How is it different?

1. The Pilates Academy International produces instructors who are COMPETENT and CONFIDENT
2. After building a successful Pilates Studio in the heart of Manhattan from the ground up, the creators of The Pilates Academy International quickly learned that a strong knowledge of anatomy, biomechanics and the Pilates repertoire is not enough. Potential instructors must acquire the teaching and motivational skills essential to retaining the clients Pilates exercises are designed to help. Without both, a competent and confident instructor cannot be created. The Pilates Academy International focuses on these skills in addition to the anatomical and exercise knowledge.

1. In addition to detailed focus placed on the proper mechanical execution and "ideal form" of the exercise, an equal amount of time is placed on designing workouts for the variety of populations instructors will see as Pilates instructors.
2. The course structure augments the emphasis on workout design by teaching how the first tier exercises can be used as tools to analyze and assess the client's ability and needs quickly and accurately so that the new instructor can design a safe and effective workout without having to do a static posture analysis.
3. Additionally, each course also emphasizes client motivation. We will teach you the art of targeted question asking and evaluating feedback so that you engage your client in an exciting dialogue that makes him/her motivated and invested in his/her own progress.
4. The new program focuses on how to progress clients for optimal results. We've all had clients who lack sufficient core strength to try the more challenging exercises, and yet they need to feel challenged. We will spend time teaching you how to increase the intensity of exercises without raising the difficulty to an unsafe level.
5. The manuals
   1. 85-90% of the exercises are the same, but then again they are predominantly the same across certification systems, as every system works off of Joseph Pilates' original exercises. We HAVE, however, changed the following:
      1. Added new exercises
      2. Changed the levels and orders to facilitate more effective teaching of various populations
      3. Created (patented) workout templates for students to follow
      4. Special Progamming course
      5. New pre-course, "Anatomy, Biomechanics and Posture Analysis", teaching you the essentials of "body physics"
      6. New sports-specific CEC workshops
   2. The courses are structured so that students are encouraged as early in their certification as possible to learn about common injuries and special conditions/needs of your clients.
   3. Full mat certification will be attained once a student has taken All Populations Mat AND Mat Progressions/Challenge. Special Conditions: Foundations and Mat is a graduate level course. Courses on each piece of equipment are structured in a similar way.
   4. Bottom line: The Pilates Academy International will improve your client retention rate.

   What is crossing over

   1. "Crossing over" is a means by which former and current students from other certification systems can convert their coursework to apply to PAI (Pilates Academy International) certification.
   2. What is the cost of "Crossing Over"?

   For costs please contact Beth White, Director of Administration at:
   training@pilatesonfifth.com or 212-687-3787.

   3. How do I get started?

   1. Students applying for admission into a course administered by The Pilates Academy International will need the following:
      • Completed application form
      • 2 letters of recommendation, typed by someone you have worked with on a professional level
      • $200 deposit, refunded if you are not accepted
      • Evidence of teaching experience (not required)
      • Personal Statement summarizing your intentions
      • Anatomy, Biomechanics & Posture Review must be taken first.
   2. For more information, e-mail trainining@pilatesonfifth.com.

   4. What are the Pilates Academy International policies and guidelines?

   1. Click here to download the most recent Pilates Academy International Policies and Guidelines document.
   2. Click here for further information regarding the Pilates Academy International and policies regarding its courses and exams.

   5. How do I qualify? Does age or experience matter?

   1. Are you genuinely interested in the practice and education of Pilates? Are you interested in bettering your understanding of Pilates with a firm grasp in anatomy and biomechanics? Are you interested in bettering others with your understanding of Pilates? Then YOU qualify!
   2. Age does not matter!
   3. Experience does not count entirely. Although a background in Pilates and movement will assist you in your understanding of your Pilates certification courses, it is not necessary. Rather, we are interested in students that are genuinely interested in teaching Pilates with a precise understanding of the exercises and the biomechanics that follow. Great Pilates teachers do not have to be great Pilates practicioners. It is the understanding and capability of teaching the method that counts most! Read More...

