Classical Pilates Teacher Training Programme
As the official certifying centre for Smart Movement International Classical Pilates Teacher Training Programme in Singapore, our comprehensive teacher training programme is designed to elevate your Pilates practice, knowledge and teaching skills to empower you to become a well-rounded and skilful Classical Pilates teacher.
Upcoming Courses
Basic System Pre-Training
Jun 21 – 23 and Jun 29, 2024 (20 hours)
An essential prerequisite for those planning to enrol in our Teacher Training programme, the Basic System Workshop is designed to deepen your understanding of the fundamental Pilates system, covering over 90 exercises across Mat, Reformer, Cadillac, Wunda Chair, High/Electric Chair, and Barrel.
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June 21 – 22: 2pm to 6pm
June 23: 12–6pm
June 29: 9am–2pm
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An essential prerequisite for those planning to enrol in our Teacher Training programme, the Basic System Workshop is designed to deepen your understanding of the fundamental Pilates system, covering over 90 exercises across Mat, Reformer, Cadillac, Wunda Chair, High/Electric Chair, and Barrel.
Led by Smart Movement’s Pilates Mentor Educator, Neil Alvarez and Altum Pilates Founder, Joanne Chong, this comprehensive 20-hour workshop will equip you with the knowledge and skills to proficiently execute each exercise, setting a solid foundation for your journey in Pilates.
Join us to master the basics and prepare for your future as a Pilates instructor.
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Neil Alvarez, Smart Movement International's Mentor Educator
Joanne Chong, founder of Altum Pilates and Smart Movement International's Pilates Mentor for Singapore
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Neil Alvarez is a Certified Classical Pilates Instructor with over twelve years of experience at Options Studio Philippines and is a Pilates Mentor Educator with Smart Movement International. In this role, he shares his deep passion for Pilates, guiding aspiring instructors to hone their skills and knowledge, thus influencing the next generation of Pilates professionals.
Neil holds multiple certifications, including Classical Pilates Mat and Reformer Instructor, PAI Full Level 1 Certified Instructor and STOTT Mat and Reformer, underscoring his expertise across various Pilates apparatus.
Foundation: Basic
Sept 6 – 9 and Sept 13 – 16, 2024 (50 hours)
The next step after completing the Basic System Pre-Training, or for those with prior private practice, is the Foundation Basic learning stage. In this stage, you'll dissect and learn to teach each exercise of the Basic System with proper imagery, cues, movements, and safety standards, gaining a deep understanding of all 90+ exercises.
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Sept 6, Fri: 2pm to 7pm
Sept 7, Sat: 2pm to 7pm
Sept 8, Sun: 9am to 6pm
Sept 9, Mon: 9am to 6pm
Sept 13, Fri: 2pm to 7pm
Sept 14, Sat: 2pm to 7pm
Sept 15, Sun: 12pm to 6pm
Sept 16, Mon: 9am to 3pm
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The next progression after completing the Basic System Pre-Training, and the first step in your Teacher Training if you’ve already had private practice for awhile. In this first stage of Foundation Basic learning, we’ll dissect each exercise of the Basic System (all 90+ of them) and learn how to teach them with proper imagery, cues, movements and safety standards to walk away with a deep understanding of the entire Basic System.
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Neil Alvarez, Smart Movement International's Mentor Educator
Joanne Chong, founder of Altum Pilates and Smart Movement International's Pilates Mentor for Singapore
Intermediate 1 System Pre-Training
Dec 6–9, 2024 (20 hours)
This pre-training workshop is a prerequisite for enrolling in the Intermediate stage of Teacher Training. It covers all Intermediate exercises you'll learn in Intermediate Foundation 1, ensuring you know how to execute them properly before delving deeper into their details.
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Dec 6, Fri: 2pm to 7pm
Dec 7, Sat: 2pm to 7pm
Dec 8, Sun: 12pm to 6pm
Dec 9, Mon: 9am to 1pm
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A prerequisite to enrol in the second stage of Teacher Training called Intermediate. This is the pre-training workshop where we will cover all the Intermediate exercises you’ll learn at Intermediate Foundation 1. You’ll learn how to execute the exercises appropriately, before learning all about them at Intermediate 1 Foundation.
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Neil Alvarez, Smart Movement International's Mentor Educator
Foundation: Intermediate 1
Jan 3–6 and Jan 10-13, 2025 (50 hours)
After completing Intermediate 1 System Pre-training, you'll advance to learning how to teach the exercises, understand their details, and their connection to human anatomy. This stage focuses on applying this knowledge to meet your client's needs.
