This workshop is led by the amazing Pilates educator Leila Kester. With over 35 years of pilates teaching experience, Leila is a respected educator for Polestar Pilates and presenter at the IADMS conferences. Based in Amsterdam, she has taught dancers at the Netherlands Dance Theatre and Het Nationale Ballet for over 25 years shaping the understanding of process-driven movement and healthy body relationships. With her insightful approach to the body and warm, articulate teaching style, Leila’s workshops are essential for any Pilates practitioner.

This is an incredible opportunity to learn from one of the best educators in the world! 

The mobility of the thoracic spine influences posture, breath, weight distribution, head positioning, and limb movement. Conversely, common postural habits like forward head, posteriorly tilted pelvis, or hyperextended legs can limit this mobility, affecting posture, gait, and overall movement efficiency. Our ribcage houses the lungs and heart, and the way we relate to this area carries an emotional dimension that can shape how we move. It also invites the question: does the container move the content, or is it the reverse?

In this workshop, you’ll learn:

• Simple exercises on both the Mat and Equipment to increase thoracic mobility and awareness for yourself and your clients

• How Pilates can guide movement, expand range, and build strength to control it

• Techniques to refine observation and cueing, both hands-on and verbally

• Ways to integrate thoracic mobility into posture and gait patterns

Addressing thoracic mobility not only improves functional movement but also supports better breathing, alignment, and overall efficiency in daily life.