The Educator’s ROI
A Weekend of Immediate Impact
May 15–17, 2026
Louisville, Kentucky
The Educator’s ROI Weekend is a 3-day intensive with 23 hours of education designed for the next generation of Pilates teachers and studio owners. ROI means Return on Investment and this weekend is built to be a direct return on the time, energy, and money you invest in your craft. Inspired by Joseph Pilates’ Return to Life, this is not just another continuing education weekend—it’s an immersive, skills-and-strategy experience packed with learning and immediate implementation so you leave with tools you can use with clients on Monday.
3 Flexible Payment Options Available or sign up for individual workshops
Included in Your Weekend
- 8 Educational Workshops
- Three (3) mat classes
- Access to private and semi-private lesson bookings throughout the weekend (not included in the weekend price).
- Networking sessions and discussions
Schedule
Friday | May 15, 2026
Before The Hundred – KSG Inspired Mat Class
8.00am – 9.00 am
Included in the ROI weekend
Join us for a smart, feel-good mat session inspired by Kathleen Stanford Grant’s “Before the Hundred”—a purposeful sequence designed to warm the body, organize alignment, and build strength before tackling the iconic Pilates Hundred.
This class layers breath, core activation, spinal articulation, and full-body integration through intentional, progressive movement. Expect a rhythm that’s calm, intelligent, and energizing—helping you feel connected, strong, and ready for more.
Perfect for educators and movers who love clarity, challenge, and control, this mat workout supports a powerful foundation while honoring the precision of Pilates.
Programming for Size Inclusivity: Making Space in the Pilates Studio
9.00 am – 11.00 am
$199 (if purchased individually)
3 CECs
As Pilates professionals, we regularly make and endorse statements like “All bodies are Pilates bodies” and “Pilates is for everyone.” When it comes to working with different body types, however, there is no one-size-fits-all approach. This workshop aims to provide Pilates professionals with clarity, confidence, and opportunities for allyship when working with people in larger bodies.
Beginning with modifications such as body positioning, spring adjustments, and prop use, this workshop will offer instructors actionable tips for creating seamless programs and improving accessibility for clients with a variety of body types and sizes.
In addition to exploring how to improve access to individual exercises and apparatus, this workshop will expand on how to move clients safely and effectively through the Pilates system—from safe mounting and dismounting techniques to transitions—without getting overwhelmed by modifications. After all, as Romana Kryzanowska famously quipped, “Pilates is a workout.”Armed with a variety of actionable teaching skills, participants will leave this workshop with practical tools for creating more inclusive studio spaces. These include best practices for using weight and size-neutral cueing and imagery, curbing fatphobia, and amplifying diverse points of view within the Pilates industry.
The Chair Family Tree: Strength, Support, Standing Integration
12.00 pm – 2.00 pm
$199 (if purchased individually)
2 CECs
The Arm Chair, Wunda Chair, and Electric Chair are a powerful family of Pilates apparatus that help clients build strength with precision and control. The Ped-O-Pul is the big sister of the Arm Chair and becomes a next-level tool for posture, alignment, and standing organization. In this 2-hour workshop, Juan will teach you how to use each piece with purpose, how to choose the right chair for the right body, and how to progress clients from supported work into standing strength and balance.
You will learn why the Arm Chair should never be underestimated, even with lighter springs, and how to use it for beginner programming, older clientele, neck injuries, and clients building abdominal strength without head and neck strain. You will also learn how to program strength and control on the Wunda Chair for intermediate to advanced clients, how to use the Electric Chair to find muscles fast and build lower body power with precise alignment feedback, and how to integrate it all on the Ped-O-Pul for deep core engagement, postural correction, spinal decompression, and balance.
Progressive Overload for Bone Health: Classical Pilates for Spine and Bone Health
2.30 pm – 4.30 pm
$199 (if purchased individually)
This advanced continuing education workshop for certified Pilates teachers focuses on safely applying progressive overload within the Classical Pilates system for clients with osteoporosis, osteopenia, and spinal degeneration. Participants will learn evidence-informed programming strategies that move beyond avoidance-based approaches, with an emphasis on intelligent loading, contraindications, and thoughtful progression using springs, body weight, and functional movement patterns. Rather than focusing on choreography, the workshop centers on teaching systems and practical frameworks that support posture, balance, spinal integrity, and long-term functional independence, providing tools teachers can apply immediately in both private sessions and group classes.
