Michelle Lyons Workshops

Live & Breathe Pilates are proud to work with a diverse team of high calibre educators to bring the latest evidence based courses on Women’s Health to you.

We’ve been working with Women’s Health physio and international educator, Michelle Lyons since 2017 to offer Pilates and yoga teachers, fitness professionals and physiotherapists the latest updates on training for women in all their life phases. These workshops will be a blend of lecture and movement and is ideal of all fitness professionals working with active females at all levels – recreational and professional.

Workshop Dates & Pricing

Movement Strategies (and Injury Prevention) for the Female Athlete

Join women’s health expert and international educator, Michelle Lyons for the first in our series on the Female Athlete. This workshop will be a blend of lecture and movement and is ideal of all fitness professionals working with active females at all levels – recreational and professional.

During the day you will learn

  • How does the menstrual cycle affect the musculoskeletal system?
  • Can we/ should we adapt our movement strategies for different phases of the menstrual cycle?
  • When should we focus on strengthening? On coordination & balance?
  • Is period pain normal? Does exercise help or hinder? What’s the ‘right’ exercise?
  • Why do female athletes have 6 times as many ACL injuries as male athletes?
  • Is bladder or bowel leakage an issue for athletes and is there anything we can do about it?
  • Would you recognise the signs of RED-S (Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport)?

Topics we’ll be discussing in this workshop include

  • Understanding the phases of the menstrual cycle
  • How to adapt movement strategies for different phases
  • Movement strategies for menstrual pain
  • Have a basic understanding of bladder & bowel dysfunction in female athletes
  • Understanding the theory & red flags for RED-S
  • The workshop will be a blend of theory and movement and is Part 1 of our 3 part series this year at Live & Breathe Pilates: Part 2 will cover The Postnatal Athlete – Returning to Movement and Part 3 will be ‘The Menopausal Athlete’

    Book Female Athlete and Injury Workshop – In Studio Now

    Book Female Athlete and Injury Workshop – Online Now


    The Postnatal Athlete – Returning to Movement

    Join women’s health expert and international educator, Michelle Lyons for the second in our series on the Female Athlete. This workshop will be a blend of lecture and movement and is ideal of all fitness professionals working with active females at all levels – recreational and professional – who are getting back to movement and sport after pregnancy.
    What do we need to know about postnatal rehab for the female athlete? The perinatal year is FULL of changes and as women’s health pro’s, we need to understand what’s happening hormonally, physically and mentally! There is so much misinformation about.
    Learn the latest evidence based approach when it comes to

    • Postnatal pelvic rehab – when is the optimal time to start? (the answer may surprise you!)
    • Diastasis recovery – what is new?
    • What if they had a Caesarean section?
    • Returning to exercise after having a baby?
    • What if you’re breastfeeding?
    • Foot and ankle health after pregnancy?
    • And… what if you’re postnatal AND perimenopausal?

    Book Postnatal Athlete Workshop – In Studio Now

    Book Postnatal Athlete – Online Now


    The Peri & Post-Menopausal Athlete

    Join women’s health expert and international educator, Michelle Lyons for the third in our series on the Female Athlete. This workshop is ideal of all fitness professionals working with active females experiencing both peri and post menopausal symptoms.
    In Part 3 of this Female Athlete series on female hormonal health strategies throughout the pivotal changes at menstrual, maternal & menopausal stages, we look at how our movement strategies may need to adapt and change – and the evidence may surprise you! As always, this workshop will be a combination of theory and movement, so attendees will have an evidence based toolbox to provide movement support to help women navigate the peri to post-menopausal years with strength and confidence.

    What do women’s health pro’s need to know?

    • What’s happening hormonally at menopause?
    • How does this affect muscles, tendons & joints?
    • Weight gain at menopause – why & what can be done?
    • Essential components of movement at menopause: strength training or flexibility?
    • Bone health for female athletes – an evidence review & red flags for practice? (and why running isn’t enough for good bone health!)
    • Pelvic health at menopause – how can we help?
    • Can specific exercise strategies help with hot flushes?

