The Pilates Teacher Association are a not for profit body based in the United Kingdom who are working towards recognition of the distinct profession “Pilates Teacher” with a new skilled occupation code.
In creating an occupation that represents Comprehensive Teachers from many schools of Pilates education, it is important to understand how the sector works and where are the commonalities and differences. In 2016/2017 the PTA carried out a quantitative survey of the Pilates teaching community which was created and analysed in collaboration with researchers from the University of the West of Scotland. The Principal Investigator was Professor Moira Lewitt., Chair of Pilates Teacher Association. The results led to the creation of a framework describing the teaching activities and the results were published in a peer reviewed academic Journal.
When describing a physical activity using the word Pilates, the authors have recommended the following:
Comprehensive Pilates teaching: where a lesson is taught to an individual who follows a set of exercises on unique apparatus close to those designed by Joseph Pilates. The lesson may also include exercises on the apparatus developed by a brand of Pilates teacher training. The session would be taught by an Individual who holds a fully comprehensive Pilates teaching qualification or is in the process of training to become a Comprehensive Pilates Teacher.
Pilates based teaching; where a lesson is taught to an individual or a small group using some exercises and often a single piece of apparatus, most commonly a reformer, close to those designed by Joseph Pilates. The lesson may also include exercises on the apparatus developed by a brand, created by the teacher and may have non-Pilates designed exercise equipment such as balls or bands. The session may be taught by an Individual who holds a fully comprehensive Pilates teaching qualification, is in training to become a Comprehensive Pilates teacher or holds a fitness industry mat qualification with continuing professional development in Pilates based exercises on equipment.
Pilates based Matwork
The lesson is taught to an individual, but most commonly a group of individuals who follow a set of exercises on the mat. The lesson may include some or all of the exercises identified in the publication Return to Life through Contrology by Joseph Pilates in 1945. It could also include exercises created by a teacher training brand, breakdowns of exercises and creative activities The lesson may include equipment such as the Pilates magic circle or fitness industry accessories such as balls, bands, foam rollers and may be accompanied by music. It may be taught by an Individual who holds a fully comprehensive Pilates teaching qualification, is in training to become a Comprehensive Pilates teacher or holds a fitness industry mat qualification.
Not Pilates (Pilates Inspired)
Where there are no identifiable Pilates exercises, incorporates fitness components such as HIIT, Barre or other modalities such as yoga.
