October 17–18, 2026 | West Palm Beach, Florida

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PMA 25TH ANNIVERSARY EXHIBITORS & SPONSORS

PMA 25TH ANNIVERSARY EXHIBITORS & SPONSORS

For 25 years, the Pilates Method Alliance (PMA) has brought Pilates professionals together through education, connection, and a shared commitment to the future of the Pilates profession. This October, that global community comes together in West Palm Beach, Florida, for the PMA 25th Anniversary Conference.

Designed for Pilates teachers, educators, studio owners, students, movement professionals, and industry leaders, this two-day Pilates conference will celebrate the legacy that has shaped our profession while creating space to learn, connect, and look ahead. Guided by the theme Pilates Forward. Together., the 2026 Conference offers an intimate professional gathering where attendees can learn from respected voices in Pilates, participate in educational workshops and movement sessions, exchange ideas with colleagues, discover products and resources from industry exhibitors, and build meaningful professional connections.

Whether you have spent decades working in Pilates or are building the next stage of your career, the PMA 25th Anniversary Conference is an opportunity to strengthen your knowledge, expand your professional community, and participate in the conversations shaping the future of Pilates.

Two Days of Pilates Education and Professional Development

The 2026 PMA Conference combines Pilates education, movement, professional development, business insights, and community in one weekend.

Conference programming is designed to provide Pilates professionals with practical information they can bring back to their clients, classes, studios, and businesses. Attendees will have opportunities to explore teaching techniques, movement concepts, professional and business topics, and perspectives from experienced Pilates educators and industry professionals. With multiple workshops and sessions available throughout the weekend, registered attendees can choose their preferred workshops and create a personalized Conference schedule through the event platform.

Explore the Schedule

The PMA 25th Anniversary Summit brings two days of Pilates education, movement, professional development, and community to West Palm Beach, Florida, October 17–18, 2026. Explore the full Summit schedule to discover Mat classes, educational workshops, expert-led sessions, industry conversations, and opportunities to connect with Pilates teachers, educators, studio owners, and movement professionals from across the United States and around the world.

Whether you’re looking to expand your teaching knowledge, explore new perspectives, strengthen your Pilates business, or connect with the broader professional community, the 2026 Summit offers opportunities to learn, collaborate, and grow throughout the weekend. Explore the schedule and start planning your PMA 25th Anniversary Summit experience.

Workshop offerings, presenters, schedules, and availability are subject to change.

Saturday, October 17, 2026

  • Atrium | Laura Wilson – Morning Mat Class

    Meet your new favorite burn: a glutes, abs & arms workout powered by the Pilates Ball. Small ball, big challenge!

  • Room 1 | Joy Puleo – Maximizing Pilates in a Rapidly Changing Business Environment

    What is the unique training proposition of Pilates? What is driving our method’s rise to the forefront of the modern fitness environment, and where is it going next? Join for a discussion on how shifts in client and consumer understanding of Pilates are changing our business environment. Examine the many current market drivers, including social media, younger demographics, group fitness, and connected fitness. Finally, explore how we as Pilates professionals can evolve to stay ahead in today’s landscape without losing what makes the source material great.

    Room 2 | Nahit Baylan – The Teaching Sequence: A Systematic Framework for Effective Pilates Instruction

    Teaching a Pilates exercise requires more than demonstrating movement or providing random cues. Effective instruction follows a logical sequence that helps participants understand, perform, and refine movement without cognitive overload.

    In this workshop, Dr. Nahit Baylan introduces a systematic teaching framework developed through over 25 years of coaching, teaching, and instructor education. Participants will learn how to organize their instruction into a practical sequence, including equipment setup, movement explanation, breathing, muscular emphasis, rhythm, and ongoing movement correction.

    The workshop will also explore when and how to use verbal, tactile, and visual teaching methods to maximize learning, improve communication, and enhance movement quality. Participants will leave with a clear instructional model that can be applied immediately to individual and group Pilates sessions.

    Room 3 | Juan Castellano – Clinical Pilates Foundations: A New Evidence-Based Framework for the Pilates Industry

    Pilates has evolved considerably over recent decades, yet much of its language and educational framework continues to rely on historical concepts rather than contemporary exercise science. This workshop introduces an evidence-based framework that redefines Clinical Pilates through the principles of modern physiology, biomechanics and therapeutic exercise. Participants will explore movement as a biological stimulus, adaptation as the primary therapeutic goal, and clinical reasoning as the foundation for exercise prescription. Rather than focusing on exercises as isolated techniques, this session provides a structured decision-making model that helps clinicians select and progress movement according to the biological adaptations they intend to achieve. Through scientific discussion, clinical examples and practical demonstrations, attendees will gain a clear conceptual framework that can be immediately integrated into clinical practice, education and professional communication.


  • Room 1 | Karen Clippinger – Sacroiliac Function and Pilates Program Design

    This workshop will include a discussion of the sacroiliac joint, its key function as part of the link between the lower extremity and spine, and its common dysfunction and associated pain. Participants will learn Pilates-based exercises than can be used to help restore stability and more desired function of this vital joint. Use of cueing and position modifications will also be provided for selected classical repertoire aimed at preventing injury or aggravation of chronic conditions in this area.

    Room 2 | Byungwan Yun – Progressive Motor Control Strategies Based on Stability

    As instructors, we encounter countless questions in the process of teaching movement.
    Why do people achieve completely different results, even when following the same program?
    Why does pain persist, even when the exercise technique is correct?
    In this workshop, we will explore these questions one by one through scientific evidence, while developing a new perspective on understanding human movement.

    ✔ Why does activating the core sometimes increase stress on the lower back?
    ✔ Why do the neck and shoulders become tense before the abdominal muscles engage?
    ✔ Why is maintaining a neutral pelvis more difficult than expected?
    ✔ Why doesn't flexibility improve easily, even with consistent stretching?
    ✔ Why does the same exercise produce excellent results for some people, but not for others?

    This seminar is based on Functional Anatomy, Neuroanatomy, Motor Learning, and the latest Evidence-Based research, and provides an in-depth exploration of:
    🧠Progressive Motor Control Strategies Based on Stability
    🧠 APA (Anticipatory Postural Adjustment)
    🧠 Neuromuscular Control
    🧠 Progressive Motor Control Strategy
    🧠 Stability-Based Exercise Program Design
    🧠 Progressive Teaching Strategies That Transform Client Movement

    A great instructor is not simply someone who knows many exercises. A great instructor can clearly explain:

    Why this exercise is necessary.
    Why this sequence is the most appropriate.
    Why this specific cue is being used.

    The deeper your understanding becomes, the more accurate your assessment skills will be, and the more effective your instruction will become.

    ✔ Reformer & Chair Practical Sessions
    ✔ A 6-hour intensive course integrating Rehabilitation and Performance Pilates
    ✔ Assessment and teaching strategies that can be applied immediately in clinical practice and Pilates instruction
    ✔ A progressive teaching approach to enhance Quality of Movement

    Room 3 | Katie Santos SHRM-CP – The Business of Pilates is More Than Great Teaching

    A successful Pilates studio isn't built on excellent teaching alone. It is a people business supported by a clear culture, sound pricing, intentional staffing, consistent systems, and thoughtful leadership.

    In this interactive workshop, new and existing studios will explore how to deliver a great client experience without requiring the owner to wear every hat.

    By the end of the session, participants will be able to:

    1. Identify the business levers that most affect studio health.

    2. Connect staffing and scheduling decisions to capacity, revenue, and client experience.

    3. Recognize key people management and HR risks before they become expensive problems.

    4. Choose metrics and systems to improve over the next 90 days.


  • Take a midday break to refuel, connect, and explore the Expo. Enjoy a lunch break, network with fellow attendees, and visit exhibitor booths to discover the latest Pilates innovations and resources before the afternoon workshops begin.

    *lunch not provided

    Atrium | Discussion Panel

    Join industry leaders, educators, and innovators for an insightful look at the current state of the Pilates industry and the trends shaping its future. An essential event for studio owners and instructors alike! Hear from representatives from Balanced Body, Polestar, Anita Horry Academy, bsport, CoreSpring, Alliant Insurance, Pilates Style Magazine and Pilatestick, Morpho Water, Health Meets Wealth and Osteostrong.

    Moderated by PMA President Pat Stevenson

  • Room 1 | Brent Anderson – Returning to the Source: Optimizing the mat repertoire for the modern client

    The Pilates Mat repertoire is often considered the ultimate proving ground for a client's movement competency, requiring strength, coordination, precision, and flow without the assistance of the apparatus.

