Growing old does not have to mean giving up on an active lifestyle. Whether it’s continuing to play tennis or golf or simply playing with grandchildren, today’s elders do not easily relinquish the activities that have sustained them throughout their long lives. Pilates can keep the mature population active, but the instructors who deal with them need to understand the limitations of their elderly clients.

This workshop deals with the musculoskeletal issues, diseases and other physical changes that are common in the older population. You will learn modifications and variations to the original BASI repertoire and discuss the specific needs of this age group. By applying the correct tools, variations and precautions, you will be able to take your clients safely through a session that will assist them in maintaining an active quality of life.

By the end of this workshop you will have both the knowledge and the confidence to work with this wonderful population!

This workshop focuses on the often-neglected aspect of advanced work - the source. It appears the connection between Fundamental Level work and Advanced Level work is often diminished or lost completely. This phenomenon has become more apparent as the popularity of Pilates grows and "teachers" are trained in record time.  The vital stage of mastering the Basics should not be sacrificed to simply “perform” Advanced Level work. The progression from basic movements to the highly advanced work will be highlighted and experienced. This stimulating learning experience will culminate in a valuable outcome - Back to Basics! 

Athletes represent a very specific population and as such special considerations should be applied to serving their needs.  This workshop will guide the instructor through the unique and valuable applications available for the athlete directly related to the Pilates method.  Challenging muscle groups with precision of movement in strength, flexibility and endurance, will provide the necessary tools to structure demanding, yet well rounded sessions, for the professional (or weekend) athlete in your studio.

It is essential that a Pilates teacher always understand an exercise to apply the movment in the most appropriate manner and in the most effective setting. This workshop will look at how to adapt exercises in order to make them easier or more challenging, depending on the client's needs, and analyze them looking at muscle focus, objectives, goals and cues.

Anthony Lett, author of the popular book “Innovations in Pilates” will teach and present on the major themes from his book. The two day workshop will cover important themes in the education and development of any serious Pilates teacher or advanced student.

“Innovations in Pilates” details the integration of Therapeutic Muscle Stretching on the Pilates reformer. It has been described as the ‘missing element” in Pilates repertoire and teacher education. Anthony’s course will introduce you to the latest research in stretching biomechanics and neurophysiology in practical ways that will give you new insights into the Pilates system and dozens of new and effective ways of using your reformer. Whether you teach in a clinical or well-being based Pilates model, the work will enable you to increase the effectiveness of your programs and offer and new and exciting class formats. With the latest 3d analysis of movement, the course will also clarify and develop your anatomical knowledge in theoretical and experiential ways.

It is going to be a weekend jam-packed with information designed to inform, improve and challenge the way that you think about and teach your Pilates work!

Kyphosis is one of the most common postural imbalances a Pilates teacher comes across every day. Understanding the structural and muscular imbalances as well as the inhibition and compensation patterns is a key to prescribing the right exercise program and helping the kyphotic client improve their posture. This practical workshop will explain all the above mentioned topics and then take you through repertoire on the mat and equipment to demonstrate what kind of exercise would be very important to the kyphotic client and how to modify familiar exercises to make them more appropriate and beneficial.

Pre-Pilates exercises are often introduced to either beginners who need to work on joint release, stability and core strength; or to those recovering from injury.  This workshop will look at some Pre-Pilates repertoire and then demonstrate how to integrate Pre-Pilates exercises into a "real" Pilates routine in order to achieve your goals, without sacrificing flow or challenge.

Presenter: Tish Berman

Nutrition is a key component of any health or fitness regimen, particularly Pilates. This workshop dispels popular diet myths and takes a comprehensive look at the six foundations of nutrition - diet, digestion, minerals, hydration, fatty acids, sleep - and their effect on overall wellness. It also provides valuable testing methods and food journaling techniques, to help you assist your clients in reaching their overall fitness goals.

Presenter: Bonnie Sessions, BASI Pilates® Senior Faculty

In this workshop, we explore the effects of weight accumulation in different areas of the body and how this affects the client’s center of gravity while exercising.  Both the de-conditioned and the fit overweight client will be discussed. 

We will look at exercise selection, common assists for this population, and cueing tips to ensure successful sessions.  You will learn how using BASI Pilates principles and proper exercise selection with your overweight clients can empower them throughout their sessions and their lives.

Presenters: Marilyn Koval, Kathryn Russell and Robb Russell, D.C.

This workshop will provide a background on Chronic Pain Syndromes such as Fibromyalgia, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Lupus, and Multiple Sclerosis and why Pilates is such an effective tool in the management of these syndromes. Research has shown that Chronic Pain is best managed through an inter-disciplinary approach focusing on exercise. The Pilates method with its emphasis on breath, core strength and joint stability is particularly successful for those suffering from chronic pain. You will learn specific modifications and strategies necessary to guide your client through a Pilates session. You will also learn how to evaluate which modifications are appropriate and why.

