the pilates sessions 2026

We are excited to announce a unique educational and Pilates event with two power-hour International Pilates Educators from the USA & Latin America.

An intimate setting of two days of Workshops and Masterclasses that will inspire and move you.

Limited space available for In-person LIVE. Once sold out, virtual options will be made available.

Discounts available for all PAA and AUSactive members.
Please contact us on (02) 9091 9400

The Pilates Sessions as more than a series of workshops. It’s a gathering of passionate professionals who want to learn, connect and leave inspired.

EVENT PURPOSE

This exclusive event is a must-attend for Pilates teachers and enthusiasts. Gain invaluable insights from Shelly and Christi, enhance your Pilates knowledge, and refine your teaching skills in group classes, treatment, and teaching.

Whether you’re a new instructor or an experienced educator, The Pilates Sessions will challenge your thinking, refine your skills and reconnect you with the joy of teaching movement.

This is more than professional development. It’s two days of learning, collaboration and inspiration designed to help you become the best teacher you can be.

WHY ATTEND?

Learn practical strategies you can apply in your very next class.
Hear fresh perspectives from internationally recognised Pilates educators.
Deepen your understanding of movement, rehabilitation and performance.
Expand your teaching toolbox with new ideas, cueing techniques and programming approaches.
Earn valuable Continuing Education Credits.
Connect with teachers from across Australia who share your passion for movement.
Ask questions, exchange ideas and learn directly from industry leaders.
Return to your studio feeling energised, confident and inspired.

SHELLY POWER

VP International Education

The Pilates Journal Educator of the Year 2024.

Shelly Power, BS, NCPT, has been a leader in Pilates education with Polestar Pilates since its founding in 1992. As a senior educator, she teaches nationally and internationally, leads Polestar Faculty trainings, administers examinations, and presents at fitness and Pilates conferences around the world. Shelly is recognized for her ability to integrate the foundational principles of Joseph Pilates with contemporary movement education and teaching practices.

A former professional dancer, Shelly earned a Bachelor of Science in Dance from California State University, Sacramento, where she also served on the faculty. She is certified in GYROTONIC® and has completed Franklin Method® training, bringing a broad movement perspective to her work as an educator.

Shelly is a Nationally Certified Pilates Teacher (NCPT) and served on the Pilates Method Alliance Board of Directors from 2013–2019. She has also contributed to the profession through service on numerous PMA and NPCP committees, supporting the advancement of Pilates education and professional standards.

Christi idavoy

Polestar USA Faculty Manager

Pilates Anytime Instructor of the Year 2013.

Christi Idavoy is a movement educator, mindfulness coach, retreat facilitator, and Senior Polestar Pilates Educator with more than twenty years of experience helping people explore the relationship between movement, awareness, and human potential. She serves as the Faculty Manager for Polestar Pilates USA and is a member of the Polestar curriculum development team, where she leads faculty development initiatives, educator trainings, and leadership retreats. Christi also contributes to faculty development programs for Polestar International.

She is the owner of Polestar Pilates Biscayne in Miami—the first Polestar Pilates franchise—and Polestar Pilates Costa Rica in San José, Costa Rica. Her professional background includes training in the Himalayan Yoga tradition of Swami Rama, as well as studies in Pilates, Feldenkrais®, GYROTONIC®, somatic healing, and mindfulness-based education.

A sought-after presenter, Christi has lectured and taught throughout the United States, Latin America, and Europe. She is known for her ability to weave together movement science, contemplative practices, leadership development, and personal transformation in a way that is both practical and deeply human. Beyond her educational work, she facilitates cacao ceremonies and transformational retreats that invite participants into greater presence, connection, and self-discovery.

The pilates sesions

There are a handful of educators whose teaching shapes how an entire method is understood.
Two of them are coming to Sydney.

Sat-Sun 24-25th October, Shelly Power and Christi Idavoy will be teaching at our Brookvale studio for two days of masterclasses and workshops across mat, reformer, chair and the advanced studio repertoire.

Shelly has been with Polestar since the very beginning, shaping the curriculum that teachers around the world learn from today.

Christi leads education across Latin America and is one of the method’s most respected senior educators. This will be her first time teaching in Australia.
We are running this in the studio for an intimate, experiential learning experience, so places are strictly limited.

For teachers who want real time in the room with educators of this calibre, this is your (rare) chance!

Whats included:

Four Workshops. Two are for everyone, two you will have an option to choose 1.

Two Group classes. Saturday you will have a choice of 4 classes at different times, choose 1. Sunday you will have a choise of 3 classes, choose 1.

Prerequisites: Pilates Instructors – Group Class teachers of Mat and Reformer and Comprehensively trained full Studio qualification.

What to Bring: Clothing comfortable for movement, personal mat, open mind.

Catering: Morning tea, afternoon tea and lunch will be provided.

PDP’s / CEC’s:
AUSactive – xx CEC’s
PAA – xx CEC’s

workshop descriptions

WS1: Saturday 9.30am-12.30pm – Shelly Power & Chrisi Idavoy
Advance Repertoire

Deepen your understanding of the Pilates repertoire by exploring advanced exercises beyond those taught in the Polestar Comprehensive curriculum. This workshop examines the purpose, progression, and movement strategies behind these exercises, helping you make thoughtful decisions about when, why, and for whom they are appropriate. Through guided practice and discussion, you’ll refine your own movement skills while expanding your ability to integrate advanced repertoire safely and effectively into client programming.