    This 2-hour interactive workshop is designed for intermediate and advanced Pilates practitioners ready to reclaim, optimize, and elevate Mat work in their daily practice. We will look past the mere choreography of the classical order to define the important "Why" behind the Mat work. Participants will learn how to facilitate complex repertoire into its principle-based components, allowing them to meet any client exactly where they are regardless of experience or physical limitations. By exploring how specific exercises drive whole-body integration and connectivity, you will gain the tools to deliver a profound movement experience that anchors clients in their “present” state. Elevate your cueing, refine your progressions, and transform your Mat classes from a standard routine into an indispensable, therapeutic, whole-body experience.

    Room 2 | Dr Junya Takeda - The Role of Pilates in Rejuvenative Medicine:

    Posture and the Musculoskeletal System Supported by Motor Control Exercises

    This 2-hour interactive workshop bridges pioneering medical evidence with classical and contemporary Pilates applications utilizing various apparatus. Presenting insights from Japan—the world’s most super-aging society—this session highlights the systemic medical benefits of optimal posture and full-body alignment, as well as the endocrine functions of skeletal muscle via myokines.　

    Furthermore, it introduces the critical role of "Muscle-Bone Interaction" in managing osteoporosis and preventing locomotive syndrome. Attendees will master how to mitigate exercise risks and optimize long-term adherence through motor control retraining. The lecture features an exclusive clinical case study: the presenter’s personal video documentation of undergoing microendoscopic spine surgery for a lumbar disc herniation in 2021 and initiating Pilates rehabilitation on post-operative day 1. The practical section demonstrates how to adapt traditional Japanese medical evidence—such as Straight Leg Raise (SLR) and hip abduction to prevent knee lateral or medial thrust, and the "Flamingo" unipedal standing exercise for femoral neck bone mineral density and fall prevention—into systematic movement repertoires integrated with Pilates equipment.

    Room 3 | Understanding the Versatility of the Pilates Stick Pro with Sam and Susannah Cotrone

    Explore the versatility and application of the Pilates Stick Pro through hands-on teaching and guided demonstrations of classical Pilates exercises. Participants will discover how this apparatus can enhance alignment, support precision, deepen body awareness, and provide new insights into familiar movements. Through practical exploration and instructor-led guidance, we’ll examine ways to incorporate the Stick Pro into classical Pilates work while maintaining the integrity, control, and intention of the method.

  • Atrium | ITTAP Roundtable - Discussion Panel

    Join PMA Vice President and ITTAP Coordinator Petros Kouroupakis, who will serve as organizer and moderator, for a special roundtable discussion on International Teacher Training Accreditation for Pilates (ITTAP). This interactive session will explore the role of accreditation in supporting Pilates teacher training, its impact on the profession, and what it means for the future of Pilates education worldwide. Participants will receive an overview of the ITTAP program, accreditation standards, application expectations, and the review process, along with practical guidance for navigating accreditation. The session will conclude with an open Q&A, giving teacher training schools, educators, program directors, and prospective applicants an opportunity to ask questions and better understand the accreditation process.

    Room 1 | Kyria Sabin – The Breath Inspires

    Breath is the number one Pilates Movement Principle. Breath consciousness is the key to understanding the Pilates method. It oxygenates the body, allowing us to draw power and movement, or “inspiration” from each breath. Through a variety of “classical” Pilates movements, we will review the anatomy and physiology of breath and clearly demonstrate how each movement can be initiated by breath and explore how the concept of breath as inspiration to move can be carried beyond the Pilates studio to positively impact and influence the quality of athletics and everyday movement. 

    Room 2 | Maria Sevilla – Healthy Feet, Stronger Movement - Practical Pilates Strategies for the Foot-to-Hip Chain

    Healthy Feet, Stronger Movement is an interactive workshop for Pilates teachers who want to better understand how foot mobility, strength, sensory awareness and load distribution influence movement throughout the lower extremity.
    Participants will review functional anatomy of the foot and ankle, explore how the foot responds during standing, balance, heel raises, squatting and gait, and learn to distinguish between mobility, strength, control and sensory-awareness needs. Rather than prescribing one ideal foot position, the workshop emphasizes individual variation, thoughtful observation and exercise selection based on what the teacher sees and feels.
    Through practical exercises using small props, standing movement and Pilates-based progressions, participants will learn strategies for improving toe differentiation, arch control, ankle mobility, balance and coordination between the foot, knee and hip. Teachers will leave with adaptable tools that can be integrated into Mat, Reformer and apparatus sessions while remaining within the Pilates teacher’s scope of practice.
    Target audience:
    Comprehensively trained Pilates teachers, teacher trainers and experienced movement educators who want to deepen their understanding of foot function and whole-chain programming.
    The workshop is educational and movement-based and is not intended to diagnose or treat medical foot conditions.

    Room 3 | Monika Fronc – One Cue Doesn’t Fit All: The Art of Adaptive Instruction

    One Cue Doesn't Fit All: The Art of Adaptive Instruction.
    The same cue lands beautifully for one client and passes straight through the next. The same room, the same exercise, two different outcomes. This workshop treats cueing as translation, not repetition. Learn to read your room before you speak, understand why some cues connect and others don't, and build the vocabulary range to adapt in real time, so every body in your class finally feels it and has the "AHA" moment.

  • PMA 25th Anniversary Gala Dinner & Awards Ceremony

    Join us at The Ben for a special evening celebrating 25 years of PMA and honoring the legacy of Joseph Pilates. Enjoy dinner and an awards ceremony recognizing Mary Bowen, Brent Anderson, Ken Endelman, Sarita Allen, Kyria Sabin, Daria Pace, and Shelly Power for their contributions to the Pilates profession.

    The evening will also feature reflections on PMA’s history and the announcement of the Pilates Style Passport Challenge winner.

    Tickets: $160 per person | Separate ticket required.

Sunday, October 18, 2026

  • Atrium | Morning Mat Class

    Konnected in Motion with Shelly Power

    Connect your whole body in this dynamic 60-minute Pilates class using the Konnections® Band. Designed to link all four limbs, the band provides continuous resistance and proprioceptive feedback while challenging strength, coordination, stability, and mobility. Through flowing, integrated movement sequences, you’ll explore how the arms, legs, and trunk work together to create greater body awareness and efficient movement. Suitable for a range of experience levels, this full-body class offers a unique and engaging way to experience the principles of the Konnect Method.

  • Room 1 | Daniel Dittmar – Unravel the Thoracic Spine

    Most Pilates instructors already know the thoracic spine matters — and most have hit the same wall trying to actually mobilize it. You cue rotation, extension, side-bending; you see effort, but the movement doesn't show up where you need it, or it doesn't hold. The thoracic spine is also the most overlooked region in spine research and rehab conversations, yet it may be a hidden driver of dysfunction elsewhere: when it stiffens, load and movement don't disappear — they shift to other parts of the body, including the lumbar and cervical spine and the shoulder, where a growing body of research links spinal posture to shoulder pain and rotator cuff pathology. In this workshop, Daniel Dittmar unpacks the anatomy behind thoracic ROM and the consequences of poor mobility, then teaches new exercises alongside the underlying strategies — mobilization approaches, gaze and cervico-ocular coordination work, blocking techniques, and muscle energy techniques — so you leave able to apply them not just to what you learned in the room, but across your existing mat and equipment repertoire.

    Room 2 | Shari Berkowitz – Osteoporosis and Osteopenia: What to Know and What to Do in Pilates

    Each month the medical and scientific world knows more and more about everything…including Osteoporosis and Osteopenia. As the greater knowledge increases and alters, then so should yours and our guidelines. In this workshop, you’ll get a solid education on what these conditions are based on the most up-to-date information and how to address them in Pilates both on equipment and on the mat. Is what we do the same on mat and the equipment? What do we let our clients do? What must they not do? How do we modify when needed? How do we make sure our clients do the right things? What do we do when they fight us? Even if you only meet up with one client with osteoporosis in your entire teaching life, you need to know what to do and what not to do…and it happens to be different from what you learned just last year!

    Room 3 | Angelie Melzer – Mirroring for Scoliosis~How to Truly Activate Through Touch

    A Movement-Based Workshop for Pilates & Movement Professionals

    Transform the way you assess, understand, and work with clients living with scoliosis.

