Pilates is an exercise method designed by Joseph Pilates in the early 20th century. Its objective is to strengthen your core muscles through exercises performed on mats or Pilates' equipment. Polestar Pilates and BBU -- Balanced Body University -- provide Pilates instructor training and continuing education courses. Both organizations offer mat instructor training and are recognized by the Pilates Method Alliance. As a Pilates student or aspiring instructor, you have probably noticed different teaching styles from one instructor to another. An instructor's style of teaching depends on his or her training.
Polestar Pilates
Polestar Pilates was founded by physical therapist Dr. Brent Anderson. It began as an educational resource for physical therapists who wanted to incorporate Pilates into their rehabilitation settings. As its success grew, Polestar expanded its offerings to provide instructor training. To complete Polestar's mat instructor training, you must first complete the Pilates Principles for Fitness course followed by two days of educational workshops one month apart from each other. In addition to the course work you must complete 25 hours of instructor observation, 50 hours of self study and 50 hours of free apprentice teaching. Upon completion of a written and a practical final exam, you are eligible to teach mat Pilates classes.
Balanced Body University
Balanced Body University is the education division of Balanced Body, Inc., the largest Pilates' equipment manufacturer in the United States. In addition to instructor training, BBU offers continuing education courses. The mat instructor training program includes two 16-hour modules which you complete at your own pace. Prerequisites include one year of teaching movement and 20 mat pilates class sessions. Upon completing both modules, you are required to complete 25 mat sessions and 45 hours of student teaching and pass a final exam.
Contemporary Pilates
BBU and Polestar are considered contemporary Pilates training, which upholds the original classical teachings of Joseph Pilates while making adaptations based on recent scientific and kinesiological research. Contemporary Pilates provides innovative sequencing designed to meet the needs of individual practitioners. Classical Pilates follows the exact method as taught by Joseph Pilates without modifying or altering the method.
Personal Preference
Because of their contemporary nature, you will find more similarities than differences between the two companies. Polestar's physical therapy roots and rehabilitative emphasis may be an appropriate fit if you have experienced injuries or if you envision teaching clients in a post-rehabilitative setting. Balanced Body mat instructor training uses a fitness background approach and allows greater flexibility in completion of training modules. In deciding on an instructor training program or a teacher to take classes from, you should sample both styles to make a well informed decision.
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