Landmarking, Palpation, and Hands-On Facilitation of the Upper Thorax

The MBY Education Synergy Series Presents

Landmarking, Palpation, and Hands-On Facilitation of the Upper Thorax, Shoulder Girdle, and Arm

Melanie Byford-Young, BHSc, PT

Friday, November 6, 2026, 2 pm - 5 pm PST

Livestreaming on Zoom

This session will be recorded and available to all registrants for 7 days.

The arm and upper thorax form a powerful and intricate kinetic chain. Efficient movement in this region requires a dynamic balance of muscles, fascia, and nerves working together to guide joint motion. The upper thoracic rings (T1–T4) provide the platform for arm function and must adapt continuously for efficient, pain-free movement.

When imbalances occur in pliability, timing, or strength, shoulder issues often develop. These can arise from local or distal dysfunctions and frequently remain hidden until pain or restricted movement appears.

In this interactive livestream workshop, Pilates instructors will refine their ability to observe, landmark, and palpate within their professional scope of practice. Through guided practice, participants will explore the anatomy and biomechanics of the upper thorax, shoulder girdle, and arm—strengthening their ability to facilitate efficient motion and restore functional balance.

Participants will practice landmarking and palpation of bones, muscles, and connective structures both at rest and in motion, with a focus on:
• Shoulder flexion, extension, and external rotation
• Forearm pronation and supination
• Coordinating thoracic support for efficient arm motion

***Important: Because this is a highly interactive workshop, participants are required to have a co-subject in the room to practice palpation and facilitation techniques. Your partner can be a colleague, friend, or family member----they're welcome to listen in but won't participate as an active student.***

Registration closes 24 hours prior to the start time of the workshop. All sales final. Paid participants will receive a video recording with access for one week for online workshops only. Click button below to register.

This workshop is for:

Pilates & movement instructors with 1 year experience working one-on-one with clients
Current understanding of anatomy and physiology. Must review the bones and muscles of the upper thorax, shoulder girdle and arm prior to the workshop

Friday, November 6, 2026

2 pm - 5 pm PST

$350

Livestreamed online via ZOOM & access to recorded video for one week. Price includes comprehensive workshop guide.

During this workshop, you will learn how to:

Landmark and palpate the bones, muscles, and nerves of the upper thorax, and arm.
Facilitate upper thoracic, shoulder, and arm movements.
Observe and identify common imbalances that may lead to shoulder pain and impingement.
Facilitate optimal movement in open and closed chain Pilates exercises.

Participants need to bring:

**Have a co-participant in the room who may be used as a subject to work with — this may be a partner, spouse, friend, or associate. If the individual is a Pilates instructor or other movement specialist, they may observe the workshop but may only participate as a subject during the palpation and facilitation portions. **

** Purchase and bring washable markers for drawing on skin during landmarking exercises. **

Melanie Byford-Young

BHSc, PT, Co-Owner, Pacific Northwest Pilates, Master Instructor Trainer of Rehabilitation, STOTT PILATES®

Melanie is a leader in the global community of Pilates, physical therapy, and fitness training. She is co-owner of Pacific Northwest Pilates and Melanie Byford-Young Education, and a Master Instructor Trainer of Rehabilitation for STOTT PILATES™. She co-created the six-part Rehabilitation Course series for licensed healthcare professionals which is taught internationally. She has also created her own library of over 25 courses, master classes, and case-study based learning workshops. Her expertise in therapeutic orthopedic strategies attracts a world wide audience and has sent her abroad to work throughout the U.S., Canada, Europe, Australia and Asia.

Home-based in the heart of the Pacific Northwest, Melanie splits her time between working with complex clients, consulting, teaching, and creating content. She loves teaching and mentoring students and therapists, and is a highly-sought after resource for professionals wishing to acquire critical reasoning skills to assess physical movement.