    Scoliosis is more than a spinal curve—it is a whole-body pattern affecting breathing, balance, gait, and movement efficiency. In this highly practical workshop, you’ll learn to recognize common scoliosis presentations and apply movement strategies that improve alignment, function, and confidence.

    Using Pilates principles, postural assessment, breathing and mirroring techniques, and specialized corrective exercises, you’ll leave with tools you can immediately implement in private sessions or group classes.

    This workshop provides movement professionals with an evidence-informed, hands-on approach to understanding and working with clients who have scoliosis. Participants will learn how to assess postural asymmetries, identify movement compensations through gait analysis, and apply targeted techniques that promote three-dimensional spinal organization.

    Through practical demonstrations and guided movement experiences, attendees will explore breathing strategies, centering techniques, mirror feedback, and de-rotational exercises designed specifically for individuals with scoliosis. Whether your client has adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, adult scoliosis, or post-surgical considerations, this workshop offers practical strategies to improve movement quality and body awareness.

  • Room 1 | Anita Horry– The Apparatus Must Speak to Each Other: Teaching Classical Pilates as One Integrated System

    Classical Pilates was never intended to be taught as a collection of isolated exercises or separate pieces of apparatus. It is a complete, intelligent system in which the Mat, Reformer, Cadillac, Chair, Barrels, and small apparatus continually support, challenge, and inform one another.
    In this 2-hour interactive workshop, Anita Horry NCPT® will explore how teachers can develop a more integrated understanding of the Classical Pilates Method. Participants will examine how exercises connect across the apparatus, how progressions are built, and how the logic of the system can guide clearer teaching choices.
    This workshop is designed for Pilates teachers who want to move beyond fragmented teaching and deepen their ability to see the method as a whole. Through lecture, discussion, and practical examples, participants will gain tools to teach with greater cohesion, purpose, and confidence.

    Room 2 | Kyria Sabin– Standing and Centering

    Ron Fletcher first developed a defined approach to ‘standing Pilates’ with Clara's blessing and permission. Each Fletcher Pilates session and class generally begin and end with vertical organization based on the 7 Standing and Centering Cues, before moving into a horizontal environment. This provides a tangible, visible reference point for both teachers and clients to ’take inventory’ and note progress made during the session.This workshop further emphasizes posture and upper and lower hemisphere organization in standing through an introduction to both the Fletcher Towelwork(R) and Barrework(TM) techniques. 

    Room 3 | Vera Bullen – Doing Research in Pilates

    Doing Research in Pilates (A Beginner's Guide) is a two-hour session that begins by introducing the nature of research, why research is important in the Pilates profession, and outlines the differences between qualitative and quantitative research paradigms. Next, a few examples of hypothetical case study research topics are introduced. Then, the components of research papers are described in order to make them accessible to non-researchers. This is followed by a brief update of the PMA Research Committee's current research project. After sharing human ethics considerations in humsn research, the session recaps the basic steps to take in conducting case study research. Ample time for an interactive discussion (with Q & A) concludes the session.


  • Take a midday break to refuel, connect, and explore the Expo. Enjoy a lunch break, network with fellow attendees, and visit exhibitor booths to discover the latest Pilates innovations and resources before the afternoon workshops begin.

    *lunch not provided

    Atrium | Mat Class

    The Moving Center: Range, Rhythm & Flow

    A flowing Pilates mat practice exploring how movement begins, travels, and connects. Rooted in the relationship between a responsive center and freedom of movement, this class brings together expansive range, spiraling patterns, and purposeful transitions in one continuous sequence.

    Familiar Pilates repertoire opens into creative variations, moving through flexion, extension, side bending, and rotation. Breath shapes the rhythm, while changes of direction and tempo invite a fresh experience of the work. Transitions become opportunities to explore coordination and continuity, carrying the intention of each movement into the next.

    Co-taught by Cloe Sommadossi and Petros Kouroupakis, the practice invites participants to explore their full available range with precision and ease, allowing support and movement to evolve together. The emphasis is on whole-body connections and the pleasure of moving with attention, curiosity, and fluidity.

    Designed as an active, restorative pause within the convention, this class offers time to reconnect with your own practice and return to the afternoon feeling refreshed.

    *No props required.

  • Room 1 | Sophia Cannonier – Every Body Has a Movement Story

    An inclusive, human-centred workshop on adapting the Pilates Method without diluting its principles. The teacher learns to observe the individual’s history, confidence, culture, age and lived experience—not merely posture or physical limitations.

    Room 2 | Lauren Small – Classical Tower with Variations Workshop

    The Pilates Tower is an under-utilized treasure of an Apparatus. While the whole world is offering Reformer Classes, we know our students can benefit greatly from the Pilates Tower as a complement to the Reformer. In this workshop, we explore the Classical Tower vocabulary and the multitude of variations we can offer to challenge the traditional exercises, but as always, we are “keeping it classical!” Participants will leave with the knowledge and excitement to teach their next Tower class with creativity and intention.

    Room 3 | Gail Forrester - Pilates for Pre & Post Rehab Clients

    This two-hour hands-on workshop is for Pilates Instructors on how to support clients approaching surgery and after surgery while staying within our scope of practice. This workshop looks at the knee and shoulder joint and offers practical exercises and strategies for the client to resume activities of daily function quickly.

  • Atrium | From Toes to Tower: A Classical Mat Workout with the Toe Corrector

    Join 2nd Generation Classical Pilates Educator and NCPT Anita Horry for a 45-minute classical Pilates Mat workout that places the Toe Corrector in conversation with the full body.

    Far from being an isolated exercise for the feet, the Toe Corrector offers immediate feedback about how we meet the floor—and what happens next. In this flowing Mat class, its small but demanding resistance will be woven through the work to illuminate the relationship between the toes, feet, legs, hips, balance, and vertical lift. The apparatus becomes both a challenge and a teacher, asking for strength without gripping, support without rigidity, and precision without losing the continuity of the Mat work.

    Expect a dynamic, intelligently paced class that brings renewed clarity to familiar exercises. Through purposeful use of the Toe Corrector, Anita will invite participants to refine their connection to the ground, discover more responsive support through the body, and experience how a seemingly small detail can transform the quality of the whole.

    Room 1 | Brent Anderson – Raising the Bar: Standardizing Pilates methodology and advancing practitioner knowledge

    As the Pilates industry continues to grow, ""raising the bar"" of our profession requires a unified commitment to deeper educational standards and clearer professional definitions. This interactive 2-hour workshop is designed for Pilates practitioners ready to transition from fitness instructors to recognized movement specialists.

    We will begin by establishing a robust framework for professional definitions and descriptors of the Pilates Method. This includes honoring the foundational methodology originating from Joseph and Clara Pilates while clearly categorizing the modern systems of Pilates, its comprehensive repertoire, and specialized apparatus.

    Moving beyond standard training, we will explore the critical need to elevate the industry's baseline knowledge. Participants will discuss how to integrate advanced movement science into their practice and the need to confidently address a broad spectrum of pathologies. Finally, the workshop will introduce the fundamentals of Pathokinesiology, the study of abnormal movement caused by disease or injury as an essential knowledge set for the modern Pilates professional. Join us to redefine your practice, elevate your value, and help shape the future of our profession.

    Room 2 | Laura Irbinger – SPINEFITTER® meets Pilates: Release · Reset · Reconnect Preparing the Body for Efficient Pilates Movement

    Many clients experience excessive tension in the hip flexors, neck or lower back during Pilates—not because of the exercises themselves, but because they begin moving from inefficient alignment and compensatory movement patterns.

    This workshop explores how to prepare the body before Pilates through biomechanically informed movement preparation. Using the SPINEFITTER®, myofascial release techniques and breath, participants will learn strategies to optimize body organization, improve joint alignment and create more efficient movement patterns before progressing into Pilates exercises.

    The workshop combines body reading, release techniques and functional movement preparation to enhance movement quality on the mat, equipment and in everyday life.

    Room 3 | Hadar Schwartz – How Heavy Is Your Reformer? Programming Load, Effort and Adaptation in Pilates

    Our clients are being told to put down the springs and pick up a barbell. The message reaches them from every direction, and it is not entirely wrong. If we want to answer it well, we need something better than loyalty to the method.

    This workshop starts from the physiology. What actually drives muscle adaptation is mechanical tension, and the burn we have all built cues around is a sensory by-product of fatigue rather than the growth signal itself. From there the evidence takes an interesting turn: when a set is taken close to failure, light loads recruit the same motor units and produce hypertrophy comparable to heavy loads. Load is a programming variable. It is not a property of the equipment in the room.

