Pilates for Neurological Conditions

Learn How to Improve Neuro Symptoms with Exercise

Pilates for Neurological Conditions
with Mariska Breland

LIVE VIRTUAL COURSE

Saturday & Sunday
September 10-11 + 17-18

11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Eastern Time

Recordings provided!

Learn how to use exercise to improve balance difficulties, walking issues, weakness, foot drop, muscle spasticity and rigidity, bladder problems, and other common symptoms of chronic conditions and injuries.

If you work with clients who have neurological conditions like MS, Parkinson’s disease, or stroke — or you live with one of these conditions yourself — then you probably already know that movement is crucial for recovery and disability prevention.

But what movements are most effective — and why?

To help you answer these questions and get lasting results for yourself and your clients, Neuro Studio co-founder Mariska Breland created Pilates for Neurological Conditions, the premier online training program for movement professionals.

This course enabled me to develop better programs for clients with neurological conditions. In the two weeks that I have been practicing and teaching the exercises and concepts learned in the course, my clients have not only raved about the approach but returned to the studio asking for more!
— Meg Farrugia

I'm so grateful that I'm a graduate of your program. No other training that I have done has helped my clients more!
— Lisa Serrano-Kelly

In this live, virtual course you’ll learn how to:

  • Assess the cause of balance and mobility problems
  • Improve chronic conditions and symptoms with exercise and other targeted therapies
  • Work with compensations to find the best available movement
  • Manage spasticity (when to stretch, when not to, and what to do instead!)
  • Create “detour circuitry” to work around existing nervous damage... and a LOT more (read on!)
If you follow the techniques and exercises in this course, there will soon be a time when...
  • You understand what to DO and what NOT to do to improve common symptoms like foot drop, weakness, hemiparesis, and balance & gait issues
  • ​You feel confident that you're on the right track with your training program instead of spinning your wheels
  • ​You feel excited to get into the studio because your exercise options are robust and results-driven (and yes, even FUN)

Meet Your Instructor

This course is led by Mariska Breland — internationally recognized movement specialist, certified Pilates instructor and co-founder of The Neuro Studio who has been living with multiple sclerosis since 2002.

She's certified more than 1,500 trainers around the globe to work with clients who live with neurological conditions or injuries like MS, Parkinson’s Disease, stroke and traumatic brain injuries. The content in this course will help you achieve real lasting results that will lead to a better quality of life for you and the clients you serve.

What You'll Learn

Module 1

  • The science behind what’s fixable and what’s not when it comes to exercise and neuroplasticity
  • The MS, Parkinson’s & stroke disease processes in-depth
  • The most common symptoms of neurological disease and injury (like balance problems, gait issues, weakness, spasticity, rigidity, and more)
  • The psychology of living with neurological disease, including the unique challenges both big and small
  • An introduction to neuroplasticity so you can understand WHY the brain can change and HOW that can improve symptoms (and most importantly: how to do it!)
  • Fun and fascinating facts, tips, tricks & games like using music, mirrors, electronic stim, and more to improve exercise outcomes
  • How to design an effective exercise program, including how to determine what to work on in your sessions and how to execute a program that will lead to lasting results

Module 2

  • How to differentiate between spasticity and typical muscle tightness
  • How to work with muscles in spasm, one of the leading causes of disability in neurological conditions
  • Why stretching alone isn’t enough to counter spasticity (and why it could potentially make it worse)
  • A step-by-step method for improving spasticity with exercise
  • Exercises to improve balance by training your visual and vestibular systems

Module 3

  • How to determine if movement difficulties or weakness are neurological or musculoskeletal
  • Methods to strengthen grip, feet and ankles, hips, and core, as well as how to improve single-sided weakness
  • How to access the whole body to improve movement when one area is weak
  • Exercises for people who use wheelchairs that will help you or your clients move more freely in a wheelchair or get out of the chair when the time is right

Module 4

  • The neurogenic bladder and bowel issues commonly seen in neurological disease and injury
  • Why you should use primitive movement exercises in your training, regardless of ability level
  • The most common gait (walking) problems seen in neurological conditions and how to improve each
  • Lots (and lots!) of exercises you can do at home and in a studio setting

I loved Mariska’s candid and knowledgeable approach. The course was logical, thorough, organized, and presented with the importance the subject demanded along with moments of appropriate and appreciated lightheartedness. A truly wonderful learning experience.
– Lynn Wiener

