Reformer Teacher Training

The Pilates Reformer is an extraordinarily flexible piece of exercise equipment allowing resistance and support for exercises involving every part of the body. Our program gives you a thorough understanding of how to use the Reformer to develop core and extremity strength, stability, flexibility, coordination and balance. The wide range of exercises provides a stimulating workout for clients at any level of ability. Courses are taught by Tom McCook with Evangeline Kochanek.

Our Reformer teacher training program includes:

• Exercise instruction in the complete Pilates Reformer repertoire
• A comprehensive manual consistent with current national standards
• Cueing, coaching, safety and teaching tips for clients at different levels of ability
• Guidelines for teaching older adults, pre- and post-natal women, and clients with back, knee, neck and shoulder conditions
• Program design for clients at every level including sports specific lessons
• Equipment safety and maintenance

REFORMER 1: Introduction to Reformer & Movement Principles

November 16 - 18, 2012

REFORMER 1 includes Pilates Movement Principles, an introduction to the Pilates Reformer including set up and safety, plus beginning exercises, program sequencing and teaching tips for group classes. By the end of the course you will be able to teach a beginning Reformer class or personal training session.

Days and Times

• Friday: 3:30pm - 9pm
• Saturday: 1pm - 7:30pm
• Sunday: 10:00am - 5pm

Instructor

Tom McCook with Evangeline Kochanek

Cost

$495

Register for Reformer Teacher Training at BBU!

REFORMER 2: Intermediate Exercises

January 18 - 20, 2013

REFORMER 2 includes intermediate exercises and modifications designed for group and individual instruction. Teaching successful classes and sessions to clients at different levels of ability is emphasized. Included are a variety of programs designed to keep your clients inspired.

Days and Times

• Friday: 3:30pm - 8pm
• Saturday: 1pm - 7:30pm
• Sunday: 10:00am - 4:30pm

Instructor

Tom McCook with Evangeline Kochanek

Cost

$450

Register for Reformer Teacher Training at BBU!

REFORMER 3: Advanced Exercises & Sports-Specific Programs

March 22 - 24, 2013

REFORMER 3 includes advanced exercises plus modifications for sports specific activities, tips for training the advanced client and programs designed for specific sports.

Days and Times

• Friday: 3:30pm - 8pm
• Saturday: 1pm - 7:30pm
• Sunday: 10:00am - 4:30pm

Instructor

Tom McCook with Evangeline Kochanek

Cost

$450

Register for Reformer Teacher Training at BBU!

Prerequisites

• 30 Pilates Reformer classes or personal training sessions
• Completion of MAT 1 & 2 highly recommended
• Completion of Repertoire Integration highly recommended
• Anatomy recommended

Practice Sangha

Center of Balance is committed to support and encourage students actively enrolled in the BB training courses with Tom and working toward certification. A key piece of this process is the hours required to build teaching skills and confidence, specifically in completing your hours of observation, practice teaching and self-practice. Our goal is to help you develop the confidence and skills to teach by providing a rich learning environment that you can be immersed in, and not work in isolation. We want for you to feel that you have a base at Center of Balance to practice, observe and collaborate with others in the training and learn from the staff of teachers at the studio.

Practice Sangha, or "Practice Community," is a program specifically for BB student teachers actively studying with Tom toward Reformer and/or full certification. The cost is $100/month and includes the following:

Unlimited observation (Pilates equipment), self-practice and practice teaching hours (during studio hours Monday through Saturday). These hours are to be scheduled in advance for seamless accommodation in our busy studio. Note that teacher-led classes and sessions are not part of the Practice Sangha — we do offer discounted rates for students actively enrolled in the full certification program at Center of Balance.

Required Materials (Available From Balanced Body)

Please contact Balanced Body for required materials at 1-877-Pilates (745-2837)

To become a fully qualified Balanced Body Reformer Instructor, students must complete the following:

(total hours for completion of Reformer program = 198 hours, not including anatomy)
(total hour for completion of Mat & Reformer program = 300 hours)

• Anatomy
• BBU Mat Instructor training or equivalent
• BBU REFORMER 1 - Course work, written and practical test (18 hours)
• BBU REFORMER 2 - Course work, written and practical test (16 hours)
• BBU REFORMER 3 - Course work, written and practical test (16 hours)
• 50 Personal practice hours and 100 Teaching hours or
• 30 Reformer personal sessions, 30 observation hours and 90 teaching hours
• Practical test
  (NOTE: Center of Balance offers discount rates for students who are currently enrolled in the full teacher training program at Center of Balance. The student discount applies to equipment sessions once you are enrolled in Apparatus 2.

Upon completion of all of the requirements, a certificate of completion as a Balanced Body University Reformer Instructor will be issued.

About Tom

Tom McCook, founder and director of Center of Balance in Mountain View, CA, is an internationally recognized fitness and movement specialist. Beginning his full time career in personal training in 1984, Tom designs programs for health and life performance for working professionals, people rehabilitating from injuries and world-class athletes including Olympic Gold Medal swimmers Natalie Coughlin, Jenny Thompson and Misty Hyman. Teaching Pilates since 1995, Tom is a Master Instructor of Pilates and CoreAlign for Balanced Body. His teaching approach integrates several mind/body practices including Pilates, yoga, Shiatsu, resistance stretching, Franklin Method, BodyCode System and life coaching. He also is committed to his own daily meditation and movement practice, which broadens his perspective and effectiveness as a teacher. Tom is a sought-after instructor at conferences, retreats and workshops he leads in the US and internationally. His work has been featured in several national magazines, newspapers and television programs. In 2003, Tom produced the exercise video “Combining Pilates & Yoga for Balance.”

About Evangeline

Evangeline came to Pilates at age 16 because of back pain and it became a vehicle for her healing. Wanting to share this with others, she took part in Ellie Herman's San Francisco Pilates certification in 2000. She has a B.A. in Dance from Mount Holyoke College where she also studied biology, anatomy and music. She has led Ellie Herman trainings in Korea and the US. She studied Pilates-based rehabilitation with Lizz Roman and Nora St. John, and became a Balanced Body Faculty member in 2007. Since starting at Center of Balance in 2008, Evangeline has added BodyKey, CoreAlign and Yoga to her teaching repertoire. In 2011, she completed a 200-hour yoga teacher training at YogaWorks in San Francisco. Evangeline regularly assists Tom McCook in leading new students through the Balanced Body teacher training process. Today, she takes every opportunity available to improve her teaching by continuing her own education in anatomy, scoliosis, yoga and the latest Pilates concepts. In her classes, she promotes a noncompetitive environment and teaches students to develop strength and relaxation through a disciplined and mindful practice.