Gary Fok

Working in the fitness and Pilates industry for over 25 years, I have learned that retaining our clients or class participants involves more than just the exercises themselves; it’s about how our classes improve and impact their lives internally and externally. Therefore, our knowledge and critical thinking skills are crucial in delivering a high-quality experience to our clients and reinforcing our purpose of teaching. I am grateful for making the right decision to travel all the way from Toronto, Canada, to New York. The course has expanded my horizons and provided me with a new perspective on assessing and training my clients, as well as teaching group classes. It was also a great opportunity to meet, interact with, and learn from physiotherapists, Pilates instructors from different schools, and fitness professionals through case studies. The live assessments and design interventions with volunteers have deepened my knowledge of movement principles and the new Polestar Assessment tool, enabling me to create more effective programs for clients. What I love the most is that Brent helps us align our knowledge and skills with the philosophy of Joseph Pilates: “Pilates is the complete coordination of body, mind, and spirit,” which reinforces my purpose of being a Pilates instructor.