Our Mission

In our school, we want to inspire excellence by preparing our graduates for the highest standards of professional practice of Pilates. We integrate scientific research to provide practical applications to the Pilates Method and we teach students to assess each client’s unique needs.  While expanding the understanding of the Pilates method.

The goals of our institution are the following:

• Be approved by the Pilates School Approval Program (PSAP) by the Start of the next course that starts in February of 2020.
• Be approved as a vocational School by the state of Florida by the end of the summer of 2020.
• Develop two new continuing education courses by the May of 2020
• Have a teacher trainer teach a workshop at the 2021 Pilates Method Alliance Conference.
• Increase the enrollment of each of the next three Comprehensive programs by 3 students.
• Establish two locations in the region within three years.

Body & Core Pilates Program is an intense specialized program designed to make a quality Pilates professional interested in experiencing the depth, intensity and precision that only this program provides.  This is the perfect program to acquire a Pilates education and to ultimately join the fitness professional community. Our program’s focus is placed on the principles and methodologies that represent the key differences between Body & Core Pilates and other teaching methods.

Our Comprehensive Pilates Teacher Training Program (CPTTP) consists of 550 hours, including internship.  We cover both classical and contemporary exercise repertoire on all the major Pilates apparatus, among them the Reformer, Trap Table, Wunda Chair, Ladder Barrel, Ped-o-pull and auxillary equipment.  We also include physiology, applied anatomy, the theory of movement, the principles of alignment and posture, exercise assessment and problem solving.  Our CPTTP consists of eight modules and one functional anatomy course and is comprised of lecture hours, self-practice hours, observation hours and teaching practice hours. During the program, the student will be given the opportunity to work alone, with a mentor, in pairs and in groups. In order to enter the program, students must be at least 18 years old and must have a high school diploma. Modules are taught in the following order:

Functional Anatomy Course

This course is conducted over an 11 week period.  It consists of a complete overview of the human anatomy and how it applies to movement.  Every two weeks, we will break down sections of the body, Starting with the bones and alignment, followed by the muscles and the movements.

This course consists of 16 hours of class time which include the following topics:

• Anatomy of the body will be broken up into five segments or chapters
• Each week builds on the foundation of the previous weeks lessons
•  Understanding of both agonist and antagonist muscles
• Much more then just memorization of muscles and their location

 

Module 1: The Fundamentals and Basic Exercises of Mat, Reformer and Trapeze Table

This Module consists of 16 hours of class time and is structured to provide a strong foundation in the basic Pilates method of mat, reformer and trapeze table exercises.

• We begin by teaching the Body & Core Pilates Education Core Concepts and Movement Principles, as well as the equipment and safety.
• We then progress to teaching the basic mat, reformer and trapeze table exercises.
• We complete this Module covering the scope of practice for a Pilates instructor, along with the code of ethics.

 

Module 2: Intermediate exercises of  Mat;  Basic, Intermediate and Advanced Ladder Barrel, and Wunda Chair

 This Module consists of 16 hours of class time, which include the following:

• History of Pilates
• Intermediate Mat exercises
• Basic, Intermediate and Advanced exercises on Ladder Barrel and Wunda Chair.
• We begin to introduce practical and written quizzes.

 

Module 3: Intermediate exercises of Reformer and Trapeze Table

 This Module consists of 16 hours of class time which include the following topics:

•  Review of prior Modules
• Intermediate exercises of Reformer and Trapeze Table
• Begin to implement teaching and how to flow from one exercise to the next.
• Continue with both written and practical quizzes.

 

 Module 4: Advanced Exercises of Mat, Reformer and Trapeze Table & Small Apparatus

This Module consists of 16 hours of class time which include the following topics:

• Review of prior Modules
• Advanced exercises of Mat, Reformer and Trapeze Table
• Flow of Exercises
• Setting purpose behind choice of exercises
• Introduce the smaller apparatus: spine corrector and ped-o-pole.
• Continue with both written and practical quizzes.

 

 Module 5: Anatomy of Pilates Routine

 This Module consists of 16 hours of class time which include the following topics:

• Breaking down the exercises
• Distinguishing what muscles are being used during an exercise
• Identify weakness and strengths of clients to be able to modify the exercises either with prep exercises and/or advancement
• Tactile Cueing
• How to begin to cultivate clients
• Continue with both written and practical quizzes

 

Module 6: Posture of Pilates 

 This Module consists of 16 hours of class time which include the following topics:

Posture Analysis and identifying deviations and muscle imbalances and · finding the proper exercises to address these postures.

• Functional Screening
• Corrective Exercises
• Base Lines and Goal Setting
• Continue with both written and practical quizzes.

