Our semi-regular rundown of Pilates (and Pilates-related) news from around the web. Enjoy!

• Kevin BowenPeak Pilates announced earlier this month that Kevin Bowen, Co-Founder and former President and Executive Director of the PMA, signed on as Peak’s new Director of Education. Bowen has held positions with Equinox, David Barton Gyms and Pinnacle Health Clubs. Just before joining Peak, Bowen was President/Director of Pilates Miami and the Pilates Education Group, a provider of continuing education and Pilates instructor training programs to studios and clubs. (No link here, we received the information in a press release.)

• One Reformer session a week may reduce the risk of falling in older adults, blogs Sherri Betz, per the results of a pilot study from the Core Conditioning PTs.

• Another fitness trends roundup, this time from Chicago blogger Maya Henderson, with more of a “mind-body” focus. We like her observations about digital fitness, yoga gyms, and “Pilates specialty classes.” Also worth mentioning: her tip of the hat to Pilates-Pro.com. Thanks, Maya!

• About.com’s Marguerite Ogle rounded up the top five Pilates news stories of 2009, a handy recap of last year’s most newsworthy moments for the Pilates industry.

• FitSugar offered useful advice for Pilates newbies in this How to Start: Your First Pilates Mat Class post.

• The Denver Post took a long look at two new barre studios in the area, Pure Barre and Bar Method. Looks like barre work should have landed on one of those fitness trends lists!