Pilates Mat Instructor training
Hearts and Bones Pilates Mat Instructor training prepares you to teach individual and group Pilates mat classes using the Classic mat exercises as well as small equipment pieces.
About the Mat Instructor course
The Hearts and Bones Pilates Mat Instructor course teaches the Classic mat exercises, some of which we modify to suit the needs of today’s Pilates classes. Our course also teaches you how to use small equipment pieces so your classes appeal to a wide variety of clients.
Subjects covered
Subjects covered include:
- teaching Classic mat exercises and the use of small pieces of equipment
- using best practice for teaching and structuring classes
- cueing and language use for clients of differing ability
- safe teaching for older adults, pre- and post-natal women, and clients with the most commonly seen back, hip, knee, ankle, wrist, neck, and shoulder conditions.
Course outline
To become a fully qualified Hearts and Bones Pilates Mat Instructor, students must complete the course content outlined in the table below. You must also do some required reading.
Visit the Course content description page to find out more about the content below.
Total hours to complete course: 129 (excluding Introduction to Anatomy)
Total hours to complete the Intensive training course: 105 (excluding Introduction to Anatomy)
Content |
Learning Method |
Hours |
Requirements to qualify |
Introduction to Anatomy (Exemptions may apply) |
Self-study |
20–30 |
Study; pass written examination |
Essentially Pilates Movement and Teaching Principles |
Self-study and class |
20-30 |
Self-study; attend 12 hours of class; pass written examination; practical experience |
Mat 1 |
Class |
18 |
Class attendance; completion of observation, self-practice, and student teaching hours; pass written and practical tests; practical experience |
Mat 2 |
Class |
18 |
Class attendance; completion of observation, self-practice, and student teaching hours; pass written and practical tests; practical experience |
Practical experience |
Observing classes |
15 |
Proof of hours |
Practical experience |
Practising |
25 |
Proof of hours |
Practical experience |
Teaching |
35 |
Proof of hours |
Final examination |
Exam |
2 |
Pass written and practical tests |
Required reading
- Return to Life Through Contrology by Joseph H. Pilates and William John Miller
- Your Health. A corrective system of exercising that revolutionises the entire field of physical education by Joseph H. Pilates
- Anatomy of Movement by Blandine Calais Germaine
Practical assessments during the programme
We assess your exercise performance and movement teaching ability during the contact course components of each module. This ensures that you're able to make appropriate corrections, communicate well with clients, and use best-practice teaching tools as required to graduate from the programme.
Professionalism topics
You'll also learn as part of your Pilates Mat Instructor training:
- scope of practice and code of ethics
- Pilates philosophy and history
- exercise analysis
- programme design
- teaching techniques
- movement science
- anatomy and kinesiology
- special considerations such as pregnancy and osteoporosis, and some precautions and contraindications to movements.
Register now for training
Training timetable and registration gives our training dates, and how and when to register.
We look forward to having you on our Reformer Instructor training.
We look forward to having you on our Reformer Instructor training.
Any questions?
Contact us if you have any questions or need more information about our Mat Instructor training.
Tania is approachable, friendly, welcoming, and respectful. I love the way she uses examples from sports, clients, and life and applies knowledge to individual needs. I especially appreciated the use of the skeleton to help me with anatomical understanding and gained new insight into the use of tactile, verbal, and imagery cues. "
