Pilates on Tour

Join us for Pilates on Tour - Los Angeles

Register online today or call us at 1-877-PILATES to register.

Main conference Wednesday September 5, 2007 to Sunday September 9, 2007
9:30am - 5:00pm
Register now
Hotel Information

Los Angeles Marriott Downtown
333 S. Figueroa St
Los Angeles, CA 90071

Reservation number: (800) 228-9290
Room rate: $159.00
Room rate expiration: August 21, 2007

Daily schedule Registration & Continental Breakfast: 7:30am - 9:30am
Mat Class: 8:00am - 9:00am
Morning Session: 9:30am - 12:30pm
Buffet Lunch: 12:00pm - 2:00pm
Afternoon Session: 2:00pm - 5:00pm
Fees

Main Conference:

1 Day Registration = $325.00

2 Day Registration = $495.00

3 Day Registration = $595.00


Pre-Conference:
Anatomy in Clay (Wednesday & Thursday):
$425 Early / $475 Regular
The Business of Pilates
(Thursday):
$225 Early / $245 Regular

Demo Equipment

Balanced Body Equipment

Looking for a Ladder Barrel, perhaps an Allegro?

All of the Balanced Body equipment used during the event will be available for purchase after the event. The equipment is NEW and is offered at a price that's hard to beat.

Reserve your equipment NOW!

Pickup Instructions.

Special Event

Come meet photojournalist I.C. Rapoport, who photograghed Joe Pilates in 1961. Mr. Rapporport wil lbe available to sign prints during the event!

Class Listing


Morning Mat/Reformer classes are offered each day. You do not have to sign up for these classes. They are filled on a first come, first serve basis.

Friday morning
9:30 am - 12:30 pm
Morning Mat/Reformer Classes
(8:00 am - 9:00 am)

    -Reformer Class (Valentin )
    -Mat with Props (Ellie Herman)
    -Morning Workout Pilates Classes - Drop In (TBD) (Constance Holder)
    -Classical Mat Class (Carrie Macy)

    Main Classes
  1. Teaching Reformer Classes (Valentin )
  2. From the Sole of the Foot to the Core of the Body: Part 1- Structure (Marie-Jose Blom)
  3. Flowing on the Pilates Chair (Ellie Herman)
  4. The Avalon System: Evolutionary Pilates Equipment for the 21st Century – The New Arm Chair (Constance Holder)
  5. Power Pilates: Barrels of Fun (Carrie Macy)
Friday afternoon
2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Morning Mat/Reformer Classes
(8:00 am - 9:00 am)

    -Reformer Class (Valentin )
    -Mat with Props (Ellie Herman)
    -Morning Workout Pilates Classes - Drop In (TBD) (Constance Holder)
    -Classical Mat Class (Carrie Macy)

    Main Classes
  1. Moving the Spine on the Trap Table/Cadillac (Madeline Black)
  2. From the Sole of the Foot to the Core of the Body: Part 2- Exercises (Marie-Jose Blom)
  3. The Avalon System: Evolutionary Pilates Equipment for the 21st Century – The New Step Barrel (Constance Holder)
  4. Adapting Pilates for the Post Mastectomy Client (Dawn-Marie Ickes, MPT/Gabrielle Shrier, MPT)
  5. Power Pilates: Magic Circle Madness (Carrie Macy)
Saturday morning
9:30 am - 12:30 pm
Morning Mat/Reformer Classes
(8:00 am - 9:00 am)

    -Reformer Class (Valentin )
    -Intermediate Mat Class (Madeline Black)
    -Advanced Mat Class (Ellie Herman)
    -Morning Workout Pilates Classes - Drop In (TBD) (Tom McCook)

