Fletcher Pilates is honored to be featured in The Pilates Journal (2025) in the article:
Fletcher Pilates – Evolved from the Source: “We Are Both Classical & Contemporary.”
The feature traces the lineage of Ron Fletcher, his early study with Joseph Pilates and Clara Pilates, and the continued leadership of Kyria Sabin as Director of Fletcher Pilates.
Evolved from the Source
In 1948, Ron Fletcher entered Joseph Pilates’ New York studio seeking rehabilitation for a knee injury. What he discovered was a disciplined, intentional system of movement that resonated with his training in modern dance, particularly his work with Martha Graham.
From Broadway to Beverly Hills, Fletcher carried the Pilates method into new territory — expanding its theatrical vitality, integrating rhythm and breath, and establishing the first Pilates studio on the West Coast in 1972. His Rodeo Drive studio became a hub for artists, performers, and dedicated students of movement.
The article highlights how Fletcher’s contributions helped shape the broader Pilates landscape through:
- The Percussive Breath Technique™
- Fletcher Towelwork®
- Fletcher Floorwork®
- Fletcher Barrework™
- International workshop-based education
The Fletcher Pilates identity — Evolved from the Source — reflects deep respect for classical foundations while acknowledging the organic development that occurred under Clara Pilates’ guidance and support.
Classical and Contemporary
A central theme of the feature article is the Fletcher philosophy: We are both classical and contemporary.
The curriculum clearly distinguishes:
- What originates directly from Joseph and Clara Pilates
- What Ron Fletcher consciously developed from that foundation
This transparency preserves historical authenticity while allowing the work to remain relevant within today’s Pilates and fitness industry.
Through the Fletcher Foundations Course and comprehensive Program of Study, education is built upon four pillars:
- Foundational Movement
- Pedagogy
- Anatomy
- History
This structured progression ensures depth, consistency, and professional integrity for Pilates teachers worldwide.
Breath as the Drumbeat
The article explores the breath as Ron Fletcher saw it, a driving force of all movement. He used to say, “The Breath is the drumbeat.”
In Fletcher Pilates, breath is not an accessory, it is structural. The Percussive Breath Technique establishes audible rhythm, organizing the body from the inside out. Movement becomes continuous, integrated, and intentional.
Leadership and Global Expansion
Under Kyria Sabin’s direction, Fletcher Pilates continues to expand internationally while maintaining faculty oversight and curriculum integrity. Having studied directly with Ron Fletcher for over two decades, Kyria was entrusted to lead and preserve the lineage.
The Pilates Journal article emphasizes that the Fletcher legacy is not historical nostalgia — it is a living, evolving tradition grounded in discipline, clarity, and artistry.
Read the Full Feature
We are grateful to The Pilates Journal for recognizing the continued impact of Fletcher Pilates within the global Pilates community.
To read the full article, visit: https://issuu.com/thepilatesjournal/docs/momentum._mastery._movement._34_-_the_pilates_jou