Elizabeth Larkam

Elizabeth Larkam is internationally recognized as an innovator of mind body movement techniques for performing arts, therapeutic, athletic, fitness and academic settings. For 25 years Elizabeth has worked within organizations to develop new applications for Pilates techniques. While a Pilates Dancemedicine Specialist at Center for Sports Medicine, Saint Francis Memorial Hospital 1985-2000 Elizabeth directed the program that created Pilates protocols for orthopedic, spine and chronic pain diagnoses. While Director of Pilates & Beyond at Western Athletic Clubs, 2000-2009 Elizabeth developed the internationally acclaimed Mind & Body Center within The San Francisco Bay Club where she served as Pilates & Yoga...

While Director of Pilates & Beyond at Western Athletic Clubs, 2000-2009 Elizabeth developed the internationally acclaimed Mind & Body Center within The San Francisco Bay Club where she served as Pilates & Yoga Director. In 2008 she began collaborating with physical therapists to develop Pilates protocols for wounded warriors from Iraq and Afghanistan. Elizabeth joined YogaWorks in 2010.

Elizabeth began her study of Pilates techniques in 1985 while teaching dance at Stanford University. A Gold Certified Pilates Method Alliance teacher, Elizabeth was educated by the first generation Pilates teachers Ron Fletcher, Eve Gentry, Carola Trier, Romana Kryzanowska, Bruce King and Alan Herdman. Elizabeth is a guild-certified Feldenkrais practitioner, certified Gyrotonic® and Gyrokinesis™ instructor, Franklin Method teacher and OM Yoga instructor. She received her bachelor’s and master’s education at Stanford University. Elizabeth worked as a Pilates and Dancemedicine Specialist with the San Francisco Ballet and Cirque de Soleil, as a lecturer at the University of San Francisco in exercise and sports science, a mind-body spokesperson for the American Council on Exercise, and a Reebok Master Trainer. She is a contributor to and member of the Advisory Board of PilatesStyle.

Co-founder of Polestar Pilates Education, the industry’s first international Pilates education company, Elizabeth is now a Master Teacher with Balanced Body University conducting courses throughout North America, Europe and Asia.

Since 1992 Elizabeth has created 30 instructional DVDs for fitness, therapeutic, education and home markets. As program director of Balanced Body Pilates, she developed the instructional video series that launched the Pilates Allegro Reformer. Elizabeth created the Mat with Roller & Ring program, Mat with Rotator Discs, Reebok Core Pilates, BOSU Pilates, and Kinesis Mind Body for Techno Gym. She choreographs and performs with PilatesPerformance.
Elizabeth’s podcasts are found on www.pilates.com. Her DVDs are available on www.pilates.com and www.optp.com

Elizabeth Larkam

Movement Self-Care

Elizabeth Larkam

< Rotation
in the Pilates Studio

Elizabeth Larkam

Springs and Slings

Elizabeth Larkam

Reformer Variable Intensity Interval Training

Elizabeth Larkam

Vestibular System Function & Balance

Elizabeth Larkam

Pilates Reformer Cues

Elizabeth Larkam

Client Progressions

Elizabeth Larkam

Every Breath You Take

Elizabeth Larkam

Lateral Flexion on the Orbit™

Student feedback for Elizabeth Larkam

" Thank you for this! These exercises are creative and adaptive to most clients. "

Carissa F (Every Breath You Take)

" Elizabeth is always such a wealth of knowledge! "

Kelly I (Every Breath You Take)

" Wonderful workshop - love how Larkham explains and connects the exercises. "

Christine S (Pilates Reformer Cues)

" I really enjoyed the movement practice including the band! Using the band as a \"floor\" for feedback was super helpful in allowing my body to really feel what was happening inside. The movements were innovative and new for me! I could have used a little bit more tying in of the first powerpoint session into the movement practice. "

Ane A (Every Breath You Take)

" This was very helpful for my scoliosis. Surprisingly challenging! "

Mary/Peggy P (Every Breath You Take)

" Very relaxing and innovative! "

Kate L (Every Breath You Take)

" I always enjoy Elizabeth Larkam\'s worshops because she really calms my nervous system and has all sorts of unique ways to have us explore our mind and body and our myofascial chains. thank you! "

