How Continuing Education Helps Us Support Our Clients
At our studio, continuing education is a core part of our philosophy. Pilates is an ever-evolving practice rooted in movement, biomechanics, anatomy, and the unique needs of each body in front of us. The more we learn, the better we teach.
Ongoing education keeps our instructors informed, thoughtful, and relevant. It allows us to move beyond memorized exercises and better understand why we choose certain movements, how to adapt them, and how to support clients through different seasons of life. For us, continued learning is not about collecting certifications — it is about becoming better teachers.
We are excited to share that our very own Martina Shinko recently completed the Fusion Pilates Pre & Postnatal Specialist Training with internationally recognized educator Jennifer Gianni. This training was far more than a course on what exercises to avoid during pregnancy. Instead, it was an intensive, science-backed dive into how movement can support women through pregnancy, labor preparation, postpartum recovery, and long-term pelvic floor and core health.
Moving Beyond “Modifications”
Prenatal Pilates is often reduced to a list of restrictions or limitations. This training completely shifts that perspective. Rather than simply modifying traditional exercises to make them “safe,” Martina learned how to approach movement through a functional, four-trimester lens — designing proactive programming that helps prepare the body for the physical demands of pregnancy, labor, birth, and postpartum healing.
The focus becomes building resilience, stability, breath awareness, deep core function, and confidence throughout every phase of movement.
Understanding the Pelvic Floor More Deeply
One of the most impactful parts of the training focused on pelvic floor function.
We often hear that a “strong” pelvic floor means tighter muscles, but true pelvic floor health requires both strength and the ability to release and respond dynamically with breath and movement.
The training included:
- Managing intra-abdominal pressure
- Integrating the pelvic floor with the breath
- Supporting deep core function
- Release techniques for the hips, psoas, diaphragm, and spine
- Strategies to help alleviate common pregnancy discomforts and chronic tension patterns
These concepts are beneficial not only for prenatal and postpartum clients, but also for many clients experiencing hip discomfort, instability, low back tension, postural changes, or core dysfunction.
Specialized Postpartum Recovery Support
The postpartum portion of the training focused heavily on healing, restoration, and long-term function. Martina is now equipped with movement protocols to support:
- Diastasis Recti (abdominal separation)
- Pelvic floor dysfunction and instability
- Postural and structural changes after pregnancy
- Deep core reconnection
- C-section recovery and scar tissue healing
The emphasis is not simply on “closing” abdominal separation, but on restoring functional strength, coordination, and resilience throughout the body.
What This Means for Our Studio Community
Whether someone is:
- trying to conceive,
- currently pregnant,
- newly postpartum,
- years into motherhood,
- recovering from surgery,
- navigating hip issues,
- or simply looking to move better and feel stronger,
This education brings another layer of support and understanding into the studio.
Martina will be integrating this research and training directly into her teaching approach on both the reformer and mat — helping clients build resilient core strength, improve movement mechanics, better understand pelvic floor function, and develop a deeper connection to their bodies.
This training also reinforces something we strongly believe:
Movement should support the body through every season of life — not limit it.
We are excited for Martina to bring this knowledge into the studio and continue expanding the ways we support our community through intelligent, intentional movement.
