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At Taylor Pilates and Fitness, our approach is as unique as the people we serve. With over three decades of experience across multiple wellness disciplines, Michael Mathews shares his journey, philosophies, and insight into how Pilates and acupuncture can support rehabilitation, strength, and well-being.

Q: Can you tell us about your professional background?

I’ve been working in the wellness space since 1991. I started out as a massage therapist and later became a personal trainer and Pilates instructor. I've been teaching Pilates now for 23 years. I’m also a licensed acupuncturist and spent three years in a physical therapy clinic in Vail, working with people recovering from injuries like torn ACLs, back pain, and neck issues. These days, I focus primarily on Pilates, with acupuncture available upon request.

Q: What drew you to this kind of work?

A few things, really. First, I’m an athlete. I’ve always loved the challenge of strength and flexibility training — yoga, Pilates, and strength training. I’ve been helped by massage, chiropractic, and PT for my own injuries, and I wanted to be someone who could help others in the same way.

Also, working as a massage therapist in Vail let me live the ski-town life. I’d work 3–7 p.m. and have the rest of the day to ski or bike. That freedom was huge. But more than anything, I enjoy helping people get stronger, heal, and evolve.

Q: What do you specialize in now?

On the Pilates side, I help with both fitness and rehab. Some clients come to me because they like the way Pilates feels and want a consistent movement practice. Others are recovering from pain or injury — like back, shoulder, or hip issues — and we work on stability, strength, and correcting movement patterns.

As an acupuncturist, I’m a general practitioner. I’ve helped people with everything from headaches and arthritis to fertility and digestive concerns.

Q: What are the most common questions you get about Pilates?

People often ask:
“Can Pilates help with back pain?”
“Is Pilates good for me if I have an injury?”
The answer is: it depends. Everyone is different, so we always take an individualized approach. How long has the issue been going on? What’s been tried before? What’s the person’s motivation to heal? Those are the questions that shape our work together.

Q: What is your process when working with a new client?

We start with an in-depth conversation: What’s the issue? When did it start? What’s worked or not worked in the past? Then I assess movement patterns, posture, range of motion, and look for the source of the problem — maybe it’s a tight hamstring, one leg longer than the other, or nerve involvement in the shoulder. The goal is to find the root cause and design a program around improving it.

Sometimes it's focused rehab. Other times it’s general conditioning. Often, it’s both.

Q: Do clients who come for injury rehab ever stay on long term?

Absolutely. One woman came in with back and pelvis pain during pregnancy. After a few months of strengthening and relief, she told me, “I’m coming back after I give birth.” That happens often. People feel better, and they want to keep going. Rehab becomes part of their ongoing self-care and strength-building.

Our bodies tend to return to the path of least resistance, so building and maintaining strength through consistent practice is key.

Q: There’s a perception that Pilates is only for women. What do you say to that?

Yeah, I’ve heard it: “Isn’t Pilates for dancers or middle-aged women?” But honestly, a lot of guys avoid it because they’re afraid they’ll get shown up by those same middle-aged women!

In reality, about 50% of my clients are men, especially in private sessions. The ratio in my classes is probably 70% women, 30% men. Once they try it, they usually realize it’s a full-body challenge that builds real strength and control. My own journey into Pilates started when I was working as a massage therapist in a Pilates studio. I tried a few classes and loved the movement quality, the creativity, and how it worked the whole body — not just isolated muscles like in traditional weightlifting.

Q: How do you explain acupuncture to someone new to it?

Most people ask:
“What is acupuncture?”
“How does it work?”
“Will it help with my (insert condition)?”

There are a few layers to it. At a basic level, acupuncture affects muscles and nerves. It can reduce pain, increase blood flow, and relieve tension.

There are also trigger point methods — pain in the head may come from tightness in the neck. And then there’s traditional Chinese medicine theory: pain is often caused by stagnation of “Chi” or energy. The needles help restore flow.

Fascinatingly, the meridian lines used in Chinese medicine align with Western concepts of myofascial planes — connective tissue that runs through the body. So, acupuncture sits at the intersection of Eastern and Western understanding.

Q: Can you share a story that illustrates acupuncture’s effect?

Sure. One time a woman came in with a migraine that had lasted several days. Her mom, a nurse, was ready to send her for an MRI. I followed a technique where I didn’t put needles in the head, but in her foot — based on meridian theory. Within seconds she sat up and said, “I just felt a pop in my head — 80% of the pain is gone.” I didn’t expect that immediate a result, but it was one of those moments where you just go, “Okay, that worked!”

Q: What makes your approach different from other providers?

It’s the integration. I bring together decades of experience in massage therapy, personal training, Pilates, and acupuncture. That means I’m not limited to just one modality. If someone comes in with a headache, I can evaluate whether it’s muscular, structural, energetic — or all three — and decide the best course of action.

A lot of practitioners have one tool. I bring a full toolbox.

Q: What’s the one thing you hope people take away from this conversation?

That healing is not one-size-fits-all. Whether you’re in pain, rebuilding strength, or just looking to move better, there are tools and approaches that can help. It takes a partnership between practitioner and client. I’m here to meet people where they are, help them feel better, and keep them moving forward.

Whether you’re recovering from injury or just looking to feel stronger in your body, schedule a Pilates or acupuncture session with Michael by calling or texting 303-472-6743.