Mat Instructor Training Program Level 1: Foundation & Beginner
Prerequisites
Functional Anatomy and Kinesiology (FAK)
Min. 30 Pilates Mat classes
Course Price
1495€
Non-refundable Deposit: 300€
Course Description
Mat Instructor Training Program Level 1: Foundation & Beginner
You learn to assist, progress and challenge students and discover ways to incorporate Pilates small equipment into a class (Power Circle, small hand & leg weights).
With hands-on practice throughout the course, you’ll discover how to design a well-structured class, how to present yourself, cue with precision and use your voice and touch to guide students.
Postural analysis is fundamental to working effectively with students and in this training, you learn to make a basic postural assessment and use the information to make intelligent exercise choices.
As the training progresses, you’ll learn more about client programming, how to screen and assess clients, develop personalized workouts, coach and progress clients towards their goals. You’ll follow an integrated self-study course to deepen your knowledge of these programming techniques and be tested through both practical and theory exams.
The exam weekend will assess your ability to execute the exercises, teach a collective class and design and teach an individual private class.
Successful completion of the Mat Level 1 course is mandatory before continuing with further Mat courses or before starting the Studio Comprehensive training on Apparatus.
Timeframe
16-20 weeks
Duration
284 hours including in-person training, zoom tutorials, self-study, exams, and apprentice hours.
Exams
2 Theory Exams, 3 Workshop Exams
Skill Level
Beginner
Language
English & French
Apprentice Hours
125 hours
Prerequisites: Functional Anatomy and Kinesiology (FAK) and minimum 30 Pilates Mat classes (taken at Corpus Studios or another reputable studio)
The course is designed to learn to teach the exercises, not just about how to do the exercises.
The prerequisite classes are essential, to ensure:
- A minimum level of experience of the Pilates repertoire before learning to teach it.
- An awareness of the basic Pilates vocabulary that will be used during the course (e.g. Powerhouse, Centerline, Large box, etc.)
- An understanding of how to move in space with Pilates
- Your safety during the course
The required classes are at the student’s cost outside of tuition: four private or semi-private courses and ten mat classes (the student is given ten collective mat classes upon tuition).
- What is Corpus Pilates™?
- History of Pilates, Pilates Principles & key concepts
- Learn to teach pre-Pilates and basic classical Pilates Mat exercises
- Class design and cueing techniques
- Group and individual instruction
- Pilates Vocabulary
- Breathing techniques
- Spinal positions
- Postural analysis & correct alignment
- Client Programming
- Managing your career
In-person practical sessions and online theory sessions (or entirely online if location prevents in-person participation)
If followed online:
- 100% attendance is required for all sessions
- You must be clearly visible to the Trainer throughout
- You must acquire in advance the appropriate exercise accessories to use during the sessions (Mat, Power Circle, Hand weights, Leg weights, Elastics (short and long), Stick, large and small balls, foam roller)
Course Duration: Ten 8-hour days, four 3-hour Zoom tutorials, 40 hours self-study, exams consisting of a Take-home exam with marking ten hours, a theory exam with marking five hours, and practical and teaching exams twelve hours over two days. Teachers’ Diary: Apprentice hours: 50 hours teaching, 50 hours practice, and 25 hours observation.
The course price includes all materials, such as manuals and videos, which are available in both English and French.
MANUALS: Corpus Pilates™ Instructor Education
VIDEOS: Corpus Pilates™ Instructor Education
- Self-study: 50 hours (studying manuals, research for take-home exam)
- Self-practice: 50 hours
- Teaching practice: 50 hours
- Observation: 25 hours
- Private coaching with a Senior Instructor at Corpus Studios: 2 hours (additional cost)
Theory Exams
All written Theory exams are scheduled on a specific date.
- 80% required to pass
- Unsuccessful: retake as an oral exam with a Master Trainer, at your own cost (equivalent to 1 x private lesson)
‘Take Home’ Exams
Some courses require completion of an open-book, written exam – to be completed at home, over several weeks. This approach encourages research and self-study and the completed exam booklet serves as a useful reference guide for teachers.
- 80% required to pass
- Unsuccessful: retake at own cost
Practical Exams
An in-depth practical exam must be taken for each course level. It is a valuable opportunity for clarification and discussion, for personal feedback and to learn from fellow students, as well as from the Master Trainer.
