Hands-On, In-Person Instructor Training that takes your passion for Pilates and turns it into the skill and experience you need you be a confident, capable instructor
100-Hour Mat and 450-Hour Comprehensive Training start Sunday October 13th.
Group Lectures will be held on Sundays 11am-1pm and will alternate between Pilates Native and Pilates Plus.
Mat Training program runs 10/13/24-2/2/25.
Comprehensive Training runs 10/13/24-6/29/25.
Equipment training runs 2/9/25-6/29/25.
You must be Mat Certified to attend Equipment Training or have a strong background in movement and anatomy (Physical Therapist, Personal Trainer, Massage Therapist, already teaching without certification). Yoga Instructors and Massage Therapists are welcome to apply, but may need to test out of the Mat work.
Apply to the program–> here
As a studio owner looking to hire instructors, I found that while many instructors had tons and tons of online module training, they had little to no experience working with real bodies with real issues.
They could easily replicate any Pilates exercise or sequence with beautiful form. But they didn’t have the deeper knowledge and understanding of how and why those exercises worked, or who they worked for. They struggled to modify for client needs and didn’t know how to confidently use props, modifications or variations.
This was a recipe for a lot of hurt or injured Pilates clients.
While these instructors had spent thousands of dollars and hundreds of hours on their training, in general, they had a surface level understanding of the Pilates work.
I wasn’t the only studio owner experiencing this issue.
When Amanda, of Pilates Plus, and I met, it was kismet.
In each other, we recognized a similar background in injury, a love of Pilates, an immediate recognition of teaching styles, and a shared concern as studio owners that there was a significant lack of in-person Pilates instructor training. When talking shop, we found that we had both struggled to find qualified instructors and had invested time, money and effort in retaining the amazing instructors we did have. But finding new ones was a struggle.
At the time, Pilates Native was actually serving as a private tutoring studio for multiple Pilates Instructor trainees, who were completing their training programs with other big name certification programs. While those students had excitedly signed up for their Pilates training programs, they were finding themselves lost, freaking out, and feeling like they had wasted time and money on their certification. They were struggling to keep up with the demands of the program schedule while also being completely stressed out by the material they were learning. They were coming to Pilates Native as a way to gain a deeper understanding of their coursework and to be able to pass their exams.
As Amanda and I discussed these issues, we realized that we wanted to harness the power and strengths of our two studios and run our own instructor training program.
By working together, we could build and host a program that taught not only the Pilates exercises, but also included all of the little intricacies and nuances of teaching movement to various populations.
We also wanted to create a program that developed knowledgeable and experienced instructors, not just certification holders who lacked confidence in their training.
Rather than online modules or zoom training, we have designed an in-person program that allows students to really dig in and see how and why the exercises work.
Our program focuses on getting eyes and hands on real people with real bodies and seeing how they move, how they function and how they respond to the Pilates cues, training, exercises, and movement.
Forget rote memorization or learning on a fitness model with perfect form. We’ll take you on a deep dive into the how and why behind the exercises. We’ll learn and practice on bodies that have experienced multiple pregnancies, hip replacements, knee surgeries, herniated disks, sitting in an office for 10 hours a day for 20 years.
Our goal is to elevate your training to a place where you feel confident in what you know and have real hands-on experience to back you up.
Together, Amanda and I have over 30 years of experience teaching Pilates, and over 60 years combined experience of movement practices ranging from ballet to field hockey.
Our clients have ranged from fourteen year old student athletes to Prenatal Pilates to Ironmen to 90 year old scientists. We have helped clients working through major injuries and surgery recovery like herniated disks, frozen shoulders, hip replacements, and sciatica. We have also helped clients maintain a healthy, strong and injury-free body through intensive dance schedules, Ironman training programs, elite mountain bike team competitions and every sporting event in between. We have helped expecting mothers maintain their strength and movement practices throughout pregnancy and post-partum. We have helped our aging clients maintain their mobility and independence.
Major injuries brought us both to our respective Pilates practices and Pilates has become the mainstay in our lives that allows us to keep doing all of the things we love. Pilates has been a powerful tool for our own bodies and quality of life.
