WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION 

The SmartCore & SmartSpine™ 2.5 Day Workshop with Muscle Testing is a hands-on training designed for movement professionals, Pilates instructors, and therapists looking to elevate their assessment skills and deepen their understanding of core function and movement efficiency.

This immersive experience begins with foundational muscle testing, giving you practical tools to assess the upper and lower body and better understand neuromuscular patterns. You will then integrate these findings into the SmartSpine™ system, a somatosensory approach that enhances proprioception, improves alignment, and restores functional movement.

Through a powerful blend of assessment, tactile feedback, breathwork, and movement, you’ll learn how to:

• Identify imbalances and compensations

• Apply targeted corrections using SmartSpine™ tools

• Create lasting changes in posture, mobility, and core integration

This workshop bridges the gap between assessment and application, giving you immediately usable tools for both private sessions and group settings.

WORKSHOP OBJECTIVES 

By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:

Assessment & Muscle Testing

• Perform basic muscle testing for the upper and lower body

• Identify muscular imbalances and compensation patterns

• Apply muscle testing results to movement programming

Core & Movement Integration

• Understand and apply SmartCore principles

• Activate and integrate deep core musculature

• Use breath to support stability and mobility

SmartSpine™ Application

• Use SmartSpine™ tools for assessment and correction

• Apply tactile cueing to enhance proprioception

• Design effective movement sequences for various populations

Client Outcomes

• Improve posture and alignment

• Reduce pain and movement restrictions

• Enhance body awareness and coordination

WORKSHOP OUTLINE (2.5 DAY FORMAT)

DAY 1: Muscle Testing Foundations (Assessment Focus)

Afternoon / Evening (3:00 – 7:00 PM)

• Introduction to muscle testing principles

• Neuromuscular connection & feedback

• Upper body muscle testing:

• Shoulders

• Arms

• Postural stabilizers

• Lower body muscle testing:

• Hips

• Glutes

• Core connections

• Identifying imbalances & compensation patterns

• Partner practice & hands-on application

DAY 2: SmartCore Foundations + Integration of Assessment

Morning (9:00 – 12:00)

• Review of muscle testing concepts

• Introduction to SmartCore philosophy

• Fascia & the sensory system:

• Proprioception vs. interoception

• Connecting assessment to movement strategy

• Introduction to SmartSpine™ tools

Afternoon (1:00 – 4:00)

• Core anatomy & deep stabilizers

• Breath mechanics & diaphragm function

• Supine SmartSpine™ work:

• Neutral alignment

• Sensory awareness

• Applying muscle testing findings to exercise selection

DAY 3: Application, Movement & Teaching Integration

Morning (9:00 – 12:00)

• Posture, alignment & gravity

• Core activation strategies:

• Gentle bracing vs. gripping

• SmartSpine™ applications:

• SmartGlobe

• Sacral wedges

• Arch tubbies

• Movement patterns & compensation correction

Midday / Early Afternoon (12:00 – 3:00)

• Breath + movement integration

• Functional movement progressions

• Working with special populations:

• Chronic pain

• Postural dysfunction

• Pre/post-natal clients

• Partner work & hands-on cueing

Final Integration (3:00 – 4:00)

• Programming strategies

• Case study applications

• Q&A and practical integration

Optional Add-On: Teach & Treat Lab

• Real application

• Instructor-guided corrections

• Integrating muscle testing + SmartSpine™ in real time