Rehabilitative Movement Specialist Margy Verba, is fascinated by movement and the body’s capacity to heal. She grew up studying dance, playing sports, and backpacking as much as possible. She started teaching dance and fitness classes in the mid-1970s (remember leg warmers and shiny leotards?). In the early 1990s she discovered Pilates, and went on to complete internationally acclaimed Madeline Black’s teacher training. Madeline first introduced Margy to therapeutically oriented Pilates, and she has never looked back. She was one of the first people in the world to become a Pilates Method Alliance Certified Instructor. Continuing her education in a therapeutic orientation, she has a diverse range of training with world renowned instructors/researchers (see education below).
In 2005 she developed a custom Pilates program for the U.S. Men’s and Women’s U.S. Ski Teams. Today her client population is primarily people in chronic pain. She offers both private appointments and also teaches a series of self-care workshops all over the Western U.S. The focus of her practice is knowledge and awareness, achieved through biomechanics education and movement exploration. This focus empowers her clients to practice self-care and be informed consumers of healthcare. In short, she empowers her clients to own, and be active participants in, their own healing process.
The primary influence on her practice is Anatomy in Motion (AiM); she has studied extensively with AiM founder Gary Ward, author of “What the Foot.” AiM is based on the premise that gait (AKA walking) uses every joint in the body in all three dimensions. By analyzing gait and its component motions, one can address movement dysfunction at both a global and focal level. She has also been focusing her studies on pelvic floor and breathing dysfunctions (hint: they are not unrelated!). Additionally, she uses many manual therapy modalities, including Muscle Energy Technique (a neuromuscular release technique), myofascial techniques and joint mobilizations. These manual techniques, coupled with individualized corrective exercise programs, provide lasting results rather than simply providing symptomatic relief.
“Margy was a terrific Pilates instructor with my athletes. She was able to teach all levels of Pilates from the basics to very advanced exercises that challenged even my most experienced athletes. As skiers, core stability is very important and Margy was able to give us some great exercises to use in our conditioning program. The background and knowledge she provided was very beneficial in developing a foundation. From this foundation we have utilized the exercises Margy taught us to improve strength and stability in our athletes.” Paul Meier, Head Athletic Trainer-Men’s Alpine U.S. Ski Team
“Margy Verba brings an intellect and wealth of knowledge to her work. Her teaching and assessment is on an advanced level, not commonly found, giving creed to her Gold Certified status with the Pilates Method Alliance. I was honored to have the opportunity to study under Margy. Her teacher training consisted of more advanced and pertinent information than any other certification I have taken, and included a strong critical thinking component necessary to be a thoughtful and effective teacher. I refer clients to Margy on a regular basis. Margy’s strong assessment of posture, movement and alignment is a testimony to her advanced skills in corrective exercise and proper technique. She possesses an innate sense of understanding of the body and how we hold pain or compensate for imbalances. She effectively brings her students/clients into healthy movement through her vast knowledge and depth of understanding. Margy’s ability to teach the most basic of exercises and to also challenge the most advanced of students demonstrates her exceptional qualifications as a practitioner. Her analysis of movement and corrective programs set her apart. Margy is an expert in her field and the Eastern Sierra is fortunate to have a practitioner of her caliber in our community.” Alana Levin Certified Personal Trainer, National Academy of Sports Medicine USA Triathlon Coach Sports Specialist, National Academy of Sports Medicine Certified Pilates Instructor, Flowmotion Teacher Training
“Margy demonstrates a very solid and knowledgeable background as an experienced Pilates instructor. She is well qualified to recognize movement dysfunction and modify programs for each individual to maximize their gains and build a stronger foundation. I have learned a lot to enhance my own fitness, core stability, and reinforce correct movement patterns. This has also broadened my “bag of tricks” for patients, utilizing the principles of Pilates, through the excellent instruction I have received from her. “ Sheri Pueblo, MPT, Sierra Park Physical Therapy
“Margy is an excellent problem-solver with a vast working knowledge of the body, movement, and anatomy. She knows how to look at dysfunction and pain from all angles and is able to create exercise programs that will most benefit her students. She is a life-long learner who constantly hungers for new information and has a great understanding of the evidence and research. She is exactly the type of instructor you need.” Sarah Wagner, PT, DPT, Rehab Services and Wellness Center Manager, Mendocino Coast District Hospital
1996: Pilates Teacher Training w/ Carol Appel 1999: Pilates Teach Training w/ Madeline Black (repeated in 2001) 2002: Trager Bodywork w/ Deanne Juhan 2004: Pelvis and Lumbar Spine w/ Jean-Claude West 2004: Shoulder Girdle: Structure & Function w/ Jean-Claude West 2005: Lumbopelvic & Lower Extremity w/ Jean-Claude West 2006: Advanced Pelvis & Lumbar Spine w/ Jean-Claude West 2006: Upper Quarter w/ Jean-Claude West 2007: Essential Role of the Thorax w/ Linda Joy-Lee 2008: The Pelvis to the Arms w/ Jean-Claude West 2008: Shoulder Intensive w/ Lise Stolze 2008: Pathokinesiology of the Lower Quadrant w/ Lise Stolze 2009: T/L Juncture to the First Ray w/ Jean-Claude West 2009: Shoulder Therapy w/ Deanne Juhan 2010: TheraPilates for Osteoporosis w/ Sherri Betz 2010: Adaptive Responses – Who Is the Driver w/ Jean-Claude West 2012: Back Care w/ Brent Anderson 2013: Fascial Fitness w/ Robert Schleip 2013: NeuroKinetic Therapy Level 1 w/ David Weinstock 2014: NeuroKinetic Therapy Level 2 w/ David Weinstock 2014: Restorative Breathing w/ Lois Laynee 2014: Anatomy in Motion – Finding Centre w/ Gary Ward 2014: Massage Therapy Institute 250 Hour Program 2014: Active Release Technique – Lower Extremity w/ P. Michael Leahy 2014: Primal Movement Chains w/ Perry Nicholson 2015: Anatomy in Motion – Finding Centre w/ Gary Ward 2015: How to See the Spine – Finding Asummetry and Providing Correction w/ Jean-Claude West 2015: NeuroKinetic Therapy Level 3 w/ David Weinstock 2015: Pelvic Floor w/ Julie Wiebe 2015: Yoga, Breath and the Pelvic Floor w/ Leslie Howard 2015: Myth and Science of Breath w/ Brent Anderson 2015: Understand Lumbo-Pelvic Pain w/ Brent Anderson 2015: Roll Model w/ Jill Miller 2016: Fascial Fitness Trainer Course w/ Robert Schleip 2016: Anatomy in Motion – Finding Centre w/ Gary Ward 2016: Immaculate Dissection w/ Kathy Dooley 2017: Anatomy in Motion – Finding Centre w/ Gary Ward 2018: Anatomy in Motion – Finding Centre w/ Gary Ward 2018: Exploring Dynamic Equilibrium w/ Jean-Claude West and Irene Dowd 2019: Cervical Spine and Diaphragm to the Pelvic Floor w/ Susan C. Clinton
Additionally, she has done extensive private mentoring under Jean-Claude West, Dr. Kathy Dooley, Chirs Sritharan and Gary Ward.