 

Module 7:  Special Populations 

 This Module consists of 16 hours of class time which include the following topics:

• Know your limitations as a Pilates teacher.
• Common Special Populations and guidelines
• Having a base for referrals
• Continue with both written and practical quizzes.

          

Module 8:  Hands on Approach for Pilates

 This Module consists of 16 hours of class time which include the following topics:

• Create a better understanding of what you are teaching
• Understanding the do’s and don’t of tactile teaching
• Work on overall teaching techniques
• Problem solving
• Case Studies
• Continue with both written and practical quizzes

 

Upon completion of the Program, student receives a diploma/certificate to completion.

Completion of the comprehensive Pilates program does not guarantee employment or certification.  It does qualify you to take the National Pilates Certification Program Exam

Comprehensive Course Goals

Students who complete this course successfully will be able to:

• Understand and apply the basic principles of Pilates in the teaching and demonstration exercises.
• Recognize common postural deviations and provide cues for improvement of the functional components of these conditions.
• Analyze and understand key Pilates exercises, based on anatomical and biomechanical principles.
• Learn how to modify key Pilates exercises in order to address common individual limitations and goals.
• Effectively teach and demonstrate a wide range of classical and                                  contemporary Pilates exercises along with their modification on the Mat,    Reformer, Trap Table, Ladder Barrel, Wunda Chair Ped-o-Pull and other auxiliary equipment.

 

Required Texts, Materials, or Equipment

Students will be provided with Body & Core Pilates Education course manual and Trail Guide to the Body text book and workbook. Students are expected to come to class with materials to take notes.  We strongly suggest “Return to Life” by Joseph Pilates and the Pilates Method Alliance Study Guide.

 

Daily Work/Homework

Students are expected to review the content presented during lecture hours from one week to another and complete and maintain practical hours accordingly. After each Module, students will be tested with both a written and practical test.

 

Major Assignments: Descriptions

Students must complete written and practical tests at the end of each Module The questions are true or false, fill in the blank, multiple choice. Students will need about 20 minutes to complete written test and 15 minutes to complete practical test and students must be ready to show modifications. The written tests will consist of questions from current and past modules.

 

Class Participation

Students are expected to participate by asking and answering questions and working in groups or pairs. Class participation is an element that is used to monitor student progress.  All interactions must be civil, respectful and supportive. Should any concern arise, students are encouraged to talk to their teacher, mentor or to the school director.

 

Course Grading 

Progress reports with grades and feedback will be issued to students throughout the duration of the program. The reports will be delivered to the students in person or via email.

Grading system:

96 – 100         = A      Excellent

86 – 95           = B      Above Average

76 – 85            = C      Average

66 – 75           = D      Below Average

Under 65        = U      Unsatisfactory

 

Progress Policy

The school implements methods to monitor student’s progress:

• Satisfactory progress requirements
• Advisory meetings
• Periodic assessments

 

Academic probation procedure

Each student is assigned an advisor. There are four meetings between the advisor and the student held within the 12-month training program to ensure that the student makes satisfactory progress. Students must maintain an 80% grade point average. The school’s director monitors student’s overall progress. Unsatisfactory progress will be grounds for dismissal.

 

Final Exams

After the student has completed their internship consisting of 550 hours, which include the functional anatomy course along with all eight modules and passed each modules exam, they will have qualified to take the final written and practical exams.  The final exams consist of three parts and are given in this order, Written, Special populations test and Practical exam.  The following is the breakdown of each exam along with grading process

 

• Written Final Exam consisting of 109 questions. Passing requires a score of 80% or higher.
• Special Populations Exam consisting of written exam that includes a case study, definitions, exercises and explanation for choice of exercises. This is a pass or fail exam.
• Final Practical Exam covers a Postural exam along with programing an exercise program for said clients posture. The exercises chosen will be evaluated on being appropriate for client;  clients positioning; instructors positioning; equipment set up and teaching performance is evaluated in point form.  Lastly, we evaluate the student on performing exercises similarly as we did when evaluating while they worked with client.  There is 240 points possible and passing score is 192 or higher. (80%)

 

Attendance policy:

Students are expected to arrive on time for class with proper materials. An overall attendance rate of at least 85% is required. Instructors may request a student to withdraw from a course or program if absences or tardiness exceed 70% .

Internship is a requirement for this program and all students are expected to complete a minimum of 18 hours of said internship per week.  This internship will begin following Module 1.  The internship must be completed within one year of the completion of Module 8.

Students who are unable to continue classes for medical reasons or severe personal problems will be required to take a leave of absence until they are able to return to class. Proper documentation will be required to substantiate a student’s withdrawal (see Leave of absence). If a student misses a lecture, a make-up session can be arranged for the price of $120.

 

Policies on missed exams, make up exams or quizzes

All exams must be taken and an average of 80% GPA must be maintained. Exams can be retaken twice ($50 per retake)