    We will look honestly at where the evidence supports our work and where it does not. Maximal strength and bone density respond to heavy progressive loading, and the Pilates literature does not show otherwise. Function, balance, and fall prevention are a different conversation, with different winners. Being precise about which is which is what earns a teacher credibility in front of a client, a physician, or a skeptical strength coach.

    The second half is practical. Springs, levers, tempo, range and body position are all resistance variables, and most of us have never been taught to program them progressively. Participants will work on the apparatus to build sets that reach a defined proximity to failure, and will learn to prescribe and read effort using rating scales validated against objective measures of intensity. This is the subject of my own doctoral research, a randomized controlled trial in which untrained adults selected their own training loads by perceived effort and gained strength comparable to a standard prescription, while reporting a stronger sense of control over their training.

    Participants will leave able to explain the mechanism, program genuine progression on the equipment they already own, and say clearly when a client should also be lifting something heavy.

PMA 25th Anniversary Gala Dinner & Awards Ceremony

Saturday, October 17, 2026 | The Ben, West Palm Beach, Florida

Join us for a special evening celebrating 25 years of the Pilates Method Alliance, honoring the legacy of Joseph Pilates, and recognizing individuals whose contributions have helped shape the Pilates profession. The PMA 25th Anniversary Gala Dinner & Awards Ceremony will bring our community together for an evening of recognition, reflection, and celebration.

Honoring Our 25th Anniversary Award Recipients

  • Mary Bowen
    Honoring her lifelong dedication to preserving the teachings and philosophy of Joseph Pilates and her lasting influence on generations of Pilates practitioners and educators.

  • Brent Anderson
    Recognizing his pioneering contributions to movement science, rehabilitation, Pilates education, and the advancement of the profession.

    Ken Endelman
    Celebrating five decades of innovation, craftsmanship, advocacy, and extraordinary service to the Pilates community.

  • Recognizing individuals dedicated to preserving the teachings of Pilates elders and carrying their knowledge forward for future generations.

    Sarita Allen
    Honoring her dedication to preserving and continuing the teachings of Kathy Grant and sharing this important Pilates lineage with future generations.

    Kyria Sabin
    Recognizing her commitment to preserving and advancing the teachings of Ron Fletcher and her contributions to Pilates education.

    Daria Pace
    Honoring her dedication to preserving the teachings and legacy of Romana Kryzanowska and continuing the classical Pilates tradition.

  • Shelly Power
    Recognizing her outstanding leadership, commitment to Pilates education, advancement of professional standards, and service to the global Pilates community.

An Evening to Remember

In addition to the awards ceremony, guests will enjoy dinner, reflections on PMA's 25-year history, and the announcement of the Pilates Style Passport Challenge winner.

We invite you to join fellow Pilates professionals in celebrating the people, contributions, and shared history that continue to inspire our community.

Gala Tickets: $160 per person

The Gala Dinner & Awards Ceremony is a separately ticketed event and is not included with Conference registration.

RESERVE YOUR GALA TICKET

Connect With the Pilates Community

Some of the most valuable moments at a professional conference happen between sessions. The intimate setting of the PMA 25th Anniversary Conference is designed to make it easier to meet fellow Pilates teachers, educators, studio owners, movement professionals, and industry leaders from across the United States and around the world. Connect with colleagues, exchange ideas, discover potential collaborations, explore the Conference Expo, meet exhibitors and sponsors, and strengthen your professional network within the broader Pilates community.

Explore the Conference Expo

Discover organizations, products, services, and resources created for the Pilates and movement profession. The PMA 25th Anniversary Conference Expo gives attendees an opportunity to connect directly with participating exhibitors and sponsors, learn about products and services relevant to their work, and engage with businesses supporting the professional Pilates community.

Your Conference Experience, All in One Place

Registered attendees will have access to the PMA 25th Anniversary Conference event platform before and throughout the event. Use the platform to select workshops, build and view your personal agenda, explore the Conference schedule, learn more about presenters, discover exhibitors and sponsors, connect with other attendees, and coordinate in-person meetups. The platform can be accessed through a web browser or through the Event App by EventMobi on Apple and Android devices.

PMA Member Ticket Discount

PMA Members receive an additional $50 off Conference registration!

If you’re a current PMA Member, check your email inbox for your exclusive member discount code and use it when registering to receive your savings.

Not seeing your code? Check the email address associated with your PMA membership, including your spam or promotions folder.

Hotel Accommodations

Special accommodations are available for attendees of the PMA 25th Anniversary Conference in West Palm Beach. We encourage attendees to make their hotel reservations early to secure their preferred accommodations for Conference weekend.

Hyatt Place West Palm Beach
295 Lakeview Ave
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
Phone: 1-561-655-1454

BOOK AT HYATT PLACE WEST PALM BEACH

Residence Inn Downtown West Palm Beach
455 Hibiscus St
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
Phone: 1-561-653-8100

Please contact the hotel directly for reservation information.

AKA West Palm
695 South Olive Ave
West Palm Beach, FL
Phone: 1-561-821-2252

BOOK AT AKA WEST PALM

Canopy West Palm Beach
380 Trinity Pl, West Palm Beach, FL 33401
Phone: 1-561-655-040

BOOK AT CANOPY WEST PALM BEACH

Planning your stay: The PMA 25th Anniversary Conference takes place October 17–18, 2026 in West Palm Beach, Florida. Hotel availability is subject to change, so attendees are encouraged to book early.

Join Us in West Palm Beach

The PMA 25th Anniversary Conference is an opportunity to celebrate the history of Pilates, invest in your continued professional development, connect with the people who share your commitment to the profession, and help carry that work forward.

PMA 25th Anniversary Conference

October 17–18, 2026

Palm Beach Atlantic University in West Palm Beach, Florida

Register today

General 2-Day Registration Ticket price: $695 USD

Single Day Registration Ticket Price: $499 USD

For 25 years, we have built this legacy together. Now we look ahead to what comes next.

Pilates Forward. Together.

Register Now and Join the Global Pilates Community. We look forward to welcoming you to West Palm Beach, Florida this October 2026.

Meet Your Presenters

Meet the Pilates educators, movement specialists, business leaders, and industry professionals presenting at the PMA 25th Anniversary Summit in West Palm Beach, Florida. This year’s presenters bring a range of experience, expertise, and perspectives to a weekend dedicated to Pilates education, professional development, and the future of the profession.

Through workshops, movement sessions, and professional conversations, attendees will have opportunities to learn practical teaching techniques, explore business insights, deepen their understanding of Pilates and human movement, and learn directly from respected voices within the industry. Get to know the presenters who will help bring Pilates Forward. Together. to life at the 2026 Pilates Method Alliance 25th Anniversary Summit.

Workshop offerings, presenters, schedules, and availability are subject to change.

  • Anita Horry

    Anita Horry, NCPT®, is a second-generation Classical Pilates teacher, international educator, teacher trainer, mentor, business coach and founder of Anita Horry Academy, with more than 20 years of experience in the Pilates profession.

    Originally trained through Power Pilates, Anita’s foundation is rooted in the Romana Kryzanowska Classical lineage. She later continued her studies with Pilates Elder Lolita San Miguel and completed the LEAP programme with the late Bob Liekens, who served as a lead teacher for Romana Kryzanowska for more than two decades and was instrumental in developing Romana’s original teacher-training programmes. Bob became an important mentor to Anita and remained so until his passing in 2018.

    Today, Anita leads Classical Pilates teacher training, continuing education, workshops, professional mentoring and business education internationally. Through Anita Horry Academy, she works with teachers and teacher-training communities across the United States, South and Central America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia. Having lived in five different countries, Anita brings a genuinely international perspective to education, teaching and the development of Pilates professionals across different cultures and markets.

    Her wider professional education includes a Diploma in Osteopathy, which further informs her understanding of anatomy, structure, movement and the individual body. Her teaching places particular emphasis on helping educators understand Classical Pilates not as a collection of isolated exercises or individual pieces of apparatus, but as one complete, intelligent and interconnected system.

    Before establishing her career in Pilates, Anita began her professional life as a CPA and has entrepreneurial experience dating back to her late teens, including buying, building and selling businesses. This background now underpins the business coaching and mentoring she provides to Pilates teachers, educators and studio owners, helping them build sustainable businesses without compromising educational or professional standards.