    Book Peri and Post Menopause Athlete Workshop – In Studio Now

    Book Peri and Post Menopause Athlete Workshop – Online Now


    Breast & Pelvic Cancer Rehab Strategies

    We know that 1 in 9 women in Ireland will be diagnosed with breast cancer, and the numbers of women who are diagnosed with gynae cancers are also on the rise. We also know that more women than ever are living longer after cancer treatment ends, and that exercise is the closest we have to a magic bullet when it comes to dealing with the side effects of cancer treatment…but!
    It’s essential that we use the right exercise at the right time, that we understand the side effects of cancer treatments including surgery, chemo & radiotherapy, as well as recognising red flags and knowing when to refer on.

    The workshop will cover:

    • Understanding the side effects of cancer treatment on the musculoskeletal system
    • Recognising red flags & when to refer on
    • Shoulder and trunk dysfunction after breast cancer treatment – what can we do?
    • Pelvic health after breast cancer
    • Hysterectomy recovery and movement strategies

    We’ll begin with the theory and research behind oncology rehab principles, but this will be a primarily movement based class, designed to improve your confidence in screening, knowing when to refer on and widening your movement toolbox safely, delivering an evidence based approach to help women live well during and after cancer treatment

    Cancer Workshop In Studio – Dates TBC

    Cancer Workshop Online – Dates TBC


    Movement Prescriptions for a Healthy Menopause

    Movement is non-negotiable at Menopause ….but the right movement at the right time and the right intensity is essential. The evidence base for menopause is expanding all the time – but understanding how to use movement strategies to live well during and after menopause (whether or not hormone therapy is used) is essential.

    Join us for this Workshop where we’ll explore:

    • Understanding the effects of changing hormones on our musculoskeletal system
    • Muscle and joint pain at menopause – why are women at risk for tendon issues at midlife?
    • How is pelvic health affected and what the best strategies may be to improve it?
    • Does menopause affect balance?
    • Why some types of exercise can actually cause weight gain?!

    We’ll start with some of the science -understanding what’s happening and why but this will be a primarily movement based class, focusing on a whole person approach to menopausal wellness, incorporating elements of Pilates, yoga, mindfulness, resistance training & breathwork – all in line with the latest evidence.

    Menopause Workshop In Studio – Dates TBC

    Menopause Workshop Online – Dates TBC


    Women and Back & Pelvic Pain

    Women are different when it comes to back and pelvic pain – structurally, hormonally and biopsychosocially! What does the evidence tell us about the best way to help women with back pain? What’s important? (And what probably isn’t!) We’ll have a look at the intersection of anatomy, hormones & gynae health and function/dysfunction, bringing together breathwork, pelvic health and what the evidence tells us about movement prescription for women with back & pelvic pain

    Join us for this Workshop where we’ll cover:

    • Functional female anatomy
    • Screening for signs of pelvic floor muscle overactivity
    • Movement strategies for female pelvic pain
    • What’s different for women and back pain
    • Movement strategies for female pelvic pain
    • What’s different for women and back pain
    • Screening for red flags
    • Putting together a whole woman centred approach to managing back & pelvic pain

    We’ll begin with the theory and research, but this will be a primarily movement based class, designed to improve your confidence in screening, knowing when to refer on and widening your movement toolbox, delivering an evidence based approach that works for women.

    Pelvic Pain Workshop In Studio – Dates TBC

    Pelvic Pain Workshop Online – Dates TBC


    Your Educator

    Michelle Lyons is a chartered Michelle Lyonsphysiotherapist, specialising in integrative women’s health. Her clinical toolbox includes over two decades in pelvic health physiotherapy, yoga, Pilates, nutrition, health coaching and mindfulness as a therapeutic intervention. She teaches nationally, internationally and online and is on the faculty of Herman & Wallace, the Pelvic Rehab Institute, the Integrative Women’s Health Institute and she is the clinical consultant for Burrell Education, the global leader in continuing education in women’s health for fitpro’s, massage therapists and clinicians worldwide.

    As well as her specialist physiotherapy courses on pelvic health and oncology rehab, her speaking invitations include the International Pelvic Pain Society conference, the International Continence Society conference, the British Pelvic Floor Society, the Woman on Fire Summit, the Pelvic, Obstetric & Gynaecological Physiotherapy Association, the Pelvic Health Summit, the Klose Lymphedema conference and the Chartered Physiotherapists in Women’s Health & Continence.

    When she is not treating patients, teaching or traveling, she enjoys life at home in rural Ireland with her family, her menagerie of animals and her well stocked bookcases.