    Main Classes
  1. The Next Dimension: Reformer Classes to Music (Valentin )
  2. Accessing our Wisdom: Taking the Leap from Knowledge to Wisdom to Become a Better Pilates Teacher (Amy Alpers)
  3. Assessing the Lumbar Spine and Pelvis on the Reformer and Chair (Madeline Black)
  4. Creating Dynamic Chair Classes (Tom McCook)
  5. Lolita Shares: Pilates and Ballet, the Ultimate Standing Pilates (Lolita San Miguel)
Saturday afternoon
2:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Morning Mat/Reformer Classes
(8:00 am - 9:00 am)

    -Reformer Class (Valentin )
    -Intermediate Mat Class (Madeline Black)
    -Advanced Mat Class (Ellie Herman)
    -Morning Workout Pilates Classes - Drop In (TBD) (Tom McCook)

    Main Classes
  1. Footwork: The Pilates Fortune Teller (Amy Alpers)
  2. Pilates + Walking = Walk-ilates (Ellie Herman)
  3. Lolita Shares: The Cadillac (Lolita San Miguel)
Sunday
Full-Day
9:30 am - 5:00 pm
Morning Mat/Reformer Classes
(8:00 am - 9:00 am)

    -Morning Workout Pilates Classes - Drop In (TBD) (Tom McCook)
    -Morning Workout Pilates Classes - Drop In (TBD) (Shelly Power)
    -Morning Workout Pilates Classes - Drop In (TBD) (Lolita San Miguel)

    Main Classes
  1. Alignment and Strength through Tactile and Sensory Cueing (Marie-Jose Blom)
  2. Pilates Movement Analysis (Karen Clippinger, MSPE)
  3. How it Works: Experiential Anatomy and Pilates Repertoire for the Upper Body (Tom McCook)
  4. Lolita Shares: Reformer Exercises and Sequencing old (Lolita San Miguel)
Pre-Conferences

 

Course Descriptions

 
Wednesday/Thursday All Day, 9/5/2007-9/6/2007
Anatomy In Clay® Learning System (Dallas Everleth/Leiserson)
Anatomy in Clay™ Learning System Workshops.

Learn the basics of musculoskeletal anatomy by building muscles in clay on a specially designed skeleton called a Maniken® model. (Yes, this is as cool as it sounds!) These workshops will review the essentials of musculoskeletal anatomy and kinesiology as you build the major muscles used in movement. Once you have built the body from the inside out, you will never feel intimidated by anatomy again!

Thursday All Day, 9/6/2007
The Business of Pilates (Katy Thompson, RN)
Looking to start a Pilates program? This in depth course covers all the basics of studio operation from finding a space and negotiating a lease to handling employees, programming, marketing and retail. Practical examples and a detailed handout help you to take the information home and use it to create your dream studio. While designed for new and aspiring studio owners, this course is also helpful to current studio owners looking for ways to improve their profitability.

Friday Morning, 9/7/2007
Teaching Reformer Classes (Valentin )
Description: Learn to teach dynamic, inspirational and energizing Reformer classes from the ground up in this practical workshop. Exercise sequence, progressions, cueing and equipment management are covered to make your classes run smoothly from the very beginning. Teaching mixed level classes and accommodating clients with limitations will also be covered.

Friday Morning, 9/7/2007
From the Sole of the Foot to the Core of the Body: Part 1- Structure (Marie-Jose Blom)
This two part workshop introduces the relationship of the proper placement of the foot and ankle to the performance of the entire body. The morning session includes an introduction to the functional anatomy of the foot and ankle including embodying the information by sensing and feeling the structures on your own body. The afternoon session includes dynamic alignment and strength exercises for the foot and ankle, integration of the placement of the feet in Reformer and Trapeze Table exercises and understanding the effects of foot placement on the rest of the body.

Friday Morning, 9/7/2007
Flowing on the Pilates Chair (Ellie Herman)
Description: It’s not easy to flow on the Chair, but Ellie has come up with several full body flow series that can be done with one spring setting. Ellie Herman will teach advanced repertoire and original exercises created by herself and her staff over the last fifteen years. Ellie will also review her favorite cues to help students deeply understand the initiation and muscle sequencing involved in each exercise.