    Anita also collaborates with the Pilates Method Alliance in support of its wider work to elevate educational standards and professional development within the Pilates profession. She is an international conference presenter and has contributed to Pilates education through teacher training, workshops, professional events and industry conversations around the world.

    Alongside the Academy, Anita is co-founder of Amanaya Retreats, a bespoke Pilates and wellbeing retreat on Spain’s Costa Blanca with its own fully equipped Classical Pilates studio, bringing together immersive movement, education and restorative retreat experiences.

    At the heart of Anita’s work is a commitment to preserving the depth and integrity of the Classical Pilates Method while ensuring it remains relevant to the teacher and client of today. Her focus is not simply on teaching repertoire, but on developing thoughtful, knowledgeable teachers who can observe intelligently, reason critically and teach with clarity, purpose and confidence.

  • Angelie Melzer

    Angelie is the CEO of TEAM Pilates® and Ascend Mentoring, a Principal Educator for Balanced Body Education and an International presenter. She is an NCPT® through the National Pilates Certification Program, Pilates Method Alliance and a licensed GYROTONIC® , GYROKINESIS® with over thirty years in the industry. She has become well known for her work with Scoliosis and Chronic Pain. Angelie will be released her first book “Scoliosis~Bring in the Hope” in 2026. As a second-generation instructor, she blends the classical work she learned from Pilates Elder, Romana, with the therapeutic techniques gained from her contemporary work with her own Scoliosis.

    Angelie enjoys spreading the love of Pilates and movement worldwide, certifying and educating new instructors on how to work with specialty clients, run a new business, stay focused and avoid burnout. Making others successful and maintaining a high-quality of standard for the industry is her passion!

    Angelie began studying Pilates back in 1988 due to severe Scoliosis. As a result of her practice, she had a successful career as a professional Ballet dancer, hired at the age of 14 as a company member with Colorado Ballet, she is still surgery-free!

    Angelie received the “Excellence in Healthcare” award at the Health 2.0 conference in Singapore, December 2026. She was awarded Woman Of the Year by the YWCA in 2004. She has co-created and written several courses, manuals and DVDs, to include Balanced Body Continuing Education courses, a Pre and Post Natal Pilates DVD and Movement Therapy for Children Course Manual. She worked as an adjunct professor for the University of Missouri and University of New Mexico, as well as guest faculty at Texas A&M.

    Angelie was one of the first individuals to take the PMA National Certification and obtain the NCPT status. She was originally certified by the PhysicalMind Institute in New York City in 1999 and became a Certifying Instructor/Teacher Trainer for them in the spring of 2003, certifying numerous Pilates practitioners throughout the World. In addition, she has completed multiple Comprehensive Pilates Teacher Trainings with Core Dynamics under the tutelage of Michelle Larssen and Balanced Body Education. She is the owner/founder of Team Pilates®. Team Pilates® offers numerous continuing education courses in the Pilates Method, Pilates Movement Therapy for Children, Bosates® and other important topics in the industry. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Resource Management and holds additional certifications as a Strain Counter Strain Practitioner, Personal Trainer from ACE, Aerobics and Fitness Association of America and NASM.

  • Dr. Brent Anderson

    Dr. Brent Anderson, PT, PhD, OCS, NCPT is a physical therapist, leading movement scientist, and the founder of Polestar Pilates, a global leader in evidence-based Pilates teacher training. With over 35 years of experience in rehabilitation, Dr. Anderson has dedicated his career to merging traditional physical therapy with mindful movement. Early in his clinical practice, he recognized the power of Joseph Pilates’ work to expedite patient recovery, inspiring him to create Polestar’s world-renowned curriculum. To further advance the field, he earned a doctoral degree focusing on the impact of Pilates rehabilitation on chronic low back pain through the lens of psycho-emotional wellness and quality of life. 

    Building on this foundational research, Dr. Anderson authored the highly successful book, Principles of Movement, which has become a vital resource for movement professionals worldwide. Continuing to push the boundaries of sports science and rehabilitation education, he most recently launched the cutting- edge Pathokinesiology Certification. He also continues to foster global dialogue as the creator and host of the popular Pilates Hour podcast, where he discusses complex case studies and movement science topics alongside international experts. 

    In addition to his entrepreneurial and clinical pursuits, Dr. Anderson is a dedicated academic and educator. He serves as an Assistant Professor in the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences in Miami, Florida, and holds adjunct professorships at the University of Miami, Hunter College, the University of Southern California, and New York University. A passionate public speaker and international consultant for hospitals and wellness organizations, Brent remains deeply involved in community and faith-based service, driven by a lifelong mission to impact the world, one positive movement experience at a time.

  • ByungGwan Yun

    Since 2004
    President, The Pilates Rehabilitation Education Association, Korea
    President, Overseeing 66 Branches Nationwide
    Authorized Education Provider for the PMA-ITTAP International Pilates Instructor Certification
    NCPT International Certified Pilates Instructor
    2022 – Presenter, PMA Las Vegas Conference (First Korean Presenter); 2024 Research Forum
    2025 – Presenter, PMA Guangzhou Conference (First Korean Presenter)
    2023–2024 – Presenter, PIA (Pilates Asia Conference)
    2024–2026 – Presenter, Pilates On Tour (Korea & China)
    2024 – Presenter, IDEA World Conference
    2021–2024 – Presenter, IDEA Korea Conference
    2024–2026 – Presenter, SPOTEC Japan Pilates Festa Conference
    2026 – Presenter, APS Singapore Conference
    2021–2024 – Presenter, AFIC Pilates Conference
    2024–2026 – Presenter, KIMES-ACPR Asia Conference
    2025 – Presenter, SPOEX-CKLZ Conference
    2023 – Presenter, Gyeongju Healing Festa Conference
    Professor, Department of Physical Therapy, Gumi University
    Professor, Department of Rehabilitation Therapy, Gumi University
    Professor, Department of Sports Rehabilitation and Exercise Management, Gyeongnam Provincial College
    Special Professor, Department of Sports Rehabilitation, Daegu Health CollegeProfessor, Department of Physical Therapy, Hosan University
    Guest Lecturer, Department of Physical Therapy, Yeungnam College of Science and Technology
    2024 IDEA Korea Main Sponsor
    2024 IDEA Korea Fitness Awards
    * Classic Pilates Principle by.Jung Hee Won
    * PHI Mat Reformer
    * Peak Pilates Moudle 1
    * Ron Fletcher Pilates Advance Intensive Tower Floor Barre Spine corrector Ped-o-Pul Mat Pilates
    * PMI TYE 4
    * Balanced Body (Mat . Reformer, Primal Movement Works)
    * Ellie Herman Super Advanced ( Mat .Cadillac .Reformer .Chair Arc & Barrel .Spring Board .Barre)
    *Co-author of a published book on Pilates apparatus Ellie Herman's Cadillac . Reformer

  • Cloe Sommadossi

    Cloe, a NPCP Certified Pilates Instructor since 2014, is an International Pilates Educator and Teacher of Teachers based in Dubai. Born in Milan to a French-Italian heritage, she's been a Pilates devotee since age 14 and also holds a Master's in Food Science and Engineering. Cloe's global training spans both Classical and Contemporary Pilates methods, enriched by years of expertise in medical rehabilitation. In 2014, she founded the Pilates Academy® in Dubai, where she serves as the Owner and Master Trainer for P.A.I.® and Balanced Body®. With a scientific background and dynamic personality, she creates continuing education courses for Pilates professionals across the Middle East and beyond. Her certifications also include Master Trainer roles in Cardiolates®, SilkSuspension™, MOTR®, CoreAlign®, Anatomy in 3D™, and Fuse Ladder®, as well as Garuda® and Yoga Alliance® Yoga and Meditation 500HYTT Instructor credentials.

  • Daniel Dittmar

    Daniel has been teaching Pilates for 28 years and has served as a Senior Educator and Examiner for Polestar Pilates Asia for 19 years. He began his career as an Exercise Physiologist, and his teaching is grounded in functional anatomy, biomechanics, and exercise physiology. Over the years he has expanded his practice through study in the Franklin Method, strength and conditioning, and myofascial and structural integration principles, bringing this cross-disciplinary foundation into his workshops. He has more than 22 years of experience integrating physiotherapy and Pilates operations, and currently owns and operates three integrated physiotherapy and Pilates studios — two in Singapore and one in Japan.

