Lolli Ursomarzo
I am a movement teacher in Toronto,
and I’ve been at it for 18 years.
I also remain a movement student.
I should tell you straight away that I am afflicted with what I call Sesame Street damage.
That is, I tend to rhyme, and occasionally break into song. Now don't go thinking I don't take my work seriously. I spend more time methodically preparing my sessions than teaching them. It's just that I think getting good work done doesn’t mean you can’t have fun!
I began teaching Pilates after many years of enjoying the practice and feeling it change my body.
But, to call myself simply a Pilates Teacher is to shove myself into a box that doesn't quite fit.
In addition to comprehensive Pilates training, most extensively with Riki Richter, I am a proud Franklin Method® Level 1 Educator. I've also had the outstanding experience of spending 14 years in a clinical setting. This was no part-time gig. It is where I honed specialized skills, 5 days a week, with a broad population of patients, supporting them in their rehab of various injuries. I also saw uninjured clients, who found value in guided exercise.
Huge props to Synergy Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation in downtown Toronto. I was the first Pilates teacher Dr Raza Awan fully integrated into his rehabilitation model in 2007. A novel move back then.
Working within a multidisciplinary team of distinguished doctors & clinicians was a true privilege; an environment of high standards and perpetual learning that inevitably took my teaching, and studies, beyond Pilates.
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In clinic, my work was (and still is) a combination of 1-on-1 appointments and group classes.
The latter frequently required extra dexterity when, within a single class, there were multiple injuries to help manage, multiple levels of ability to accommodate, and multiple learning styles to address.
Some classes had very specific evidence-based curriculum, while other classes allowed me to be freely creative.
I collaborated in and contributed extensively to the group class syllabuses.
I also extended my proficiency in the training of other teachers.
A notable half of my work was in the capacity of a PTA (Physiotherapy Assistant), working in partnership with physiotherapists and physiatrists to responsibly share the care of their patients - from exercise programming, to expert teaching, to thorough charting.
In 2020, with limitations on in-person work, I had a taste of virtual teaching, and haven’t looked back. It is a real joy to still be face to face with folks, despite the interface. For many of us, meeting online in fact means one less barrier to getting exercise!
Training
I am profoundly grateful to the teachers/thinkers/movers mentioned herein who influence my work.
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I have clocked 15,500 teaching hours, by conservative estimate, comprised of teaching in clinic, in studio, online, in-office/corporate, and at rec centres/gyms.
It's this experience where I've garnered the most training. And continue to.
It's the clients whose individual circumstances have made me stretch my evolving understanding.
It's the brilliant co-workers, in clinic, who've openly shared their vast knowledge with me as we pursued creative, or standardized, problem solving.
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Pilates Mat - Riki Richter, Dara Jaukovic, 2007
Restorative Yoga Teacher Training, Level I - Octopus Garden, 2011
Pilates Reformer Certification - Riki Richter, 2013
ELDOA Teacher Training, Level I - Petra Baethmann, 2015
Franklin Method® Educator, Level 1 of 3, 2023
Franklin Method®, Fascia Trainer for the Leg, Hip, and Foot, 2024
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Todd Garcia w/ Anatomy Trains - Dissection Livestream: Shouldering On: Fascial Connections and Structural Balance in the Shoulder
Todd Garcia w/ Anatomy Trains - Dissection Livestream: Sciatica True or False 2026
Todd Garcia w/ Anatomy Trains - Dissection Livestream: The Emotional Psoas + The Supportive Knee - Pulleys Forever 2026
