Blog

What Pilates or Barre Teacher Training is Actually Like

If you’ve never trained online before, I’m sure you’ve been wondering what the actual process is like. Let’s break it down.

Firstly. It’s super fun. We’ve been facilitating teacher training for years and we’ve trained hundreds of instructors for our own studios and even more for the rest of the industry. We know how to teach and we know how to have fun!

Here’s a step by step guide on how the whole online teacher training journey evolves. We’ve broken it down into 6 steps for you.

Step 1 – SIGN UP

The online sign up process is almost too easy. It’s just like buying a pair of jeans online, and the minute you do it (unlike the jeans), you’ll have access and you can start your course. Like, straightaway. We’ll send you your manual via courier, and voilà, you’re on your way to becoming a certified teacher.

Step 2 – CONNECT

We encourage you to join our private facebook group so you can connect with us on deeper level and with fellow teacher trainees and graduates. This is a beautiful aspect of our program. Lifelong friendships have been made, teaching gigs have been advertised and found, experience and creativity has been shared, and more. It’s a lovely community to be part of.

Step 3 – STUDY

This is the really juicy part. Our trainings are made up of a series of modules and you can complete them from anywhere, anytime. Each module contains theory, video lectures, practical application, virtual barre & Pilates classes, review and a quiz. If you want to power through, you can dive straight in and finish all the modules in about a week. Or you can take it slower. You’ll have six months to complete the course, so you’ll be able to take your time if you so choose.

Step 4 – REVIEW

In order to absorb the learning, you’ll need to review the content, particularly the repertoire (the exercises) and anatomy. It’s very helpful to watch the anatomy videos several times over – our graduates say that the anatomy component is a favourite part of the course because our master trainer, Miriam delivers the theory in a way that’s easy to absorb and properly understand. And wait for it, FUN. Yes, anatomy can be fun. You’ll also need to play the repertoire videos over and over so you can start to learn the set-up and cues for each exercise. This part is really fun too. And it burns (in the good way).

Step 5 – PRACTICE

One of the requirements of our certification programs is to complete the following:
1. 20 hours of observing classes (so you can see other teachers in action)
2. 20 hours of class participation (so you can feel and practice the method)
3. 10 hours of practice teaching (to friends, family or the mirror)

NB. During the corona-virus shut down period, you are able to complete these hours online (via Barre Body Online or similar) rather than in your local studio.

This might seem like a lot, but it means that you will really understand the material and be able to teach confidently.

Step 6 – ASSESSMENT

To fully qualify, you’ll need to submit a written class plan plus a video of you teaching a 50-60 minute class. You can send that to us via vimeo or youtube. Ideally, you will teach at least one person in your video, but if that’s not possible (hello coronavirus, I’m looking at you), you can just teach to the camera. If you have an iphone or android, this is easy to do and we’ll give you step-by-step instructions.

Step 7 – QUALIFY!!!

We’ll review your assessment within a week or two and provide in depth feedback to help you further refine your teaching. If we think you are ready, we’ll send your digital certificate to you immediately. If we think you need a little more coaching, we’ll encourage you to resubmit. We’ll support you until you are ready to graduate.

So how long does it all take?

Most people complete the above in 3-6 months, but we’ve had some very keen beans submit their assessment within a few weeks. And, if you want an express assessment period, for a small fee we can turn it around in 2-3 business days.