with Tom McCook, Fay Grove and RaeLea Saxton
The Pilates Reformer is an extraordinarily flexible piece of exercise equipment allowing resistance and support for exercises involving every part of the body. Our program gives you a thorough understanding of how to use the Reformer to develop core and extremity strength, stability, flexibility, coordination and balance. The wide range of exercises provides a stimulating workout for clients at any level of ability.
Our Reformer teacher training program includes:
- Exercise instruction in the complete Pilates Reformer repertoire
- A comprehensive manual consistent with current national standards
- Cuing, coaching, safety and teaching tips for clients at different levels of ability
- Guidelines for teaching older adults, pre- and post-natal women, and clients with back, knee, neck and shoulder conditions
- Program design for clients at every level including sports specific lessons
- Equipment safety and maintenance
Hybrid Format !
Our Reformer and Apparatus courses will be offered both virtually and in-studio, giving students flexibility and an opportunity to join in from anywhere in the world!
50% Discount - Balanced Body Alumni!
For Alumni who would like to retake any course at Center of Balance, we extend a 50% discount! This is a great opportunity for refreshing your skills! Email us for the discount code!
REFORMER 1: Introduction to Reformer & Movement Principles
September 13, 14, 20, 27, 2024
Hybrid (In-studio and virtual options)
REFORMER 1 introduces the Universal Reformer, the center piece of the Pilates equipment studio and an invaluable training tool. Reformer 1 includes an introduction to safely using the Pilates Reformer for a wide variety of supine, seated and standing exercises for the beginning to intermediate student. Movement Principles include improving lower body alignment, creating balanced muscle development and learning a protocol for effectively training the upper body.
Days and Times (California Time)
- Friday 9/13: 9:30am - 1:30pm
- Saturday 9/14: 12:30pm - 4:30pm
- Friday 9/20: 9:30am - 1:30pm
- Friday 9/27: 9:30am - 1:30pm
Prerequisites
- Pilates Movement Principles
- 20 Pilates Reformer sessions completed
Important Protocols for Successful Completion of this Course
The protocol for the Balanced Body teacher training is to be in live attendance and participation for all hours of each course. For virtual students, you must have your camera on at all times. The purpose of this is for you to learn in real time with feedback in the live learning process. It also is to stay current with the group and be in alignment with the standards of a certifying program, and to help ensure your success in completing the coursework with confidence.
For all equipment trainings (Reformer, Apparatus, CoreAlign, Bodhi)
For Virtual students, in addition to the above protocols, you’ll need to have the appropriate equipment to participate in the training. We strongly recommend you use a computer or laptop, not a phone.
Instructors
Tom McCook, Fay Grove, Rae Lea Saxton
Cost
$595
REFORMER 2: Intermediate Exercises
Hybrid (In-studio and virtual options)
Reformer 2 expands the potential of the Reformer with intermediate and advanced exercises and modifications along with programs designs for special populations including pre–and post–natal clients and clients with osteoporosis and lower back injuries. Class design, dynamic assessment and correcting common dysfunctional movement patterns are also included.
November 1, 2, 8, 15, 2024
Days and Times (California Time)
- Friday 11/1: 9:30am - 1:30pm
- Saturday 11/2: 12:30pm - 4:30pm
- Friday 11/8: 9:30am - 1:30pm
- Friday 11/15: 9:30am - 1:30pm
Prerequisites
- Reformer 1 completed
Important Protocols for Successful Completion of this Course
The protocol for the Balanced Body teacher training is to be in live attendance and participation for all hours of each course. For virtual students, you must have your camera on at all times. The purpose of this is for you to learn in real time with feedback in the live learning process. It also is to stay current with the group and be in alignment with the standards of a certifying program, and to help ensure your success in completing the coursework with confidence.
For all equipment trainings (Reformer, Apparatus, CoreAlign, Bodhi)
For Virtual students, in addition to the above protocols, you’ll need to have the appropriate equipment to participate in the training. We strongly recommend you use a computer or laptop, not a phone.
Instructors
Tom McCook, Fay Grove, Rae Lea Saxton
Cost
$595
REFORMER 3: Advanced Exercises & Programming
Hybrid (In-studio and virtual options)
Reformer 3 is the pinnacle of the Reformer work and includes advanced and super advanced exercises to challenge clients to achieve their best. Progressive sequences designed to teach students advanced movement skills are included along with an introduction to the revolutionary Principle Based Programming System helping you to create successful classes for clients at any level.
April 19, 20, 26 & May 3, 2024
Days and Times (California Time)
- Friday 4/19: 9am - 1pm
- Saturday 4/20: 12:30pm - 4:30pm
- Friday 4/26: 9am - 1pm
- Friday 5/3: 9am - 1pm
Prerequisites
- Reformer 2 completed
Important Protocols for Successful Completion of this Course
The protocol for the Balanced Body teacher training is to be in live attendance and participation for all hours of each course. For virtual students, you must have your camera on at all times. The purpose of this is for you to learn in real time with feedback in the live learning process. It also is to stay current with the group and be in alignment with the standards of a certifying program, and to help ensure your success in completing the coursework with confidence.
For all equipment trainings (Reformer, Apparatus, CoreAlign, Bodhi)
For Virtual students, in addition to the above protocols, you’ll need to have the appropriate equipment to participate in the training. We strongly recommend you use a computer or laptop, not a phone.
