Currently our Winter 07/08 course is in session. We are taking applicants for our Fall 08 program.

Registration for this course closes August 31st 2008.

Traditional East Coast Pilates as taught by Joseph Pilates.

Course Objectives

Our Soma Certification will prepare you to become a confident, skilled and well-rounded Pilates instructor of the traditional East Coast Pilates Method. This course will teach you the full repertoire of exercises developed by Joseph H. Pilates. Our program has a reputation for creating a warm and supportive learning environment. Studio Soma maintains a high level of educational standards, and because of this, our graduates are in high demand. The director of the course has dedicated her 18 year career in Pilates to ensuring that Pilates instructors are providing the community with pure Pilates exercises that are safe and biomechanically correct.

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be qualified to design, teach and modify basic to advanced level programs and have the skill and confidence to work with physical condition.

Training will cover

Proper body alignment.

Names and purpose of all exercises.

Program design & sequencing.

Effective communication.

Client building & retention. How to run your own Pilates studio or business.

Special populations such as obesity, osteoporosis, scoliosis, elderly etc.

Postural analysis.

Cueing, correct spotting & imagery.

Evaluation and client goal setting. Challenging professional dancers and athletes.

Benefits of choosing SOMA

Learning the traditional official Pilates Method as taught by Joseph Pilates.

A large emphasis is placed on anatomy and exercise physiology.

Soma has the full line of equipment and specially designed equipment for prenatal Pilates and cardio Pilates.

You will learn how to teach private and semi-private sessions, group mat classes and group apparatus classes.

Soma requires students to be able to execute all the exercises, so you will be building a stronger and healthier body for yourself.

Soma teaches physical therapy techniques using the Pilates Method.

The course is designed to make learning Pilates stress-free in an organized and comprehensive manner, so students are not overwhelmed and discouraged.

How do I begin my new career as a Pilates Instructor?

Schedule an interview with the Director of the program.

Completed application

Resume

Copy of Social Security Card (or US Work Permit)

Copy of Driver’s License (or Passport)

Copy of CPR Certification (if you have it)

Meet with the Director of the program to discuss the course and find out if you are eligible. Start accumulating apprentice hours by:

Observing instructors teaching clients – 20 hours

Take 20 Pilates mat classes – Free as long as there is space

Take 20 private Pilates sessions with a Certified Pilates instructor ($30.00 per class.)

All apprentice hours must be logged by you and signed off by a certified instructor or management. If you decide for any reason that you wish to drop out of the program prior to the first day of the seminar or the SOMA disqualifies you from the program, you will immediately owe SOMA $15.00 for each mat class you took.

Attend the intensive seminar. These hours must also be logged and signed off and added to apprentice hours. None of these days can be missed unless you have a medical or family emergency. If this occurs, you will be required to schedule a private session with the director at $85 per hour. If you are absent more than three times, you are disqualified from the course. During the intensive seminar, you will be required to pass 6 quizzes (no fee for these quizzes). If you do not pass these quizzes, you will be required to schedule a private session with a certified Pilates instructor at $30 per session for each quiz you do not pass.

Resume apprentice hours (step 5) and start practicing all the material covered during the seminar.

When you reach 200 apprentice hours, you will take a written exam and must have a passing grade of 75%. (Currently the 200 hour test is $195.00). If you do not pass the exam, you will be allowed to retake it once. If you fail a second time, you will be required to pay the exam fee again and will not be allowed to retake the exam for 2 weeks.

Upon passing your 200 hour written exam, you can schedule your practical exam. You must take the written exam two weeks prior to the practical exam. The examiner will give you the opportunity to make up the practical exam if you fail by requiring you to take additional sessions with a certified instructor (you are required to pay for these sessions) or redoing portions of the training seminar at no extra charge

Complete or renew CPR Certification.

Once you pass your practical and written exam and you have successfully completed your apprentice hours, you will be required to complete 20 practice hours. These hours involve you teaching a SOMA certified Pilates instructor, the director of the program and SOMA front desk staff. At this time, you will be required to purchase liability insurance. Prices vary.

Upon completing 20 practice hours, you will then schedule your second practical and written exam at $195.00 and repeat steps 9 and 10.

If you pass both the written and practical exam you will then be required to complete another 20 practice hours as in step 11.

