Pilates Journal Expo 2025 Wrap-Up: Energy, Innovation, and Community
Watch the Wrap Up Video here
The Pilates Journal Expo 2025, held on 22nd – 23rd February at Brighton-Le-Sands in Sydney, took participants on an inspiring journey with a buzzing atmosphere, thought-provoking sessions, and an incredible spirit of collaboration. The event, which brought together some of the best minds in Pilates from across Australia, left attendees feeling inspired, invigorated, and ready to bring fresh ideas into their teaching and practice.
Kicking off the weekend in the best possible way, Kimberley Garlick from Northern Rivers Pilates led a packed-to-the-brim restorative mat class. The room was filled with eager movers, soaking in her expert guidance and setting the tone for a weekend of learning, growth, and movement exploration.
The session lineup was stacked with engaging topics that challenged and expanded perspectives. Jessica Jenkins from Unite Health led a deeply insightful session, "Beyond the Do's and Don'ts of Pre-Natal Clients," empowering instructors with knowledge to better support expectant clients. Creativity and biomechanics took centre stage in Sara Colquhoun’s jumpboard reformer class, where she broke down the intricacies of great mechanical movement.
Meanwhile, in the other room, Ben Rashleigh was guiding enthusiasts through the benefits of integrating maximal effort into Pilates programs designed to enhance mobility, strength, and dynamic movement. The room was captivated by his approach, eager to explore what truly defines maximal effort—both physically and mentally.
Suzanne Newby from Pilates ITC captivated attendees with her workshop on the often-overlooked foundation of movement—the feet. Her session left many walking away (literally) with new skills and a deeper understanding of foot function, utilising the Deborah Lessen Standing Footbar to challenge and refine foot engagement.
The future of Pilates was another hot topic, with a dynamic business panel discussion on the increasing role of technology in the industry. Presenters tackled emerging trends, innovations, and the ways studios might consider embracing tech without losing the essence of the method.
International Merrithew presenter Melissa Wong engaged participants with unique ways to use the Fitness Circle, proving just how much depth and variety can be found in this seemingly simple prop. Another standout session saw the myth of classical Pilates being “boring” completely shattered with Olga Tamara. Contemporary instructors walked away with a newfound appreciation for the classical reformer repertoire and the transformative power of these timeless exercises.
Sunday started strong, with Tahlia Grogan igniting the energy for the day with an electrifying session inspired by Joseph Pilates’ original work. Her creative take on the method had attendees moving in ways that felt both fresh and deeply rooted in tradition. Meanwhile Pilates Education professional Tamara O’Reilly had everybody on their toes at 7am in her Muscular Slings and Multiplanar Power Exo Chair class.
Next up was Carla Mullins with an in-depth session on healthy aging, mobility, and function. She talked about the physical and cognitive changes of aging and how important it was to embrace this group to drive client loyalty and sustainable business growth.
Paola Raffinetti’s session on unlocking fascia was another highlight, offering a deep dive into the science and application of fascial release for movement efficiency. Meanwhile, Helen Stamatakos’ "In Sync with Athletes" session was a showstopper. With two elite athletes demonstrating her work firsthand, the audience was glued to every detail, appreciating both her expertise and her engaging humour.
The excitement carried into Saturday night with the much-anticipated Pilates Journal Awards, where the 2024 winners were revealed and celebrated and their contributions to the industry acknowledged. The room was filled with joy, appreciation, and a strong sense of community.
A big thank you goes to the Partners who made this event possible – HF Industries, Leisure Concepts, Deborah Lessen Pilates Equipment, Hapana, Pilates Education, Mindful Merch, Pilatesequip, Pilates ITC, Body Organics Education, Unite Health and National Pilates Training and more.
As the expo wrapped up, one thing was clear—this was no ordinary industry event. Attendees left feeling not just educated but truly connected, inspired, and eager for next year’s gathering. With so many Pilates events happening worldwide, there’s nothing quite like the Pilates Journal Expo.
Founder and Editor-in-Chief of The Pilates Journal, CJ Zarb summed it up perfectly: "The Pilates Journal Expo is more than just an event—it’s a movement. The energy, the passion, and the knowledge shared here set a new standard for our industry. I can’t wait to see where we are able to take it next year!"
Find out more about The Pilates Journal Expo here.