Workshops

WORKSHOPS & 5-WEEK INTENSIVES

PILATES EQUIPMENT ESSENTIALS: 5-Week Intensive
with Sue Meadows

Saturdays, 9am - 10am (with Sue)
Upcoming 2008 Start Dates: 5/31

Learn Pilates on the Equipment! Whether you're just starting Pilates or want to freshen up your skills, this intensive is a safe, effective and energizing way to do it! Pilates Equipment Essentials will teach you the fundamentals and essential Pilates exercises, on the mat and using specially-designed equipment-the Reformer, Wall Unit and Chair. You'll increase your awareness and ability, with a noticeable carry-over into how you approach your everyday life. Upon completion of the 5 week series, students may continue with private training, repeat the series, or transition into an ongoing Pilates equipment group, with instructor approval.

Learn the Pilates fundamentals and essential exercises

Develop a balance of strength, flexibility and body alignment

Enhance your current exercise program

Improve your quality of movement and core strength

Learn proper set up and use of the equipment

Have fun!

About Sue
Sue Meadows is a Pilates Method Alliance Certified instructor. She completed her Pilates certification training with Nora St. John and has trained with Valentin, Tom McCook, and Elizabeth Larkam, plus Stott and Powerhouse Pilates. She has been in the health and fitness industry since 1984 as a health promotion consultant, group exercise instructor and personal trainer. In the transition into the second half of her life, Pilates has been a major influence in Sue's personal and professional growth. She blends technical expertise, creative style and contagious enthusiasm, guiding clients to enrich their bodies and lives through movement.

Cost: $215

To Register
This is open to all levels of students with some movement experience. No injuries please. Reservations can be made by contacting Center of Balance at 650-967-6414. This is a tuition-based course with no make-up sessions offered.

Cancellation Policy
Please allow at least 1 week notice if you must cancel your registration, otherwise you will be responsible for the full cost. We will refund your payment only if we can fill the slot. Unattended sessions are nonrefundable.

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PILATES MAT ESSENTIALS: 5-Week Intensive
with Arwen Brooke

Stay tuned for Fall schedule

Get the most out of the mat! You'll learn the fundamentals and proper technique of Pilates mat, focusing on body connections, breathing, alignment and awareness. Learn how to identify your own weaknesses and imbalances and work with them to restore healthier movement. Props - rollers, barrels, magic circles and balls - are used as tools to help students feel deeper into the subtleties of the exercises. The small group size allows individual issues to be addressed, so come with your questions! This 5 week series is great for newcomers to Pilates, who want to get the most out of mat class, and for those who want to refine their knowledge, understanding and ability.

About Arwen
Arwen discovered Pilates by accident. She went into her first class thinking she was attending a yoga class! It was love at first exercise though, and she began attending every Pilates class she could find until she finally decided she'd like to share her love of the Pilates method with others and become an instructor. She completed her certification through PhysicalMind Institute in 2004 and continues to expand her education and skill through specialized training at Center of Balance. Arwen is strongly influenced by the work of studio owner, Tom McCook. She loves Pilates for its whole-body approach and its focus on wellness for the body AND mind. Her teaching style is one of empowerment, encouraging students to learn their way into better fitness & an overall improved life experience.

Cost: $215

To Register
This is open to all levels of students - no experience necessary! No injuries please. Preregistration and prepayment are required. Please contact Center of Balance to reserve your place! This is a tuition-based course with no make-up sessions offered.

Cancellation Policy
Please allow a minimum of 1 week notice if you must cancel your registration, otherwise you will be responsible for the full cost. We will refund your payment only if we can fill the slot. Unattended sessions are nonrefundable.

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PILATES MOVEMENT PRINCIPLES
with Tom McCook

Friday - June 13, 2008
3pm - 6pm

Discover the essence of Pilates with Pre-Pilates! Whether you're looking to become a Pilates instructor or are a student interested in learning the key principles that make Pilates special, this workshop is an excellent way to experience the foundation of the Pilates work. Pilates Movement Principles introduces you to the biomechanics of the Pilates method and to the essential components of functional core strength, lumbopelvic and scapular stability, as well as assessing and correcting alignment and improving flexibility. This course is strongly recommended as a bridge for students who are starting their teacher training with BBU after Mat 1.

Prerequisites
To register, you must have attended a minimum of 10 Pilates Mat classes. No acute injuries please.

Cost
$85

To Register
Space is limited so register early! Preregistration and prepayment are required. Please contact Center of Balance at 650-967-6414 to reserve your place!

About Tom
Founder and Director of Center of Balance, Tom McCook is a nationally-recognized fitness and movement specialist with over 20 years experience. Tom is certified in Pilates and has been teaching Pilates certification courses since 2001 for PhysicalMind Institute formerly, and currently for Balanced Body University. Through years of study and a strong commitment to his daily meditation and physical practice, Tom specializes in a range of training disciplines including Pilates, Yoga, Franklin Method, BodyCode System, Resistance Stretching, Myofascial Release, Craniosacral Therapy, Bodywork and Life Coaching. Tom designs programs for health and overall performance for working professionals, people recovering from injuries, and athletes, including Olympic Gold Medal swimmers Natalie Coughlin, Jenny Thompson and Misty Hyman. He conducts workshops and retreats in the U.S. as well as abroad. In 2003, Tom produced the video Combining Pilates and Yoga for Balance.