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Jan 3, Fri: 2pm to 7pm
Jan 4, Sat: 2pm to 7pm
Jan 5, Sun: 9am to 6pm
Jan 6, Mon: 9am to 6pm
Jan 10, Fri: 2pm to 6pm
Jan 11, Sat: 2pm to 6pm
Jan 12, Sun: 9am to 4pm
Jan 13, Mon: 9am to 4pm
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After finishing Intermediate 1 System Pre-training, this is where you’ll move on to learn all about the exercises you were just taught—how to teach them, what to understand about them, and its interconnectivity to the human anatomy and how to apply it to your client’s needs.
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Neil Alvarez, Smart Movement International's Mentor Educator
Joanne Chong, founder of Altum Pilates and Smart Movement International's Pilates Mentor for Singapore
Intermediate 2 System Pre-Training
Mar 14–16 and Mar 23, 2025 (20 hours)
After completing "Foundation: Intermediate 1”, you're ready to familiarise yourself with Intermediate 2 System’s exercises. This pre-training is a prerequisite before advancing to "Foundation: Intermediate 2”.
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Mar 14, Fri: 2pm to 7pm
Mar 15, Sat: 2pm to 7pm
Mar 16, Sun: 12pm to 6pm
Mar 23, Sun: 12pm to 4pm
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You’ve finished “Foundation: Intermediate 1”, and you’re now ready to move your body and get it familiar and experienced with Intermediate 2 System’s exercises. This is your pre-training of these exercises, and a pre-requisite before moving on to "Foundation: Intermediate 2".
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Neil Alvarez, Smart Movement International's Mentor Educator
Joanne Chong, founder of Altum Pilates and Smart Movement International's Pilates Mentor for Singapore
Foundation: Intermediate 2
May 9–12 and May 16–19, 2025 (50 hours)
Similar to "Foundation: Intermediate 1" and "Foundation: Basic," you'll spend the next 8 days studying, dissecting, and understanding the exercises in Intermediate 2 System, focusing on teaching with proficiency and accuracy.
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May 16, Fri: 2pm to 6pm
May 17, Sat: 2pm to 6pm
May 18, Sun: 9am to 5pm
May 19, Mon: 9am to 3pm
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Like “Foundation: Intermediate 1” and “Foundation: Basic”, you’ll be taking the next 8 days studying, dissecting and understanding the exercises in Intermediate 2 System and how to teach them with proficiency and accuracy.
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Neil Alvarez, Smart Movement International's Mentor Educator
Joanne Chong, founder of Altum Pilates and Smart Movement International's Pilates Mentor for Singapore
Why should you get certified with our Teacher Training Programme
The Smart Movement Classical Pilates Teacher Training Programme is a comprehensive programme that allows individuals to become fully certified Pilates Teachers. The programme consists of different levels of training and assessments, with each level signifying a certain level of proficiency in teaching the Classical Pilates method. We uphold the highest standards through the following values that all of our educators and mentors embody and represent.
Highest Standards
We maintain the highest of Pilates standards in our training programs, to ensure that you receive top-notch education and are equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to become a successful Pilates Teacher.
Continuing Education
We recognise the importance of staying abreast with education in the fitness industry, therefore offering ongoing training and workshops to help you expand your knowledge and stay informed with the latest trends and techniques in Pilates.
Principled Approach
With our principled approach to training, this means that we focus on teaching the fundamental principles of Pilates, such as breath control, core strength, and body alignment.
Comprehensive Training
Our programme provides comprehensive training that covers all aspects of Pilates, from learning about the history and philosophy of Pilates to mastering the various exercises and modifications. You’ll receive a well-rounded education that prepares you for real-world teaching scenarios.
High Calibre of Teachers
We are known for producing high-caliber new Pilates Teachers. Our rigorous and thorough training ensures that you are well-prepared to enter the field as a knowledgeable, skilled teacher—setting you apart from the competition, opening up opportunities to work in reputable studios or start your own Pilates business.
A goal to cultivate the finest Classical Pilates teachers in Asia.
With the recent rise in the popularity of Pilates, countless programmes are available for those aspiring to become Pilates teachers. At Altum Academy, we have carefully selected Smart Movement International as our partner to provide our Classical Pilates Teacher Training programme.
