International Pilates Symposium Coming to Johannesburg

March 9, 2011 - PRLog -- PRETORIA,  - Johannesburg, South Africa, has been chosen as the venue for the international Learn From the Leaders Pilates symposium, which will be held in August this year.

The Learn From the Leaders symposium will be hosted by BASI Pilates South Africa, the local franchisee of the global Pilates educational network, Body Arts and Science International. It will be held on August 11 – 14, 2001 at St David’s School in Sandton, Johannesburg.

Featuring several prominent international Pilates teachers, the best of the local Pilates community, 21 workshops and 10 practical classes, the Learn From the Leaders Symposium is an essential event for all  health and fitness  professionals and a highlight on the annual Pilates calendar, both in South Africa and abroad.

The background to the symposium is the continued growth of Pilates, including, significantly, its  proven effectiveness in alleviating the effects of a variety of health issues, which has led to a dramatic increase in the use of the method for rehabilitative and therapeutic purposes.  Today, a Pilates professional needs to be on the cutting edge of developments in the field order to stay relevant in the industry.

The symposium’s program reflects the growing importance of specialization in the practice of Pilates. Scheduled workshops include Pre-and Post-Natal Pilates, Exercise Design for Knee, Foot and Ankle Injuries, Optimizing Athletic Performance, Pilates for Kids, Lumbar Spine Pathologies & Pilates Exercise Design and Pilates for Chronic Pain.

The Sandton symposium will also celebrate a number of industry “firsts.” Participants will witness the South African launch of the Core Fitness Roller, a unique combination of foam roller and resistance equipment in a light, portable package. They will also have the opportunity to learn the BASI Pilates repertoire for the Avalon System, the most significant advance in equipment design since the days of Joseph Pilates himself.

Despite the seriousness of the program, the symposium promises to be more than just business. BASI Pilates South Africa is offering  a stunning array of prizes to participants, including a luxurious three-night safari for a couple at the renowned Elephant Plains Game Lodge in the Sabi Sand Reserve (valued at over $2,000.) Other prizes include a free Pilates teacher training course and participation in the Ultimate Pilates courses that will be given by BASI founder Rael Isacowitz in South Africa in 2012.

Symposium registration begins in April. For additional information about the symposium, including marketing and exhibition opportunities, advertising and sponsorship, please contact Theo van der Riet at theo@pilatessa.co.za.

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BASI Pilates is a leading Pilates educational academy with teacher training courses running in over 20 countries and 100 locations. It was established by Pilates master Rael Isacowitz in the US in 1989 and its teacher training is regarded as the most comprehensive in the world today.

BASI Pilates South Africa is run by Theo van der Riet, a principal member of the BASI faculty and an internationally renowned Pilates teacher. From her base in the Body Intellect studio in Pretoria, Theo runs teacher training and advanced education courses in Pretoria, Johannesburg, Cape Town, Ballito and other locations.