In turn, we want to share that power with you. By harnessing Pilates Native and Pilates Plus to the same team, we are proud to present an in-person Pilates Training program that gives you access to live, hands on learning with real bodies.
Pilates Native and Pilates Plus will be co-hosting a PhysicalMind Instructor Training, giving you access to two studios and over 12 different instructors and teaching styles.
This Instructor Training program is for you if:
- You know you’re ready to start your Pilates Instructor Training and you’re super excited about in-person hands-on training.
- You’re ready to move beyond just memorization and repetition of the Pilates exercises and cultivate a real understanding of each exercise and how it works.
- You’re ready to step off the assembly line and enjoy a program that supports your learning style and helps you craft a teaching style that supports your personality and energy needs.
- You’re ready to learn how to work with the population you’re super passionate about, whether it’s prenatal, athletes, moms, men, octogenarians, weight loss, fitness, or injury.
- You’re also very interested in being mentored by one of our qualified instructors throughout your training and would love to further your personal practice while also learning how to teach the exercises to others.
And…
- You prefer a small group experience and would enjoy training in a program that is capped at 6 participants per cohort.
- You need more than just a weekend workshop and want to really learn and integrate the material. You want to practice, grow, and have the opportunity to ask questions as they arise.
- You’d prefer a clear training program with one opt-in, one inclusive price and the ability to test at the studio you trained at.
- You want to take advantage of the ability to work with Pilates Native, a local five-star Pilates studio, and tap into their experience as athletes, instructors, and business owners.
This training is NOT for you if:
- You prefer zoom classes, online modules, or replays.
- You want to power through the material with a weekend course or workshop.
- You’re just after the cert and aren’t interested in the deeper knowledge or experience that comes with this training.
- You aren’t able to commit to attending the lectures and group classes or are unable to regularly commit 5-10 hours per week to the program during the certification process.
100-Hour Mat Pilates Certification
$2,500
per attendee
350-Hour Equipment Pilates Certification
$6,500
per attendee
450-Hour Comprehensive Pilates Certification
$7,500
per attendee
FAQ’s
Why PhysicalMind?
PhysicalMind has been a leading innovator in the Pilates space since 1991. They have continued Joe’s legacy of invention and adaptation, and have continued to produce training materials, videos and new equipment throughout their existence.
Who will be running this program?
This Instructor training program will be a collaborative two-studio effort taught by master instructors Amanda Luton of Pilates Plus and Rubecca Martinez Dalton of Pilates Native. Pilates Native will be the certifying studio.
Amanda is an NCPT certified Pilates instructor with an extensive background as a professional ballet dancer, Pilates instructor, and dance teacher. After a knee injury caused her to take a year off from dance, she began pursuing a certification in Pilates. Since becoming certified, Amanda has worked in the physical therapy and outpatient orthopedic setting as well as the traditional Pilates studio setting. She chose to focus on rehabilitation because Pilates made it possible for her to continue dancing with various ballet companies in the Denver metro area.
Amanda has a strong commitment to educating her students and clients on proper body mechanics with the hope that they will be able to enjoy injury free activity throughout their lives.
Her studio, Pilates Plus, specializes in functional movement and active aging.
Certifications
- B.F.A. Ballet Performance and Teaching, University of Utah
- Certified Comprehensive Pilates Instructor, UNLV Dance Medicine, D.K. Body Balancing Method
- ABT® Certified Teacher, who has successfully completed the ABT® Teacher Training Intensive in Pre- Primary through Level 7 and Partnering of the ABT® National Training Curriculum
- PhysicalMind Certified Pilates Instructor
Rubecca is a PhysicalMind certified instructor with a lengthy background in Mechanical/Welding Engineering and Sports Therapy. A lifelong athlete, she endured multiple knee dislocations and countless sports injuries that caused a lot of pain and dysfunctional movement. These injuries brought her to Pilates, where she learned the importance of efficient movement, core strength, functional mobility and good old fashioned prevention. Her Pilates career began as a Sports Therapist in a Sports Chiro clinic, where she honed her skills on endurance athletes. Rubecca’s passion for Pilates stems from her appreciation for the pain-free longevity Pilates has provided her as a runner, yogi, mountain biker and recently as a ballroom dancer. She strives to provide that same pain-free longevity for her clients.
