This intermediate and advanced Pilates mat teacher training provides a solid framework to equip participants to become the best possible teachers. All courses are offered both in-person in studio or online for those based overseas. Lectures are recorded and provide a useful resource for students to review and catch up wherever needed.
Lectures:
During the 15 contact lecture hours, we will cover a relevant range of topics to deepen your understanding of intermediate and advanced choreography. We often work in partners to encourage teaching practice, feedback, questions and discussion amongst the group.
• Intermediate and advanced level mat repertoire
• Application of anatomy (prime movers, relevant stabilizers, and muscles being stretched) to each exercise
• Understanding how to modify, assist, and progress complex movement patterns
• Understanding, identifying, and correcting common client mistakes
• Contraindications, precautions, and recognizing clients who must avoid specific high-level exercises
• Advanced cueing techniques across multiple dimensions (muscles, bones, joints, fascia, and breath or energy)
• Unique class design for intermediate and advanced level formats
• The specific progression and order of the Original 34 mat exercises outlined in Return to Life Through Contrology

Additional hours:
Along with the lecture hours above, students must complete additional hours to consolidate the course information into their physical and teaching practice. A log of all these hours must be handed in to complete your certification:
• observation hours (10 minimum) – learners may observe intermediate and advanced level group mat classes in-studio or online. Students are encouraged to focus on different aspects while observing such as class design, tracking, and cueing skills.
• participation hours (10 minimum) – learners are required to be a client in group mat classes or private sessions with a CME trainer in order to refine their technique and ability to embody the advanced work.
• self practice hours (5 minimum) – teaching is purely an extension of our own practice. With this in mind, students utilize an honor system to complete self-practice sessions on their own or with a study partner to integrate the movements into their own body.
• student teaching hours (10 minimum) – learners complete a practical case study where they work with an apparently healthy client over a series of 10 progressive sessions. This allows students to master the client assessment process, class design, tracking progressions, and teaching skills.
• assisted teaching hours (5 minimum) – students teach while being actively supervised by a teacher trainer who provides immediate, in-the-moment guidance and feedback regarding cueing, class design, corrections, and overall teaching effectiveness. (Can be completed in combination with basic mat).

Assignments:
Various assignments assist students in assimilating and applying information to their advanced Pilates mat skills. These written assignments must be submitted for feedback and are then included on individual student portfolios.
• class design – learn how to design a balanced, unique 60-minute intermediate to advanced level Pilates mat program. This assignment focuses on calculating suggested repetitions, ensuring smooth flow between exercises, and balancing muscles worked, and must be completed before commencing your case study.
• mind, brain, body – delve deeper into the holistic nature of the Pilates Method by researching the distinct differences between the brain and the mind. Explore how targeted breathing patterns, The Pilates Method, and mindfulness interact to relieve stress and improve mental coping mechanisms.
• case study package (also known as student teacher training) – find an apparently healthy potential client who has previous experience with basic Pilates mat. You will document an extensive client intake interview, perform a specialized visual posture grid analysis to identify skeletal imbalances, and conduct a functional movement assessment tracking specific exercises (such as the Roll down, Pelvic curl, Chest lift, and Front support basic). Using this data, you will map out their initial intermediate-level sequence, compile 10 structured progressive tracking reports, design their final advanced-level routine with targeted modifications or assists, and provide a comprehensive final summary of the personal insights and physical results achieved.
Final assessments:
• theory paper (50 points) – learners are allocated 2 hours (or more if needed) for this written exam at the host studio. Covering all material and applications outlined in the course manual, students must achieve a minimum passing score of 75%.
• practical evaluation (30 minutes) – students arrange an evaluation at the studio or live via Zoom to physically demonstrate 6 random exercises from the Original 34 repertoire. Candidates are evaluated on their ability to name the prime movers and stabilizers, explain common mistakes, and state appropriate regressions and progressions.
• teaching assessment – the absolute culmination of your training! Students must successfully clear three (3) separate, one-hour summative mat class evaluations with a teacher trainer (in person or live via Zoom). Students organize unique clients or a group to demonstrate total competence in clear multi-dimensional cueing, balanced formatting, spotting errors, safe modifications, pace management, and professionalism.
Students are given one year from the end of course lectures to complete all portfolio submissions and evaluation requirements.

Dates and times: TBC

Fees: R7 900 (includes course materials, lectures, and exam fees)