Friday Morning, 9/7/2007
The Avalon System: Evolutionary Pilates Equipment for the 21st Century – The New Arm Chair (Constance Holder)
The Avalon system created by Rael Isacowitz in conjunction with Balanced Body, represents the first post Pilates equipment design. By redesigning and adding resistance to the arm chair, sitting box and spine corrector, Rael has extended the Pilates repertoire in new and exciting ways.

Friday Morning, 9/7/2007
Power Pilates: Barrels of Fun (Carrie Macy)
Joseph Pilates created a beautiful progression on a piece of equipment that is often overlooked, the Barrel. He designed the Barrels to gradually open two very restricted areas: the hips and the shoulders. We will work through the progression from Small Barrel (Baby Arc) to Ladder Barrel making them easy to incorporate into any workout!

Friday Afternoon, 9/7/2007
Moving the Spine on the Trap Table/Cadillac (Madeline Black)
Description: This practical, hands on workshop will help you develop a deeper understanding of spinal articulation through traditional Cadillac/Trap Table exercises. You will learn how, why and when to choose Cadillac exercises for spinal mobility as well as specific cueing and teaching tips. An overview of the anatomy of the spine and contraindications pertaining to spinal issues are included.

Friday Afternoon, 9/7/2007
From the Sole of the Foot to the Core of the Body: Part 2- Exercises (Marie-Jose Blom)
This two part workshop introduces the relationship of the proper placement of the foot and ankle to the performance of the entire body. The morning session includes an introduction to the functional anatomy of the foot and ankle including embodying the information by sensing and feeling the structures on your own body. The afternoon session includes dynamic alignment and strength exercises for the foot and ankle, integration of the placement of the feet in Reformer and Trapeze Table exercises and understanding the effects of foot placement on the rest of the body.

Friday Afternoon, 9/7/2007
The Avalon System: Evolutionary Pilates Equipment for the 21st Century – The New Step Barrel (Constance Holder)
The Avalon system created by Rael Isacowitz in conjunction with Balanced Body, represents the first post Pilates equipment design. By redesigning and adding resistance to the arm chair, sitting box and spine corrector, Rael has extended the Pilates repertoire in new and exciting ways.

Friday Afternoon, 9/7/2007
Adapting Pilates for the Post Mastectomy Client (Dawn-Marie Ickes, MPT/Shrier, MPT)
The workshop will familiarize participants with the most common procedures related to breast cancer treatment. In addition, it will detail important anatomical/structural and kinematic changes to women’s bodies as a result of such treatment. Optimal Pilates exercise selection and programming for this population will be reviewed.

Friday Afternoon, 9/7/2007
Power Pilates: Magic Circle Madness (Carrie Macy)
This workshop is designed for anyone crazy about Matwork. By using the Magic Circle, you can liven up your Mat class, add extra resistance and learn why the Circle is truly magic! Supplemental literature provided.

Saturday Morning, 9/8/2007
The Next Dimension: Reformer Classes to Music (Valentin )
If you love to move to music then this class will teach you the ins and outs of creating choreographed Reformer classes to music. A variety of musical styles are explored to help you understand what works best for different exercises. Whether you are a group exercise instructor looking to use your love of music and choreography in your Reformer classes or a Pilates instructor who is considering ways to add a new dimension, this practical class will get you started.

Saturday Morning, 9/8/2007
Accessing our Wisdom: Taking the Leap from Knowledge to Wisdom to Become a Better Pilates Teacher (Amy Alpers)
The process of evolving our understanding from information to knowledge and from knowledge to wisdom is paramount in becoming an exceptional teacher. This workshop will address how to remain true to Pilates in the face of all the other viable information we receive, absorbing and reframing new information back into the Pilates form without compromise. By utilizing the Pilates repertoire, and through observing bodies in motion, this workshop will explore how to use what we “know” to enable people to achieve their full potential by enhancing their movement choices.