Saturday | May 16, 2026
Early Bird Mat
7.00am – 8.00 am
Included in the ROI weekend
Start your day the classical Pilates way. This upbeat mat class is designed to wake up your body, fire up your core, and get you moving with intention. Kristen guides you through a traditional Pilates mat flow emphasizing breath, control, alignment, and full-body strength.
Come as you are—leave feeling taller, stronger, and ready to take on your day.
Move from the Pelvis: A Functional Approach to Pelvic Stability and Motor Control
8.00am – 11.00 am
$325 (if purchased individually)
This 3-hour, evidence-informed workshop deepens your understanding of the pelvis as a central structure in efficient, integrated movement. Rooted in physical therapy principles and classical Pilates methodology, this course gives professionals practical tools to assess pelvic function, refine cueing, and support clients in building postural control, core integration, and movement efficiency.
Participants will learn through lecture, movement labs, and case-based discussion using foundational Pilates mat exercises and variations. Emphasis is placed on differentiating pelvic motion from hip articulation, understanding pelvic rhythm in gait and breath, and applying strategies that improve lumbopelvic stability and control through the transverse abdominal wall and posterior chain. This workshop supports better programming, injury prevention, and performance optimization across a wide range of bodies and needs.
This workshop includes guided movement exploration, partner-based observation and cueing practice, instructor demonstration, group discussion, and case study application for special populations.
Learning Objectives
Participants will be able to:
- Identify key anatomical landmarks and describe the biomechanics of the pelvis, sacroiliac joints, and supporting musculature
- Recognize common movement dysfunctions and postural deviations related to pelvic alignment and their impact on lumbar mechanics and gait
- Demonstrate cueing strategies that support pelvic alignment, lumbopelvic stability, and spinal support
- Apply movement sequences that improve pelvic awareness, mobility, and load transfer
- Design client-specific programming that integrates breathwork, pelvic floor activation, and spinal stabilization
Branding for Professionals: Standing Out in a Saturated Market
BONUS for full weekend attendees: 45-Minute Lunch & Learn with Marylee Bussard (WellnessLiving Head of Marketing)
11.30am – 1.00 pm
$99 (if purchased individually)
This workshop is for Pilates teachers, personal trainers, studio owners, and boutique fitness businesses who know they do excellent work, but still feel like they are working too hard to stand out. In a saturated market, talent alone is not enough. Clear, intentional branding drives growth, supports sustainability, and creates the structure needed to scale.
This is not a workshop about social media hacks, logos, or trends. It is about building a brand that attracts the right clients, creates long-term retention, and supports a business that can grow without the owner doing everything.
What you will learn
- How to clarify your brand so the right clients find you, trust you, and commit
- How to build a client journey that turns interest into sign-ups and long-term retention
- How branding supports sustainable growth, scaling, and stability
- How to move from “doing everything” to CEO-level leadership through systems that run consistently
- How your website, lead generation, and software can work together to create consistency
- How to stand out without discounting or competing on price
This Workshop Is a 3-part Live Collaboration
This Workshop Is a 3-part Live Collaboration
Part 1. Become the CEO of your Business Instead of the Operator
Many studio owners and teachers/trainers are not just teaching; they are doing everything. They are the schedule, the inbox, the sales team, the front desk, the marketing, and the fixer of every problem. That is operating.
This workshop shows how to build the brand, systems, and client experience that let you step into the CEO seat, enabling the business to grow with structure, clarity, and consistency rather than relying on constant effort and oversight.
A major part of that shift is building a system that runs even when you are not in the room. When your client journey is supported by automations, lead capture, smart follow-up, customization, integrations, and retention-focused communication, growth becomes more stable and more scalable. You stop relying on constant manual effort and start running a business that can expand without burning you out.
