Who Owns Pilates? The Controversy Dividing the Community

Can a movement discipline be everyone's heritage... or does it belong to only a few? That question ignited a controversy that reached the pages of The New York Times. And the protagonist was Joseph Pilates. Again.

In October 2022, the newspaper published an article titled "The Fight for the Soul of Pilates." Alongside the title, a powerful image: Joseph Pilates, nearly 80 years old, working in his studio with full vitality. An image that, without explanation, any teacher or practitioner instantly recognizes.

But beyond the nostalgia and admiration, that image sparked a dispute over rights, accessibility, and the future of this practice.

Who Owns Pilates? A Legal Battle That Reopens Old Wounds

Gallagher returned to court, this time against Mary Sullivan Kelly, an instructor who used images of Joseph Pilates on social media. He claimed that these photos, though available at the New York Public Library, belonged to him. She, in turn, filed a counterclaim.

The consequence: deleted posts, deactivated Instagram accounts, teachers losing visibility, a divided community. To what extent can the dissemination of a public figure with global impact be controlled?

The Real Impact: Affected Teachers, Studios, and Businesses

During the pandemic, many people kept their studios alive thanks to Zoom, Instagram, and YouTube. For thousands of teachers, social media became the new classroom. Losing an account due to a copyright complaint can mean losing clients, income, visibility... and also trust.

Kristi Cooper, co-founder of Pilates Anytime, summarizes it this way: "It's ironic. Both parties share the article, comment on it, spread it. That says a lot about how necessary this debate is."

A Legacy That Is Shared, Not Enclosed

Since its founding, Pilates Anytime has sought something simple: access. Access to quality classes, professional training, and the living history of this practice. That's why they created "The Pilates Legacy Project," a documentary series that gathers the voices of those who trained with Joseph Pilates, his successors, and current leaders of the movement. Because sharing knowledge is the best way to honor a story.

Cooper herself recalls: "Pilates is good for everyone. Anyone can practice it if they have access."

Even Joseph Pilates used photos and videos to explain his methods. For him, documenting his work with images was key to convincing doctors and patients of the real benefits of movement.

"The whole country, the whole world, should be doing my exercises." —Joseph Pilates

Pilates is not just a series of exercises. It's a living legacy. A tool to heal, strengthen, and reconnect. And like any legacy, it's protected by sharing it, not by hiding it.

If you are a teacher, student, or simply someone curious about moving better, don't stop reading, learning, and sharing. Because Pilates is, was, and will continue to be, for everyone, everywhere.