Saturday Morning, 9/8/2007
Assessing the Lumbar Spine and Pelvis on the Reformer and Chair (Madeline Black)
In this very practical course, Madeline uses exercises on the Reformer and Chair to help you to understand and experience the movement possibilities and restrictions of the lumbar spine and pelvis.You will learn simple evaluation skills and apply them to Reformer and Wunda Chair repertoire. We will look at specific movement sequences to use as a corrective tool for the imbalances of this area and specific cueing and teaching tools.

Outline
  1. Overview of lumbopelvic mechanics and the influence on the spine and lower extremities
  2. Assessment skills with static and dynamic movements
  3. Approaching the findings with movements of Reformer and Chair
  4. Building sequences for balancing the spine and pelvis


Saturday Morning, 9/8/2007
Creating Dynamic Chair Classes (Tom McCook)
The Pilates chair is a great tool for athletically oriented group classes and personal training sessions. This course will provide you with exercises sequences, transitions, teaching tips and queuing to create exciting and inspiring chair sessions. Tom McCook trains Olympic athletes and has a strong background in Yoga and personal training as well as Pilates which he combines to create well rounded, challenging programs you can use for a variety of clients.

Saturday Morning, 9/8/2007
Lolita Shares: Pilates and Ballet, the Ultimate Standing Pilates (Lolita San Miguel)
Teaching Ballet and Pilates for many years, Lolita has merged the core stability and functional training of Pilates Mat work with the balance, strength and functional movement of a Ballet class. Join her for a full bodied workout designed to improve the way your body feels and performs. Exercises from this class can be incorporated into group classes to add new challenges for your students.

Saturday Afternoon, 9/8/2007
Footwork: The Pilates Fortune Teller (Amy Alpers)
Footwork reveals nearly every issue a client is experiencing. By learning to see and understand what Footwork is telling us, teachers can predict where client issues will lead if left unheeded. Utilizing several key Pilates Mat and equipment exercises we will learn to connect the struggles we see there with issues that first appear during Footwork; then learn to teach effective, efficient, and functional movement patterns from the start to correct these problems.

Saturday Afternoon, 9/8/2007
Pilates + Walking = Walk-ilates (Ellie Herman)
Developed by Ellie Herman, Walk-ilates uses Pilates-based exercises and props to address and correct gait imbalances and compensation patterns. The class begins with special releases and stretches using the foam roller, followed by Pilates Mat exercises using the magic circle and finally standing balances. The class culminates in walking, outside if possible, where proper gait and optimal alignment are stressed. The three-hour workshop will include detailed teaching cues. Everyone will receive personal corrections to address their gait patterns.

MBT shoes are a great addition to this class, but are not required. If you are interested in purchasing a pair of MBT shoes, please contact Ellie directly at Ellie with your shoe size and preferred style.

Walking BridgingLunges

Saturday Afternoon, 9/8/2007
Lolita Shares: The Cadillac (Lolita San Miguel)
Pilates elder, Lolita San Miguel has been teaching Pilates and Ballet for over 50 years. In this practical, hands on workshop she will take you through a full repertoire of classical exercises on the Cadillac with a variety of teaching tips and cueing suggestions to help you learn how to teach like a Master. Lolita’s clarity and generosity are wonderful to experience. This workshop is not to be missed!

Sunday All Day, 9/9/2007
Alignment and Strength through Tactile and Sensory Cueing (Marie-Jose Blom)
Marie-José created the Smartspine system to promote new postural patterning through tactile cueing, spinal alignment and supportive breathing techniques. This workshop will us the Smartspine in conjunction with the Reformer, Trap Table, Baby Arc and Spine Corrector to give you practical skills to elevate your teaching to a higher level. This workshop will include the biomechanics of the spine and new core principles as used in the Pilates environment.

Sunday All Day, 9/9/2007
Pilates Movement Analysis (Karen Clippinger, MSPE)
This workshop applies a movement analysis schema to classical Pilates exercises on the Reformer, Chair and Mat. This schema delineates the primary muscle groups utilized to execute a given movement, as well as key muscles used to stabilize the body and promote optimal technique. The roles of gravity, positioning and spring settings are addressed. This movement assessment will then be used as a basis to address the risk, effectiveness, modification, cueing and progression of selected Pilates repertoire.