Erica Walters (Studio Owner and Presenter)
Owner of two thriving Pilates studios built without paid marketing. Erica leads a team of 14 teachers, operates an in-house physical therapy clinic, runs a teacher training program with Real Pilates®, and hosts GYROTONIC® teacher training.
Erica will present how a premier studio applies brand commitment through every touchpoint, from the website to getting signed up to the in-studio experience to building clients who stay long-term. You will see a full client journey from the studio owner’s perspective.
Part 2. Branding That Gets You Booked
Aligning your website and online presence to convert the right clients
Your Pilates studio may deliver an exceptional experience, but if your website isn’t clear, search engines and AI won’t recommend it—and the right clients won’t book. In this workshop, you’ll learn how branding, SEO, and conversion work together to make your studio the trusted result in Google and AI and guide visitors confidently to their first session. Walk away with a practical framework to clarify your message, reduce friction online, and turn visibility into long-term clients.
Anastasiya Goers (Live Guest Presenter)
Owner of S&V Marketing and PilatesBridge, supporting boutique fitness and Pilates studio owners with websites that function in conjunction with their software systems.
Part 3. Systems and Integration with Wellness Living (Client Journey in Action)
Branding only works when the systems behind it are consistent. In this section, you will learn how to build and integrate operational systems that support a premier client experience, strengthen commitment, and drive long-term retention.
We will walk through how the client journey should function across every stage, including inquiry, conversion, onboarding, ongoing communication, and retention. You will see how automation, lead handling, follow-up, and integrations reduce manual work, protect the brand experience, and support sustainable growth.
These workflows can be set up within a platform, so you can understand what to implement, how to organize it, and how to have your systems support you as the CEO rather than keep you stuck operating every part of the business.
Bonus for Full Weekend Educator’s ROI Attendees
Additional 45-Minute Lunch and Learn with Marylee Bussard
All attendees registered for the full Educator’s ROI weekend will receive an additional 45-minute Lunch and Learn immediately following this workshop.
Marylee Bussard
Marylee Bussard owned and operated her own Pilates studio for 15 years and is now Head of Marketing for WellnessLiving in Canada. In this bonus session, Marylee will connect the real-world studio owner experience with what actually drives growth, retention, and long-term sustainability in boutique fitness.
Marylee will share how studios can create a more professional, consistent client journey through systems that support client commitment, reduce churn, and scale without losing the personal feel that makes independent studios special. She will also highlight how an all-in-one platform like WellnessLiving combines robust business management (scheduling, payments, reporting, and marketing) with integrated client engagement tools, including a branded app experience, the Achieve client app, FitVid, and VOD.
This Lunch and Learn is also your opportunity to ask questions and get practical answers on topics such as marketing made simple, automations, follow-up systems, integrations, and the tools studio owners can leverage to run their business like a premier corporate franchise while keeping their independent identity.
Private Sessions Opportunity
12.00pm, 1.00pm, 2.00pm
Extra cost, can be booked after the the registration for the ROI weekend
Book your private or semi-private lessons with the presenters for the unique opportunity to work with the master of the Pilates industry. Very limited number of sessions is available: private lessons with Nicole & Kristen, 1 semi-private session with Juan.
When Things Go Haywire: Teaching Strategies for the Unexpected
2.00 pm – 5.00 pm
$199 (if purchased individually)
3 CECs
The best part about teaching Pilates is that no two days or clients are the same.
The worst part about teaching Pilates is that no two days or clients are the same.
As instructors, we build confidence and capability as we gain experience and grow our clientele. Sometimes, however, we face client challenges that the system alone can’t address— but which also fall within our scope of practice. These include asymmetry, balance or coordination challenges, short-term or non-urgent pain, deconditioned bodies, and more. How can we work appropriately and effectively with these challenges while remaining within our scope of practice?