The practical exam assesses your ability to:
- Execute the exercises – modifying appropriately if needed
- Teach a collective and private class
Depending on the course and level, the practical exam is spread over 2 days or 1 full day.
- 80% required to pass
- Unsuccessful: retake at own cost
Exam Regulations
- All students are required to register for exams on our online booking system (min 2 weeks in advance).
- A fee is payable for each practical exam or each re-sit of a written exam.
- The fee must be paid in advance of the exam.
- All exams for a course level must be completed successfully.
- All Apprentice Hours must be completed successfully before progressing to the next level.
- In addition to successful exams and apprentice hours, a completed portfolio must be submitted before a Corpus Pilates™ Certificate of Completion or Diploma will be awarded.
Certificate of Completion Requirements:
1. Theory Exam
- Written Exam
- Take home exam
2. Exam Workshop
- Personal practice
- Teaching a collective class
- Teaching a private class
3. Completed Delegate Portfolio
4. Apprentice Hours: 122 hours
- 4 private lessons with a Corpus Master Trainer or Senior Instructor (Taken between the end of the course and the exam weekend, at student’s own expense.)
- Personal Practice 50 hours
- Teaching Practice 50 hours
- Observation 20 hours
Note: All apprentice hours must be completed no later than 8 weeks after the Practical Exam.
Course price (includes course manuals and video streaming)
Total price: 1495€ (non-refundable deposit to register: 300€)
Course balance: (payable by bank transfer, 2 weeks before course starts): 1185€
Exam weekend price: 275€
Hands-On Learning Essentials
Apprentice Hours Requirements
A crucial element of the Corpus Studios education program is Apprentice Instructor Trainer Hours. This is when you will truly learn Pilates, by watching experienced instructors, by practicing your teaching, and by doing the exercises yourself.
Classes taken at Corpus Studios™ or other studios approved by Corpus Studios; or Personal Practice alone. Execution of all exercises in the manuals.
At Corpus Studios™:
- All Mat students will be credited 10 Mat classes for each Mat Course taken (for students intending to practice at Corpus Studios in Brussels; not guaranteed for host studios). These can only be used until the date of the practical exam.
- Each class counts for 1 hour of personal practice in your Apprentice Instructor Trainer Hours.
- Registration for class is based on availability; priority will be given to Corpus Studios™ paying clientele.
- Credited classes must be used for your current level of study.
Family, friends and colleagues
- Min 5 hours teaching collective classes at your level of study.
- 55-minute private session format classes based on the level being examined.
- Practice Teaching can be done at Corpus Studios™ only when open to the public and by reservation, not during busy periods (18.00-21.00).
- Instructor Trainer Students from the program can only train in Corpus Studios™ facilities at no cost when practicing with other classmates.
- A studio fee is payable when practice teaching with own students in Corpus Studios™ facilities.
It may be done at Corpus Studios, with a Corpus Pilates former student, or in an approved Pilates center.* You may also observe the Corpus Instructor Education videos, but 80% of observation hours should be completed in live classes.
At Corpus Studios™:
- Observe a one-hour class at the level of study.
– With prior approval from reception and/or the instructor (max 3 students may observe, per class).
– The instructor or receptionist must confirm your attendance on your observation sheet. - Mat students can observe Mat classes only, not Privates.
- Studio Pilates students may observe group apparatus classes or private classes, very discreetly with permission of the instructor and client.
Track Your Progress
Delegate Portfolio Requirements
To keep track of your own education and development, students are required to prepare a Delegate Portfolio at the start of the first training course and must build and maintain it throughout the entire program.
As the Portfolio builds, it becomes your own personal handbook.
For each course, the Portfolio must include:
- Course dates, agendas and notes
- Proof of Apprentice hours
- Lesson plans (as required by each course)
- Completed student and client feedback forms
The completed Portfolio must be submitted to the Master Trainer for review and approval after each course, before a Certificate of Completion will be awarded.
Test Your Skills and Knowledge
Course Exams
If you are unable to attend on the date of the exam, alternatives are available:
- Pay by the hour for a private exam with an assessor or,
- Take exams with participants in the next scheduled course.