In this workshop, you will learn ways of using props to spice up your Pilates repertoire.   Balls, bands, foam rolls, poles, weights, rotating discs and more will be used in creative and meaningful ways.  Sheri will also show you how to effectively take an exercise from one piece of equipment and experience it on others.   Many options will be explored but the integrity of each exercise will be maintained.   You will leave this workshop inspired, with lots of new ideas that can easily be incorporated into your sessions making them more exciting and appropriate for your clients.

In this workshop, you will learn new exciting ways of using props to spice up your Pilates repertoire.  Balls, bands, foam rolls, poles, weights, rotating discs and more will be used in creative and meaningful ways.  Sheri will also show you how to effectively take an exercise from one piece of equipment and experience it on others.   Many options will be explored while always maintaining the original integrity of each exercise.   You will leave this workshop inspired,motivated, and with many new ideas that can easily be incorporated into your sessions making them more exciting and appropriate for your clients. 

For those of you who took the Pilates with Props workshop last year, you will not be disappointed.  Sheri has an all new repertoire ready for you!

The first days, weeks and months after a woman gives birth are key to addressing the proper, safe and effective healing of her body. Pregnancy and birth can have profound effects on a woman’s body, and a smart post-natal Pilates program can successfully guide a woman through her first year post partum and beyond. This workshop will focus on the anatomy of giving birth, both vaginally and by Caesarean, as well as the anatomy of a woman’s body directly after she gives birth and the common postural deviations of a post-natal body. Conditions discussed include diastasis recti, pelvic floor trauma, perineum tears and the healing process after Caesarian Section surgery. Participants will learn how to design a post-natal Pilates program and how to safely progress post-natal clients back to performing the traditional Pilates exercises.

Shoulder Mechanics, Functional Movement and the Pilates Repertoire

An Upper Girdle Extravaganza! The first day of this two-day workshop addresses shoulder function using all the apparatus and kicks off with a one-hour mat class. The second day focuses on the use of the AVALON® System, particularly pertaining to the upper body. Participants may choose to attend either or both days.

Each day begins with a one hour Mat class.

Presenter:  Samantha Wood, MPT, MBA

This workshop will teach Pilates Instructors a Physical Therapy approach to working with clients with shoulder problems.  Functional anatomy, biomechanics, and current literature related to the shoulder complex will be reviewed.  Specific injuries and diagnoses will be discussed.  Participants will learn precautions and/or contraindications for these injuries, as well as options and/or exercise modifications to the original Pilates repertoire.  Through lecture, discussion, demonstration and practice participants will learn safe ways to work with clients who suffer from some of the most commonly seen shoulder issues.

This workshop will focus on the correct mechanics of the shoulder girdle - particularly relating to the Pilates repertoire. Immaculate control and sequencing of movement are essential in this method. Higher-level Pilates challenges, coupled with everyday activities demanding shoulder involvement, can easily create negative movement patterns and compensations. Poor shoulder stability, mobility and correct patterning of movement are certainly the most frequently encountered dysfunctions amongst clients. This subject is one that needs to be addressed as its implications are far reaching.

In this workshop, participants will learn the associated benefits and problem-solving skills involved in teaching jumpboard classes. Discussion includes jumping technique and biomechanics, setting appropriate objectives, pacing, choreography and repertoire variations for special populations/needs.  Students will learn jumping sequences for improving mechanics and strength, building endurance and core control, improving speed, power, and proprioception, and expanding cardiovascular capacity.

This course focuses on one of the most fundamental of all Pilates teaching skills, “cueing”. The basis for all communication between teacher and student, cueing demands great skill; information must be conveyed, received and integrated within milliseconds to bring about the desired result. Good cueing is integral to any skilled teaching session.

Introducing the Avalon System, the most innovative redesign of Pilates equipment since the days of Joseph Pilates, The workshop explores the greatly expanded repertoire of the Step Barrel in its Avalon incarnation. 

This workshop will introduce a new line of Pilates equipment with concepts innovated by Rael Isacowitz and designed by Rael in concert with Balanced Body Inc. Focusing on the Avalon Arm Chair and Avalon Step Barrel, this equipment demonstrates revolutionary changes. With the Avalon, Rael has added resistance to pieces of apparatus which did not have it in the original designs, and subtly remodeled the designs for safetly and comfort.Solidly grounded in the work and principles of Joseph Pilates, these designs greatly expand the range of exercises on the equipment and explore uncharted territory. The most exciting development of the Pilates equipment in recent years, the Avalon System will introduce the professional to new dimensions in the Pilates work. An extensive repertoire will be taught and new concepts introduced.