This workshop focuses on pre-Pilates strategies and exercise modifications from the historical work of Eve Gentry, Kathy Grant, and Romana Kryzanowska. From breathing strategies to breaking down more complicated movements, this workshop will arm instructors with techniques and repertoire suitable for older or injured clients, bad days, and everything in between. Participants will also have the opportunity to workshop programming for their own challenging clients
Socialize, Sip, and Eat at Malone’s
6.00pm
included in the cost of the ROI weekend
Join us for Sip & Socialize at Malone’s on Saturday night.
This event is hosted and paid for by PFS.
Sunday | May 17, 2026
Morning Mat
8.00am – 9.00 am
Included in the ROI weekend
Start your day the classical Pilates way.
Boxes of the Body A Structural Alignment Model for Functional Movement and Rehabilitation
9.00am – 12.00pm
$325 (if purchased individually)
This 3-hour workshop introduces Boxes of the Body, a practical alignment and awareness framework that improves postural organization, movement efficiency, and neuromuscular control. The model divides the body into functional “boxes,” including the head, rib cage, pelvis, hands, and feet, giving professionals a clear structure for assessment, cueing, and programming.
Each box will be explored both in isolation and in integrated movement. Participants will learn how to identify common compensations, refine observation skills, and apply box-based strategies to support clients toward more efficient, functional patterns. Rooted in Joseph Pilates’ methodology and physical therapy principles, this workshop is designed to be immediately useful in both rehabilitation and fitness settings, supporting goals such as trunk control, postural retraining, balance, and functional mobility.
This workshop includes guided movement exploration, hands-on labs, partner-based cueing practice, and instructor feedback.
Learning Objectives
Participants will be able to:
- Define the key “boxes” of the body and explain their role in alignment and control
- Identify common postural deviations and compensatory patterns associated with each box
- Apply box-based alignment strategies to foundational movement sequences
- Improve clinical observation and verbal and tactile cueing skills
- Integrate the framework into individualized programs to support balance, alignment, and movement efficiency
The Men’s Method: Mobility + Power + Performance
12.00pm – 2.00pm
$199 (if purchased individually)
2 CECs
A strength-forward teaching system for coaching men with confidence
Who it’s for: Instructors and studio owners who want to attract, convert, and retain more male clients by teaching Pilates in a way that feels athletic, purposeful, and results-driven: without sacrificing safety, precision, or the Pilates method.
Description: Most men don’t quit because Pilates doesn’t work; they quit because it doesn’t feel relevant, measurable, or strong. The Men’s Method gives you a clear framework for coaching men effectively, with the right movement priorities, the right language, and a progression strategy that drives results.
You’ll learn Juan’s Mobility → Power → Performance system to build sessions that improve how men move, feel, and progress—whether they’re athletes, lifters, desk-bound professionals, dads, or beginners.
Objectives / What you’ll learn:
- Teach using a structure that builds trust, buy-in, and repeat bookings
- Coach the most common male limitations (hips, shoulders, hamstrings, stiff spine) fast
- Program Pilates to feel strong and athletic with smart progressions (leverage, load, tempo, range)
- Use language that converts: performance, durability, strength, recovery
- Top 5 patterns men need most: hinge, squat, push/pull, rotation control, bracing
Secret sauce: Strategic Sequencing
- Mobility: unlock what’s limiting strength
- Power: build force with control
- Performance: integrate into athletic, measurable full-body sequences
Walk away with a repeatable template for privates, semi-privates, men’s small groups, and performance-focused clients.
Meet the Presenters
Nicole Alvarez Smith
Driven by passion and precision, Nicole Smith, CEO & Founder of Core Love Culture, blends over 20 years of performance experience with Pilates expertise to elevate athletes and dancers worldwide. She has trained and performed with prestigious institutions, including Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and Ballet Hispanico, and toured globally with the award-winning musical Disney’s The Lion King, currently serving as a swing for both Broadway and the national tour.
Transitioning from dance, she is now a leading expert in movement training, working with professional athletes to enhance strength, agility, and performance. As the owner of multiple thriving studios, she also hosts workshops, masterclasses, and retreats worldwide, inspiring peak performance and a strong mind-body connection.
