What happens when Pilates teachers from different traditions, countries and professional backgrounds come together? For our Head Instructor, Daniel Dittmar, the answer was an opportunity to share his experience, reconsider familiar ideas and return with fresh questions.
Dan recently participated in the Pilates Method Alliance’s 25th Anniversary Conference, held in West Palm Beach, Florida, on 17–18 October 2026. Guided by the theme “Pilates Forward. Together.”, the gathering celebrated the method’s history while opening conversations about its future.
Educators, researchers, studio and company owners, and movement specialists brought perspectives shaped by their own communities and professional experiences. Classical, contemporary and clinical teachers learned alongside one another, creating space for both shared understanding and thoughtful differences.
A global profession, with much to learn from one another
Pilates is practised around the world, but the contexts in which we teach can be very different. Cultural expectations, access to education and the needs of local communities all influence how the method is understood and shared.
An approach that works well in one country may need adapting in another. Listening to these experiences helps us look beyond our own studios and gain a fuller understanding of how the profession is developing internationally.
For Dan, this exchange was one of the most valuable parts of the conference. After 28 years of teaching, he continues to find meaning in being a student – moving alongside other teachers, encountering unfamiliar approaches and remaining open to what they might reveal.
As he reflected afterwards:
“I trained alongside Classical, Contemporary and clinical teachers, and it reminded me that no single method owns good movement. After 28 years of teaching, I left with new questions, fresh ideas, and deep respect for how others approach the same work.”
That openness matters in teaching. Different perspectives can help us question familiar habits, expand our choices and respond more thoughtfully to the person in front of us.
Dan presenting ‘Unravel the Thoracic Spine’
Dan also presented Unravel the Thoracic Spine, a hands-on workshop exploring practical, creative approaches to thoracic mobility.
The thoracic spine – the middle and upper region of the back – is an important consideration when working with clients’ movement. Restrictions here can influence how movement is distributed through the shoulders and lower back. Yet helping someone find more comfortable extension and rotation can be a challenge.
Using the mat, small props and selected studio equipment, participants explored how positioning, blocking and cueing could create different opportunities for movement. The emphasis was on developing options: observing a client’s response, adjusting the setup and finding an approach that helps movement become more accessible.
The workshop was warmly received, and the exchange within the room became an important part of the experience.
“The room was full of instructors and educators who each brought their own perspective on the method, and that made the session richer than anything I could have planned.”
For an educator, these moments are especially rewarding. Sharing knowledge becomes a conversation, with participants’ observations and questions adding depth to the material.
Honouring the people who have shaped Pilates
The anniversary Gala Dinner & Awards Ceremony also recognised individuals whose work has helped shape the profession.
Mary Bowen received the Legacy & Lifetime Achievement Award. Brent Anderson and Ken Endelman were recognised with Innovation & Advancement Awards, while Shelly Power received the Leadership & Professional Excellence Award.
Sarita Allen, Kyria Sabin and Daria Pace received Lineage & Continuation Awards for carrying forward the teachings of Kathy Grant, Ron Fletcher and Romana Kryzanowska, respectively.
Together, these honours reflected the many forms that a lasting contribution can take: preserving knowledge, developing education, supporting professional standards and creating new possibilities for practice.
Bringing the learning home
At Focus Movement, continuing education is an ongoing part of how we teach. Experiences like this offer time to reflect on our practice, test our assumptions and bring fresh ideas back to our clients and instructor community.
Dan’s reflections capture the spirit of the gathering: even after decades of experience, there is always more to discover through movement and conversation.
We are proud to see him contribute to that exchange – and to continue learning alongside a global community committed to thoughtful, responsive teaching.
Pilates forward. Together.
