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The Synergy Series joins MBY Education & PNWPE in collaboration with expert voices in the fields of Pilates, physical therapy and research.

The Synergy Series 2024, a collaboration between PNWPE, a Merrithew™ Licensed Training Center in Portland, Oregon, and MBY Education, a virtual platform for assisting movement professionals with injured clients. Presenters, invited by Melanie Byford-Young, will share vast knowledge and clinical experience to help professionals assist their clients. Topics will be integrated with STOTT PILATES® workshops by PNWPE for practical exercise applications.

The Synergy Series premieres with five exceptional presenters including PNWPE’s own Melanie Byford-Young. In order of photo appearance: +Jennifer Dahl,, BSc, STOTT PILATES Master Trainer, ACE Personal Trainer +Deborah Jones, PT, DPT, GCS, CEEAA, ATP and Franklin Method Instructor +Diane Lee, PT, FCAMT and Founder of Integrated Systems Model (ISM) +Becky Rucker, PT, DPT, and Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist. +Melanie Byford-Young, PT and Founder of Melanie Byford-Young Education
PNWPE’s unique and talented team of STOTT PILATES Instructor Trainers include: Leslie Braverman, Katherine Brown, Debra Hunt, Holly Shaw and Melanie Byford-Young.

From April 5 – 7, 2024, the highly anticipated conference returns with a dynamic focus: “Pilates for an Active Aging Population.” Hosted by leading experts in the field, this year’s conference promises a deep dive into tailored workshops and sessions crafted to equip instructors with the tools and insights needed to guide and support vibrant older adults through Pilates practice.

With the aging population in the United States steadily increasing, understanding how to effectively teach Pilates to this demographic is not just valuable—it’s essential. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, by 2030, all baby boomers will be older than age 65, and older adults are projected to outnumber children for the first time in U.S. history. This means that many of today’s Pilates clients will soon fall into the active aging category, making it crucial for instructors to be equipped with the knowledge and skills to cater to their needs.

This year’s selection of STOTT PILATES workshops—being presented by the Instructor Trainers at Pacific Northwest Pilates Education— is specifically designed to address this topic. The offerings will provide insights into modifying exercises on equipment and mat while also enhancing Pilates exercise to make it more relevant to an active, aging population.

This same weekend will see Melanie Byford-Young Education offering complementary content during The Synergy Series, further enriching and enhancing the exploration of this vital topic. Melanie will lead a workshop on the Science of Balance and Fall Prevention, an important aspect of training for older adults. 

Check out this VIDEO CLIP of Melanie teaching how therapeutic Pilates exercise can help prevent slips, trips and falls.

Guest lecturer Deborah Jones, a Physical Therapist and geriatric specialist will delve into the key tests she uses to assess fall risk, including the role of the eyes, vestibular system, and proprioceptive system. Her demonstration of evaluating fundamental movement patterns and strategies to improve balance and movement quality will be invaluable.

READ AN INTERVIEW WITH DEBORAH JONES 

Following this, Melanie Byford-Young will facilitate a discussion on how these issues identified by Deborah’s tests can be addressed with Pilates-based exercises and critical reasoning. This interactive session promises to bridge the gap between clinical settings and community-based Pilates, offering instructors practical tools and strategies to ensure their clients’ success as they navigate the journey of aging with strength and grace.


REGISTER — STOTT PILATES WORKSHOPS HERE


REGISTER — BALANCE ASSESSMENT AND FALL RISK EVALUATION with DEBORAH JONES


REGISTER — THE SCIENCE BEHIND BALANCE AND FALL PREVENTION with MELANIE BYFORD-YOUNG

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