PILATES PROPS - Is it still a Pilates Mat Class?

Pilates mat classes are everywhere. Some good, some bad. Some in fitness centers, some in Pilates studios, some on DVD. Many of these classes have begun to add props for variety and it is my opinon that many times props are used incorrectly in a Pilates class.
Firstly, lets talk a little about the history of Pilates. Joe Pilates created the mat repertoire for himself as a means to get fit, strong and flexible. He was an athletic young man and went on to become quite an accomplished gymnast, martial arts specialist and boxer. His personal workouts were challenging to say the least. In 1934 his Book "Return to Life" was published and in it he displayed his 34 Contrology exercises - which later become known as Pilates Mat Exercises. Not only are these exercises pretty challenging but, as can be seen in archival footage of Joe performing the moves himself, are very athletic in nature and not the rehabilitative Pilates that many know today. And so I feel it is very unfortunate that Pilates Mat classes are the only available source of Pilates training in many fitness facilities and clubs around the world. Many people are drawn to Pilates for its rehab quality and do not relaize that Joseph Pilates had to invent the Pilates apparatus to better assist those lacking in certain strengths and flexibilities in the Mat. 
I feel that many Pilates teachers have evolved their Pilates mat class into something a little more user friendly. Firstly, I notice teachers changing the order of exercises, then deleting exercises altogether becasue they feel they're too hard. Now there seems to be a shift to teaching a Mat class with props such as small balls,weights and bands. Many times the original repertoire is completely lost to the small equipment and the class now becomes a calisthenics or body sculpt class using props and NOT Pilates. I have no problem using props per se, but I do have a probelnm with teachers portraying a Pilates Mat class as something that uses a ball, band or weights and the poor consumer does not realize that they have to work hard  using their body and mind to get the kind of results that I know everyone in a Pilates class is looking for. If you must use props in a Pilates mat class, then call it a Props Class and make people aware that the ball or band or weights are just that, PROPS. Let people know that the real effort in Pilates still should come from inside the body. A better name for Pilates props is "tools". The ball and band represent a tool to assist in learning or perfecting an exercise rather than taking over the entire exercise. If anything, the Pilates tools/props should serve the purpose of the large apparatus. That of assisting those not strong enough to do the exercise on their own or not in tune enough with heir body to "get" the exercise without the prop.
Just remember when teaching Pilates.... that it is a mind body discipline that involves focusing the mind on making the body strong and flexible. Thats it! If the props/tools you use take away from that, then don't us them. If having a small ball betweeen the knees on a shoulder bridge makes the student feel the hamstrings and abs more, then use it. But don't use that ball betweeen the knees to turn shoulder bridge into an inner thigh exercise, because its not! Enough said.