   6. What are the benefits of becoming a Pilates Instructor with the Pilates Academy International?

   1. An unmatched skill-set in anatomy and biomechanics! When you become a certified Pilates instructor with the Pilates Academy International, you'll have a highly specialized skill that is greatly in demand. The demand for certified Pilates instructors with a thorough understanding of anatomy and biomechanics is growing quickly. This is a skill you can travel with; when you become a certified Pilates instructor, you can move from New York to Chicago or Seattle to Florida, feeling confident that you'll be able to find work wherever you go. Read More... 
   2. Helping clients that need your help! At the Pilates Academy International, we empower you to become a Pilates instructor fully capable of addressing your clients' goals. Helping someone learn to stack her vertebrae or relax her shoulders may not seem terribly glamorous, but it will dramatically change that client's life--and she will love you for it. Learn to listen to your clients' needs and help them achieve their goals, and you will become a Pilates instructor clients absolutely love. Read More...

   7. How is the Pilates Academy International unique from other Pilates certification schools?

   1. What makes Pilates Academy International different from other Pilates certification programs? For starters, we emphasize Pilates in the real world. You're likely to have "real world" clients with "real life" limitations and goals. If a client asked you for a Pilates workout that would improve her golf swing, would you be able to help her? If a client told you he had a recurring problem with his lower back, would you be able to work him out thoroughly while protecting his old injury? If a pregnant client told you that her new goal was to have a better delivery, and bounce back quicker after giving birth, would you be able to help her achieve these goals? For certification students who have graduated from the Pilates Academy International, the answer is "Yes!" We give them all the tools they need to become amazing teachers with tremendous knowledge and "real world" solutions. We also teach them to be great listeners. After all, if you don't find out what your clients goals are, how can you help them achieve their dreams? Read More...
   2. At the Pilates Academy International the quality of the curriculum is exceptional. We'll not only teach you about the biomechanics of Pilates, but about kinesiology and anatomy--essential subjects for anyone who is serious about teaching Pilates. The Pilates Academy International works with independent kinesiologists and chiropractors, as well as the Mt. Sinai School of Medicine, to offer the best possible "medical perspective" on Pilates form and technique. Read More... 
   3. In addition to a wealth of medical, anatomical, technical, and biomechanical knowledge, we teach our certification students how to simply be great teachers. Great teachers are engaging. They know how to motivate clients. They listen to clients' needs and actively help clients achieve their goals. Great teachers know how to motivate clients to work with the utmost passion and focus, while maintaining a safe, healthy environment. They also know how to keep workouts fresh. At Pilates Academy International, we're committed to producing teachers like these. Read More...
   4. Because Pilates mat classes tend to be much less expensive than Pilates equipment classes, many of our certification students come to Pilates Academy International with a wealth of mat knowledge and a dearth of equipment knowledge. However, at Pilates Academy International and Pilates on Fifth, we strongly believe use of the Pilates equipment to be an extremely important part of the effective, well-balanced Pilates workout.
      
      The Pilates Academy International, headquartered at Pilates on Fifth, can help you master all types of Pilates equipment. We offer traditional and advanced classes in the Reformer, Cadillac, Barrels, and Chair. We also offer traditional and advanced classes in Pilates mat work. Finally, Pilates Academy International offers classes for teaching Pilates to special populations, like pregnant, elderly, injured, or disabled clients. Certification will be given to certification students who successfully complete their classes. Read More...

   8. Is the Pilates Academy International recognized nationally and internationally?

   1. Yes! The Pilates Academy International offers Pilates mat and equioment certification that is recognized both nationally and internationally. The Pilates Academy International offers certification courses both nationally and internationally, as well. For a listing of our global Pilates certification program and satellite center(s) contact information, click here.

   9. What if I do not live in New York?

   1. Not in New York? Not a problem? The Pilates Academy International offers certification courses throughout several national and international satellite centers!
   2. For a listing of all Pilates Academy International satellite centers and their contact information, click here!

