Instructor Training
Learn Everything Reformer
Our Pilates instructor training program focuses exclusively on the Reformer, the most beloved piece of Pilates apparatus. In line with the studio’s philosophy, the curriculum is grounded in anatomy and biomechanics, and emphasizes awareness, integration, functional movement, and the mind/body connection as pillars of Pilates instruction.
COMPONENTS
The 200-hour program includes:
5 weekends of in-person lectures
3 advanced teaching workshops
Online access to course curriculum
Studio access to complete hours
Ongoing mentorship throughout the program
Written & practical exams before certification
TUITION
$3200
CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
60 hours of lectures and workshops
20 hours of observation
70 hours of practice teaching
50 hours of self-practice
DATES (2025)
Week 1: Sept 19/20/21
Week 2: Sept 27/28
Week 3: Oct 4/5
Week 4: Oct 18/19
Week 5: Oct 25/26
Workshops: Nov 1/Dec 6/Jan 3
COURSE OUTLINE
PROGRAM INSTRUCTORS
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Elle Erdman
Elle is the studio founder and a life long dancer. She received her comprehensive Pilates certification through Ellie Herman in Brooklyn, followed by an apprenticeship at New York Pilates. In 2020, she moved to Los Angeles, after years spent teaching at several New York institutions. In 2022, she opened l.a. springs to share her knowledge and approach to Pilates, and help people find healing, as well as inner and outer strength through mindful practice.
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Rachel Cohen
Rachel is our program coordinator. A fellow New York transplant, she completed her certification through Balanced Body while getting a degree in Psychology. After more than a decade spent teaching around the city, she led the development of two very successful teacher training programs at prominent New York studios. In 2023, she moved to Los Angeles and has since become a mainstay at the studio.
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Emma Griffin
Emma is a senior instructor at l.a. springs, where she is known for her precision and advanced level teaching.
FAQ
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Our training program is for anyone who wants to learn everything there is to know about practicing Pilates on the Reformer apparatus. Whether you plan on pursuing a career in Pilates or just want to get deeper into your practice, this program should be a very rewarding experience.
Please note that all participants must be at least 18 years old.
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We believe that pilates experience is a must before going into any training program. At the very least, you should have been practicing for six months and taken more than 20 classes. However less might also be ok depending on your movement background. For instance, if you have been teaching another modality, you’ll probably do great in the program even if you are still fairly new to Pilates!
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Having completed a teacher training program in Pilates mat is a great foundation before moving on to our Reformer program, however it is not a requirement. The program will include bits of information about Pilates mat, and covers a lot of the same topics (Pilates principles, alignment etc) but on a more advanced apparatus.
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There will be a maximum of 6 participants.
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Attending all lectures and workshops is a crucial part of the program but we understand that things can happen. Lectures will be recorded so if you miss one, we will share the recording with you. Additionally, we can schedule a one-on-one tutoring session to go over any missed material with one of the program instructors, at the extra cost of $125 per hour.
Please note that if you miss two or more lectures, we may have to delay your certification until the next round of instructor training, so that you complete the missing course hours before passing the written test.
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Students go out and observe another instructor when they teach a client or group of clients.
Studying how experienced instructors integrate their own knowledge into the way they structure a class and how they cue, then seeing it translate into movement is a great way to appreciate all of the nuance that goes into teaching. Therefore, it’s an invaluable part of learning how to teach and more importantly, to observe and analyze movement.
These hours can be completed at the studio, any other reformer studio, or online. 20 hours of observation are required to complete the program.
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It is through mindful self-practice that we assimilate how a particular movement feels, and thereby become able to relate and explain that to others. Then it is a must to spend time with the exercises to the point we become deeply acquainted with each of them. This connection to movement is what allows great instructors to guide people more effectively.
Participants can practice following the manual or by taking a class or private session at any reformer studio. 50 hours of self-practice are required to complete the program.
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Teaching is obviously the end goal for most of our participants and it does take a long time to become a truly great instructor. But the only way to get there is through practice, so we encourage each participant to start teaching as soon as they can. The studio has open hours every day for practice teaching. You can teach friends, family, significant others, co-participants, the list goes on.
70 hours of practice teaching are required to complete the program, of which at least 20 should be spent teaching a group of 3 persons or more.
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Throughout the duration of the training program, the studio will be open for apprentice hours at the following times:
Mondays before 7am + between 8pm-10pm
Tuesdays before 7am + between 8pm-10pm
Wednesdays before 7am + between 7pm-10pm
Thursdays before 7am + between 8pm-10pm
Fridays before 7am + between 6pm-10pm
Saturdays between 1pm-8pm
Sundays between 3pm-8pm
We may also be able to accommodate additional times occasionally upon request.
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Participants use Mindbody to reserve reformers at the studio during apprentice hours.
For hours completed at home or at other studios, participants are required to keep a written log that will be reviewed prior to testing out.
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One-on-one sessions with our mentors are available to go over any of the course material in depth, but at the extra cost of $125/hour. They are not included in the general tuition.
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It is best to start completing apprentice hours as soon as possible after taking the course, so that the information is still fresh and participants can link up for practice teaching, and do their self practice together.
We give each participant one year to complete the program, after which studio access privileges will have to be renewed to continue using the studio for apprentice hours.
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Once a participant has completed all lecture hours, and all apprentice hours (observation/self-practice/practice teaching), we will schedule the practical and written tests required to become fully certified in the Reformer.
The written test will cover Pilates repertoire, anatomy, and kinesiology. The practical test assesses the student’s ability to teach and perform the repertoire.
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We are confident that by the end of the program, you will have the skills that make a great instructor hire. However, employment at the studio is not guaranteed.
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No! We actually believe that anyone who is committed to Pilates can benefit from the program.
The program’s focus on anatomy and functional movement will help participants understand of how their body moves and functions. They’ll also learn to apply this information to any form of exercise, integrate it into their everyday life, and how to share it with the people they love.
Also included are hours of access to the studio for self-practice and if a participant isn’t interested in teaching, it is an option to use teaching hours for more self-practice.
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Once we accept your application, we will need to receive a $500 non-refundable deposit to reserve your spot. Full payment is due at least two weeks before the first weekend of lectures. We accept payments via Zelle or credit card for an additional processing fee.
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If we receive a written cancellation notice up to 30 calendar days before the start of the program, we will issue a full refund. If the cancellation occurs within 30 calendar days before the start date of the program, there will be no refund and the participant will be given the option to complete their training at a later time. Please note that tuition fees are non-transferable.