WS2: Saturday 1.30pm-4.30pm -Christi Idavoy
Layering Without Overwhelming: teaching Multi-level Reformer Classes

Core Theme: Serving beginners and advanced clients simultaneously.
Focus: How to teach educational and effective classes for mixed-level groups.

Key Topics:

Teaching concepts instead of choreography
Progression and regression without interrupting flow
Cue layering strategies
Helping clients self-select challenge levels
Building confidence in newer clients while challenging advanced movers

Takeaway: Teachers gain tools to manage diverse groups while maintaining energy and clarity.

WS2: Saturday 1.30pm-4.30pm – Shelly Power
Beyond the Mat Repertoire

Shelly brings a fresh approach and offers a new perspective on the traditional and more contemporary mat exercises. In this workshop, we will work on movement to create the ultimate healthy body for ourselves and our clients plus explore how to integrate and progress exercises for all abilities. Each of the different movements will be used to prepare the body for more advanced movement on the Mat and apparatus. You will be able to use these tools and ideas immediately.

WS3: Sunday 9.30am-12.00pm – Christi Idavoy
The Art of Cueing: Words That Make Movement Click
Core Theme: Transforming how teachers communicate.
Focus: How language influences understanding, performance, and client motivation.

Key Topics:

External vs internal cueing
Imagery that improves movement instantly
Tone, rhythm, and pacing of voice
Positive coaching language vs corrective language
Teaching clients to feel success

Takeaway: Teachers walk away with powerful communication tools that elevate class experience immediately.

WS3: Sunday 9.30am-12.00pm – Shelly Power
Art of Exceptional Reformer Class

Exceptional Reformer classes are built on more than delivering exercises. They are shaped by purposeful class design, skilled observation, meaningful movement experiences, and the ability to help clients become confident, self-reliant movers. In this interactive workshop, you’ll explore practical strategies to elevate your teaching, create engaging and adaptable classes, and inspire lasting movement learning.

Learning Outcomes

Design Reformer classes with a clear movement intention and purposeful class architecture.
Apply observation skills to recognize movement quality and adapt teaching for diverse participants.
Teach movement principles rather than simply instructing exercises.
Foster client autonomy by encouraging self-awareness, self-assessment, and independent movement problem-solving.
Incorporate effective progression and variability strategies to create engaging and meaningful movement experiences.
Identify teaching practices that elevate Reformer classes from exercise sessions to transformative learning experiences.

WS4: Sunday 1.00pm-4.00pm-12.00pm – Shelly Power & Christi Idavoy
Living Well Through Menopause with Movement

Perimenopause and menopause bring significant physiological, mental, and emotional changes that can influence strength, mobility, energy, balance, recovery, bone health, and overall quality of life. While every woman’s experience is unique, movement remains one of the most powerful lifestyle strategies for maintaining function and well-being.

This evidence-informed workshop explores the physiological changes associated with the menopause transition while emphasizing movement as a tool for resilience. Participants will experience practical movement strategies inspired by Pilates and contemporary movement science that support mobility, strength, posture, balance, breathing, confidence, and adaptability. The workshop is educational rather than prescriptive and is designed to help movement professionals better understand and support women navigating this life stage.

Learning Objectives: Participants will be able to:

Describe common physiological changes that occur during perimenopause and menopause.
Discuss how hormonal changes may influence movement capacity and recovery.
Recognize the role of movement in supporting healthy aging and quality of life.
Experience movement strategies that address common functional concerns.
Apply movement principles to create adaptable movement sessions for women in midlife.
Appreciate the importance of individualized approaches and interdisciplinary collaboration

Day 1: Saturday 24 October 2026

7.15am-7.45am Registration
8.00am-9.00am Group Class 1 (choose 1 from the 4 (either 8am or 5pm)
9.00am-9.30am Morning Tea
9.30am-12.30pm Workshop 1 – ALL
12.30-1.30pm Lunch
1.30pm-4.30pm Workshop 2 (choose 1 from the 2)
4.30pm-5.00pm Break
5.00pm-6.00pm Group Class 1 (choose 1 from the 4 (either 8am or 5pm)

Day 2: Sunday 25 October 2026

8.00-9.00am Group Class 2, (choose 1 from the 3)
9.00-9.30am Morning Tea
9.30am-12.00pm Workshop 3 (choose 1 from the 2)
12.00-1.00pm Lunch
1.00pm-4.00pm Workshop 4 – ALL
4.00pm Closing remarks

LOCATION DETAILS

Polestar Pilates Studio, 32 Cross St, Brookvale.
If driving, park at Westfield Warringah Mall Shopping Centre, park at the Woolworths end and then it’s a 2 minute walk to studio. On street all day parking on Old Pittwater Rd, Brookvale.

Bus from Manly Wharf: 199 to Westfield Warringah Mall, then walk 5 minutes.
Bus from City: B1 (B-Line) from Wynyard to Westfield Warringah Mall, then walk 5 minutes.

our sponsors

Join the MONTHLY NEWSLETTER

Subscribe to our newsletter and be first to know about upcoming courses, workshops, special events and offers near you.

By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: Polestar Pilates. You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact

Polestar Pilates: Global leader in Pilates education, emphasise holistic wellness and healing since 1992.