Anatomy of Motion
A Smarter Way for Pilates Teachers to Understand Human Movement with James Earls
In this workshop, James Earls, author of Born to Move will introduce a clearer way to organize the language of anatomy so movement professionals can better understand how the body functions as an integrated system.
Workshop Includes:
3 Hours of Online training (12-3PM Eastern)-
3 NPCP Credits
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30 Days unlimited access to the recording after the live date
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Live Online: July 11, 2026
Workshop Overview:
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Most anatomy education gives Pilates teachers a collection of disconnected facts, including muscles, origins, insertions, joint actions, and terminology. But this approach does not always help teachers understand what they are seeing during complex, full-body movement.
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In this workshop, James Earls will introduce a clearer way to organize the language of anatomy so movement professionals can better understand how the body functions as an integrated system.
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Drawing from functional, evolutionary, comparative, and developmental anatomy, this workshop will help you make sense of why clients move the way they do, how local restrictions affect whole-body movement, and how movement patterns emerge. Learn how to move beyond memorized anatomy and repertoire so you can observe clients with more clarity, describe movement more accurately, and create assessments and exercises that are unique to your clients.
Workshop Objectives:
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Understand why traditional anatomy teaching often fails movement professionals.
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See anatomy as an integrated movement system rather than isolated parts.
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Explain how evolution shaped the human body for upright locomotion.
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Understand how developmental processes affect movement patterns.
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Recognize how comparative anatomy helps explain uniquely human movement capabilities.
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Use a hierarchy of movement language to describe movement more accurately.
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Differentiate between global movement, joint actions, and bone actions.
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Apply these concepts when observing Pilates clients in movement.
James Earls, author of Born to Move
James Earls is a bodyworker, author, and educator with over two decades of experience exploring the intelligence of the human body through touch, movement, and perception. Beginning his career in the early 1990s, James developed a hands-on clinical practice that quickly evolved into a deeper investigation of how structure, function, and awareness interact to shape health and performance.
By the 2010s, his work had expanded into teaching and writing, where he became known for making complex ideas around anatomy and movement both practical and accessible. He is the author of several influential books, including Born to Walk, Understanding the Human Foot, Functional Anatomy of Movement, and The Evolving Breath. Through his writing, James has helped practitioners and movement professionals rethink how they understand the body—shifting from a mechanical model to one that recognises the body as an integrated, adaptive system.
As a speaker, James brings clarity, depth, and a grounded perspective to conversations about embodiment, pain, performance, and healing. His work bridges theory and practice, offering listeners a way to see the body in motion and understand how limitations in one area can influence the whole system.
On this podcast, James shares insights from his years of clinical practice, teaching, and authorship, offering both practical tools and thought-provoking perspectives on how we move, feel, and live in our bodies.
