Learn to TEACH Pilates

I am sure many Pilates lovers wish to become an instructor, so let me share with you my certification story.

I stumbled upon an Australian based Pilates certification through a like-minded friend. We each paid S$1100 and completed the 6-day Level One course. I passed my theory and practical exam and was offered an apprenticeship. But before I could complete the 100 hours training, the studio that hosted the course closed down. Unless I go to Australia, I would have no access to complete the level 2 & 3 locally (obviously it was not an option to me!). Thus my time and money spent in this cert was quite badly invested as I needed to get another cert and start from scratch!

So, don't repeat my mistake to rush into any certification. Do some research and plan properly. Read on.

The Focus Pilates website says:

"...To train in Pilates is an arduous (and expensive) journey with no short cuts...Pilates is a highly integrated and scientific movement system. Learning to be an instructor is more like taking a Diploma or Degree than just an instructor certification."

TOTALLY. I personally feel that learning to be a Pilates instructor is far more difficult than getting my Master degree in Sports and Exercise studies. Not only it is just as expensive, it requires many hours of reading, practicing, thinking, observatory & assistant teaching, trainee teaching and passing a stringent practical and theory exam before you can ever proudly proclaimed yourself a certified Pilates Instructor. More importantly, the road of learning in Pilates never ends, you will have to keep yourself abreast with movement science by even more reading, attending continual education workshops and conferences.

There are 'over-the-weekend' crash courses on Pilates instruction, but they are really meant for those who just want to get a paper to smoke by, and hack-care about learning the real knowledge. A serious and dedicated Pilates certification system is essential to make you a qualified and internationally recognised instructor.

First thing on your road to be certified is to be mentally prepared to dedicate a LOT of time to it. It can take year (or years) to get the certification. If you do have the determination, scout for a certification body that provides local training course and apprenticeship/mentoring programme. It is important to ensure this certification body is recognised by the Pilates Method Alliance (PMA), an international not for profit professional association for the Pilates method, which specify the internation standards for certification.

To my limited knowledge, there are few certification courses available in Singapore (you might be able to find more on Google), they are:

• Polestar Education hosted by Focus Pilates
• Physical Mind Institue hosted by VF Studio
• STOTT Pilates hosted by Options Studio
• Fletcher Work hosted by iPilates (updated 12/2/08)

Besides checking if they are recognised by the PMA, consider if you are comfortable with the principles and style it offers. Like myself, I eventually found another certification available locally. This time round I was more aware of what was required in the certification process. I made sure there was opportunity to progress in my learning (ie, the host studio wouldn't close down suddenly!) and there are reasonably sufficient trainee hours that match my work schedule. I also found out that this cert advocates evolved Pilates, which applied physical and medical exercise therapy and science into classical Pilates exercises and philosophy. So this very scientific cert is a perfect match for a science geek like me.

Again quoted from Focus' website:

"Please don’t rush your decision to go into Pilates certification. Do some classes as a participant, meet different instructors from different schools of Pilates and see what suits you best. You’ll spend a lot of time with these instructors learning from them and their peers. Pilates is a way of life through exercise and you evolve with it so ensure it’s something you are comfortable with."