The Balanced Body Pilates Mat teacher training includes the complete Pilates Mat repertoire as well as an introduction to the movement principles that make Pilates such a successful exercise program. Modifications and variations are included to help you successfully teach a wide range of clients. The Balanced Body Pilates Mat training will empower you to become a successful, creative and transformative Pilates teacher. Courses are taught by our Master Instructor team: Tom McCook, Fay Grove and Rae Lea Saxton.
Virtual Modules - Join us from anywhere!
Pilates Movement Principles, Mat 1, 2 & 3 will all be taught virtually - If you live in another State or Country, you can join us live for these modules!
Our Mat teacher training program includes:
- Exercise instruction in the complete Pilates Mat repertoire
- A comprehensive manual consistent with current national standards
- Cuing, coaching and teaching tips for clients at different levels of ability
- Safety information for teaching older adults, pre- and post-natal women, and clients with back, knee, neck and shoulder conditions
- Tips on teaching successful group programs
50% Discount - Balanced Body Alumni!
For Alumni who would like to retake any course, we extend a 50% discount! This is a great opportunity for refreshing your skills! Email us for the discount code!
Pilates Movement Principles - Virtual
February 2, 3, 9, 16, 2024
Days and Times (California Time)
- Friday 2/2: 9am - 1pm
- Saturday 2/3: 9am - 1pm
- Friday 2/9: 9am - 1pm
- Friday 2/16: 9am - 1pm
Movement is critical in everything we do – gain a foundational understanding of the body in motion, and how to use it in improving your clients’ every day lives! Learn how to recognize, improve and teach fundamental movement patterns with the Movement Principles, the foundation of the Balanced Body instructor training system. This course is designed for both new and experienced instructors to refine their understanding of the body in motion. Movement Principles is the prerequisite for the Balanced Body Pilates program and the heart of the Balanced Body Movement Specialist Certification. Take it to become a truly transformative instructor!
The Balanced Body Movement Principles form the foundation of Balanced Body Education. This course includes the most important information on anatomy, assessment, biomechanics and foundational exercises needed to become a successful Pilates teacher, personal trainer or movement educator. The course mixes information on how the body works with basic exercises to illustrate the information in movement. Broken down into five categories: Whole Body Movement, Trunk Integration, Lower Body Strength and Power, Upper Body Strength and Balance and Dynamic Flexibility, Rest and Relaxation, the Movement Principles provide a solid foundation for training in any environment, with any equipment. You will come away with a complete tool box for effectively training clients to recover from injuries, improve their general fitness and enhance their performance. The focus on practical understanding of common movement patterns prepares instructors to be excellent at problem solving, goal setting and learning new exercise techniques with ease.
Program includes:
- General discussion and overview of anatomy including bones and joints in specific relationship to movement
- Exercise instruction in foundational exercises which apply to any movement and fitness setting
- A detailed, full color manual with 5 accompanying DVDs and streaming video to enhance your learning experience
- Cuing, coaching and teaching tips
Prerequisites
- Movement experience recommended
- Anatomy recommended
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 / Module plus materials
MAT 1: Introduction to Pilates & Beginning/Intermediate Exercises - Virtual
March 1, 2, 8, 15, 2024
Days and Times (California Time)
- Friday 3/1: 9am - 1pm
- Saturday 3/2: 9am - 1pm
- Friday 3/8: 9am - 1pm
- Friday 3/15: 9am - 1pm
Mat 1 forms the foundation of the Pilates method. This course includes an introduction to the history and principles of the Pilates method and the beginning and intermediate level exercises. Each exercise includes training on modifications, challenges,the purpose of the exercise and any precautions for injuries and special populations. How to design and teach group classes and guidelines for teaching seniors and pre and post-natal classes are included.
Prerequisites
- Pilates Movement Principles
- 10 Pilates Mat Classes completed
- Movement experience recommended
- Anatomy recommended
Instructors
Tom McCook, Fay Grove, Rae Lea Saxton
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.
Cost
$595 / Module plus materials
MAT 2: Intermediate/Advanced Exercises - Virtual
March 29, 30, April 5, 12, 2024
Days and Times (California Time)
- Friday 3/29: 9am - 1pm
- Friday 3/30: 9am - 1pm
- Friday 4/5: 9am - 1pm
- Friday 4/12: 9am - 1pm
Mat 2 includes the remaining intermediate and advanced level exercises as well as essential movement principles and training tips for advancing clients to the higher levels. Pilates for sports specific activities are also covered.
Prerequisites
- Completion of Mat 1
Instructor
Tom McCook, Fay Grove, Rae Lea Saxton
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.
Cost
$595 plus materials
MAT 3: Enhanced Pilates Mat and Props - Virtual
April 26, 27, May 3, 10, 2024
Days and Times (California Time)
- Friday 4/26: 9am - 1pm
- Saturday 4/27: 9am - 1pm
- Friday 5/3: 9am - 1pm
- Friday 5/10: 9am - 1pm
Enhanced Pilates Mat completes the mat training by adding rings, rollers, bands and balls to the traditional Mat exercises. In addition, Enhanced Mat includes functional exercises for the upper and lower body expanding the Mat work beyond the core to develop whole body strength and flexibility. The Balanced Body programming system is introduced to make class design easy, effective and fun. Adding props to a mat class makes them more dynamic, creative and accessible and clients love toys!
Enhanced Pilates Mat and Props Instructor Training course includes:
• Detailed manual and instructor training video to support your learning process.
• The Balanced Body Movement Principles to enhance your teaching skills.
• Balanced Body programming system to help you create classes quickly and easily. Photos of each exercise sequence to aid in class design.
• Progressions, regressions and modifications to make Pilates Mat useful for everyone.
Enhanced Pilates Mat and Props expands the concept of Pilates mat to reach a wider audience and create new fitness opportunities for you and your clients.
Prerequisites
- Completion of Mat 2
Instructors
Tom McCook, Fay Grove, Rae Lea Saxton
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.
Cost
$595 / Module plus materials
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 Mat Instructor, students must complete the following:
- Movement Principles module
- Mat 1, 2 and 3 modules
- Mat Practical hours (70 total hours)
- 20 Mat personal sessions
- 15 observation hours
- 35 student teaching hours - Anatomy (recommended)
Total hours: 134
Upon completion of all of the requirements, a certificate of completion as a Balanced Body University Mat 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.