All written Theory exams are scheduled on a specific date.
- 80% required to pass
- Unsuccessful: retake as an oral exam with a Master Trainer, at your own cost (equivalent to 1 x private lesson)
Some courses require completion of an open-book, written exam – to be completed at home, over several weeks. This approach encourages research and self-study and the completed exam booklet serves as a useful reference guide for teachers.
- 80% required to pass
- Unsuccessful: retake at own cost
An in-depth practical exam must be taken for each course level. It is a valuable opportunity for clarification and discussion, for personal feedback and to learn from fellow students, as well as from the Master Trainer.
The practical exam assesses your ability to:
- Execute the exercises – modifying appropriately if needed
- Teach a collective and private class
Depending on the course and level, the practical exam is spread over 2 days or 1 full day.
- 80% required to pass
- Unsuccessful: retake at own cost
- All students are required to register for exams on our online booking system (min 2 weeks in advance).
- A fee is payable for each practical exam or each re-sit of a written exam.
- The fee must be paid in advance of the exam.
- All exams for a course level must be completed successfully.
- All Apprentice Hours must be completed successfully before progressing to the next level.
- In addition to successful exams and apprentice hours, a completed portfolio must be submitted before a Corpus Pilates™ Certificate of Completion or Diploma will be awarded.
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Everything You Need to Know
Frequently Asked Questions
All statements of completion and diplomas are valid for 2 years from date of last exam and will be reissued upon proof of continuing education or an update course with Corpus Pilates.
We pride ourselves on the quality of our instructor education and expect our teachers to keep up-to-date. There is no requirement for Corpus Pilates Teachers to repeat the training every 2 years, but they must continue to educate themselves to stay at the top. Teachers must complete a minimum of 10 hours Continuing Education Credits (CEC) within 2 years after they receive their Certificate of Completion or diploma. This can be done through workshops or specific updates at Corpus Studios (minimum 50% of the 10 hours) and hours of proven self-study (e.g. a Pilates workshop or specialization in the Pilates field somewhere else).
You may stop at any time you wish and pick up the next year or year after.
You will be required to pay to retake on another day and will have one month to prepare.
You are required to retake the exam at your own expense, no later then 1 month from last exam and will not be accepted into any further course until the exam is completed and passed.
You will receive an Certificate of Completion for each course at each level, after your exams are passed and your apprentice hours are received and accepted.
Upon successful completion of the Mat Level 3 course
There is a one-time cost paid to Corpus Studios to register you. Thereafter, annual membership renewal and payment is handled directly with EREPS.
When you have completed all 3 levels of the Comprehensive Studio course. After the Comprehensive Mat course you are a Pilates Mat instructor, but not a full diploma-qualified Pilates Studio Instructor.
You may teach after you have passed your first exams at the first level and all apprentice hours are received and accepted.
You are required to be present and participate 100% of the time. If you cannot be at the course for any reason, it is up to you to make arrangements with the trainer to make up the hours at your expense. If it is a travelling trainer this could be difficult, so try to prepare yourself physically and mentally before the course.
Corpus Studios is a recognized Instructor Education Center and its education program and certification is recognized by EREPS (European Register of Exercise Professionals) and EuropeActive. With these approvals, your Corpus Certification will permit you to teach Pilates anywhere in the European Union, and it will give you credit in other countries. Corpus Studios offers both a repertoire in Classical “Traditional” and Contemporary Pilates with a very strong approach to teaching and programming for the individual or for class needs. You will learn about remedial and regular approaches designed to make you an intelligent and thoughtful instructor.
When at a Corpus Studio you can work out individually or with fellow students during any non-peak hours. If you are at another facility you will need to discuss this with the owner or management.
It is advisable to participate, the course is directed towards teaching movement and is very useful even for an experienced physiotherapist. You will have to sit and pass the exam and purchase the required manual.
Two private classes offer students the opportunity to experience what it is like to be taught a session format by an experienced instructor. It is a chance for correction and to better understand the power of a private session. Two sessions are needed for both the student and the instructor to go deeper, to give feedback and for homework. A second class will review how the information was integrated. They are invaluable classes for the student to appreciate the strength and depth that is possible through a one-on-one session.