Mariska has a knack for making complex material easily digestible for students. She’s witty and fun and has an endless supply of creative exercises for special populations as well as the average student. I would recommend this course to any professional who is looking to expand their knowledge! I use the very comprehensive manual time and time again as a valuable resource.
— Gretchen Wagoner

What you get when you register

  • Confirmed Virtual Seat: A reserved spot in the live sessions
  • Course Recordings: Lifetime access to live course recordings so you can refer back at anytime
  • CEC Credits: 16 National Pilates Certification Program CECs
  • Live Q&A: Chat with me directly if you have questions throughout the course
  • Certificate: A Specialist in Pilates-based Exercise for Neurological Conditions course completion certificate
  • Referrals: Inclusion in our worldwide Neuro Network instructor referral list
  • Community: An invitation to our private subscribers community where we host online office hours support, monthly live chats and quarterly free trainings
  • Pilates for Neurological Conditions Textbook: Our comprehensive, full color reference guide for Pilates teachers, experienced fitness trainers, and physical therapists.

Sign Up Now for $897

*** Payment plan available! ***

The course is coming up:

Weekend 1: Saturday & Sunday, September 10-11
Weekend 2: Saturday & Sunday, September 17-18

Class meets 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Eastern Time

Can't make it live?
Course recordings are included (with lifetime access!)


This course was well worth every penny. The manual is filled with so many nuggets of wisdom, but the true benefit was listening to and learning from Mariska. She makes a very complicated topic digestible and relatable to everyone and I love the fact that her delivery is through humor. I specialize in working with clients who have pelvic floor dysfunction and often times it is difficult to know whether the client has a neuro component affecting them as well. Thanks to this course, I had many “a-ha” moments and I have been able to confidently tailor my teaching.
— Cristi Eid

As a physical therapist, I thought I had a great grasp on how to best help my patients with neurologic conditions. This course greatly expanded my knowledge and exercise tool kit — so much so that I now know I’ll be a much better, effective clinician because of this course!

 Typically when I sign up for continuing education, I’m really excited about it until the weekend of the course, and then I think: “why am I giving up a weekend for this?”

This course did not make me feel this way — I so looked forward to all of the lectures and got so much out of it! 

Mariska not only provides neuro education in a way that’s digestible and easy to understand, she also provides information and specific exercises so I walked away confident that I’ll be able to teach them and use them in effective ways. I'm grateful to Mariska and the Neuro Studio for the incredible work they put out into the world!
— Katie Landier

Why I Created Pilates for Neuro

When I was first diagnosed with MS in 2002, my doctors told me not to exercise.

“Don’t overdo it,” they said.

So I didn’t. Until I took a power yoga class a year later — and realized my body felt better.

I soon learned that I should have been moving my body to prevent disease progression and disability. And I made it my mission to find out what exercises are most effective for it — and why.

I developed this workshop to give neuro patients and the people who care for them a roadmap — one I didn’t have when I was first diagnosed.

For me, disability prevention is my life’s WHY.

It is my purpose and it is my motivator. It is my hope that in knowing what I didn’t, others with neurological disease and the people helping them can minimize the impact a disease will have over time.

So let’s minimize that impact together — join me for this virtual workshop that will open up a whole new world of possibilities.

Expert Support Included

As a graduate you'll be invited to join our online community of patients and practitioners around the world!

We'll also include a free 3-month subscription to the Neuro Studio — our online platform with streaming workouts and tutorials PLUS monthly live chats and office hours with our founders.

  • Practice the Fundamentals: Brush up on your skills with our 6-Week Jump Start or Explore our Teacher's Playbook
  • ​Try Tailored Videos: Find exercises customized for specific conditions and symptoms
  • ​Get Creative Inspiration: Discover an endless supply of ideas for movement sessions
  • ​Grow Your Community: Connect with our network of patients and practitioners across the globe for friendships and referrals

This course is perfect for you if...

  • You want to learn how to care for neuro clients — like how to set up your studio to accommodate them, what kinds of tools and props to have on hand, how to set up and cue movements to get maximum results for specific conditions and symptoms.
  • You want to design better classes for your clients with neurological conditions (or any client with a brain!) using science-backed, studio-tested methods. 
  • You want to better serve neuro clients’ needs by learning more about neurological diseases and symptoms, how they relate to body movement, and what exercises are beneficial (and what should be avoided).
  • You live with a neurological condition like me and you want to finally feel your best — and prevent disability and slow progression in the process.

