Parkinson’s Education for Pilates Teachers

Elevate your expertise and stand out with a distinctive specialization in working with individuals with Parkinson’s disease. The Parkinson’s Teacher Training Academy (PTTA) empowers Pilates instructors to make a meaningful impact by combining the principles of Pilates with a proven, research-backed approach tailored to all stages of Parkinson’s.

Our continuing education courses and workshops proudly provide accredited Continuing Education Credits through the National Pilates Certification Program. Committed to excellence, our program consistently leads the industry by delivering cutting-edge, high-quality education tailored to the evolving needs of Pilates professionals.

Pilates for Parkinson’s Workshops and Courses for Pilates Teachers

Earn NPCP Continuing Education Credits while gaining the tools, knowledge, and confidence to design safe and effective exercise programs that enhance mobility, balance, and quality of life of clients with Parkinson’s disease. As a Pilates teacher, you are uniquely poised to support this underserved community—unlock your potential to transform lives today.

Understanding Parkinson’s Disease and the People Who Live With It

courseCourse Id: W-#100

Beginner

Who it’s for: Caregivers, Fitness & Movement Professionals, Pilates Teachers

The 11 ABSOLUTE MUST DO Exercise Mini sets for Parkinson’s -Movement Experience

courseCourse Id: W-#101

Beginner

Who it’s for: Caregivers, Fitness & Movement Professionals, Pilates Teachers

Understanding Parkinson’s and The 11 ABSOLUTE MUST DO Exercise Mini sets for PD ~An Instructor’s Guide

courseCourse Id: W-#102

Intermediate

Who it’s for: Fitness & Movement Professionals, Pilates Teachers

PaKua – An Ancient Knowledge for Modern Times: The Complete 24 Movements

courseCourse Id: W-#200

Beginner

Who it’s for: Caregivers, Fitness & Movement Professionals, Pilates Teachers

The P4P Mini-Set Framework (Advanced Programming, Progression, and Teaching Applications for Parkinson’s Disease)

courseCourse Id: W-#801

Advanced

Who it’s for: Fitness & Movement Professionals, Pilates Teachers

The Pilates 4 Parkinson’s Method – Instructor Certificate Course

courseCourse Id: ATP1

Advanced

Who it’s for: Fitness & Movement Professionals, Pilates Teachers

The Pilates 4 Parkinson’s Master Trainer/Educator Program

courseCourse Id: ATP3

Who it’s for: Fitness & Movement Professionals, Pilates Teachers

Mentorship – Achieve Expert-Level Proficiency with a Specialization in Parkinson’s Exercise Care

courseCourse Id: ATP4

Who it’s for: Fitness & Movement Professionals, Pilates Teachers

Pilates Offers Unique Benefits for Individuals with Parkinson’s

Pilates Masters Share their Experience

Lolita San Miguel

First Generation Pilates Master

CERTIFIED BY JOSEPH PILATES

Congratulations on your wonderful work promoting the benefits of Pilates for Parkinson. As we know, the Pilates Method is the most valuable and “sweetest” of exercises for senior citizens. The emphasis on breathing, coordination, concentration, posture, flexibility, gait, axial elongation, alignment and relaxation, will benefit Parkinson patients immensely.

I speak from experience, since I saw my husband’s mother, many colleagues and clients suffer the long and difficult journey of this incurable disease at the end of their lives.

Dr. Suzanne Martin, DPT, NCPT-PMA, CLT

Author, Spinal Asymmetry and Scoliosis

www.pilatestherapeutics.com

The Pilates environment is different from fitness and physical therapy. A Pilates Method Movement Educator (PMME) is uniquely qualified to work with those who have chronic neurological conditions, if they have received specialized post-certificate education in the condition of Parkinson’s disorder. The PMME works best as part of a multi-disciplinary allied health group who provide the totality of the client’s needs. In this way, the PMME adds not only adjunct exercises but an enhanced environment that assists with the psychosocial elements necessary to optimize the current capability of the participant.

Laura Gideon

M.S. – Clinical Exercise Physiologist

CPT – NASM Certified Personal Trainer

CES Certified Corrective Exercise Specialist, The Biomechanics Method

IMX Certified Pilates Instructor

I have been working with Eddie C for over 3 years.  He is 75 years old and 7 years ago was unfortunately diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. Parkinson’s is a progressive nervous system disorder that affects movement. We see each other for (3) 30 minute Pilates/Exercise sessions per week to help slow down the progression of the disease in addition to warding off depression. Pilates has been the bulk of our exercise session menu and I have seen not only gains in Eddie’s muscle and joint strength, in addition to stability, mobility and flexibility but a slowing of his disease progression. However, the best is – the light in his eyes and a smile on his face that keeps him wanting to continue his desire for a life of vitality and fighting spirit.

