Mat Series
Click here for a PDF version of the Mat Course Information.
Mat Series
Polestar Pilates fitness programs provide instruction in Pilates principles, techniques and practice with emphasis on group dynamics for Mat or Allegro Reformer.
The Fitness Program is designed for personal trainers and group exercise instructors. It is also appropriate for instructors of movement arts such as dance, yoga, and Tai Chi, as well as practitioners of somatic movement such as Feldenkrais ® and Alexander ® Techniques. These programmes enable fitness professionals to incorporate Polestar Pilates-evolved exercises into their training regimens. Programme design and exercise sequencing are addressed for group formats and one-on-one training. Theory and practice of Polestar principles and instruction techniques are applied to each exercise. Verbal, tactile and combined cueing practices are addressed to facilitate motor learning.
Mat Prerequisites
1. Certified fitness instructor or instructor of movement arts (e.g. yoga, tai Chi, practitioners of somatic movement)
2. One semester of basic anatomy/physiology or equivalent
2. Participation in 25 hours of group or private Pilates classes
The Polestar Pilates Mat Series consists of 4 two day courses as follows: The courses must be taken in the following order: P-F, M-1, M-2, M-3.
PF - Pilates Principles for Fitness (2 days, 16 hours)
This non-apparatus course introduces current research in movement science, motor learning, bioenergetics, and communication science to instructional practice through six basic movement principles which are used throughout the Polestar Pilates curriculum. Tactile, verbal and imagery cues are integrated with the Pilates exercises. This course introduces Polestar Pilates Screening™, which includes postural evaluation and functional testing, to prepare you to properly design a plan to implement Pilates exercises for clients. This unique component significantly enhances decision-making skills as a Pilates practitioner.
For those individuals taking more than one fitness series (such as Mat and/or Allegro), this course is required only once.
M1 thru M3: Pilates Mat Levels 1-3 (6 days - (3 x 2-day courses)
Polestar Pilates Mat program provides instruction in Pilates principles, techniques and practice with emphasis on group dynamics for the Pilates Mat.
After the Pilates Principles for Fitness course (PF), the Pilates Mat program continues with three 2-day courses scheduled approximately one month apart. The time between courses allows you to practice and become comfortable with the material before continuing to the next course.
The principles learned in PF will be applied throughout the three courses and you will learn the following:
1. Mat exercises for beginning through advanced levels
2. Dynamics of group training
3. Program design and exercise sequencing
4. Advanced cueing skills
5. Exercise modifications for a variety of populations
6. Use of small props* (foam rollers, Ultra-Fit Circle®, springs, gym balls, rotating discs and balance boards)
Mat Certification
Certification involves completing the series, completion of assignments and short quizzes, as well as a number of hours of observations, self-mastery, assistant teaching, and practical teaching (as outlined below). Full certification is given once the final written and practical exam is passed - pass mark is 80%.
Course |
Pre-Course |
Lectures |
Observation |
Practice |
Apprentice Teaching |
Mat Series |
25 |
64 |
25 |
25 |
50 |
Course fees include attendance at lectures, student manuals and handouts, morning and afternoon teas. Students are responsible for all personal extras, such as travel and accommodation and personal supplies and lunch during the course dates.
Text Books
As part of the training students will be required to purchase the following course textbooks (additional to course fees):
- Anatomy of Movement , Blandine Calais-Germain: Eastland Press 1993
- The Complete Writings of Joseph H Pilates (Return To Life & Your Health) , Joseph Pilates: Bain Bridge Books
[Polestar has copies of these books available from head office in Sydney Please call to order.]
Mentoring
As shown above students will be required to complete practice hours (self-mastery), which are in addition to course fees. Polestar have a national network of Australian mentors that can offer assistance with practice and teaching hours. Please contact Polestar for a list of names and locations. Further information will be given out on the first day of the course. Go to our mentoring webpage.
Examination
The Mat Certification exam consists of two parts:
1) A one-hour written exam consisting of 50 multiple choice questions (50 points)
2) Participation in a mock mat class. During this practical section the candidate both teaches a portion of a mat class and demonstrates their exercise performance as a ‘student’ in a class of 6-10 candidates. Candidates will be evaluated on exercise modification, sequencing, accuracy, verbal and tactile cueing and the quality of the instruction. (50 points)
The written portion of the exam lasts approximately 1.5 hours in total and the practical lasts approximately one hour. The entire exam is worth a total of 100 points. The candidate will need to achieve an 80% pass mark on both written and theory sections of the exam.
