Professional Development & Education

Empowering Pilates professionals through evidence-based education

For more than 35 years, Penny Latey has delivered professional development workshops for Pilates practitioners, allied health professionals, universities, dance organizations, and professional associations across Australia and internationally.

Her workshops combine clinical reasoning, functional movement assessment, current research, and practical application to help practitioners confidently work with clients of all ages and abilities.

Areas of education include:

• Therapeutic Pilates assessment

• Functional movement analysis

• Foot problems and conditions

• Ankle and lower limb function

• Breathing and breath-work

• Pelvic floor health

• Shoulder, arm and hand conditions

• Managing low back pain

• Prenatal and postnatal care

• Neurological conditions

• Gait and age-related movement changes

• Chronic pain and complex conditions

• Exercise prescription and clinical reasoning

FA Pioneer in Pilates Education

Penny developed Australia's first structured Pilates teacher training program outside of the traditional apprenticeship model in the early 1990s.

In 1999, her education model was adopted by the Australian Pilates Method Association (APMA), where she also delivered "train-the-trainer" programs.

Between 2000 and 2005, Penny was the Course Director and Senior Lecturer for the Graduate Certificate in the Pilates Method at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), the first university-based Pilates qualification in Australia.

She has presented extensively at conferences and professional development events, including:

• Pilates Alliance Australasia (PAA)

• Australian Pilates Method Association (APMA)

• International Association for Dance Medicine & Science (IADMS)

• Mind Body Spirit Conferences

• The Pilates Expo

• International Foot and Ankle Conferences (IFAB)

Penny has also delivered workshops for professional dance schools, universities, and allied health organisations throughout Australia and internationally.

Pilates Education in South Korea

In 2003, Penny was invited by a group of South Korean allied health professionals to introduce Pilates education to Korea.

Her teacher training curriculum was adopted in South Korea in 2004 and continues to be delivered today. Penny continues to present professional development workshops in both Australia and South Korea.

Australian Workshops 2026

Therapeutic Pilates Initial Assessment

8 Continuing Education Credits (CECs) approved by PAA

Dates & Times

Session 1
Saturday 15 August 2026
1:30 pm - 5:30 pm

Session 2
Sunday 16 August 2026
1:30 pm - 5:30 pm

Delivery

✅ Live Online
✅ In Person

Venue

Modern Pilates Studio
3/8 Northcote Street
Naremburn NSW

Prerequisites

Open to Pilates instructors holding a Diploma qualification (or equivalent) who work in studio environments providing private or small-group sessions with individually tailored programs.

Workshop Overview

Beyond the Well Client

Many Pilates assessment systems are designed for healthy clients. But what happens when your next client presents with chronic pain, neurological issues, mobility limitations, or multiple health conditions?

• What if they cannot comfortably stand?

• What if they cannot lie on their back?

• What if standard assessment movements increase pain?

This workshop introduces a practical, structured assessment approach designed specifically for therapeutic Pilates practice.

You will learn how to safely evaluate clients with complex presentations, adapt assessment procedures, interpret movement limitations, and develop appropriate exercise strategies from day one.

Participants are encouraged to bring case studies and questions relating to their own areas of practice and special interest.

What You Will Learn

Assessment Skills

• Taking a comprehensive case history

• Static and dynamic posture assessment

• Functional movement screening

• Identifying movement compensations

• Applying clinical reasoning

Exercise Planning

• Developing SOAP notes

• Individualizing exercise prescription

• Designing safe and effective treatment plans

• Determining appropriate levels of supervision

• Progressing clients safely

Working with Complex Clients

• Chronic musculoskeletal conditions

• Age-related movement decline

• Functional limitations

• Multiple health conditions

• Neurological presentations

Why Therapeutic Assessment Matters

A therapeutic approach to Pilates recognizes that one size does not fit all.

Effective assessment helps practitioners:

• Work safely and ethically

• Identify dysfunction and movement limitations

• Understand the client's goals and health history

• Select appropriate exercises

• Modify programs for specific conditions

• Reduce the risk of aggravating symptoms

• Support rehabilitation and long-term well-being

• Promote independence and quality of life

Therapeutic Pilates treats the whole person, not simply the diagnosis.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this workshop you will be able to:

Assess

• Identify and interpret functional and dysfunctional movement patterns

• Locate and assess relevant bony landmarks and muscle pathways

• Conduct therapeutic Pilates assessments safely and systematically

Analyze

• Recognize muscle weakness and compensatory strategies

• Interpret movement dysfunction

• Apply clinical reasoning to assessment findings

Plan

• Create individualized treatment plans

• Develop condition-specific exercise strategies

• Support clients with chronic or complex musculoskeletal presentations

Registration

register by phone or in person during business hours, Be prepared to provide the following:

Please provide:

• Full name

• Contact details

• Areas of professional interest

• Specific conditions or client populations you would like addressed

• Full payment

Places are limited and payment is required to secure registration.

Upcoming Professional Development Workshops

Current:

• Therapeutic Pilates Initial Assessment

The following workshops are planned for later in the year:

• Pelvic Floor Health

• Functional Feet

• Breathing for Movement and Well-being

• Managing Low Back Problems

• Shoulder Function and Rehabilitation

Interested in a particular topic? We'd love to hear from you. Contact us to express your interest or join our newsletter for workshop announcements and updates.

Modern Pilates

Suite 3/8 Northcote St

Naremburn, NSW, 2065

(02)94376588

Dr Penelope J Latey