Pilates in Place: Remote Workshops for Quarantined Pilates Teachers

Resources For Teachers
Written By Tracy Belcher

Worldwide ‘social distancing’ practices to mitigate the spread of Covid-19 have left pretty much every Pilates studio in the world closed. On the bright side, these unique circumstances have also given Pilates teachers a chance to focus on self-practice.

The initial weeks of “shelter-in-place” saw a slew of Instagram/Facebook Live Pilates sessions, where instructors and students alike could follow along with their favorite teachers around the world.

Watching Jean-Claude Nelson, owner of Bluebird Pilates in Munich, workout every morning was the perfect way to ease the anxieties of waking up, essentially jobless. And Saul Choza, of LA-based Windsor Choza Pilates, led a daily class in the initial weeks of “shelter-in-place” that served as the ultimate midday pick-me-up.

Then came Zoom classes, which offered a more individualized experience where teachers could actually interact and correct participants. And, with a camera on both sides, participants couldn’t slack. We actually had to work out. Drat! Just kidding. It’s been a godsend.

Now, we are on to the next “Pilates in Place” adventure: Remote Livestream Workshops.

Thank you, Pilates Gods.

While nothing will ever replace an in-person experience, workshops are kind of the best way for the Pilates nerd inside each of us to learn, move, observe, and just generally geek-out in our pajamas, with overgrown roots and poorly groomed nails, from the comfort of our living rooms. Just the way we like!

Slow 👏🏽 friggin 👏🏽 clap 👏🏽 ya’ll. Bring it!

Here are some upcoming livestream workshops you will not want to miss!

Which livestream Pilates workshops are you looking forward to? Comment below!

“MatTalk With Troy McCarty”

  • Fridays at 10:30am US Eastern

Troy McCarty, Romana Kryzanowska and Bruce King-trained teacher based in Cleveland, OH, has teamed up with Ana Victoria Fridman, Lolita's Legacy instructor based in Puerto Rico, to deconstruct mat exercises on Instagram Live. 

The series takes place on Fridays at 10:30am US Eastern. Instagram Lives are good for 24 hours, so if you miss the live workshop, you can still catch it later in the day.

Side note: And, he can rock a “Joseph Is My Homeboy” shirt like no other. See image above. Get yours here.

Kathi Ross Nash: “An Hour An Exercise: A Deep Look into The Red Thread Mat Book”

Queen KRN as she is affectionately known on Pilatay.com (Read: Best of Pilates 2019) is offering a series of webinars called “An Hour An Exercise: A Deep Look into The Red Thread Mat Book.” The series takes place Fridays at 12pm U.S Eastern.

The series takes a full hour per exercise to teach, step-by-step, how to build and challenge each Pilates mat exercise, and build from one exercise to the next. It follows Ross-Nash's book, The Red Thread of Pilates- The Integrated System and Variations of Pilates- The Mat©, and follows the Add Next Order of the book.

"In this time of virtual teaching, we have to hone our skills of building and working without the aids of the auxiliary apparatus for support, as many of our students do not have equipment where they are," explained Kathi. 

She is also offering online classes and various workshops inspired by students’ questions, remotely. However, you have to be quick! Her workshops and classes sell out in minutes! If you missed the foundational series, don’t worry. She will be offering it again in the near future.

Check out all the Best of Pilates 2019 finalists.

Shari Berkowitz: Rotated and Twisted Pelvises: It’s Simpler Than You Think

“Whether from scoliosis or just life, everyone has a rotation of the pelvis. That rotation leads to many compensatory imbalances. Strong here, weak there...it's no joke,” explained Berkowitz.

The workshop will help participants understand why pelvises rotate, and give them a complete protocol of how to address these rotations on all apparatus as well as client homework ideas so they can continue the process between sessions.

Email Shari at info@theverticalworkshop.com to be on the list for the webinar (live-stream and recording!)

Shari Berkowitz, Pilates teacher, biomechanist and ergonomist, is passionate about training Pilates teachers, and continuing education through her teacher training program, The Vertical Workshop. Recently, she has been helping teachers get their business online with a webinar on remote/video teaching best practices, which you can find here.

Risa Mathews: Transitions in the Matwork

Sunday, April 26 from 1-3 pm PST

Risa Mathews, owner of the Vancouver-based Boditree Pilates and Healing, will present a two-hour Zoom workshop focusing on examining transitions in the matwork, why they are important, and what exactly they do to transform efficient movement. 

“When examining all Pilates exercises, especially on the Mat, you come to realize that the movements taking place in between them are equally as important as the exercises themselves, for they demand continued and rigorous considerate movement said Risa.  “In this sense, transitions transform the exercises into a complete movement experience, from beginning to end. It’s a magical experience!”

The workshop will take place Sunday, April 26 from 1-3 pm PST.  Cost will be $49 CDN. Certificates will be issued upon completion.

Risa has also been live streaming free, weekly Fletcher floorwork classes on IG live. Follow her at @boditree_pilates_and_healing for more information.

Carrie Russo: What is the goal? / Pilates is in the details / Rhythms & Dynamics

Carrie Russo is gearing up to announce a series of her favorite workshops via livestream. Contact her at her website for dates and details: Russopilates.com. The workshops are:

WHAT IS THE GOAL? Knowing the goal of each exercise is essential to understanding the work. It informs both how you execute an exercise and how you teach it. When you know the Goal (aka the purpose), it simplifies and clarifies both questions and confusion. This workshop is a must for every teacher and any Pilates lover.

PILATES IS IN THE DETAILS: This is a phrase Carrie coined years ago and whole heartedly believes in. In this workshop, we will be diving deeper into the work by fine tuning and honing individual exercises. We will be exploring how to “squeeze the juice out” of every moment, as Romana used to say. This workshop is designed to elevate your practice (and your teaching) to the next level!

RHYTHMS & DYNAMINCS: In this workshop, we explore what the intended tempo is for individual exercises and why Joe wanted it that way. We will also explore how “control” doesn’t always mean “slow”. This workshop will get your heart pumping – just as Joe intended!

Lynda Lippin: Osteoporosis Modifications

If you teach Pilates and have clients with osteoporosis (low bone density), this livestream workshop is for you! Learn what movements are contraindicated, what exercises are the most beneficial, and easy to remember rules for modifying any and every exercise in the Pilates repertoire.

We will spend the morning focusing on the full mat (Beginner-Advanced), and the afternoon on the apparatus. We will focus on Reformer, Cadillac, and Wunda Chair (Beginner-Advanced), but I will also answer questions and provide suggestions for other Pilates apparatus.

Lynda Lippin: Breathing in the Pilates System (Hernia, Diastasis Recti, Prolapse)

We will spend the first part discussing the anatomy of breathing, and exploring the concept of intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) and how that effects hernia, diastasis recti, and prolapse, and what breathing patterns can help which movements.

There will be an advanced mat class with lots of attention to spine support, the powerhouse, breathing, and intra-abdominal pressure.

Then we will discuss the apparatus and explore how IAP and breath work to help or hinder various Pilates exercises

Do you have any live stream workshops to add? Leave them the comments below, or tag @pilatay on your social posts!

Tracy Belcher
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