    Daniel has taught and presented in more than 11 countries, and has presented at several Polestar Asia conferences, including this year's China Fit convention in Beijing. He has also participated in panel discussions on longevity and the future of Pilates for both China Fit and Technogym. In "Unravel the Thoracic Spine," he draws on this clinical and biomechanical background to help instructors reassess how they cue, assess, and program for one of the body's most misunderstood regions.

  • Gail Forrester

    GAIL FORRESTER, M.S., NCPT, NASM Corrective Exercise Specialist Founder of Ulta Pilates & Wellbeing Pilates Pro Source Mentoring Balanced Body Educator Gail is a Second-Generation Pilates Practitioner teaching for 20 years. As a 10+ year Breast Cancer Conqueror, Gail is passionate about helping others gain clarity on improving their well-being through movement and mindful living. With almost 30 years of Fitness/Wellness experience she carries numerous Certifications and Advanced Pilates training to include Yoga, Corrective Exercise Specialist, Medical Exercise Specialist(Student), and is a recent graduate of Pilates Elder: Lolita San Miguel Master Mentor Program. Her extensive knowledge of Pilates and complimentary modalities offers clients a therapeutic Pilates experience. This extensive training allows Gail to integrate multiple fitness modalities when coaching can address some of the common concerns such as safe and appropriate exercise, strategies to relieve stress and pain, manage joint dysfunctions and degenerative spine conditions. Her passion aligns with the Science of Exercise, specifically Pilates and its kinesthetic benefits. Gail has a deep passion for knowledge as it relates to the body. This passion carries over into the classroom with her Pilates and Alignment Course as well as clients some as long as 16 years. “As an Educator, it’s very uplifting to see the next generation take charge of their health and wellbeing.”

  • Hadar Schwartz

    Dr. Hadar Schwartz is a physical therapist and the founder and professional director of Body Science, a school of movement education for instructors and therapists.

    She earned her physical therapy degree from Tel Aviv University in 2008, completed a master's degree in physical therapy in 2018, and holds a PhD in public health from Tel Aviv University. Her doctoral work was a randomized controlled trial of 129 untrained adults, in which participants selected their own resistance training loads according to perceived effort rather than prescribed percentages. They achieved strength and metabolic improvements comparable to a standard prescription, while reporting a stronger sense of autonomy and a more positive training experience.

    Hadar has directed Pilates teacher training programs since 2010 and has been NPCP certified since 2008. Body Science currently runs fourteen annual programs across three tracks, mat, apparatus, and rehabilitation support, taught by a faculty of fifteen instructors.

    She presented at PMA conferences from 2010 through 2022 on Parkinson's disease, traumatic brain injury, diaphragmatic function in rehabilitation, chronic pain, and motor learning. Her professional focus is teaching instructors to read primary research critically and to program from mechanism rather than tradition.

  • Joy Puleo

    In July of 2013, Joy moved, with her family, from New York to Sacramento, California to join Nora St. John and the rest of the Balanced Body team to work on developing curriculum and educational programming. Joy has been teaching Pilates teachers since 2002 and in the health and wellness industry since 1996. Joy earned her master's degree from Columbia University in Applied Physiology. As a lecturer she presents at conferences and studios across the country and abroad and with Balanced Body, she is a regular at most Pilates on Tours. In addition to her degree Joy is NPCP certified, A.C.S.M. certified and is able to provide ACE credits.

  • Juan Castellano

    Dr. Juan Castellano, PT, PhD, is a physiotherapist, researcher, educator, and Founder of the Juan Castellano Institute in Spain. For more than 20 years, he has taught Clinical Pilates and evidence-informed rehabilitation to physiotherapists and Pilates professionals internationally.

    His work focuses on advancing specialised physiotherapy through research, clinical reasoning, and exercise science, with particular interest in healthy ageing, neurorehabilitation, metabolic health, musculoskeletal rehabilitation, and human performance.

    Juan is a contributor to the PMA Research Committee and is currently leading the development of an evidence-based framework that integrates Clinical Pilates with contemporary medicine and rehabilitation science. His educational approach bridges scientific evidence with practical clinical application, helping clinicians move beyond exercise repertoire towards biologically informed movement prescription.

    He has presented internationally, published scientific research, and continues to collaborate with healthcare and education organisations to advance the role of Clinical Pilates within modern healthcare.

  • Dr Junya Takeda

    Junya Takeda, MD, NCPT, is a pioneering orthopedic surgeon, sports medicine specialist, and a leading global authority in the integration of Pilates and medical rehabilitation. Bringing an extraordinary depth of expertise with over 33 years of clinical experience as an MD and 22+ years as a Pilates educator, Dr. Takeda has dedicated his career to bridging the gap between medicine and movement science.

    Executive & Medical Leadership

    Dr. Takeda serves as the Chairman of the Board for the Meiwa-kai Broad-area Medical Corporation, “Clinic for Orthopedic, Sports medicine & Nutrition®” (in Fukuoka & Tokyo). His extensive clinical expertise is anchored by prestigious credentials from the Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA). As a JOA Board- Certified Orthopedic Surgeon and an invited lecturer for the JOA Instructional Lectures, he also holds certified specializations in spine and spinal cord, sports medicine, musculoskeletal rehabilitation, and rheumatology. He is also a Certified Sports Doctor designated by the Japan Sports Association (JSPO). In the field of advanced and preventative medicine, he is a Board Certified Anti-Aging Physician and Councilor/Trustee for the Japanese Society of Anti-Aging Medicine (JAAM) (Kyushu Chapter), a Certified Specialist for the Japanese Society for Osteoporosis, and serves as a Board Member for the Sports & Musculoskeletal Division of the Japanese Society of Aesthetic Internal Medicine. Global Pilates & Movement Education Pioneer As a visionary entrepreneur, Dr. Takeda is the CEO of Pilates Lab (Fukuoka, Daikanyama, Aoyama Reserve, Atelier) and the Beyond Rehabilitation Fukuoka Studio. In 2005, he established Japan’s first medical institution incorporating Pilates, which famously served as the host center for Polestar Pilates® Comprehensive. He broke ground as the first Japanese Polestar Pilates® Educator in 2010 and later earned his Nationally Certified Pilates Teacher (NCPT) credential in the United States in 2017. Dr. Takeda is the Founder, CEO, and Senior Teacher of Motor Control®: Beyond Pilates® (MCBP). In 2022, this proprietary program achieved elite global recognition as one of only 23 programs worldwide approved by ITTAP (International Teacher Training Accreditation for Pilates)—marking it as the sole Japan-originated program to meet these rigorous international quality standards.

    Cross-Organizational Leadership

    To advance the integration of movement education nationwide, Dr. Takeda serves as the President of the Japan Pilates Society (JPS) and Chairperson of the Japan Pilates Association®︎—an organization currently preparing for formal establishment to transcend individual Pilates group boundaries, collaborating closely with Vice Chairperson Kayoko Takada (Pilates Alliance, representing the Peak Pilates® Licensed Training Center in Japan). Additionally, he is the President of the Association for Taking Charge of Your Own Body (Karada Torisetsu®), a Councilor for the Japan Maternity Fitness Association and Japan Women's Foundation, and an Honorary Advisor to the Platinum Age Association.

    Advanced Master Certifications

    His extensive pedagogical repertoire features major international movement credentials, including serving as an Educator for Balanced Body systems (CoreAlign®, Bodhi Suspension System®) and Konnector®. He is the Asia Regional Licensee, Coordinator and Instructor Trainer for PfilAtes™ (Pelvic Floor Fitness), and the program developer, supervisor and senior educator for the Maternity Pilates Instructor Certification Course for the Japan Maternity Fitness Association.

    Historical Legacy & Personal Efficacy

    His institute, Pilates Lab, holds the absolute deepest historical ties to the PMA/NPCP in Japan. It stands as the only studio in Japan to have hosted both Mary Bowen and Lolita San Miguel—two legendary Pilates Elders—on their respective historic first visits to Japan. Furthermore, the studio has hosted the top global leadership of the PMA, including Deborah Lessen (First President) and Pat Guyton (Vice President, 4-time visitor), alongside Dr. Brent Anderson and Sherri Betz. What truly sets Dr. Takeda apart as an international presenter is his rare ability to blend rigorous scientific evidence with undeniable real-world proof. In 2021, after undergoing full-endoscopic (FED) spine surgery for a lumbar disc herniation, he successfully utilized his own MCBP approach for immediate rehabilitation starting on post-operative day 1—proving the safety, precision, and extraordinary efficacy of his methods. He continues to deliver deep clinical insights and personal experience to inspire and elevate movement educators worldwide.