Todd Garcia w/ Anatomy Trains - Dissection Livestream: Foot + Ankle Need a Break - Understanding the Interosseous Membrane 2026
Prof. Eyal Lederman - Proprioceptive Exercise: A Misconception? 2025
Barreworks - Core Sequencing & Variations 2025
Julia Wyncoll - Happy Feet, Sping into Action 2025
Diane Lee - Diastasis Rectus Abdominis and the Implications for Low Back and Pelvic Health (8hrs) 2024
Dr. Robert Schleip - A Fascial Approach to Working with Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis 2024 | Fascia in Sports & Movement 2023 | Fascia Research Update: What is New and Relevant for Movement Rehabilitation 2022
Jules Mitchell - Science of Stretching 5.0 2024
Katherine Deboda - Flex and Flow: Yoga-Inspired Knee Strength & Mobility 2024
Tom Myers & Eric Garcia - Dissection Livestream: Every Breath You Take 2022
Kier Schumaker - Every Breath You Take: Movement-Based Neurovascular Release for the Anterior Neck 2022
Dr. Meredith Stephens - Understanding & Working with Osteoporosis 2021
Madeline Black - Movement Masterclasses: Move to Dance Run Jump | Movement, Symmetry, Fascia w/ Gil Hedley 2021
Frederic Dumunier - The Neural Flexibility Program©️ 2019
Karen Carlson - Cadillac 2019 | Chairs 2019 | Reformer 2018 | Small Apparatus 2010 | Barrels 2009 | Foundations & Fundamentals 2009 | Chairs 2008 | Cadillac 2008
Marie Jose Blom - Core Intelligence 2017| Striding Ahead/Gait-way 2017 | Foot & Core 2012| Body Logic Teaching Skills 2012 | Scoliosis 2011| Shoulder Girdle 2011
Dara Jaukovic - Continuum Movement 2017
Michelle Fraser - Non-Internal Introductory Pelvic Health 2016
Greg Lehman - Reconciling Biomechanics with Pain Science 2016
Irene Dowd - Eccentric Muscle Work 2009
Andrea Peloso - Restorative Yoga 2009
Riki Richter - Foot | Foot/Ankle/Knee | Shoulder Girdle | Sacroiliac Joint | Lumbar Spine+Disc Issues | The Hip 2008
Diane Miller - Pilates Mat 2006
Franklin Method® - see separate tab
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Gil Hedley - The Nerve Tour 2024
Paul Hodges 2019
Gil Hedley - What's the Fuzz? 2017
Jane Clapp - Movement for Trauma 2017
Susan Sinclair - Alexander Technique 2017
Riki Richter & Stacey Hauserman - Biomechanics of Birth 2017
Stephanie Tencer - Fundamentals of Iyengar Yoga 2017
Petra Baethmann - ELDOA 2017
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Diaphragms in Balance 2026
Healthy Cells Healthy Body 2025
Vagus Nerve Mastery 2024
The Fascial Sacrum 2024
The Spiral Pelvis 2024
Franklin Method® Fascia Trainer for the Leg, Hip, and Foot 2024
Franklin Method® Educator, Level 1 of 3 2023
Re-imagining the Core 2023
Franklin Method® for Pilates 2023
Finding Flexibility 2022
Embodied Brain 2022
The Hand in Motion 2022
Free Hips, Balanced Psoas 2020
Healthy Knees for Life 2020
Pain Free Sacroiliac 2020
Healthy Lungs, Heart & Kidneys 2020
Art & Science of Cuing for Movement 2020
Fascia Method: Fascia Training for Balance, Strength & Flexibility 2020
Happy Feet: Dynamic Feet for Walking, Running & Exercise 2020
Dynamic Abs 2020
Sit to Be Fit 2020
Pelvic Power & Core Integration 2017
The Mighty Psoas 2017
Pelvic Power 2010
Natural Breathing 2010
Spinal Imagery 2010
Neck & Shoulders 2010
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York University, Honours English, 1994
Ryerson University, Radio and Television Arts, 1991
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Gil Hedley ~ As a member of this exceptional man's extremely resourceful web content, I get to dive deeply (literally) into human anatomy. In addition to an encyclopedic array of respectfully recorded dissections, keynote presentations, and good reading, Gil offers live sessions with expert guests - all of which provide for meaningful contemplation.
AMN Academy ~ As a member, though not a coach, nor certified, I get to learn from their excellent brain-based exercise content. Much of it goes over my head, but that which I can bring to classes is always well received.
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