Upon completing 20 more practice hours, you will be eligible to take your final certification exam. You will schedule your final practical and written exam as in step 9 and 10. You will also be required at this time to take your anatomy exam. The fee for this exam is $120.00. If you fail this exam, you will be allowed to retake the exam at no extra charge. If you fail a second time, you will have to pay to take the exam again and will have to wait 2 weeks before retaking it.

Part of your practical exam requires you to teach a mock Pilates mat class. You will be tested on how well you choreograph, execute and command a group of students. The students will be a mixture of SOMA staff, friends and current SOMA clients. The director of the program will be assessing your ability and will also collect feedback from participants.

Pilates Certification Check list

60 prerequisite hours.

140 hour intensive seminar.

Pass 200 hour written and practical exam.

Complete 20 practice hours.

Pass second written and practical exam.

Complete additional 20 practice hours.

Pass final written and practical exam.

Pass anatomy exam.

Purchase liability insurance.

Obtain CPR certification.

Pass mock Pilates mat class.

Certification Program Policies

You must complete the entire program to receive your certificate. In addition, your entire tuition must be paid for by the end of your first 200 hours.

You will not be able to begin your practice teaching hours at the 200 hour mark without purchasing liability insurance. Studio Soma does not supply liability insurance.

Once you become certified, you are invited to attend other certification courses, continuing education courses and mat classes free of charge.

If you become injured during the course, you will be given up to one year to return. If you return after a year of your course start date, your hours will no longer be valid and you will be required to repeat your hours. Any tuition paid for at that time will be used for your return as long as it is within a year.

You are NOT permitted to teach Pilates privately or at any other gym or Pilates studio until you have completed your certification program at SOMA.

You are not permitted to solicit SOMA clients.

SOMA cannot guarantee that you will be given a job teaching Pilates upon completion of the course.

If you are late more than three times for the intensive program, you will be disqualified form the course and will not be refunded your deposit.

If you miss a day of the intensive program, you are permitted to schedule a make-up session with the director of the program at $85 per hour. If you are absent more than three days, you will be disqualified from the course and will not be refunded your deposit.

During the intensive seminar, you will be required to pass 6 quizzes (no fee for these quizzes). If you do not pass these quizzes, you will be required to schedule a private session with a certified Pilates instructor at $30 per session for each quiz you do not pass.

Studio Soma

Pilates Certification Program

Payment Options

Tuition: $ 3 500.00

Examination Fee: $ 195.00 per exam (three exams)

Anatomy Exam: $ 120.00

Option 1

Pay for 20 private Pilates sessions with a certified Pilates instructor at the discounted rate of $30.00 per session. (Regularly $85.00 per session.)

Pay Entire amount of tuition one week before course start date.

Exam fees are due upon taking the each exam.

Pay 50% of tuition one week prior to course start date and the balance paid in three installments due every 200 hours. Please note a 9% interest fee will be added to the total amount of the course for this payment option. The entire tuition (including interest if making payments), must be paid in full before receiving your certificate. Total amount of interest paid will be $315.00.

Please Note: Your actual Pilates certification will not be granted to you until all outstanding fees are paid in full.

Option 2

Pay for 20 private Pilates sessions with a certified Pilates instructor at the discounted rate of $30.00 per session. (Regularly $85.00 per session).

Work off your tuition. For every client you teach, you will receive a $10.00 credit towards your tuition. Once you have taught 400 hours you will have paid off your tuition plus 14.5% interest. Total amount of interest paid will be $500.00.

You will be required to pay for all exams. You cannot work off your exam fees.

If you are a certified Pilates instructor and need a refresher course, you need SOMA! The director of Studio Soma, Thalia Thomas is available for one on one sessions. She will review advanced variations with you, cover material you were not taught the first time around and brush up on exercises you have forgotten.

Studio Soma has the full line of equipment, some of which you may have never seen. Book a session with Thalia and she will guide you through new material that will improve your repertoire and allow you to become a better informed instructor.

Studio Soma also offers lectures with our resident Physical Therapists. These courses cover Pilates for rehab purposes. You will also learn what exercise NOT to give people with injuries.

Learn what your course did not teach you. For more information, please call Studio Soma on (310) 289-9043.