Sunday All Day, 9/9/2007
How it Works: Experiential Anatomy and Pilates Repertoire for the Upper Body (Tom McCook)
The goal of this workshop is to experience and understand our bodies and the way they were designed to move for optimal performance and health. We will use experiential anatomy, touch, imagery and hands-on adjustments to explore the upper body and then apply what we learn to teaching and performing classical and contemporary Pilates repertoire on the Reformer, Chair and Tower. This course will provide you with a variety of tools to expand and enhance your teaching tool box.

Sunday All Day, 9/9/2007
Lolita Shares: Reformer Exercises and Sequencing old (Lolita San Miguel)
Certified to teach the Pilates Method by both Joseph and Clara Pilates, this is a unique opportunity to work with Lolita San Miguel. This workshop will focus on refining your understanding of the entire Reformer repertoire and how to sequence the exercises to create a stimulating and dynamic Pilates session.

 

Instuctor Bio's


Valentin

Pilates Body by Valentin - Balanced Body University
Valentin started dancing at age four and has been moving with passion and creativity ever since. Her performing career includes dancing professionally, being a cheerleader, winning aerobic competitions and, most recently, being a key member of Pilates Performance with Elizabeth Larkam. She has also managed Group Exercise at ClubSport Pleasanton, authored articles, presented at IDEA and Body Mind Spirit and produced the Body Revival Fitness Convention.

Studying Pilates for the past seven years with Elizabeth Larkam, Valentin has been inspired by her ability to blend her previous dance experience, love of movement, creativity, and fitness background into the world of Pilates.

Amy Alpers

Pilates Center of Boulder
Amy Taylor Alpers went to The Juilliard School for dance, danced with the Garden State Ballet, and received her BA and MA in Dance from New York University. In addition, Amy taught ballet at various schools in New York City for 10 years. She began studying Pilates with Romana Kryzanowska at the original Pilates Studio in New York City and received her Pilates teaching certificate from there in July of 1989.

Along with her sister, Rachel Taylor Segel, she established The Pilates Center in Boulder, CO in 1990. One year later they founded The Pilates Center Teacher Training Program. Nearly 400 graduates of this program are now teaching Pilates around the world. Amy has taught workshops all around the United States, as well as in Canada, Paris, London, and Israel. With her sister, Amy also co-authored The Everything Pilates Book, published in 2002. She was a Board Member of the Pilates Method Alliance from 2001-2004, and served on the committee to develop the PMA National Pilates Certification Exam.

Madeline Black

Studio M
Madeline Black has distinguished herself as an international leader in Pilates Instruction and movement education. To date she has presented her work at distinguished forums such as: Pilates On Tour (POT), the Pilates Method Alliance, the Body Mind Expo Conference, and Pilates Style. She has also given workshops in Italy, Germany, Japan, Ireland, Spain and through out the US. Madeline draws inspiration from a vast knowledge of anatomy, biomechanics, quantum physics, and energy work, which has lead to an innovative, interdisciplinary approach to Pilates, yoga, and Gyrotonic. What sets Madeline's teaching apart is her emphasis on clear instruction. From her lecture demos, to her hands-on work, to her educational and supplemental materials, participants leave her workshops immediately able to integrate her ideas and concepts into sessions with their own clients. Her accessibility, articulateness, commitment to Pilates, and decades of experience, makes her a beloved and sought-after instructor.

Madeline has studied Pilates under many of the modern masters of our time, including Eve Gentry, Romana Kryzanowska, Naja Cori, Jean Claude West and Anna Schmitz. Additionally, she worked and mentored with Marika Molnar at Eastside Sports Medicine Center in New York, studied anatomy and neuromuscular re-education with Irene Dowd, Gyrotonic with Juliu Horvath, orthopedic massage with Tom Hendrickson, Integrative Manual Therapy with Sharon Weilselfish, and Lauren Berry technique with Lynda Caesara. She is also exploring the field of energy work.

