Course Competency Criteria

Course providers and faculty

PAA approved Professional courses must be VET accredited, delivered through a registered training organization (RTO), and provide graduates with a minimum AQF diploma qualification. PAA approved VET accredited courses must cover the skills and knowledge required to programme, instruct and modify a Pilates class in a studio setting (all apparatus and mat) for up to 4 clients, within national protocols and guidelines.

The course must equip graduates to teach classes in a studio environment catering to a limited general public with apparently healthy bodies and clients with specific musculoskeletal or pathological issues and conditions. E.g., lordosis, kyphosis, head forward, LBP, neck issues/shoulder/knee issues.

• The course must be delivered in part and guided by a Principal Trainer or appropriate faculty tutors of a recognised training organisation.
• The course director or principal tutor must be a PAA Practitioner Member – Principal Trainer or equivalent.
• Faculty tutors must be PAA Practitioner Member – Trainer Level 1 or equivalent.
• Course providers should be able to demonstrate a lineage to Joseph & Clara Pilates’ specific works.

Course timeframe and minimum hours

• Course entry requires a pre-requisite of 25 hours of Pilates experience in any format.
• The timeframe for course delivery is a minimum of 24 weeks and a minimum of 500 total course hours allocated as follows:
  • Face-to-face and online delivery of theory/content – minimum of 120 hours combined.
  • Work experience – minimum of 300 hours of observation and assistant teaching combined. Minimum 50% of work experience must be assistant teaching at an approved studio.
  • Self-mastery – minimum of 80 hours. 50% of these hours need to be classes with a PAA Practitioner member, Level 2 or above (or equivalent).
  • All course hours (observation, self-mastery and work experience) to be logged by student with details of experience/exercises covered. Must be signed off by faculty member.

Course content

The course submission must show evidence that the course delivers and facilitates the knowledge, understanding and performance (where relevant) of the following:

1. History and development of the Pilates Method
2. Philosophy, concepts and principles of the Pilates Method and how the mat or reformer fits within the total system of the Pilates Method.
3. Knowledge, instruction and performance of Pilates repertoire on all apparatus and mat, to full Intermediate level.
4. Applied anatomy & physiology
5. Movement analysis, including basic biomechanics and a knowledge of common movement dysfunctions, postural concerns and corrections
6. Knowledge of common injuries and pain syndromes e.g. joint strains and sprains, lower back pain, knee, shoulder pain
7. Pre-exercise clearance of clients to determine suitability for Pilates classes, with provision of appropriate industry standard screening templates.
8. Initial assessment process, including recording of pre-existing condition, postural assessment, identification of faulty postures and postural correction with provision of appropriate industry standard templates.
9. Teaching methodology and programming for full studio classes using all large and small apparatus as well as common props, and catering for a wide range of body types. Must include knowledge of appropriate modifications and contra-indications for common postural conditions and pain syndromes.
10. Study of special populations and appropriate application of the repertoire to these populations
11. Assessment and progression tools to review and analyse ongoing client condition, progress, and goals. Must include provision of industry standard templates for recording individual client sessions (e.g., SOAP notes) and protocols for scheduling of ongoing assessments.
12. Use, maintenance and safety protocols of all Pilates apparatus /props
13. Workplace health and safety (government accredited unit or equivalent)
14. Understanding of PAA scope of practice for Pilates Practitioner level instructors

Manuals and Resources

Course repertoire and analysis of repertoire to intermediate level (all large and small apparatus and mat) supported by appropriate manuals and handout material.

• Student manual – including scope of practice for Pilates Practitioner, observation and assisted teaching guidelines and protocols, instructor/supervisor feedback processes, complaints processes.
• Full repertoire manual – for all major apparatus (reformer, chairs, Cadillac, barrels, purpose of exercises, technique, modifications and contraindications.
• Use and purpose of props and small apparatus in a studio or group class setting

Delivery arrangements must be documented and all props/apparatus must be available for course delivery hours and practice and sufficient room available for demonstration by trainer and practice by students.

Course assessment

Students need to demonstrate an ability to perform, program, teach and modify exercises in a variety of class settings, up to an intermediate level, (with accompanying props and small apparatus) to a wide range of body types and common musculoskeletal conditions.

Course assessment must include:

• Appropriately timed written, self-mastery and teaching assessments throughout the training.
• Minimum of one final written assessment
• Minimum of one self-mastery assessment in which student performs a range of exercises across all apparatus, to an intermediate level.
• Minimum of one teaching assessment in which student teaches a range of exercises on all apparatus and mat to an intermediate level, including the use of props and small apparatus where appropriate.