Jean-Claude West Discussion

Those who know anything about Jean-Claude West may be surprised to see the notoriously private man make is first online appearance ever here on Pilates Anytime. Until recently, the only picture of Jean-Claude you could find online was a few pages into a google search and it was a painting of him dancing on stage almost 30 years ago!

If you’ve never heard of Jean-Claude West you’re not alone, but if you’re in the profession of Pilates or bodywork, you have most likely been influenced by his profound body of work, utilized his inventions in your practice, or studied with a teacher who studied with him in some capacity. Last April, it was our great honor to invite him forward in conversation both to acknowledge his service and to alert the larger community to his contributions to the study of movement and motor control.

Jean-Claude West is a teacher of teachers. He is a movement analyst and technician with rich hands-on skills, and an even richer background. In addition to receiving his masters in Motor Control, Jean-Claude furthered his knowledge through his own deep explorations, observations, and experience in the school of life.

He has collaborated with important mentors and colleagues from so many fields (Louis Schultz, Julio Horvath, Mikhail Baryshnikov…) that he defies being identified with any single modality or being placed in box.

Jean-Claude worked with Kathy Grant, Eve Gentry, Bruce King, and Mary Bowen to name just a few. Pilates educators like Madeline Black and Elizabeth Larkam and an array of leaders in the dance, bodywork, and fitness communities refer to Jean-Claude and his work with deep appreciation for his insights and expertise regarding movement and physical embodiment, not to mention his various inventions supporting his work in this regard.

For many years Jean-Claude West has been out there quietly working in the trenches with us and for us, sharing his own evolutionary process and development. I hope you enjoy the conversation!

Watch The Full Discussion Now

Special thank you to Elizabeth Larkam, Madeline Black, Jean Sullivan, Margaret Tappan, and A Body of Work in San Francisco, California for making this interview and Jean-Claude’s upcoming workshop possible.