Core Dynamics Pilates FAQ's

"Core Dynamics highest priority is on passing along their knowledge so that apprentices
will become inspired, knowledgeable, compassionate, and creative teachers who
are grounded in the work of Joseph Pilates". -Cameron Gregory

FAQ's

Core Dynamics Pilates Frequently Asked Questions

Please review these pages to see if your burning questions about the teacher training program are answered. If you still have questions, please do not hesitate to call us at 505.988.5076 or email inquiry@coredynamicspilates.com.

You can order the teacher training materials early by paying the $15 UPS shipping fee. Please call the Santa Fe office at 505.988.5076.

These DVD’s are not required, but are recommended. They can be very helpful in preparing you for the workshops, learning the Core Dynamics order of the exercises and exercise technique. If you do not have a Core Dynamics mentoring studio near-by these DVD’s can really help you learn the exercise technique you need to know.

As soon as your application has been processed, you have paid the application fee and you receive the Core Dynamics welcome letter, you can begin to log your personal practice hours as well as hours spent in observation and mentoring.

Once you take the Level 1 workshop, you can begin to practice teach at no fee to family and friends. Log these hours toward your practice teaching requirement.

Remember, you can only teach the exercise levels that correspond to the workshops you have attended. This way as you progress through the training workshops Level 1 through 4, you will build your understanding and ability to teach progressively more challenging exercises.

We recommend that you do a minimum of 50% of your required hours at a Core Dynamics mentoring studio. These studios are the best equipped to prepare you for the weekend workshops, to assist you to work with clients and to answer your questions about the Core Dynamics program and requirements. We find that students who work within a Core Dynamics setting are more successful in their training.

Core Dynamics recommends that initially you teach for free as this reflects your skills, knowledge and ability. As you progress through the program, fees charged will depend on your mentoring studio’s policy and your growing skills as a teacher. Please call us if you have more questions regarding this issue.

I have a mat or other certification from another Pilates organization. Can any of this training be counted toward my Core Dynamics requirements?

Submit your certification and hours when you attend the level 1 workshop. You will be evaluated as to how your previous training compliments the Core Dynamics program and a determination as to how you may count your previous training will be given. Previous training is evaluated on a case by case basis.

Call the Santa Fe office at 505.988.5076 to reserve a space and pay the $200 deposit. Deposits are due 60 days in advance and the total balance is due 30 days before the workshop is scheduled to begin.

We can transfer your fee to any other workshop as needed due to weather, health or family emergency. Other changes should be made at least 21 days in advance. We can give you a refund on a workshop 21 days in advance or due to the conditions listed above.

We generally recommend that you plan on a year to complete your training. Our current program will continue through August 2008, so you should attempt to schedule your training to be completed with this time frame in mind. Teacher training will continue after this date with changes to be announced in the near future.

I noticed that the training program does not include teaching group equipment classes, why?

Teaching equipment classes is an advanced skill and requires more training hours than are currently included in the 450 hour program. In order to keep our training requirement reasonable, the training focuses on private lessons and mat classes. It is advisable to begin teaching privates and mat classes to develop your skill and eye before tackling equipment classes. Advanced workshops in teaching groups and equipment classes are offered at various Core Dynamics locations during the calendar year.

If you want to observe a weekend workshop that you have already taken at the same training site, you can do so free of charge within one calendar year. However, if you want to observe a weekend workshop that you have already taken at a training site different than the one you attended, there is a $100 per day observation fee. You may count these hours towards your observation requirements.

Contact the Santa Fe office at 505.988.5076 to reserve a spot and pay any fees to observe a weekend workshop.

How can I find out the times for the weekend workshops, how to get there and local lodging?

Once you pay the $200 deposit to reserve your space in a workshop, you will be sent a packet of information including workshop times, maps and local lodging. You can also download a pdf document from the teacher training schedule page on the web site that will give you this information.

You will be provided with an evaluation at the end of each weekend workshop. This evaluation will detail your strengths and weaknesses as well as let you know when you should plan on taking the next level of training. You will be asked to take this evaluation to each weekend, so that the teacher trainer can review previous comments and provide you with a running record of your progress through the program.

Can I take the final written and practical exam immediately after the Level 4 workshop?

We recommend that you take 3 to 6 months after the level 4 workshop to refine your teaching and personal practice skills prior to taking the final tests. You are still learning techniques and receiving feedback during the level 4 training that may influence both your teaching and personal practice. It is in your best interests to take as much time as needed in developing the skills necessary to complete the Core Dynamics program successfully.

Yes, you must submit your completed training hours with your final written test before you can take the practical exams.