POSTURE, ALIGNMENT & PILATES REPERTOIRE
Workshop for Teachers

with Tom McCook

Friday - June 20, 2008
4pm - 7:30pm

Experience the benefits of integrating the Franklin Method with Pilates! Learn what good posture actually means by looking at our structure, its function and how it has evolved. Using imagery and simple exercises, we'll explore efficiency of movement, joint health and a better relationship with gravity. We will apply our improved sense of function to exercises on the Reformer, Tower, Chair and Mat for structural alignment / muscular balance and conditioning.

Learn:
- How to achieve good posture in a practical and step-by-step manner.
- Tension release using Imagery and Franklin balls for postural alignment and ease.
- How to highlight the central axis as the fundamental fulcrum of the body.
- How to teach Pilates exercises on the equipment in the upright position for coordination and harmony with gravity.
- Hands-on cueing and imagery for effective teaching and a positive learning experience.

Cost
$100

Prerequisites
This is open to equipment certified Pilates instructors.

To Register
Preregistration and prepayment are required. Space is limited so contact Center of Balance at 650-967-6414 to reserve your place!

Cancellation Policy
Please allow a minimum of 1 week notice if you must cancel, otherwise your payment is non-refundable. We will refund your payment only if we can fill the slot.

About Tom
Founder and director of Center of Balance, Tom is an internationally recognized Pilates and movement specialist. Tom designs programs for health and life performance for working professionals, people rehabilitating from injuries and world-class athletes, including several Olympic Gold Medal swimmers. Tom is certified in Pilates and has been teaching Pilates certification courses since 2001 for PhysicalMind Institute formerly, and currently for Balanced Body University. He also has extensive training in Yoga, Resistance Stretching, Franklin Method, Life Coaching and Bodywork, and integrates these methods into his teaching. Tom is a certified level 2 Franklin Method Educator.

CHAIR FLOW
Workshop for Teachers

with Tom McCook

Friday - July 25, 2008
4pm - 7:30pm

Learn to teach a complete, flowing Chair class! This workshop will help you refine your skills in proper equipment set up, cueing, hands-on adjustments and how to guide smooth exercise transitions. You will also learn a progression of exercises for a high quality, balanced, conditioning program. We will incorporate classical and contemporary Chair repertoire for a dynamic mind/body workout. This is a valuable continuing education workshop to help you bring a fresh approach to your clients' training programs, and an exciting addition to your class offerings.

About Tom
Founder and Director of Center of Balance, Tom McCook is a nationally-recognized fitness and movement specialist with over 20 years experience. Tom is certified in Pilates and has been teaching Pilates certification courses since 2001 for PhysicalMind Institute formerly, and currently for Balanced Body University. Through years of study and a strong commitment to his daily meditation and physical practice, Tom specializes in a range of training disciplines including Pilates, Yoga, Franklin Method, BodyCode System, Resistance Stretching, Myofascial Release, Craniosacral Therapy, Bodywork and Life Coaching. Tom designs programs for health and overall performance for working professionals, people recovering from injuries, and athletes, including Olympic Gold Medal swimmers Natalie Coughlin, Jenny Thompson and Misty Hyman. Tom is a certified level 2 Franklin Method Educator.

Cost $100

Registration
This continuing education workshop is for associate and certified Pilates instructors. Space is limited to 12, so sign up early! To register, please contact Center of Balance at 650-967-6414.

Cancellation Policy
Please allow a minimum of 1 week notice if you must cancel, otherwise your payment is non-refundable. We will refund your payment only if we can fill the slot.

Repertoire Integration 5-Week Teacher Training Prep
with Center of Balance Instructors

Fridays 3:30-5:30pm
Starts September 5, 2008

Integrate the Pilates equipment repertoire where it matters most ... your body! In this 5-Week Immersion program, we'll review and refine the fundamentals, essential and intermediate exercises on the Reformer, Chair and Wall Unit. This course is for students who are preparing to take the Pilates Reformer and Apparatus teacher training, or for those who are interested in expanding their understanding of the equipment repertoire. With the extended 2-hour sessions, there will be more time for questions and detailed review, helping you to integrate the exercises more deeply and get the most out of each class! For optimal learning, there will be a maximum of 5 students per instructor. This course is not required, but strongly recommended.

Prerequisites
To register, you must have a minimum of 1 year Pilates experience, and taken at least 10 private sessions on the equipment. No Pilates instructors (equipment) please! This course is not appropriate for people with acute injuries.

Tuition
$375

To Register
Space is limited so register early! Preregistration and prepayment are required. Please contact Center of Balance at 650-967-6414 to reserve your place!

Please wear proper workout attire to the workshop.

EMBODYING A BALANCED LIFE: 3 month course
with Tom McCook

Tuesdays, 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Class Dates: 10/7, 10/14, 10/21, 11/4, 11/11, 11/18, 12/2, 12/9, 12/16

Using movement and meditation as a foundation to get focused and present, we'll look at what it means to be balanced in our individual lives. We'll look at the specific areas of work, play, inspiration and body care and the importance of establishing a personal plan in these areas every week. We will take time each week to identify ways to create freedom and to experience momentum in our lives. We'll learn how to ask for what we want and need in order to move through life with more balance, freedom, clarity and grace. The format includes movement, meditation and coaching. Movement practices will incorporate Franklin Method, Pilates, Yoga, Resistance Stretching. Requires a 3 month commitment.

Cost: $625

To Register
Space is limited - Please contact Tom directly if you are interested in registering. This course requires a 3-month commitment. No refunds once the course begins.

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