it works! This approach has also shaped how I teach my clients.”
More thoughts from our graduates
What does the future of Classical Pilates look like to you?
“I think there will be an even bigger shift away from the Instagram version of Pilates and back to the deep roots of the method. In a saturated market, professional standards and educational rigor will act as a natural filter, weeding out poor instruction and weekend certifications.” -Karolina, Singapore
Looking back, what are you most proud of?
“Opening my studio, FLOW. Being the first Classical Pilates studio in Johor Bahru, and the first licensed partner studio for Flex outside of its home base represents not just my personal journey, but a commitment to bringing something genuinely meaningful to my community. I’m also proud of the moments I’ve had with my students, seeing the light in their eyes when something clicks. Those moments are why I do this. I want them to feel like they’ve come home to their body, that’s what Pilates gave me.”
-Shawna, Johor Bahru
What excites you most about being part of the global FLOW Classical Pilates by Flex Studio network?
The sense of community and shared standards. Being surrounded by people who respect the method and have gone through the same level of training is something I really value.
What was the most challenging aspect of the training, and how did you move through it?
“For me it was self-practice, as it was hard to keep myself motivated every day. But I did it, thanks to my mentors and apprentices who pushed me and practiced with me!”
-Shiori, Hong Kong
How do you hope to bring the Classical method to your local community?
“In Singapore, Pilates is often associated with large reformer classes, loud music, and quick workouts. I think there’s a real opportunity to educate what Classical Pilates truly is, the method, the smaller class environment, and why slowing down can still deliver meaningful results.
-Jacqueline, Singapore
What would you say to someone considering the training but feeling intimidated?
“If you are considering being a Pilates instructor this is the training to do! I’ve spent enough time in the industry to see other programs and wholeheartedly believe this is one of the best. If you’re embarking on this journey you should aim for the top. I honestly felt like I worked harder than I did for my university degree, so I was incredibly proud to finish. Completing the program under Heather’s tutelage made it all the more meaningful, she models an unparalleled level of excellence, and I would like to carry this forward on my own journey.”
-Karolina, Singapore
Carrying the Method Forward to a Global Standard
The graduation of this cohort also marks a broader evolution for Flex. With the launch of its new global website, Flex will formally introduce FLOW Classical Pilates by Flex Studio, a network of licensed partner studios across key markets. This platform will showcase the growing international community of teachers and studios committed to upholding the integrity of the Classical method.
From Johor Bahru to Taipei, Hong Kong to Singapore, these studios are not simply extensions of a brand. They are local expressions of a shared philosophy. One that prioritises education, discipline, and a long-term approach to movement.
Flex Studio Classical Pilates Teacher Training 2026/2027
Hong Kong RPTT 12th Cycle
- Beginner: 27 to 30 August
- Intermediate I: 8 to 11 October
- Intermediate II: 3 to 6 December
- Advanced: 14 to 17 January 2027
Email flexrptt@flexhk.com for more information
Singapore RPTT 7th Cycle 2027
- Beginner: 21 to 24 January
- Intermediate I: 25 to 28 February
- Intermediate II: 8 to 11 April
- Advanced: 27 to 30 May
Email Flexrpttsg@flexstudiosg.com for more information