Kristen Davis
Kristen Davis discovered Pilates in 2005 and transitioned from academia to teaching full-time after completing her comprehensive training with Balanced Body Pilates. She has studied extensively in the lineages of Eve Gentry, Romana Kryzanowska, and Kathy Grant through Core Dynamics Pilates, Real Pilates Teacher Training, and the Kathy Grant Heritage Training, and is a Nationally Certified Pilates Teacher.
She brings depth, precision, and patience to her teaching, with a focus on thoughtful programming for clients of all ages and abilities, particularly those returning to movement after injury or surgery. In 2021, she co-founded The Pilates Lab, St. Louis’s first fully classical Pilates studio and host site for Real Pilates Teacher Training, where she mentors and supports the next generation of Classical Pilates teachers.
Erica Walters
Erica Walters is a nationally recognized Pilates educator, exercise scientist, and movement specialist known for her clarity, refined eye for movement, and biomechanics-driven approach to corrective programming. She is the owner of Pilates Fit Studio with locations in Louisville and Pewee Valley, Kentucky, where she supports clients who value precision, practicality, and intelligent progression.
Erica is the creator of The Better Back®: Spine and Bone Health, a specialty program that equips certified teachers to deliver safe, effective osteoporosis-informed training. She is also the author of Exercise the Safe Way with The Better Back®, an at-home workout guide. A Certified Classical Pilates Teacher and Certified GYROTONIC® Method Teacher, Erica serves as a Lead Teacher Trainer and Licensed Host Studio for Real Pilates Teacher Training®. She is widely respected for helping professionals refine their teacher’s eye by knowing what to prioritize and why it matters. In her workshops, participants leave with sharpened clinical insight and immediately usable programming strategies that translate directly to the studio floor.
Juan Estrada
Originally from Chicago, Juan Estrada has been a certified Classical Pilates Instructor for 25 years now. He was introduced to Pilates while a professional dancer in Chicago and counts Bob Liekins, Susan Moran, and Alycea Ungaro among his mentors. Currently, he is a Master Instructor and Lead Trainer at Alycea Ungaro’s Real Pilates NYC Studios in TriBeCa and UES Studios. Juan also provides Real Pilates Teacher Training and Continuing Education Workshops in the US and internationally. Juan has presented Workouts and Workshops at the Pilates Method Alliance, and is a co-founder of Pilates Friends United and founder/owner of jFIT. Juan is also an ambassador for GRATZ Industries and an instructor on Pilatesology. Additionally, Juan offers continuing education courses for the National Pilates Certification (NPCP).
For info/bookings on Juan’s Instructor Live and Virtual Classes and workshops: www.myJFITtraining.com
Location
Pilates Fit Studio Pewee Valley
220 Mount Mercy Dr.
Pewee Valley, KY 40056
Lodging
We recommend staying at one of the following nearby hotels:
- Drury Inn – 9597 Brownsboro Rd, Louisville, KY 40241
- Hilton Garden Inn – 9850 Park Plaza Ave, Louisville, KY 40241
Sip & Socialize (Saturday Night)
Join us for Sip & Socialize at Malone’s on Saturday night.
This event is hosted and paid for by PFS.
Meals & Snacks
Meals will be available for purchase next door at Colonel Rooster’s Coffee House. Guests will be able to choose from three menu options (menu coming soon), along with extra grab-and-go items such as:
- Yogurt
- Pastries
- Egg sandwiches
Attendees will receive a link to select and pre-purchase meals in advance, which helps us plan appropriately.
Sip & Socialize (Saturday Night)
Join us for Sip & Socialize at Malone’s on Saturday night.
This event is hosted and paid for by PFS.
Pricing
May 15 – May 17, 2026
Your ROI weekend includes 23 hours of education designed for the next generation of Pilates teachers and studio owners.
Pay in Full
$1,099
$1,250
Payments Plans
$366.34
$219.80
“This is the moment we’ve been waiting for. This will be a weekend of immersive learning that focuses on implementation rather than just surface-level inspiration. No fluff, just real knowledge and tools you can put to work the moment you step back into your studio.”
Erica Walters