A resident of Sonoma, California, Madeline's home studio is Studio M.

Marie-Jose Blom

Long Beach Dance Conditioning
Marie-José has been combining Pilates technique and dance medicine for over 20 years. Alan Herdman, a leading Pilates master in London, England, has been her primary teacher. Marie-José pioneered and founded her comprehensive Teacher Training course in 1991 at LBDC. Her courses have enjoyed national and international acclaim for their content and presentation. Marie-José is currently on faculty at Southern California’s Loyola Marymount University.

Karen Clippinger, MSPE

Karen Clippinger's life long work has focused on the application of scientific principles to enhance alignment and movement performance while reducing injury risk. She is currently a professor at California State University, Long Beach, where she teaches Anatomy, Pilates and other dance science courses. Prior to her university employment, Ms. Clippinger worked as a clinical kinesiologist for 22 years, including at Loma Linda University Medical Center.She has worked with clients ranging from those with severe limitations to elite athletes. Ms. Clippinger has given over 350 presentations internationally and throughout the United States to instructors, educators and medical professionals. She recently completed her long anticipated Dance Anatomy and Kinesiology textbook.

Dallas Everleth

Center Strength - Balanced Body University
Dallas has been teaching Pilates since 1999 and currently owns Center Strength Pilates Studio, a Pilates and rehabilitation center in Berkeley, CA. Dallas has a particular interest in the movement science behind Pilates and has studied with Marie-Jose Blom-Lawrence and Nora St John. Dallas is a Balanced Body University faculty member and has been teaching Anatomy in Clay nationally for the last 3 years. She studied Anatomy in Clay with founder Jon Zahourek in 2003 and continues to develop anatomy workshops of special interest to movement educators.

Ellie Herman MS, LAc

Ellie Herman Studio
Ellie Herman was a young dancer in San Francisco when she decided to expand her horizons and become a professional wrestler. As Ruth Less, she tore her ACL and started doing Pilates with Elizabeth Larkam at Saint Francis Memorial Hospital. When she went back to dance class 6 months later she realized that Pilates had not just healed her knee but made her a much better dancer in the process. Inspired to learn more, Ellie moved to New York where she studied dance at New York University and Pilates with Kathy Grant and Romana Kryzanowska. Ellie returned to San Francisco in 1992 where she founded Ellie Herman Studios. She also has a degree in Acupuncture and is the author of several books on Pilates including Pilates for Dummies, Pilates Workbook on the Ball, Pilates Props Workbook, and a series of professional manuals on the equipment; Pilates Reformer, Pilates Springboard, Pilates Cadillac, and Pilates Wunda Chair.

Ellie Herman era una giovane ballerina a San Francisco quando decise di allargare i propri orizzonti e diventare una lottatrice professionista. Come Ruth Less, si strappò il suo Legamento Anteriore Crociato (ACL) e cominciò a praticare Pilates con Elizabeth Larkam presso il Saint Francis Memorial Hospital. Quando tornò ai corsi di danza, 6 mesi dopo, si rese conto che Pilates, non solo aveva curato il suo ginocchio ma durante il processo di recupero, l’aveva resa una ballerina migliore. Sentendosi ispirata ad apprendere di più, Ellie si trasferì a New York dove studio ballo all’Università di New York e Pilates con Kathy Grant e Romana Kryzanowska. Ellie tornò a San Francisco nel 1992 e vi aprì uno studio. Oltre a possedere una laurea in Agopuntura è autrice di numerosi libri su Pilates, compresi PiIates for Dummies, Pilates Workbook on the Ball, Pilates Props Workbook, ed una serie di manuali professionali sugli attrezzi: Pilates Reformer, Pilates Springboard, Pilates Cadillac, and Pilates Wunda Chair.

