Mat Teacher Training

The Balanced Body Pilates Mat teacher training includes the complete Pilates Mat repertoire as well as an introduction to the movement principles that make Pilates such a successful exercise program. Modifications and variations are included to help you successfully teach a wide range of clients. The Balanced Body Pilates Mat training will empower you to become a successful, creative and transformative Pilates teacher. Courses are taught by Tom McCook with Evangeline Kochanek.

Our Mat teacher training program includes:

• Exercise instruction in the complete Pilates Mat repertoire
• A comprehensive manual consistent with current national standards
• Cueing, coaching and teaching tips for clients at different levels of ability
• Safety information for teaching older adults, pre- and post-natal women, and clients with back, knee, neck and shoulder conditions
• Tips on teaching successful group programs

MAT 1: Introduction to Pilates & Beginning/Intermediate Exercises

September 28 - 30, 2012

Days and Times

• Friday: 3pm - 7pm
• Saturday: 11:30am - 6:30pm
• Sunday: 10:30am - 5pm

MAT 1 includes an introduction to the history and principles of Pilates, beginning and most intermediate level exercises with modifications, lectures on class order and programming in a group setting, and guidelines for teaching seniors, pre-, and post-natal classes.

Instructor

Tom McCook with Evangeline Kochanek

MAT 2: Intermediate/Advanced Exercises

October 19 - 21, 2012

Days and Times

• Friday: 3pm - 7pm
• Saturday: 11:30am - 6:30pm
• Sunday: 10:30am - 5pm

MAT 2 includes the remaining intermediate and advanced level exercises as well as essential movement principles and training tips for advancing clients to the higher levels. Pilates for sports specific activities are also covered.

Instructor

Evangeline Kochanek

Cost

$450 each Mat module (does not include costs associated with personal sessions, student teaching hours)

Prerequisites

• 20 Pilates Mat Classes completed
• 1 year experience teaching movement
• Anatomy recommended

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 Mat Instructor, students must complete the following

(total hours for completion of Mat program = 102 hours, not including anatomy):

• Anatomy
• BBU MAT 1 - Course work, written and practical test (16 hours)
• BBU MAT 2 - Course work, written and practical test (16 hours)
• 25 Mat Personal Sessions and 45 Mat Student Teaching Hours or
• 20 Mat Personal Sessions, 15 observation hours and 35 student teaching hours (Note: Center of Balance offers discount rates for students who are currently enrolled in the full certification program at Center of Balance. The student discount applies to mat classes once you are enrolled in MAT 2)

Upon completion of all of the requirements, a certificate of completion as a Balanced Body University Mat 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.