  • Karen Clippinger

    Karen Clippinger has a master’s degree in exercise science (MSPE) and has integrated Pilates into her work since 1993. Karen is a Professor Emerita at California State University, Long Beach where her course topics included anatomy, injury prevention, body placement and Pilates for dancers.

    Prior to her academic appointment, Ms. Clippinger worked as a clinical kinesiologist for 20 years, including at Loma Linda University Medical Center and several sports medicine clinics in Seattle. She has also consulted for the U.S. Weightlifting Federation, U.S. Race Walking Team, Pacific Northwest Ballet, and Danish Wounded Warrior Project.

    Ms. Clippinger has given over 400 presentations internationally and at various sites in the United States including at conferences for BASI, Balanced Body, Body Control (UK), Pilates in Asia, and numerous universities.

    Ms. Clippinger served as one of the founding co-editor-in-chiefs of the Journal of Dance Medicine and Science, authored the textbook Dance Anatomy and Kinesiology, and co-authored Pilates Anatomy with Rael Isacowitz. In 2021 she received the Lifetime Achievement Award from IADMS for her contributions to dance medicine and science.

  • Katie Santos

    Katie Santos, SHRM-CP, is the founder of Fitness HR® and an HR and leadership strategist serving fitness and wellness businesses. Her career spans more than 40 years as a movement teacher, educator, studio operator, software consultant, and business owner. She co-founded and led Absolute Center, a seven-figure boutique movement studio, for nearly two decades and later focused her consulting practice on employment compliance, leadership development, team systems, and sustainable studio operations.

    Katie has presented for organizations including HFA, IHRSA, the Pilates Method Alliance, ACSM, IDEA, Boutique Fitness Solutions, Pilates Anytime, and Balanced Body. She has spoken in conference halls, webinars, workshops, panels, and smaller owner forums, adapting practical content to audiences ranging from studio and club owners to educators and managers. A former vice president of the Pilates Method Alliance and longtime Balanced Body educator, Katie brings firsthand operating experience, frameworks, and a people-centered perspective to conversations about building capable teams and stronger fitness businesses.

  • Kyria Sabin

    Kyria Sabin is the Director of Fletcher Pilates, Inc. and Fletcher Pilates Studios, Inc. Recognized as a Master Pilates Teacher and Disseminator, Kyria began her studies with Ron Fletcher in 1991 and founded Body Works Pilates Studios in Tucson, Arizona, in 1993. In 1999, she initiated the first state-licensed Pilates teacher-training program in Arizona, a precursor to the Fletcher Pilates School.

    Kyria is the founder and Director of Fletcher Pilates® and The Fletcher Program of Study, an international Pilates school offering a comprehensive curriculum and a wide variety of continuing education.

    A graduate of Duke University, NPCP Certified Pilates Teacher, and Licensed Massage Therapist, Kyria developed the Pilates Program at the University of Arizona School of Dance, where she serves as Adjunct Faculty. She is an international presenter and has served on boards for the National Pilates Certification Program, the Pilates Method Alliance, the University of Arizona School of Dance, the Haven Center for Women, and the Foundation for Expanding Horizons.

  • Laura Irbinger

    Laura has been teaching the Pilates Method for more than 20 years, helping people develop greater strength, mobility, body awareness, and confidence in movement.

    Her classical Pilates journey began in 2007 with Mat training and continued in 2012 with the Core Dynamics Pilates Comprehensive Program in Miami, following the lineage of Eve Gentry. Her teaching combines the principles and precision of classical Pilates with a strong interest in biomechanics, breathing, movement quality, and functional body organization.

    Since 2024, Laura has been a Spinefitter® by SISSEL Educator. Having used the Spinefitter extensively with clients for many years, she has experienced its versatility as a tool for supporting body awareness, strength, balance, coordination, and movement quality—both within Pilates exercises and in everyday life.

    Laura is passionate about helping Pilates professionals explore movement with greater awareness and precision. Her workshops bridge classical Pilates with practical approaches to functional movement, offering teachers new perspectives and tools to enrich their work with clients.

    Since 2024, she has also served on the committee of the Pilates Association of Austria.

  • Laura Wilson

    Laura Wilson, CEO & Founder of Natural Pilates, immigrated to the United States from Romania in 2002 with just $100 and a vision. In 2005, she opened her flagship studio in Beverly Hills, laying the foundation for what is now one of the most respected boutique fitness brands in the country. Since then, Laura has grown Natural Pilates to six high-performing locations across Los Angeles and New York City, launched a digital fitness platform (NPTV), and developed a proprietary instructor training program and branded product line.

    Beyond her reputation as a sought-after instructor, Laura has a proven track record as an operator. She has successfully overseen every facet of studio expansion—from negotiating leases and managing build-outs to hiring, team development, marketing, and long-term studio operations. Her leadership has driven Natural Pilates to $6.5 million in annual revenue while maintaining brand consistency, profitability, and client satisfaction across markets.

    Laura holds certifications from STOTT Pilates (2005), Gyrotonic (2008), Spin (2011), and Vinyasa Yoga (2011), along with advanced credentials in Resistance Training and Muscle Activation Techniques (2012). Her deep expertise in biomechanics and movement systems has shaped Natural Pilates’ distinct style: a blend of classical repertoire and modern functional anatomy that delivers results and longevity for clients.

  • Lauren Small

    Lauren Small graduated from the University of Florida with a BFA in dance in 1998, where she also helped to build the dance major program. Immediately after college, Lauren began her first professional dancing job as a Radio City Rockette in the Radio City Christmas Spectacular. She danced with Radio City for three years and then moved on to dance on various cruise ships. During her career as a Rockette, she sustained a leg injury and used Pilates to rehabilitate. After falling in love with the Pilates method, she eventually transitioned from client to trainer and received her classical certification from Performing Arts Physical Therapy and The Pilates Studio of L.A in 2001, and later with Classical Pilates Education in 2013. Lauren was PMA certified in 2014 and maintains her NPCP accreditation. Lauren is a Teacher Trainer for Vault Barre, as well as Classical Pilates Education for over 10 years.

  • Maria Sevilla

    Maria Sevilla is a Nationally Certified Pilates Teacher, Pilates Master Teacher Trainer, licensed massage therapist, and functional medicine health coach with more than 20 years of experience in movement, anatomy, and whole-body wellness. She has trained and mentored Pilates teachers since 2010, helping teachers develop stronger observation skills, thoughtful programming, and confidence working with a wide range of bodies. Her teaching experience also includes anatomy and movement education at the Therapeutic Connections School of Massage. In 2019, Maria was selected to present at the Pilates Sports Center EXPO. As the founder of Sevilla Bodyworks in Spokane, Washington, she integrates Pilates, bodywork, functional anatomy, and health coaching into an individualized and practical approach. Maria is passionate about helping teachers move beyond memorized choreography and develop the critical thinking needed to teach with clarity, purpose, and curiosity.

  • Monika Fronc

    Hi, I'm Monika, I'm a passionate Pilates instructor with a Master's Degree from the Academy of Physical Education in Krakow, Poland. I've been in the fitness industry since 2003 and teaching Pilates since 2007, almost 2 decades. I completed the full repertoire through Balanced Body in Dublin, Ireland.

    In 2015, I began my journey into Classical Pilates and, in 2024, proudly completed the prestigious Master Program with The Pilates Center in Boulder, Colorado - often referred to as the "Harvard of Pilates." I also completed various Anatomy Trains certificates to deepen my understanding of fascia, movement, and body integration.

    Since moving to Canada in 2015, I've worked with a diverse range of clients - from Olympic athletes to post-rehab. I also mentor newly qualified Pilates instructors, helping them build confidence and skill as they begin their teaching careers. My focus is always on intelligent, safe, and empowering movement. I believe Pilates is a powerful tool for transformation, healing, and lifelong vitality.

  • Nahit Baylan

    Dr. Nahit Baylan is a movement scientist, university lecturer, and founder of Fitkon Academy and Fitkon Pilates, with more than 25 years of professional experience in exercise science, Pilates, strength and conditioning, and instructor education. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education and Sport from Marmara University in 2003, completed his Master’s degree in Sports Health Sciences in 2007, and received his Ph.D. in Movement and Training Sciences in 2014.