Brigitte R (Every Breath You Take)

" Really enjoyed the course! Excited to use with clients "

Anita L (Reformer Variable Intensity Interval Training)

" This was an informative class. Thank you "

Jill M (Reformer Variable Intensity Interval Training)

" The workshop was very informative and interesting. "

ANNA O (Reformer Variable Intensity Interval Training)

" I love Elarkam workshops for innovative content,great exercise ides,and cues,Thank you "

ANNA O (Movement Self Care)

" I learned some new sequences and appreciated Elizabeth’s grace and humor. "

Sharon P (Reformer Variable Intensity Interval Training)

" Looking forward to using these new techniques with my clients "

christina b (Reformer Variable Intensity Interval Training)

" Very interesting and enjoyable! "

Carrie J (Reformer Variable Intensity Interval Training)

" A marvelous workshop. What an incredible instructor. I look forward to more. "

Jody B (Pilates Reformer Cues)

" Always come back to Elizabeth\'s work to keep me grounded. Thank you so much for this workshop. "

sharon s (Pilates Reformer Cues)

" Elizabeth has a wonderful energy when she teaches--I learned a lot on how to step back and allow the student to be. "

Jenny G (Pilates Reformer Cues)

" Wonderful curing suggestions, particularly when it came to body placement in relation to the client/giving them the space to have their own kinesthetic experience of movements. The ending Neutral Separation moment was something that had never occurred to me to do with a client, but I can see being very valuable. "

Allyson T (Pilates Reformer Cues)

" A very detailed series of exercises with an emphasis on the how and why of the cueing. I also have a better understanding of interacting and showing attention to the client but respecting their space. "

James B (Pilates Reformer Cues)

" Fantastic workshop! Loved hearing the application of anatomical description. "

Kris Z (Pilates Reformer Cues)

" Thank you for a lovely series! "

Jenny M (Pilates Reformer Cues)

" I enjoyed Elizabeth's Larkam's gentle and encouraging manner and innovative variations. "

Ellen L (Pilates Reformer Cues)

" Excellent workshop. "

Elisabeth P (Springs )

" Elizabeth Larkam is a wonderful resource for teachers. She always explores all the choreographic possibilities of an exercise and her cues are specific and precise. "

Catherine B (Pilates Reformer Cues)

" I liked the workshop a lot. Not all have access to a rocker reformer, but it's good to know what it does. We can still use BOSU and balance board. But how the vestibular system is challenged by balance makes this a wonderful workshop... "

Valeria D (Vestibular System Function )

" Loved this class! Very valuable cueing information. I especially enjoyed the cueing on the jumpboard and the information about elastic coil and the fascial lines of the body. "

MICHELE R (Pilates Reformer Cues)

" excellent ideas for rotation using various pieces if Pilates equipment. Elizabeth Larkam is amazing. "

Laura Romano R (Rotation in the Pilates Studio )

" The was a very informative workshop!Thank you for all the wonderful cueing suggestions "

Kelly H (Pilates Reformer Cues)

" it was helpful to see Ms. Larkam\'s cueing esp. with a client who, while fluid in her movements, had honest difficulties that sprung up :-) sometimes the exercises can look so easy when (I do know!) they are quite challenging. Thank you. "

Lisa C I (Client Progressions )

" This is a lovely video. I love Elizabeth\'s quiet, gentle style. I learned a few more exercises I can give clients on the reformer, and the logic behind cuing them. Thank you. "

Gemma P (Pilates Reformer Cues)

" This workshop was wonderful---very clear and easy to follow. Great progression of exercises and nice new variations to think about. I love Elizabeth\'s calm and gentle manner as well. "

Caitlin H (Pilates Reformer Cues)

" Love the course and the explanations as well as great quality movement videos... "

pamela paley P (Rotation in the Pilates Studio )

" it is not easy to practice and to sense the lateral myofascial meridian.Through Elizabeth's workshop, you have the advantage to sense and to integrate it into your functional movement. "

CHANG D (Lateral Flexion on the Orbit™ )

" It is a very clear and worthwhile workshop for the Pilates professional instructor . I could integrate the knowledge and skills learned from Elizabeth's previous workshops into my clinical real practice. Thanks Elizabeth so much. "

CHANG D (Client Progressions )

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