Insight into the journey of becoming a Pilates teacher — BASI Pilates

WellBeing chats to BASI Pilates Australia about what makes Pilates unique, the journey to becoming a Pilates teacher, the joys of teaching, and the courses to set your path into motion.

What makes Pilates unique from other exercises like yoga, or weight training?

The Pilates Method focuses on core strength, body alignment, stability, functional movement and mind body connection. It is popular amongst all ages and genders as it offers a full body workout focusing on smaller muscles and can be practised by all abilities.

Pilates exercises can be performed on a mat and also on specialist Pilates apparatus. These Pilates machines have been specially developed to work with the individual’s body to maximise stretch and tension of the muscles during the exercise.

What is your favourite aspect of teaching Pilates?

Teaching Pilates can be a very rewarding career for so many.  So much of what Pilates clients learn in the studio they can apply to daily life. It’s always so heartwarming to hear from a client that they can now sit at a desk pain-free or that they have reached their movement or sporting goals. 

Why was BASI Pilates founded?

BASI Pilates was founded in 1989 in Sydney by world renowned Pilates educator, Rael Isacowitz. Although Joseph Pilates developed the exercise method in the 1920’s, it was the late 80’s when Rael recognised a surge of interest in Pilates exercises and the explosive growth of the Pilates industry. Up to this point Rael and others were trained by apprentices, however, with the increasing demand for Pilates teachers, this was no longer practical. Rael saw a need for a structured Pilates teaching program and he believed that in order to maintain the integrity of Joseph’s Pilates Method, proper teacher training programs would need to be developed. This was the beginning of BASI Pilates.

Today BASI (Body Arts and Science International) is dedicated to remaining true to art, science and most importantly true to Joseph and Clara Pilates. BASI Pilates has a reputation for innovation and academic excellence and strives to provide the most comprehensive Pilates education experience and educational resources available.

Tell us about BASI PIlates Australia

BASI Pilates Australia is the Australian licensee for BASI Pilates led by faculty members Jordanna and Shayne Smith. BASI’s main headquarters is now located in California, USA with Rael still leading the many BASI Pilates training academies and studios across the globe. Rael regularly teaches courses, advanced education workshops and masterclasses for the global BASI Community, also affectionately known as the BASI family.

BASI Pilates Australia offers traditional BASI PIlates Mat and Comprehensive Global Programs. These highly-respected college-level Pilates teacher training programs prepare students to teach Pilates professionally. BASI Australia graduates can then go on to study advanced workshops and masterclasses. Once embarking on a BASI Pilates education students become part of the Australian and wider global BASI family – a supportive network of Pilates professionals. 

 What advice would you give someone looking to become a BASI Pilates teacher?

When looking for a Pilates instructor training course, it is important to do your research. Look for a Pilates course that has a good reputation and consider the number of lecture hours, teaching practice and student observation required to graduate. A BASI Pilates Comprehensive instructor training course is a college-level training program with over 500 hours of observation, student practice and student teaching hours providing a solid foundation and a huge archive of exercises. A BASI Pilates graduate will be able to finish the training and teach confidently at any Pilates studio anywhere in the world. Many go on to set up their own Pilates studios.

If you are still undecided about whether to embark on a Pilates teacher training course delving into your reasons, purpose and goals behind why you want to become a Pilates instructor will give you a great starting point. It may be helpful to ask yourself these three questions…

What is Pilates to me?

We often don’t slow down long enough to intentionally think through the thoughts and reasons that have been popping into our heads. So dwell for a few minutes on what got you into Pilates originally and why you love doing Pilates.

What is my purpose?

When purpose is deep, motivation is consistent. If you can gain a clear sense of what you think your purpose is, it will enable you to keep your focus on the right things as you move through the journey.  It can provide a great foundation for many of your decisions moving forward.  Have a think about what you want to be able to offer your clients and what you desire to communicate with them.

