About Elizabeth Larkam

Primary Teacher Training: Elizabeth Larkam Pilates

Elizabeth Larkam is internationally recognized as an innovator of mind body movement techniques. Vogue Special Edition 2011 names her as the Pilates expert: “She’s imaginative. She has a long history with the practice but is always innovating." The 2011 PilatesStyle DVD award for Best Abs went to Elizabeth’s 5-DVD series, Pilates Pro at Home, produced by Balanced Body Pilates.

Elizabeth began her Pilates studies in 1985 while teaching dance at Stanford University. A Gold Certified Pilates Method Alliance teacher, she was educated by the first generation Pilates teachers. Elizabeth co-founded and co-owned Polestar Education. When Balanced Body Pilates Education was founded in 2004 she became a Master Teacher and Mentor, conducting courses throughout the world. Elizabeth is a Feldenkrais® practitioner, certified Gyrotonic® and Gyrokinesis® instructor, Franklin Method teacher and OM Yoga instructor. She is qualified in Gyrotonic II and Gyrotonic Specialized Equipment. Elizabeth is an Associate Kinesis instructor of Thomas Myers’ Anatomy Trains for Movement Educators.

As a Dancemedicine Specialist at Center for Sports Medicine, Saint Francis Memorial Hospital 1985-2000 Elizabeth created Pilates protocols for orthopedic, spine and chronic pain diagnoses. As Director of Pilates & Beyond for Western Athletic Clubs, 2000-2010 she developed the internationally acclaimed Mind & Body Center within The San Francisco Bay Club where she served as Pilates & Yoga Director. Since October 2008 Elizabeth has developed movement sequences in the contemporary Pilates environment for soldiers at rehabilitation centers in San Diego, Copenhagen and Tel Aviv, mentoring physical therapists and Pilates teachers who work with polytrauma clients. She is a co-founder of Heroes in Motion.

Elizabeth worked as a Pilates Specialist with the and Cirque de Soleil, a lecturer at the University of San Francisco in Exercise and Sports Science, a lecturer at San Francisco State University in Dance, Fitness Editor for PilatesStyle and a Reebok Master Trainer. She is mind-body spokesperson for the American Council on Exercise. Elizabeth received her bachelors and master's education at Stanford University. She is completing the Masters of Intuitive Medicine program in the Academy of Intuitive Medicine.

Since 1992 Elizabeth has created 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 and created the Mat with Roller & Ring program, Mat with Rotator Discs, Reebok Core Pilates, BOSU Pilates, and Kinesis Mind Body for Techno Gym. Elizabeth choreographs and performs with PilatesPerformance. The dance that launched the Allegro 2 and her podcasts are available on www.pilates.com and you can see her performance at the PMA 2011 here. Her DVDs can be purchased on www.pilates.com and OPTP.com.