Before you start and what you need to qualify

Enrolment procedure

​Before you attend our face-to-face training modules or courses, you need to have completed the following:

• First aid training and hold a general certificate from a well-recognised New Zealand training provider (e.g. Red Cross or St John).
• A minimum of 25 hours of mat or equipment-based Pilates classes.
• Introduction to Anatomy module (or equivalent) and test.
• Pay a $50 non-refundable registration fee at the time of booking is required. This ensures your place on the training course of your choice. All remaining fees are due by the course registration date.
• Essentially Pilates Movement Principles module with online support and 6 hours of tuition.
• Completed and signed enrolment form.
• Signed harassment form.
• Review our school catalogue, policies, and procedures.

No applicant will be denied on the basis of race, national origin, colour, creed, religion, sex, age, disability, gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation.

What you need to do to qualify

These courses contain a number of learning modules. You can study each module in a series that will lead you to a Mat, Reformer, Group Reformer, Equipment, or Comprehensive Hearts and Bones Pilates Instructor qualification. You can also study modules separately to add to an existing qualification.
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To qualify as an instructor, you'll need to:

• attend all classes
• practise course content in a Pilates class or on your own
• complete a certain number of hours observing and teaching Pilates classes
• pass written and practical examinations.
  

Practical requirements

The practical part of instructor training modules involves:

• completing a number of hours observing classes
• practising Pilates exercises, and
• teaching classes.
  

Observation

This part of the course requires you to spend time watching experienced instructors teach group or private classes. Students are welcome to observe Tania teach, free of charge. If students choose to do observation hours outside of hearts and Bones Pilates, they may be required to pay a fee. Watching other instructors work will help you:

• understand verbal cueing
• how to structure exercise programmes, and
• expand your overall teaching skills.

Self-practice

​Practicing your Pilates skills and knowledge is essential to become a competent instructor. Students are required to do supervised hours with Tania to complete their practice hours. The number of supervised hours will depend on the training course you are enrolled in. The maximum required is 16-hours. These classes can be taught in-person or online using the zoom platform. Lessons are charged at the standard class rate.

The remaining unsupervised hours for this part of the course can include time spent attending Pilates classes or practising Pilates on your own.

Accessing the Hearts and Bones Pilates Studio: Students can access the Hearts and Bones Pilates studio to practice on their own from 9am-12:30pm Monday and Tuesday free of charge. If a student chooses to do practice at the different location they may be asked to pay a fee.

Student teaching

Students are required to do 50% of their teaching hours supervised by Tania to complete their teaching practice hours. Dedicated 3-day weekends have been set aside in the training timetable to complete this requirement. The number of supervised hours will depend on the training course you are enrolled in. If a student wishes to do teaching hours outside of Hearts and Bones Pilates, the location must be either:

• run by a graduate of Hearts and Bones Pilates or another Hearts and Bones teacher trainer
• be approved by Tania, who will establish the parameters for supervision and feedback with the location
• to family and friends.

Accessing the Hearts and Bones Pilates Studio: Students can access the Hearts and Bones Pilates studio to practice on their own from 9am-12:30pm Tuesday to Thursday free of charge. If a student chooses to do practice at the different location they may be asked to pay a fee.

Accessing the Hearts and Bones studio: Students are able to rent the studio for teaching purposes at agreed times with the studio owner $10/hour, $30 for 4-hours, or $60 for 7-hours

Final examinations

Once you have completed the other required course content, your last step is to sit the final examinations. These examination includes written and practical tests that assess your knowledge of theory as well as your teaching ability.

To be eligible to qualify as a Hearts and Bones Pilates Instructor, you must sit your final examinations within a year of the start date of your first course subject or module.

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Examinations are held at Hearts and Bones Pilates host studios. In some cases, we can arrange for you to complete the tests remotely by video.

The fees for our exams are:

• Mat & Group Reformer Instructor — $150
• other courses — $200.

Written test

The written part of the Pilates Instructor final examination includes multiple choice, short answer, and short essay questions. The questions cover anatomy, teaching practices, exercise prescription, and safety in the Pilates studio.

Practical test

​The practical test evaluates your teaching knowledge and skills. The test assesses whether you can:

• understand and apply movement principles
• integrate teaching best practice principles
• chose appropriate exercises for a client or class
• initiate, execute, and sequence exercises correctly
• keep clients safe
• use effective cueing and communicate clearly.

Pass grades

​Pass: 70–79%

Merit: 80–89%

Distinction: 90–100%

What if I don’t pass?

If you do not pass the final examination on your first attempt, Hearts and Bones Pilates will discuss what aspects you need to work through in order to pass. We will then schedule some tasks to prepare you for your next attempt.

Staying up to date

Once you have fulfilled all course requirements and passed the final examination, we will issue you with your Hearts and Bones Pilates Instructor certificate.

We recommend complete an additional 10 hours of continuing education every 2 years. You can do these hours by attending workshops led by Hearts and Bones Pilates or other workshop programmes.