Constance Holder

Body Arts and Science, Intl.
Constance E. Holder is the Body Arts and Science, Intl. ™ Director of Education. With an extensive background in fitness, education and movement, Constance relocated to Southern California in 1999 to study and serve as an apprentice to Rael Isacowitz, M.A. In addition to BASI educational course and workshop development, Constance continues to function as a senior instructor with Rael teaching at conferences, workshops and educational symposiums as well as presenting both nationally and internationally for BASI.

Dawn-Marie Ickes, MPT

Core Conditioning - Balanced Body University
Dawn-Marie Ickes, MPT holds a B.S. in Biology from Loyola Marymount University and a Masters in Physical Therapy from Mount Saint Mary's College. She is PMA gold certified in Pilates and was elected to the first national board of directors for the Pilates Method Alliance in 2001 (a non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion and maintenance of standards in the Pilates profession). Dawn-Marie has been practicing Physical Therapy since 1996 and has specialized in the areas of pediatrics, prosthetics and woman's health. She is an active member of the APTA and has published a chapter in “Orthopedics”. She has developed and continues to teach educational programs for health care professionals, integrating Pilates and rehabilitation, both nationally and internationally. She currently teaches a comprehensive teacher training program as a faculty member for Balanced Body University under the tutelage of Nora St. John. Core Conditioning recently completed teaching the first Comprehensive Pilates Teacher Training Course within the Masters of Physical Therapy curriculum at CSUN under the tutelage of Dawn Marie. She has been co-owner of Core Conditioning since its inception in 2003.

Carrie Macy

Power Pilates
Carrie Macy began practicing Pilates in 1996 on the recommendation of her ballet teacher after a hamstring injury. Pilates changed her entire understanding of her body and healed her persistent injury, so it became an important part of Carrie’s life. She graduated cum laude from University of California, Los Angeles in 1997 with a degree in Communication Studies. In 2001, she was certified in Pilates by Romana Krysanowska (Pilates, Inc.) in New York City, and is now also certified by Power Pilates. She was asked to teach in London in 2003 and 2004 and has worked at multiple studios throughout Los Angeles. She joined the Power Pilates Teacher Training team in 2004 and co-manages two Power Pilates studios in Southern California. She thrives on the constant growth within Pilates, and brings this inspiration into her teaching.

Tom McCook

Center of Balance - Balanced Body University
Tom McCook, founder and director of Center of Balance, is a nationally-recognized fitness and movement specialist. Beginning his full-time career in personal training in 1984, Tom designs programs for health and life performance for working professionals, people rehabilitating from injuries, and world class athletes, including Olympic Gold Medal swimmers Natalie Coughlin, Jenny Thompson and Misty Hyman.

Through years of continuous study and his strong commitment to a daily meditation and physical practice, Tom has developed a deep personal understanding of what it means to be balanced, strong, flexible and to have a functional, intelligent body. His teaching approach integrates a range of training disciplines that broaden his effectiveness in designing programs for optimal health. In 2003, Tom produced "Combining Pilates & Yoga for Balance," an exercise video that brings together the benefits of Pilates and Yoga.

Tom was certified in Pilates in 1995 and has taught teacher certification programs for PhysicalMind Institute for all of Northern California. He currently is a Faculty member of Balanced Body University and teaches BBU's Pilates teacher certification programs. He has been teaching Yoga since 1996.

In addition to personal fitness training, Yoga and Pilates, Tom is also a practitioner of Meridian/Resistance stretching, Body Code, the Franklin Method, Shiatsu, Myofacial Release, and Focus counseling.

Tom is certified in Personal Fitness Training through the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) and the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM). In 1998, he completed a teacher training in Meridian / Resistance Stretching at the Meridian Stretching Center in Boston, MA. In 2003, Tom became certified in BodyCode, an innovative system of strengthening, stretching and rehabilitation using three-dimensional movements and specially-designed props. Center of Balance is one of the first studios in the United States to integrate the BodyCode System into its teaching. In 2005, Tom graduated from the first Franklin Method teacher training in the US in experiential anatomy and imagery, and completed the Level 2 teacher certification in 2007.

