“Deeper understanding is built through consistent investment in education.” – Robert Izatt, STOTT PILATES® Lead Instructor Trainer
There’s a certain buzz the moment you step into a room full of peers who share your passion for movement and teaching. It’s the kind of energy that comes from shared experience and genuine curiosity. This is what you can expect at Merrithew® Mindful Movement Symposiums, an uplifting blend of learning, community, and those memorable “aha!” moments that stay with you long after the event ends.
These events offer immersive learning experiences that bring new ideas to life, showcase cutting-edge STOTT PILATES education and Merrithew equipment, and strengthen the global community of movement professionals. For long time attendee and Lead Instructor Trainer Robert Izatt, Merrithew Symposiums has become a cornerstone of his professional journey.
With more than 35 years of experience, Rob has dedicated his career to teaching, mentoring, and helping people move better. In 2023, he opened his own studio, Body in Sync, in London.
Staying Future-Ready as an Instructor
Continuing education has always been a priority for Rob, who believes that reconnecting with the Merrithew community yearly is invaluable to his personal and professional growth.
“The opportunity to attend new workshops and further my education has been a powerful incentive for me to come back year after year. Equally important is maintaining and nurturing the relationships I have built along the way,” he says.
Over the years, Rob has expanded his perspective through exposure to multiple Merrithew modalities, including Halo® Training, ZEN•GA®, Total Barre®, and Fascial Movement. He values how each discipline shares the same foundational principles while offering something unique to client programming.
Merrithew’s ability to evolve education is another reason he keeps returning. He reflects on how last year’s Optimization of the Shoulder Complex workshop built on previous content while incorporating the latest research and advances in movement science.
“It showed me how much Merrithew education progresses, always adapting to reflect new findings. That keeps me confident I am offering my clients the best and most up to date approach.”
A Lifelong Commitment to Learning
Rob freely admits he missed one UK Symposium, and quickly realized how much momentum he lost by skipping it. Without that yearly boost of inspiration, new ideas, and hands-on learning, he felt his teaching slip into routine rather than evolution. That was the moment he decided, never again. Now he blocks the dates in his calendar every year to protect the uninterrupted flow of growth, connection, and creative spark the Symposium gives him.
“I approach each new topic with care, ensuring I can immediately apply what I have learned once the event concludes. This commitment not only helps me grow my knowledge but also allows me to strengthen my credentials through Merrithew Specialty Tracks.” he says.
Rob is especially excited about the new Bone Health and Exercise for Osteoporosis Professional Development (PD) course, grounded in the latest research on bone physiology, biomechanics, and exercise science.
“This promises to deepen my understanding and further enhance my ability to support my clients and students in the future.”
His advice to instructors or students attending for the first time is simple but powerful:
“Investing in your ongoing education is essential to staying up to date. Education equips you with the knowledge to support your clients, deepens your understanding, and enhances your own physical practice. Keep learning, both for yourself and your clients.”
The Lasting Impact of Merrithew Symposiums
In the end, what keeps instructors like Rob returning is the way the Symposiums quietly recalibrate you as an educator. These events remind you why you teach, challenge you to deepen your skills, and surround you with a community that makes growth feel contagious. You walk in as the instructor you currently are and walk out as the instructor you are becoming. A little sharper, a little braver, and a lot more inspired, armed with ideas you can’t wait to bring back to your clients.