I always wondered the importance for a teacher of being called 2nd generation teacher from Lolita's program.
I respect all views en methods but wondered if this something that Joseph would have wanted? this sounds just like a title that makes some colleagues in my country think that they own it all?. I believe Pilates is about helping patients/clients via the method and not about the title some Pilates teachers are proudly carrying. What are vieuws on that subject?
Pat

I LOVE this question! I've never heard anyone ask it in this way. For me the importance of legacy outweighs the titles we give them. First and Second generation work for me, but after that (I'm third genreration) we just start sounding tired or not good. I don't know how you continue the label as you go on, but I am working on a project that explores our legacy. I think there is no better way to pay homage to Joseph Pilates than by knowing how his work has grown (in numbers) via the people closest to him and so on. I think first, second, third etc... are not titles of prestige, I see them as facts. To say I am a second generation teacher from Lolita's program sounds redundant to me. It's like saying I am a Pilates instruction teacher. If you studied with Kathy Grant first hand. I mean really studied (I do not mean taken workshops or a few lessons from) with her, to my mind if you know your Pilates history, it is enough to say "I studied with Kathy Grant." (con't)

My understanding is that Joseph wanted the whole world doing Pilates. Who can say what he would have thought, but my guess is he would be pleased to know people are trying to associate their place in Pilates history through preserving the timeline, photos, equipment as well as the stories that came from the experience of his work.

I'd love to know other's thoughts on this too.
Thanks Patricia!

Thanks kristi for your comments and full respect to your words. I wish all second and third generation teachers could think so broad and wise about the subject. Ego/prestige tends to come into the way sometimes especially in a small country where this seems to be used as a business card. All the very best from the Netherlands Kristi! patricia

Being able to say you are 2nd generation is an indication that you've studied with a highly experienced teacher and this is an indication (but of course not proof) of your own abilities. To me it's like other indicators such as being able to say you have an X amount hours of experience teaching pilates, perhaps a background in sports or physiotherapie or you take instructor workshops regularly to keep your knowledge up to date (all just examples).