2026 Pilates Synergy Summit (Online)

Bringing Pilates to everyone: Modifications focused on the principles of Pilates

Nowadays, Pilates has spread explosively across Asia, attracting people from various fields. In this situation, how can we effectively convey the depth of the Pilates method, which is not just as a form of exercise, to individuals with low physical fitness, the elderly, or those in the recovery phase from injuries?

 In this workshop, we will use modified exercises that combine the Tower and Spine Corrector to enhance clear bodily awareness.  As a result, clients will gain greater control over their bodies than ever before. Eventually, this approach will guide them toward achieving Joseph Pilates' vision of 'Complete control of your own body ', providing a crucial step in their journey.

Spirals, Slings and the Thoracolumbar Fascia

This workshop explores how fascial principles can expand and complement your existing practice and teaching, enriching your movement vocabulary and deepening your anatomical understanding.

We'll explore the fascia not as an abstract concept, but as a living, force-transmitting network that gives movement its continuity, resilience, and expressiveness. A central focus will be the thoracolumbar fascia, its role in spinal support and force transmission, brought to life through experiential anatomy techniques that make complex concepts immediately felt and applicable in a Pilates context. You'll discover how spiral and rotational patterns add new dimensions to your repertoire, and how counter-rotations become a powerful tool for building control, stability, and fluid coordination.

You'll work through bodyweight movement, balls, and elastic bands to build a rich, experience-proven repertoire designed to stimulate and integrate all the major myofascial slings, ready to use with your clients straight away.

When fascia becomes part of your movement language, every Pilates session gains a new dimension of depth, precision, and presence.

The Art of Exceptional Reformer Classes

Exceptional Reformer classes are shaped by the teacher’s ability to observe, adapt, connect, and create meaningful movement experiences—not simply deliver exercises. This workshop explores the often-overlooked skills that distinguish highly effective teachers, including class architecture, movement intention, client engagement, progression strategies, and real-time decision making. Participants will leave with practical tools to create reformer sessions that are more impactful, memorable, and professionally distinctive.

Map Thinking for Hip and Glute Training: A Five-Dimensional Approach

At the 2026 PMA Conference in Shanghai, Fang Chao will present “Map Thinking for Hip and Glute Training: A Five-Dimensional Approach.” Participants will learn how to apply anatomy-based thinking to one of the most common challenges in Pilates and functional training—achieving effective, sustainable glute activation while protecting the lower back and knees. Through hands-on practice and case-based instruction, attendees will leave with a clear framework they can immediately apply in their teaching.

Fang Chao’s teaching style is clear, practical, and grounded in science. He is widely regarded by his students as “the teacher who makes anatomy make sense.”

Fascia, Anatomy Trains & Pilates Movement

Pilates has always recognized that the body moves as an integrated whole. In this practical 2-hour workshop, we will explore how fascia and the Anatomy Trains myofascial meridians can deepen our understanding of posture, movement, breath, core control, and Pilates exercise sequencing.

Rather than looking at muscles in isolation, this workshop introduces the body as a connected fascial system — where the feet influence the pelvis, the breath influences the spine, and movement travels through whole-body relationships.

Pilates teachers will learn how to apply Anatomy Trains concepts to familiar Pilates exercises, improve movement observation, refine cueing, and create more integrated, intelligent movement experiences for their clients.

This workshop is ideal for Pilates teachers, movement educators, and practitioners who want to expand their anatomical understanding and bring a more whole-body, fascia-informed perspective into their teaching.

Layered Training of the Thoracolumbar Fascia in Pilates

The thoracolumbar fascia is a fascial complex that plays a vital role in stabilizing the lower back, abdomen, pelvis, and internal organs, as well as transmitting power in the midsection of body. In this course, we will delve into the anatomical layers of the thoracolumbar fascia and their relationships; we will then break down how to design and adjust Pilates movements for layered training of the thoracolumbar fascia, thereby better building core strength, repairing diastasis recti, visceral ptosis, and improving lower back pain.

