Mat Pilates Teacher Certification
The Full Story
You already know how good you feel after a Pilates class, now it’s time to bring that feeling to other people. Have you dreamt about doing what you love? Teacher training starts soon and we’re looking for our next group of rockstar instructors.
What makes us different is that every single hour of this training is dedicated to getting you up on your feet leading a high-quality, engaging, Mat Pilates class. Our definition of success is deeply invested in each participant graduating the program and teaching at their favorite studio, gym or community center immediately after the program is completed. We are proud to say that the STRONG&CALM teacher training program has a very high success rate; over 90% of our graduates go on to teach Pilates immediately after graduation. And we hire the best teachers from each teacher training cohort.
Shannon Cluff has led Pilates, Strength and Yoga classes across the Lower Mainland for over twenty years. During that time she has been a studio owner, a business consultant, a mentor, a teacher trainer and a manager at five studios within Vancouver, Surrey, North Vancouver and now currently in Port Coquitlam. As a trained counselor she incorporates her background in trauma informed practices, the nervous system, body autonomy, and sustainable actions that lead to well-being. She has mentored over 600 teachers through her mentorship and teacher training programs and graduated over 100 teachers through the STRONG&CALM Mat Pilates Teacher Training. The graduates from her program teach at studios, gyms and community centers all over the Lower Mainland. Shannon's approach teaches Pilates as a vehicle for transformation on a physical and psychological level and she encourages connection and community building in all of her classes. Shannon has also taken two Reformer Teacher Training Programs, two Mat Pilates trainings and she is currently studying for her Personal Training Specialist Certification.
The STRONG&CALM approach to Mat Pilates is a mix of contemporary and classical influences with a strong focus on sound biomechanics, fitness theory, breath-centered movement and client-focused technique based skill building. This training will prepare you to teach in both Hot and Non-Hot group class environments. A large amount of the weekend contact hours are spent breaking down the 34 classical exercises of the Pilates Method and learning how to cue variations and modifications. There is a strong focus on teaching methodology which encompasses the essential skills teachers need to lead a high quality Pilates class immediately upon graduation. The main reason our program has such a high success rate is because our standards exceed most other teacher training programs in a shorter amount of time. Most of the weekend training time is spent on your feet teaching your peers, learning the language of Pilates, discussing its concepts, principles and building confidence translating the exercises to other people. Our program also prepares you to search for the right contracts, negotiate pay, launch your business and make the best connections in the Pilates industry in your community.
Start the application process:
1- Attend at least one class with Lead Teacher Trainer, Shannon Cluff
2-Fill out this application
Interviews are scheduled through email after you have attended your first class and filled out the application
3-Acceptance is not guaranteed. Applicants who are accepted into the program will be sent a link to register for the teacher training course.
Only 8 trainees per course
Dates + Times 2026
FALL TRAINING (60 hours)
November 7th + 8th
November 14th + 15th
November 21st + 22nd
November 28th + 29th
December 5th + 6th
THIS TRAINING IS NOW FULL
Dates + Times 2027
SPRING TRAINING (100 hours)
May 29th + 30th
June 5th + 6th
June 12th + 13th
June 19th + 20th
June 26th + 27th
Saturdays 11:30AM-6:30PM
Sundays 11:30AM-6:30PM
$2600.00 (+gst) before March 30th 2027
$2850.00 (+gst) after March 30th 2027
Please note that there are no refunds on teacher trainings
Payment Plans Available
Location
STRONG&CALM Pilates Studio
201-2550 Shaughnessy Street
Port Coquitlam, BC
Course Breakdown
In this 100hr STRONG&CALM Mat Pilates Teacher Certificate the following will be covered:
60 hours in studio training time with teacher trainers and peers
20 hours self-study and practice (homework)
10 drop-in classes with experienced teachers at STRONG&CALM
5 hours practice teaching outside of class
5 hours class observation time at STRONG&CALM Pilates Studio
-Breath Patterns and Centering Clients (diaphragmatic, intercostal and breath-centered movement)
-The Nervous System
-The Respiratory System
-Body-awareness and body-neutrality
-34 Classical Mat Exercises of The Pilates Method
-Pilates Terminology
-Approximately 30 Contemporary Pilates Exercises and Variations on Classical work
-Pilates Defined (Classical, Contemporary, Fitness-based)
-Professional Guidelines: Ethics and Scope of Practice
-The Six Classical Principles of Pilates
-Anatomical Movement Terminology
-Proper Body Positioning and Movement Concepts for Pilates
-Incorporating Props (therabands, Pilates ball and light weights)
-Functional Movement Concepts
-Core Musculature (Major and minor muscles)
-Strength Training and Progressive Overload Theory
-Class Planning Strategies
-Cueing Your Classes and Teaching Strategies
-Professional Guidelines for Injuries and Special Populations
-Precautions and Contraindications
-Teaching Pilates in a Hot Environment
-Business Training
-Room Control and Studio Etiquette
-Playlists and Music Tempo
-Class Observation 5 hours
-Approximately 5-10 hours of teaching practice with feedback
-Approximately 10-15 hours of homework assignments
-Two mid-term quizzes
-Final exam includes a 2.5hr Written Theory Exam and a 30 minute Teaching Practicum
Let’s Work Together
Get in touch so we can start working together.