Instructors
Tom McCook, Fay Grove, Rae Lea Saxton
Cost
$595
Prerequisites
- 20 Pilates Reformer classes
- Completion of Pilates Movement Principles highly recommended (required for test out)
- Anatomy recommended (required for test out)
Practice Sangha
Center of Balance is committed to support and encourage students actively enrolled in the BB training courses at Center of Balance and working toward certification. A key piece of this process is the hours required to build teaching skills and confidence, specifically in completing your hours of observation, practice teaching and self-practice. Our goal is to help you develop the confidence and skills to teach by providing a rich learning environment that you can be immersed in, and not train in isolation. We want for you to feel that you have a base at Center of Balance to practice, observe and collaborate with others in the training and learn from the staff of teachers at the studio.
Practice Sangha, or "Practice Community," is a program specifically for BB student teachers actively studying at Center of Balance toward Reformer and/or full certification. It begins after Reformer 1. The cost is $100/month and includes the following:
Observation (Pilates equipment), self-practice and practice teaching hours (during studio hours Monday through Saturday). These hours are to be scheduled in advance during select times for seamless accommodation in our busy studio. Note that teacher-led classes and sessions are not part of the Practice Sangha — we do offer discounted rates for students actively enrolled in the full certification program at Center of Balance. Also note that observation is for private Pilates equipment sessions and not mat classes or group classes.
Required Materials (Available From Balanced Body)
Please contact Balanced Body for required materials at 1-877-Pilates (745-2837)
To become a fully qualified Balanced Body Reformer Instructor, students must complete the following:
- Movement Principles module
- Reformer 1, 2 and 3 modules
- Reformer Practical hours (150 hours total)
- 30 Reformer personal sessions
- 30 observation hours
- 90 student teaching hours - Anatomy
Total hours: 214 (not including anatomy)
(NOTE: Center of Balance offers discount rates for students who are actively enrolled in the full training program (Mat, Reformer and Apparatus) at Center of Balance. The student discount begins once a student has taken Reformer 1 & 2 and Apparatus 1).
Upon completion of all of the requirements, a certificate of completion as a Balanced Body University Reformer Instructor will be issued.
About Tom McCook
ACE, NCPT, Balanced Body Educator and Mentor, Franklin Method Level 3 Educator, Certified Somatic Coach
Tom McCook, Founder and Director of Center of Balance in Mountain View, CA, is an internationally-recognized Pilates Educator and movement specialist. Beginning in 1984, Tom designs programs for health and life performance for a range of clients, from Silicon Valley executives and Olympic athletes, to active seniors and people looking for solutions to their imbalances and injuries.
Tom’s mission is to improve people’s lives through movement! He teaches a practical and accessible way to understand your own body and then apply it to your movement practice. These skills go beyond exercise to cultivate health, body wisdom, and being responsive and resilient in life.
Tom's unique teaching approach synthesizes over 35 years of fitness training, Pilates, body therapy, Somatic Coaching, the Franklin Method, Anatomy in Motion and meditation. His fascination with movement began at an early age playing sports and growing up in a large athletic family with 11 siblings. His long and successful history working with athletes include the Stanford women's swim team and four Olympic Gold medal swimmers.
Tom has been leading teacher trainings in the Pilates Method since 2001. He is on the faculty of Balanced Body for Pilates, CoreAlign and the Bodhi Suspension System. Tom is also a sought-after international presenter and mentor.
Tom lives on the coast outside of San Francisco with his wife and business partner, Karen deMoor.
Tom's Link Tree: All the ways to access Tom's work!
About RaeLea Saxton
RaeLea Saxton is a Nationally Certified Pilates Trainer and Balanced Body Educator. She holds a BS in Kinesiology from San Francisco State with a Minor in Dance and is a Licensed Physical Therapy Assistant. She has over 20 years of teaching movement to people and over ten years of working with rehabilitation clients for Orthopedic Injuries and Surgical Recovery. RaeLea has taught and educated Pilates Instructors through the Balanced Body Education program since 2015.
RaeLea's teaching style is passionate, upbeat, and informative. Her motivating and positive instruction will inspire you along your Pilates education journey.
About Fay Grove
Fay is a Balanced Body Educator for: Pilates, Bodhi, CoreAlign, and MOTR. She is also a Level 3 Franklin Method® Educator, a Group Exercise and a Yapana Yoga instructor. As an educator, she strives to help her students reach their full potential by improving their skills through deliberate practice and supporting them in their path.
Fay was born and raised in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. During a trip to NYC in 1998 she discovered her strong interest in Pilates when a friend asked for her to serve as the body for their Pilates certification. Fay enjoyed the combination of balance, strength and body awareness that Pilates brings with it, and her passion for its training was quickly ignited. She moved to the US in 2004 where she began studying Pilates method at PHI and shortly thereafter earned her comprehensive BASI Pilates certification. She became dedicated to educating people about mindful movement and how it can improve lives. She served as the Mind Body Corporate Director at US Fitness Group working with a strong team to successfully grow its Mind Body program by over 80%. Fay rolled out high quality and affordable education programs for trainers and helped her team with their career development and business confidence. In 2020, Fay left US Fitness to start her own company with the goal of coaching trainers on how to effectively incorporate mindful movement into their practice and grow their business.
Fay firmly believes in deepening her knowledge and she has had the privilege to train with many distinguished Movement teachers. Prior to her Pilates education, Fay studied theater and earned a BA in marketing and communication from PUC-RJ. She worked as a General Manager of a chain of stores as well as an event planner in Rio. Later she had a speed dating events company with her husband and they sold the company in 2008 so she could focus fully in her new career.