Tom was certified in 1989 in Shiatsu, a form of body therapy recognized in Japan as a medical treatment. He became an Associate of the Lomi School in Somatic Education with Richard Strozzi Heckler in 1991. From 1991 to 1995, Tom underwent a four-year apprenticeship in movement re-education, structural body work and Craniosacral Therapy. He received national certification in Therapeutic Massage and Body Therapy in 1993. He completed intensive training in Myofascial Release (connective tissue therapy) from 1996 to 1999 with John Barnes, PT.

From 2000 to 2002, Tom underwent an intensive Focus Counseling training with Dennis Stevenson, designed to help individuals create momentum and freedom in life by developing clarity of purpose and self-trust. This Life Coaching work has greatly enhanced Tom's work with clients and increased his effectiveness in helping others become more successful in their lives.

In addition to the work Tom does at Center of Balance, he also conducts retreats nationally and abroad.

Tom McCook and Center of Balance have been featured in national magazines, including Women's Sports Illustrated, Yoga Journal, PilatesStyle, Self, and Outside, in USA Today, San Francisco Chronicle and the San Jose Mercury News, and on TV programs including the Today Show and Evening Magazine.

Shelly Power B.S.

Polestar Pilates
Shelly Power is co-founder of Polestar Pilates Center Miami and Regional Manager for Polestar Education. Shelly received her BS degree in dance from Scramento State University where she later served on the faculty. A professional dancer, Shelly has taught Polestar Education for eight years.

Lolita San Miguel

Pilates y Mas
Ms. San Miguel is one of Puerto Rico’s leading cultural figures with a distinguished career in dance as a ballerina, educator, choreographer and artistic director. Born in New York City of Puerto Rican parents, Ms. San Miguel performed with Robert Joffrey and Benjamin Harkarvy and for ten years was a soloist with the Metropolitan Opera Ballet. Leaving the stage in 1968, Ms. San Miguel taught at leading dance companies in New York. In 1977 she moved to Puerto Rico and founded Ballet Concierto de Puerto Rico, Puerto Rico’s finest classical ballet company. Ms. San Miguel has used the Pilates Method of Body Conditioning since 1958, and was trained and certified by both Carola Trier and Joseph Pilates. She is one of four “Distinguished Elders” of the Pilates Method Alliance and member of the Advisory Board of Pilates Style magazine.

Katy Thompson, RN

K.T.'s Pilates Inc.
Katy is a Registered Nurse of 35 years. She completed her advanced Certification in the Kathy Corey West Coast Pilates Method in 2003. She is a faculty member of Balance Body University and the Master Instructor at Pure Movement Studio in Fort Wayne, Indiana, a Balanced Body University Host Site. She is also a co-owner of PS Pilates in Naples, Florida where she has taught since 2004. The last 4 years she has presented her "Business of Pilates" course at numerous Pilates on Tour for Balanced Body University. Prior to her Pilates career, she was the Regional Manager of a large Home Care Company. She was responsible for overseeing budgets for 4 cost centers, program development, marketing and management of over 1000 employees. She developed and marketed many home care programs for the agencies. She also owned and ran a full service design store, The Corner Decorator, for 4 years. At the end of her Nursing career she was Director of Marketing, Admissions and Business Development at The Rehabilitation Hospital of Fort Wayne, Indiana. The first Pilates Studio she opened was in 2003, Taylor Wellness & Pilates, Inc. The Studio was the first studio in Fort Wayne and introduced the work of Joe Pilates to the area. She sold the studio to one of her teachers and moved to Florida where she has been co=owner of PS Pilates for the last 6 years. She is currently in Lolita San Miguel's Master Mentor Program, Passing the Torch, where she has successfully completed one of a two year course. Her intent and vision is to reach as many people as possible and show them to work of Joe Pilates through her teaching and business experiences.