   10. How crucial is my certification as a Pilates Instructor?
   

   1. In the past, certification in Pilates was not overseen by a regulating board. This meant that just about anyone could open up a certification school offering students a "certification in Pilates." As the popularity of the Pilates system has grown, however, the need for a respected, regulated certification program has grown as well. The International Health, Racquet and Sports Club Association, or IHRSA, is one of the most important and powerful associations in fitness. Clubs and gyms that belong to IHRSA will soon be advised to hire instructors who are approved by that National Organization for Competency Assurance, known as NOCA. To teach Pilates at a IHRSA gym, you will soon have to be certified by a NOCA accredited program. Pilates Academy International is also applying for NOCA Accreditation, and thus is a great alternative to PMA. Earn your certification from us, and you'll be able to teach at any IHRSA gym or club. Read More...
   2. The more you know, the more hireable you'll be. As the popularity of Pilates increases in New York, the number of certified Pilates instructors grows. As long as you are committing yourself to becoming a Pilates instructor, you may as well commit yourself to being the very best Pilates teacher you can be. The more you know and the better trained you are, the more likely you are to earn a great living teaching Pilates.
      
      How can you separate yourself from the competition for teaching positions? First, you'll want to receive certification in all applicable areas of study. In other words, if you're going to teach equipment privates or duets on the Cadillac, you'll want to become certified on the Cadillac. Pilates Academy International offers certification courses in mat Pilates, Pilates Reformer, Cadillac, Arc Barrel, Ladder Barrel, and Chair, as well as Advanced techniques in these areas of study, and Pilates for special populations and injuries. Read more...

   11. What criteria should you weigh when choosing the right New York City Pilates certification courses for you?

   1. First, look at the quality of the instructors and the quality of the curriculum. At the Pilates Academy International, for instance, the quality of the curriculum is exceptional. We'll not only teach you about the biomechanics of Pilates, but about kinesiology and anatomy--essential subjects for anyone who is serious about teaching Pilates. The Pilates Academy International works with independent kinesiologists and chiropractors, as well as the Mt. Sinai School of Medicine, to offer the best possible "medical perspective" on Pilates form and technique. Read More...

   12. Does the Pilates Academy International offer Specailty Workshops? Pregnancy Workshops? Special Populations and Injuries Workshops?

   1. Yes, we certainly do! Our instructors will supply you not only with fresh, new workout designs, but with secrets for motivating and retaining clients. As teachers, we are constantly giving to our clients. From time to time, we have to feed ourselves new information, new knowledge, and new techniques, or we run out of good things to give our clients. Let our Pilates workshops empower you with fresh, engaging strategies and techniques.
      
      We teach all sorts of Pilates certification classes and workshops, from Pilates for pregnant clients, to special populations and injuries, to Pilates equipment classes. Want to brush up on your technique on the Reformer? We offer classes, advanced classes, and workshops. Want to learn challenging, current techniques for the Barrels, Cadillac, or Chair? Our instructors will guide you expertly. Read More...
   2. Not in New York? Not a problem! Owners and Directors of Pilates on Fifth and Pilates Academy International, Katherine and Kimberly Corp, introduce their new Pilates Workout and Training website -Ultimate Pilates Workouts.com! Ultimate Pilates Workouts offers video downloads of both Pilates mat and equipment exercises for special conditions, target areas, pregnancy, injuries/injury prevention, and full-length workouts accessible to all levels. You can also brush up on your Pilates exercise repetoire by visiting their Training video library where both classic and cutting-edge exercises alike are taught with precision. Visit www.ultimatepilatesworkouts.com today!

   13. Does the Pilates Academy International offer certification courses taught in foreign languages?

   1. Yes, we certainly do! Currently, Pilates Academy International offers Pilates certification courses taught in Japanese. Katherine and Kimberly Corp are the owners of Pilates on Fifth, and the founders of Pilates Academy International, the certification school headquartered at Pilates on Fifth. The Corp sisters are also fluent in Japanese. Before becoming professional Pilates instructors, the Corps majored in East Asian Studies at Duke University and did graduate work at Columbia University. With their BA in East Asian Studies and their Masters in International Affairs, the girls are truly unique in the Pilates world.
      

      Their unique combination of skills enables them to regularly teach Pilates certification courses to Japanese students. In addition to offering Pilates certifications taught in Japanese, Kimberly and Katherine are actively working on a project to increase Pilates awareness in the Far East. Read More...