What is my end goal?

This question will help you picture where you see yourself when you become an instructor.  What environment do you see yourself working in? Do you see yourself working from home, in a studio, travelling?  Why are you wanting to make the move to become an instructor?

What  makes the courses that you offer in your Education Programs different?

• BASI Pilates has been a leader in top-tier Pilates education for over 30 years and has over 40,000 proud BASI graduates teaching Pilates across the world.
• BASI Pilates honours and preserves the legacy of Joseph and Clara Pilates presenting the original principles and repertoire at the same time integrating contemporary scientific development and evolution of the Pilates Method.
• The heart of the BASI Program is the BASI Block System™ which offers a specialised technique for classifying and combining hundreds of exercises in the Pilates repertoire.
• BASI Pilates courses are fully supported with printed and electronic materials including study guides, six Movement Analysis work books. Students have access to BASI Interactive which is a unique online teaching resource with hundreds of exercises, workouts and instructional tutorials in high-quality video.
• Each member of the BASI faculty teaching team is a seasonal Pilates professional who has undergone a rigorous selection process and chosen due to their knowledge, passion and dedication of this unique program. With over four hundred years of Pilates experience between them, this group of talented individuals offers the highest level of professionalism and quest for knowledge.
• The underlying philosophy of the BASI Pilates educational program is the true synthesis of the physical, emotions and spiritual. Combining the repertoire, process and athleticism into a structured process. 

Do you offer courses Australia wide?

BASI Pilates Australia teacher training courses are offered Australia-wide with BASI Pilates host studios in Brisbane, Sydney, Perth, Canberra, Gold Coast and Cairns.

What if I can’t travel; can I access your courses online?

BASI Pilates Australia offers virtual online Mat and Comprehensive Global Pilates teacher training courses through their Brisbane host studio, BASI Pilates Academy, Australia for those who cannot travel.

What courses do you have on offer?

BASI Pilates Australia offers Mat  and Comprehensive teacher training courses through host studios in Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, Canberra and Cairns with virtual learning options available through the Brisbane host studio, BASI Pilates Academy, Australia. These programs are recognised internationally and many graduates go on to teach Pilates all over the world.

Mat Program (6 Modules including 24 hours of lecture, discussion, exercise practice and analysis)

Pilates Mat teacher training is perfect for learning the principles of the Pilates Method. It’s affordable, easy to integrate into different settings and a great way to introduce people to Pilates. At BASI, matwork is regarded as the “crown jewel” of Pilates. The Mat Program offers a thorough education in all aspects of Mat Pilates and it’s the perfect springboard to the Comprehensive Global Program.

Comprehensive Global Program (12 modules including 72 hours of lecture, discussion, exercise practice and analysis)

The Comprehensive Global Program includes the Mat Program as well as a thorough and complete education in Pilates covering the full range of Pilates equipment (Reformer, Cadillac, Wunda Chair, Ped-a-pul, Ladder Barrel, Step Barrel and various auxiliary apparatus).

A college-level teacher training program that gives students knowledge of Pilates theory, exercises and teaching skills on all Pilates equipment. When you complete BASI’s  Comprehensive Pilates teacher training program you will have graduated from the most rigorous, exciting and positively life-changing Pilates teacher training in the business. 

Virtual Learning

There are opportunities to complete the Mat Program and Comprehensive Program via virtual learning. Please contact BASI Pilates Australia for more information.

Advanced Education – Workshops and Masterclasses

BASI Pilates Australia regularly schedules advanced education Pilates workshops covering topics such as Pilates for Men, Enhancing Athletic Performance and the Power of Ageing. Upcoming masterclasses with BASI faculty include focus on the Wunda Chair, Reformer and Tower/ Cadillac.

There are BASI Pilates Australia teacher training courses, advanced education Pilates workshops and masterclasses scheduled at host studios across Australia for 2022.

Find out more here – www.basipilates.com.au