As past students and clients of Smart Movement International, we have confidence and experience in their reputation and quality of teaching to deliver the highest tier of Classical Pilates teacher training, and are proud to be their official certifying centre in Singapore.
Smart Movement International Teacher Training Programme is designed to cultivate a community of well-trained, highly proficient Classical Pilates teachers driven by passion and a commitment to the highest teaching standards.
Led by master trainers and experts with over 30 years of Pilates teaching and practice experience, our programme equips you with the skills and knowledge needed for a successful career in Pilates.
Training Format
To maintain the highest standards in Pilates education, our training pathway is meticulous, comprehensive and in-depth—more so than others.
The programme offers a structured pathway for individuals to become certified teachers, including 600 hours of training and learning—ensuring that graduating teachers are knowledgeable in all aspects of the Pilates method.
The programme is split into three levels:
Level 1: Basic
Level 2: Intermediate
Level 3: Advanced
Each level involves these stages:
Pre-Training
Foundation Seminar
Apprenticeship Training
Full Teacher Certification Program (600 Hours):
Completion of ALL three levels (Basic, Intermediate, Advanced) with completion of these stages within each level: Pre-Training, Foundation Seminar, Apprenticeship Training.
Apprenticeship Training includes observation, personal training, assisted apprentice teaching, and independent apprentice teaching.
Each level’s exams will be administered at 200-hour intervals by Center Directors and/or Teacher Trainers.
Final 600-hour exam before certification are conducted by a Mentor Educator after completing all phases and exams successfully.
Bridging Programme:
Individuals who have trained in other Pilates programs can bridge into the Smart Movement program, but they must undergo assessments for each seminar to obtain full certification. All provisions of the Full Teacher Certification Programme apply, with modifications as specified in the Bridging Programme.
Training Format
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This is where you begin—a workshop with a Pilates Mentor Educator to cover all of the exercises you'll be learning at Step (2), across the Pilates apparatus like Mat, Cadillac, Wunda Chair, High/Electric Chair and Barrel.
Each Pre-Training Workshop for every level (Basic, Intermediate, Advanced) is designed to teach you how to MOVE, so you can focus on learning how to TEACH at Step (2).This is a pre-requisite to attend before signing up for the programme at each stage.
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NEED MORE INFO - This will cover dissecting each exercise, hand cues, safety, imagery in cueing discussion and lesson.
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MORE INFO NEEDED - Must be done during or after the Foundation training.
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Must be consumed before, during or after the seminar.
To improve as a teacher, we aim to develop our new students into stronger learners. Our goal is to provide them with guidance from experienced mentor educators supporting them throughout their journey. -
After finishing steps III and IV, you can then move forward with the initial assessment led by a Pilates Mentor Educator.
How to Enrol
We demand strict proficiency from both our educators and students, which explains our screening process before students are allowed to enrol into the course, to ensure that they are ready for the in-depth learning ahead of them.
To enrol, click below to fill in a registration form. This gives us more information on your background, experience, and desired course to enrol in. Once your registration is submitted, we will be in touch with you within 2-3 business days to confirm your spot in your selected course(s), as well as provide more information on the course and payment information.
FAQs
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Our goal is to produce the highest calibre of Classical Pilates teachers—and that doesn't happen overnight. To maintain these strict standards in Pilates education, our training pathway is meticulous, comprehensive and in-depth—more so than others.
Our structured training pathway includes 600 hours of training and learning—ensuring that graduating teachers are knowledgeable in all aspects of the Pilates method. Unlike other teacher training programmes, we require our students to attend pre-training for all levels (Basic, Intermediate, Advanced) before coming in for the seminar to learn how to TEACH the exercise. Knowing how to move and FEEL the exercise should come first, before knowing how to teach.
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We would strongly advise that you embark on your Teacher Training programme after having a consistent and regular Pilates practice. Becoming a certified Pilates teacher is not a weekend activity, and requires dedication and commitment to the entire journey. This starts in the classroom with your own Pilates practice, and should carry on even when you become a teacher yourself.
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We know that the options out there are mind boggling sometimes! We're happy to chat with you, with no obligations whatsoever, to give any advice on a programme that fits your needs and lifestyle better. We understand our programme may not be for everyone. Just get in touch for advice with our friendly team!
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It's okay if you don't—because it's a lot of information! WhatsApp us and we'll be happy to explain it personally to you.
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Get in touch with us for future course dates, or for us to advise you on an alternative training pathway to take.
