I’ve been relatively quiet on my blog recently because so many things have been happening! I’m still working at the advertising agency that I absolutely love, along with working at the nail salon on weekends after leaving the coffee shop.

Earlier this year, I’ve been consistently attending pilates classes. One of the things I love about Pilates is that I don’t feel as exhausted after class compared to other fitness classes, such as cycling. I’ve also noticed that my posture has improved significantly since practicing Pilates. I don’t experience as much neck, shoulder, or back pain as I did before incorporating Pilates into my routine.

After experiencing the positive changes in both my physical and mental state, I wanted to learn the foundation of Pilates. I spoke to one of my friends, who is a Pilates teacher, to learn more about the teacher training program that she went through. I’m excited to be delving into the fundamentals of Pilates and understanding the purpose of each movement for the body!

Through this post, I hope anyone considering trying Pilates should go for it. I hope you experience the same benefits in your body as much as I do.

Choosing a Pilates Teacher Training Program

There were two Pilates teacher training programs that interested me. The first program was a weekend training for around $2,000. The studio that is hosting the program has several locations throughout the valley (and continuing to open more). I figured that the company was expanding, which meant employment opportunities after the training.

The second program I considered was 450+ hours and cost around $6,000. It’s also recognized by the Pilates Method Alliance (PMA). With this certification, you can work at any Pilates studio, although you might have to go through some type of bridge training depending on the studio. This was the program that my friend got certified through as well. She had nothing but great things to say about the master teacher and the program itself! Prior to her selecting the program, she did extensive research on all the different Pilates teacher training programs and concluded that this was the most comprehensive one.

I wasn’t sure if I would enjoy teaching since teaching and practicing are two separate things. I was leaning towards the first option because if I ended up not liking to teach, the investment would be on a smaller scale compared to the second option.

When I applied to join the first Pilates teacher training program, I was rejected. They preferred teachers who are full-time, but because I couldn’t do that, they said it wouldn’t be a good fit. I was a bit sad at first but strongly believe that everything happens for a reason. I remember reading the rejection email and telling myself that this was a sign.

Starting the Pilates Teacher Training Program

The program I decided to go with is Pilates Sports Center (PSC) through Remedy Pilates and Barre in Phoenix, Arizona. This was the program my friend went through as well. I decided to choose it because of the comprehensive nature of the curriculum, the recognition by the PMA, and of course, because I’ve been taking Pilates classes through Remedy for a while!

A breakdown of the 450+ hours:

• 128-136 hours Classroom Experience with a PSC Master Trainer
• 75 hours combined Observation/Apprenticeship
• 100 hours Practice Teaching/Charting with classmates/family/friends etc.
• 40 hours Self Integration (additional Pilates experience with qualified instructor)
• 25 hours of Anatomy Thesis Project
• 45 hours of Client Assessment and Programming Project
• 15 hours Pilates Professional Video/DVD or Online Observation

For the past 3 months, I’ve been working towards my certification hours. Classes are held weekly for 6 hours long and take about 5 months. As of right now, I’ve finished my self-integration hours and have been teaching 2-3 times a week. The most challenging hours for me have been observation since I prefer taking the class rather than observing it. However, it’s been pretty interesting watching the teachers carefully and seeing what they cue.

It’s been a bit stressful trying to balance my corporate job, the nail salon, and the Pilates teaching program, but I wouldn’t have it any other way! I try to work on my hours as much as possible, meaning trying to teach and observe in the mornings before work or in the evenings after work. Luckily, we have 6 months after the end of classes to continue working on our hours. I know a few of my classmates are trying to finish their hours as soon as possible, but I don’t see a reason for me to stress myself out trying to finish as soon as possible.

Goals as a Pilates Teacher

It’ll be a while until I finish all of my hours, but after graduation, I hope to teach a few hours a week. I don’t see myself teaching full-time since my initial goal for doing this program is to learn the fundamentals of Pilates. As of right now, it’s more of a personal passion of mine!

Also, a special thank you to adidas for being a great partner in this Pilates journey! Their sports bra and short leggings offers great comfort and support that allows me to work on my flexibility and mobility without feeling restricted.