BAMBOO BALANCE
www.bamboobalance.com

Testimonials

Insights from Empowered Graduates

Chiara Ramadoro, Italy

Very interesting course, it met my needs. Many useful insights that I can apply in my work as a physiotherapist and Pilates Instructor.

Chiara Ramadoro, Italy
Cheryl Dowling, New York

The format worked well for me. The lecture portion felt balanced. I also appreciated being able to go through the exercises before discussing them. A lot of courses break down each as you're learning, but this worked very well in this format. I also appreciated the continuous reinforcement of these exercises with the Pilates principles, keeping it relevant for Pilates practitioners.

The material presented was clear and the workshop was engaging. It provided the right amount of information to get started and the opportunity to go deeper in my learning. Cecilia is an excellent teacher and I am excited to put what I learned into practice!

Cheryl Dowling, New York
Diana R

I am very happy about everything I have just learned, and I want to keep preparing myself further and be of help.

Diana R
P4P-ICC, Mexico

The course in general gave me a much better understanding about the body.  I have learned so much more about PD and gained critical knowledge on how to better serve clients with PD, and how to effectively apply the principles and method of Pilates. 

P4P-ICC, Mexico
Paulina P

As a Pilates instructor, the Pilates for Parkinson’s Certification gave me the knowledge and confidence to better support my father in his journey with Parkinson’s. It deepened my understanding of the condition and provided practical tools that have made a real difference in his mobility and well-being. I’m grateful for the skills I’ve gained to help him and others facing similar challenges.

Paulina P Studio Owner & Teacher, Soma Pilates Consciente
Rika K

How  it was organized with the anatomy in the beginning, different staging of disease and the respective exercise recommendation,  different layers of must-do movements and  why they were chosen in regards to challenges that can be associated with Parkinson’s disease ( plus other aging conditions)…all are put together in a very well organized training with Cecilia.

With this training, I feel confident in exercising  with a special population, and I’m also very much aware how this certification increases my value as a Pilates instructor and personal trainer.

Rika K
Kim Hye Jin

강사의 역량은 지식이 아니라 그 지식에서 나오는 애정과 관심, 관찰력, 배려하는 방법이라는 걸 다시 한번 깨닫게 된 세실리아 선생님의 교육과 레슨. 특히나 오늘 받은 선생님과의 개인 레슨은 1분1초가 너무너무 소중했다. 나의 필라테스 수업이 단순 기능성 운동이 되지말자라는 나만의 강한 신념이 있는데, 나의 수업에 대해서 또다시 되짚어 보게 된 시간이였다. 기술과 이론적인 것도 당연히 중요하지만, 그 지식 속에서 나오는 관찰력과 따스한 손길과 단어 그리고 그녀의 어조, 말투까지! 그래, 이게 바로 내가 원하는, 내가 이루고 싶은 수업이였지. 내가 가고 싶은 수업의 방향성에 대해서 다시 또 한번 생각하게 되었고, 오늘 나의 뿌리는 한단계 더 강해졌다! 음하핳하ㅏㅎ하하하하하하하하하

Kim Hye Jin Seoul, S.Korea
Arlette V.

Creo que es un contenido muy valioso ya que está enfocado en específico en las personas con Parkinson contemplando detrás una investigación muy amplia que contempla no sólo los principios de Pilates, pero también contando con el conocimiento sobre la enfermedad abarcando desde las etapas, sus características, la medicación, identificar las síntomas correspondientes a cada etapa en específico, el funcionamiento en el cerebro, lo que permite familiarizarse ampliamente con este padecimiento.

Arlette V. Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Jessica H.

The course content was absolutely a ton, without being a complete overload.  I loved that I constantly felt like I was learning new terminology for every few things I was familiar with. My favorite part was following along with the 11 “ABSOLUTE MUST DO” Exercise mini-sets if you have Parkinson’s disease.  The progressions and regressions each week left me feeling sore and rejuvenated.... I’m so excited I found this program.  It’s just what I have been needing to take my Pilates practice to the next level.

Jessica H.
Mary Jane M.

Cecilia brings a wealth of knowledge, research and experience in presenting this course. I feel like I gained in depth knowledge on how to train people with PD. She's very passionate about her work and thorough with her training program.

Mary Jane M. Just Duet Pilates Studio, Denver, CO
Debra M.

This course provided a detailed overview of the current scientific understanding of PD, beautifully addressed the complex issues that manifest with clients as their PD progresses, and gave the experienced Pilates teacher a methodical and well organized bag of tools with which to help their PD clients.

An unexpected but greatly appreciated benefit of this course was the relevance to my non-PD, older adult client population.

Debra M. Owner, Movement Refinery, San Mateo, CA