The Menezes Method®: A Biomechanical Approach to Precision, Strength, and Spinal Health

What if small biomechanical adjustments could dramatically change the way Pilates exercises work?

In this dynamic workshop, Allan Menezes shares insights from more than four decades of teaching and studying human movement. Discover how the Menezes Method® uses precise pelvic alignment, femoral positioning, and breathing strategies to improve core activation while reducing unnecessary strain on the spine and hip flexors.

Through live demonstrations and interactive movement exploration, you will experience how subtle changes in technique can unlock stronger abdominal recruitment, greater spinal support, and more efficient movement patterns.

This session will challenge conventional Pilates assumptions and provide practical strategies you can immediately apply to your teaching—helping clients move with greater strength, precision, and spinal health.

Join Allan at the Pilates Method Alliance Conference in Shanghai and rethink how biomechanics can elevate your Pilates practice.

Back to Basics: The shoulder isn’t so complex anymore!

Conditioning the shoulder complex depends on strength, flexibility, timing and coordination of multiple structures. In this interactive session, we will focus on hands-on learning so you have a simple, step-by-step process to create optimal function, alignment and comfort in this area of the body. 

You’ll learn about the structure and function of the shoulder complex, and experience exercises you can adapt for most injuries and conditions, or for those who simply want to get strong. And, with this methodical approach, you will leave with knowledge and practical tools to use immediately. 

Please note that this session focuses on a practical approach to improving shoulder function in any scenario. We will not delve into specific movement impairments or pain syndromes.

Awareness Through Movement: Reshaping Pilates movement from the Feldenkrais perspective

Rooted in Feldenkrais’ Awareness Through Movement philosophy, we no longer rigidly adhere to the stereotyped application of neutral position and optimal alignment. Rediscover classic Pilates movements (Roll Up, Mermaid, Spine Twist…). Focus on learning and improving movement patterns, stimulate the nervous system to regulate postural balance and bodily tension, awaken proprioception, and develop movement expression tailored to individual physical traits.

Lumbo-Pelvic Stability on the Mat: Progressions for Pain-Free Movement

Lumbo-pelvic stability is central to restoring and maintaining pain-free movement—but it requires thoughtful progression and precise teaching.

The difference between movement and pain-free movement often lies in precision.

This mat-based workshop focuses on how to develop and progress stability in the lumbo-pelvic region for clients ranging from pre- and post-surgical populations (with appropriate medical clearance) to those seeking long-term strength and maintenance.

Grounded in anatomy and biomechanics, participants will learn how to:

• Build foundational stability with clarity and control

• Progress exercises safely from early-stage recovery to higher-level strength

• Use precise verbal and tactile cueing to support efficient, pain-free movement

• Adapt programming to meet clients where they are—without losing effectiveness

With an emphasis on precision over complexity, this session provides practical tools to create mat work that supports both recovery and long-term resilience.

Flowing Touch - Dynamic Manual Cueing in Pilates Teaching

Ying Huang began her classical Pilates journey in 2004 while living in New Zealand, studying under several internationally renowned instructors and immersing herself in Joseph Pilates; original teaching methodology for over two decades. In 2011, she returned to China and opened the country’s first fully-equipped classical Pilates studio, introducing international-standard classical Pilates to the Chinese market. She previously led Romana & Pilates training programs and now serves as the first Power Pilates Teacher Trainer and authorized Examiner in China, playing a pivotal role in advancing professional Pilates education and certification standards nationwide. Concurrently, she has devoted nearly ten years to the GYROTONIC® system and holds the title of Gyrotonic Master Trainer. With over twenty years of hands-on teaching experience across both Pilates and Gyrotonic, Ying brings rigorous instructional logic, refined movement observation, and skilled hands-on guidance to help every practitioner discover their own body’s innate wisdom.