Her studio, Pilates Native, specializes in athletes, injury prevention and injury recovery. PN is also a BIPOC and LGBTQ+ friendly studio and is committed to providing a studio space that is trauma informed. In our commitment to diversity in Pilates, Pilates Native offers equity sessions, including sliding scale rates and scholarships.
Certifications
- B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Colorado School of Mines
- Sports Therapist, Spine & Sports Therapy (Houston)
- 200-hour Hatha Yoga Instructor, The Yoga Institute (Houston)
- Yoga Alliance Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher (E-RYT)
- Certified Mat, Standing and Equipment Pilates Instructor, PhysicalMind (Houston)
- Certified Level 3 Stretch to Win Stretch Practitioner (Arizona)
- Certified Life Stretch Instructor, Stretch to Win (Arizona)
- Certified TRX Coach (TRX, Denver)
- Certified RYC Instructor (online, Denver)
How long is the certification process?
Mat instructor trainees will have 6 months to complete all of their certification hours.
Equipment and Comprehensive programs will have 12 months to complete all of their certification hours.
What are the prerequisites?
- A current Pilates practice and familiarity with the work is crucial to the course.
- A background in anatomy and/or biomechanics will be extremely helpful but isn’t necessary.
- Equipment trainees must be Mat Certified to attend the Equipment course.
What materials do I need?
You will receive Anatomy of Pilates and the Student Matwork Manual as part of your enrollment. You will need:
- A Pilates mat
- A Pilates ball
- Exercise Bands
- A Magic Circle
- Yoga Blocks
Will there be any online resources available?
While we will have an online course available with resources, will not provide any training videos. This will be an old-school, in-person, hands-on training. We will utilize real clients in the studio, rather than models in training videos.
Do you provide payment plans or scholarships?
Yes. In a bid to keep Pilates accessible, we will offer payment plans and scholarships. These will be determined on an individual basis.
Full payment is required prior to taking examinations.
Do you offer just equipment training?
Yes. The Equipment training includes Reformer, Cadillac, Chair, Ladder Barrel, Spine Corrector and props. Please call Pilates Native to discuss the Equipment only program.
What are the late policies, cancellation policies and rebooking policies?
- You must be on time and ready to go when class starts.
- Private students must provide a 24 hour cancellation notice. If 24 hour notice is not given, the student is responsible for an $85/hr rebooking fee to make up for the missed coursework.
- If you cannot make a small group class, you will be required to make up the class material on your own time. This may include paying for a private session with the instructor to complete your coursework. (Private sessions will be held at an $85/hr rate.)
What are the exam requirements?
- Students will be required to complete a written exam and a practical exam.
- Exams will be held at the training studios. Travel to another studio will not be required.
- All required training hours must be completed in order to take the exams.
- Course must be paid in full prior to taking exam.
- Students may provide their own Pilates client for the practical exam or request that the instructor provides exam clients.
- Students must pass the written and practical exam with an 85% or higher. If for any reason a non-passing grade is received on an exam, the student may retest at a later date. A re-test fee of $110 will be assessed and additional practice or observation hours may be required as well.
Refunds and Cancellations
If you cannot attend training as scheduled, please let me know asap.
- Refunds and cancellations will be handled on a case-by-case basis.
- A $500 cancellation or rescheduling fee may apply.
- If you register for Instructor Training but you do not attend and you also fail to contact us in advance of that training, you will be considered a “no-show”, and will forfeit all registration fees paid for the training. No refunds/credits will be issued.
Family Emergencies/Leave of Absence
If you are unable to complete the course due to personal or family matters, you may apply for a leave of absence from the program. An approved leave of absence will entitle the student to take the next scheduled training course at the same location for missed segments.
Will Pilates Native or Pilates Plus hire students from the program to work in the studio?
Once certified, students are welcome to apply to teach at the studios.