What's Included:

Live Virtual Sessions:

Weekend 1: Saturday & Sunday, September 10-11
Weekend 2: Saturday & Sunday, September 17-18
11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Eastern Time

Plus:

  • CEC Credits: 16 National Pilates Certification Program CECs
  • Live Q&A: Chat with me directly if you have questions throughout the course
  • Course Recordings: Lifetime access to live course recordings so you can refer back at anytime
  • ​Certificate: A Specialist in Pilates-based Exercise for Neurological Conditions course completion certificate
  • ​Referrals: Inclusion in our worldwide Neuro Network instructor referral list
  • Pilates for MS Textbook: Our 300-page resource guide filled with crucial information and step-by-step instructions for more than 250 ADDITIONAL exercises
  • Online Community Invitation: Join our private community of graduates with access to monthly live chats, online office hours support and quarterly free trainings

...and a BONUS 3-month subscription to The Neuro Studio online platform with unlimited access to workouts, tutorials and members-only content! ($75 value — FREE)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Who is this course for?
This course is designed for people who have neurological conditions and the people who help them, especially Pilates & fitness instructors, physical therapists & occupational therapists.
Is this course applicable for people who have conditions other than MS?
Yes! While this course covers MS, Parkinson’s Disease & stroke in-depth — and we mainly focus on central nervous system diseases — we also discuss methods for working with people who have peripheral nervous system injuries and diseases. Examples of other applicable conditions and injuries include brain and spinal cord injuries, transverse myelitis, motor neuron disease, post polio syndrome, and Charcot Marie Tooth.

The methods and exercises in this course are designed to help ANYONE who struggles with common symptoms like balance problems, gait issues, weakness & single-sided weakness, spasticity, rigidity, foot drop, and bladder & bowel problems. This course is for EVERYONE who wants to harness the power of the brain body connection and achieve greater results in their movement training using exercise and neuroplasticity. If you have a brain, you're a neuro client!
Is this course live or recorded?
This course will be held live via Zoom over two weekends in September:

Weekend 1: Saturday & Sunday, September 10-11
Weekend 2: Saturday & Sunday, September 17-18

You will receive a recording of the live session to keep for life, so it's not a problem if you need to miss some or all of the live sessions. Many of our students catch the replay due to time zone issues and scheduling commitments. 
Are there any prerequisites for this course?
No. Some familiarity with anatomy is helpful, but if you have a brain and a body, you can follow this course! You do not need to have prior Pilates or neurological education or certifications to take this course. Our students range from newly diagnosed patients to experienced Pilates instructors and physical therapists and everyone in between.
Is this course eligible for continuing education credits?
Yes, this course is approved for 16 National Pilates Certification Program (NCPC) continuing education credits (CECs).

Physical Therapists: Because each state has different requirements, we do not directly issue CEC’s/CEU’s, but we are happy to provide the information you need to apply for them with your state.
Will I get a certificate?
Yes! The certificate is a completion certificate for the Specialist in Pilates-based Exercise for Neurological Conditions. It is recognized as continuing education by the Pilates Method Alliance. If you’re an instructor or movement professional you will also be added to our worldwide Neuro Network for future client referrals.
When will the textbook arrive?
We will send your textbook after the first weekend is complete. You do not need the textbook during the course — it includes supplemental material and more than 250 ADDITIONAL exercises beyond those covered in the course. 
What is your cancellation and refund policy?
You must cancel your registration at least 72 hours prior to the start date of your course to receive a refund. No refunds will be granted within 72 hours of the course start date, but if something comes up and you can't attend live, don't worry — you have the course recording to keep for life!

Have a different question? Get in touch at info@theneurostudio.com.

COURSE CANCELLATION & REFUND POLICY
You must cancel your registration at least 72 hours prior to the start date of your course to receive a refund. No refunds will be granted within 72 hours of the course start date, but if something comes up and you can't attend live, don't worry — you'll get the course recording to keep for life! If you have questions about cancellations or refunds please email us at info@theneurostudio.com.

© The Neuro Studio, 2022