    Dr. Baylan currently serves as a faculty member at Nişantaşı University, where he teaches exercise science, biomechanics, functional anatomy, and Pilates. Since founding Fitkon in 2008, he has developed comprehensive instructor education programs, designed professional Pilates equipment, and educated hundreds of instructors throughout Türkiye and internationally through Fitkon Academy, a Pilates Method Alliance (PMA) ITTAP Accredited Comprehensive Teacher Training Program.

    He is a Pilates Method Alliance Nationally Certified Pilates Teacher (NCPT) and a National Strength and Conditioning Association Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (NSCA-CSCS). He previously served as a STOTT PILATES Master Instructor Trainer in Türkiye and has completed advanced training in all major Pilates apparatus, prenatal and postnatal exercise, scoliosis management, injuries and special populations, and functional movement.

    Dr. Baylan also serves as President of the Sports and Exercise Specialists Association (SEUD), contributing to the advancement of professional standards in exercise science, instructor education, and evidence-based practice in Türkiye.

    In addition to his work in Pilates education, Dr. Baylan has worked as a strength and conditioning coach for elite tennis players, including Turkish National Team training camps, and continues to work with high-performance athletes. His research focuses on biomechanics, movement science, spinal health, exercise programming, athletic performance, recovery, and Pilates education. He has presented scientific research at the European College of Sport Science (ECSS) Congress and has participated in numerous international educational programs across Canada, the United States, Germany, Italy, Norway, and the United Arab Emirates.

    As an educator, researcher, entrepreneur, and equipment designer, Dr. Baylan is dedicated to integrating contemporary exercise science with authentic Pilates education. His mission is to advance evidence-based teaching, enhance movement quality, and support the professional development of Pilates instructors worldwide.

  • Petros Kouroupakis

    My name is Petros Kouroupakis, born in Athens, Greece, with over 12 years of experience as a Ballet Dancer with the Greek National Ballet. Owner and founder of “Pilates & Dance Studio Petros Kouroupakis” in Athens, where I teach Pilates, Ballet, and Comprehensive Pilates Teacher Training Courses. I’ve been a Nationally Certified Pilates Teacher since 2015 and I am a member of the Pilates Method Alliance® USA. Specialized in Pilates for Dancers and Injuries, at BASI Pilates in Los Angeles. I also hold certifications in Fitness and Nutrition from the National Academy of Sports Medicine USA. Additionally, I earned a Bachelor's Degree in Communication, Culture, and Marketing from Panteion University of Greece. I also work as a professor of Pilates and Fitness at City Unity College in Greece and I served as a jury member for the Ministry of Culture of Greece for the ballet exams of professional dancers.

  • Sam and Susannah Cotrone

    Sam is passionate about fitness and the idea that a happy, healthy life begins with a strong, active body. He has appeared on Entertainment Tonight with Daisy Fuentes, Access Hollywood with Kelly Osbourne, and TV Guide’s Hollywood Bodies and Hollywood’s Hard Bodies. His work has also been featured in Pilates videos distributed around the world, as well as in People and Pilates Stylemagazines.

    Born in Toronto, Canada, Sam grew up in a traditional Italian home, where family and the pleasures of everyday life were always important. He trained and danced with the Royal Winnipeg Ballet Company for many years, with the incredible opportunity to tour and perform around the world, from Russia and Greece to cities throughout Canada and the United States.

    Since moving to Los Angeles, Sam has found love, family, and a home in the Pilates community. Alongside his wife, Susannah, he co-founded Cotrone Pilates in 2013 and helped launch their Pilates Certification Program in 2018.

    When he’s not teaching, Sam enjoys keeping life active and fun, whether it’s basketball, hockey, ballroom dancing, or a game of chess. For Sam, it’s all part of embracing the dolce vita. Ciao!

    -

    Susannah’s movement background began with classical ballet. Her early training was through the Royal Academy of Dancing under Yvonne Cusack, where she completed her R.A.D. examinations. She continued her training at Le Studio with Phip and Chip Fuller and Cynthia Young. Summers were spent at Houston Ballet School, where she was first introduced to Pilates at the school’s Pilates studio, run by Michael King.

    Susannah went on to dance professionally with Richmond Ballet, Ballet Omaha, Pasadena Dance Theater, Francisco Martinez Dance Theater, and City Ballet of Los Angeles. She began her Pilates teaching career at Winsor Pilates in 1998. In 2002, she earned her Romana’s Pilates certification under Romana Kryzanowska and went on to train personally with Jay Grimes for eight years.

    Susannah helped choreograph and perform in the internationally successful Winsor Pilates video series, appearing in numerous DVDs alongside Mari Winsor. She later expanded her work in the Pilates industry through Pilatesstick, where she created, starred in, and produced two DVDs featuring the Pilates Stick. Her work with The Stick was featured in Pilates Style magazine and on TV Guide’s Hollywood Bodies and Hollywood’s Hard Bodies. She also collaborated with Gaiam on Mari Winsor’s Slimming Pilates, contributing fitness blogs and appearing in Pilates videos. Her fitness writing has been featured in The Huffington Post and various online fitness publications.

    Susannah has presented Pilates workshops at Equinox and the Pilates Style Conferences, and has hosted and presented at Cotrone Pilates’ Spring Fling workshops. In 2013, she and her husband, Sam Cotrone, opened Cotrone Pilates, a fully equipped Gratz studio in West Hollywood. Together, they launched the Cotrone Pilates Certification Program in 2018.

    Susannah holds a Bachelor of Arts in Performing Arts from Saint Mary’s College of California. Teaching Pilates is her life’s work, and she relishes each lesson as a rewarding opportunity to challenge, inspire, and learn alongside her students.

  • Shari Berkowitz

    Shari Berkowitz is a Pilates Teacher of Teachers and scientist holding a Master’s of Science in Ergonomics and Biomechanics from New York University (NYU). Through her company, The Vertical Workshop, she researches all aspects of fitness and movement, writes The Pilates Teacher Blog, creates Pilates continuing education products/tools, runs The Vertical Workshop Pilates Teacher Training Program, and teaches workshops and sessions. Applying Shari’s IAT methodology she trains and coaches athletes outside of Pilates in multiple movement modalities and sports. Her combined work in science and movement gives her a rich base from which to share.

  • Shelly Power

    Shelly has taught for Polestar Pilates since its inception in 1992.  She teaches nationally and internationally for Polestar, administers exams, conducts Pilates workshops and Polestar Faculty trainings worldwide. She is a frequent presenter at international fitness and Pilates conferences.  Shelly brings a unique and fresh approach to the work of Joseph Pilates.

    Shelly is a Nationally Certified Pilates Teacher (NCPT) and served on the Pilates Method Alliance Board of Directors from 2013–2019, in addition to serving on several PMA and NPCP committees.

  • Sophia Cannonier

    Sophia Cannonier is a classically trained Pilates teacher, professional ballet dancer and movement educator whose work brings together precision, artistry and a deeply personal understanding of the body. A former dancer with Dance Theatre of Harlem, she discovered Pilates while recovering from dance-related injuries and later pursued her formal training with Romana Kryzanowska.
    Her teaching is further informed by her education in anatomy and physiology as a licensed massage therapist, her certification as a Guild Certified Feldenkrais Practitioner, and her experience as a Pilates Method teacher trainer. She was selected by The PhysicalMind Institute to serve as an international certifier for the Pilates Method in Bermuda and is also the founder of the Health Co-op.
    Sophia blends the discipline and grace of classical ballet with the strength, order and flow of the classical Pilates method. Warm, intuitive and precise, she helps students build strength, improve posture, increase flexibility and move with greater confidence, awareness and purpose.

  • Vera Bullen

    Vera Bullen is a Nationally Certified Pilates Teacher and has been teaching dance and Pilates for a combined 32+ years! Her sessions at The Movement Society are client-focused, full-body workouts while managing chronic injuries and conditions. Vera taught dance in Seattle area studios for many years and taught Undergrad and graduate seminars in the University of Auckland Dance Studies program for three academic years. After returning to Seattle, she completed comprehensive Pilates teacher training in 2010. She is a member of the PMA, International Association of Dance Medicine and Science, and the Performing Arts Medicine Association. Vera has presented at PMA, IADMS and PAMA conferences. She currently serves as the PMA research committee chair, and is a volunteer practitioner for the Seattle Dance and Performing Arts Medicine free injury clinic.

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