Blue Moon Pilates | THE JOURNEY TO BECOMING A BALANCED BODY PILATES INSTRUCTOR

BEFORE YOU BEGIN

It is strongly recommended that students:

  • Have had at least a year or more of a consistent personal Pilates practice 

  • Experience Mat, Reformer, and Apparatus regularly

  • Gain familiarity with the exercises while developing strong teaching skills. Courses focus on deepening your understanding of movement principles, anatomy, contraindications, and modifications, and on how to apply key concepts effectively in practice. These courses are not designed to teach you the exercises themselves, but rather to teach you how to teach them safely, confidently, and effectively.

WHAT THIS COMMITMENT REQUIRES

Students must complete:

  • Personal practice hours

  • Observation hours

  • Teaching hours

  • Written examination

  • Practical examination with a live model

You must demonstrate:

  • Clear cueing

  • Safe programming

  • Appropriate modifications

  • Professional presence

  • Application of the Pilates Principles

THE ENTRY POINT

All pathways begin with:

Movement Principles & Pilates Essentials

This foundational module introduces:

  • The Pilates paradigm

  • The Pilates Principles

  • Movement analysis

  • Alignment and programming frameworks

It sets the lens for all future coursework.

THE JOURNEY FORWARD

After the entry module, students progress through:

  • Mat 1–3

  • Reformer 1–3

  • Anatomy

From here, students may continue toward Comprehensive Certification or “exit the road” with:

  • Mat Certification

  • Reformer Certification

  • Mat & Reformer Certification

Each certification pathway includes required practice, observation, teaching hours, and final examinations.

THE GOLD STANDARD: COMPREHENSIVE CERTIFICATION

The most complete and industry Gold Standard pathway is a Comprehensive Certification, preparing you to teach the full Pilates system. This certification represents the full professional journey.

Required Courses:

  • Movement Principles & Pilates Essentials

  • Mat 1–3

  • Reformer 1–3

  • Anatomy

  • Apparatus: Chair, Trapeze Table, Barrels

Additional Required Hours:

  • 20 Mat/30 Reformer/35 Apparatus Personal Practice

  • 65 Observation

  • 220 Teaching

Total Hours: 540

Final written and practical exam required.

MAT CERTIFICATION

Required Courses:

  • Movement Principles & Pilates Essentials

  • Mat 1–3

  • Anatomy (not required - strongly recommended)

Additional Required Hours:

  • 20 Personal Practice

  • 15 Observation

  • 35 Teaching

Total Hours: 150

Final written and practical exam required.

REFORMER CERTIFICATION

Required Courses:

  • Movement Principles & Pilates Essentials

  • Reformer 1–3

  • Anatomy

Additional Required Hours:

  • 30 Personal Practice

  • 30 Observation

  • 90 Teaching

Total Hours: 214

Final written and practical exam required.

MAT & REFORMER CERTIFICATION

Required Courses:

  • Movement Principles & Pilates Essentials

  • Mat 1–3

  • Reformer 1–3

  • Anatomy

Additional Required Hours:

  • 20 Mat Personal Practice

  • 30 Reformer Personal Practice

  • 15 Mat Observation

  • 30 Reformer Observation

  • 35 Mat Teaching

  • 90 Reformer Teaching

Total Hours: 332

Final written and practical exams required.

MENTORSHIP & TEACHING DEVELOPMENT

Finding a mentor or supportive studio environment is invaluable.

Teaching private sessions early in your journey is essential. Privates help you develop:

  • Alignment assessment

  • Tactile cueing (with consent)

  • Individualized modifications

  • Programming and class design skills

Group classes alone do not build the same depth of teaching skill.

TIMELINE

Most students complete the Comprehensive Certification in 12–24 months.

This is a professional commitment requiring time, study, and real teaching experience.