Frequently Asked Questions

Our teaching philosophy is centered around personalized instruction and student-centered learning. We believe in identifying each student's unique strengths and weaknesses and tailoring our approach to meet their individual needs. It's what we teach to our students and how to identify their future client's needs. 

You will need to observe for 20 hours, physically practice for 40 hours, and practice teaching for 40 hours. 

Absolutely! As soon as you have submitted your contract and deposit, we will send you back your hours log and anatomy class. We recommend you take the class before you start Foundations. You can start filling in practice hours right away from any classes or sessions you take before the weekends begin. 

Yes! Our School is listed on the National Pilates Certification Program. This program was created to set standards for the professional competency necessary to safely and effectively teach the Pilates method to everybody. You become credentialed providing evidence that you meet established professional standards. "Pilates" is considered a generic term and not a trademark. However, it is hard to distinguish between Pilates style classes and those taught using the Pilates Method. NPCP is there to clarify between the two and keep the minimum requirements upheld within Pilates Teacher Training programs. 

Hours are divided into each of the modules/apparatuses. There is a total of 100 hours of observation, 200 hours of personal physical practice, and 200 hours of practice teaching for the entire program. The details of hours needed for each section are emailed to you with your hour logs. (Example: You will need 25 hours of beginner/intermediate reformer observation, 50 hours of physical practice, and 50 hours of practice teaching). 

You can get these hours in several different ways: 

- Working with peers: You will gain teaching experience, while they will get practice hours. 

- Private Sessions: These can be completed with faculty for the curriculum, or any certified Pilates instructor. We have a list of instructors that have come through Contrology Connection that have valuable experience with exams, exercises in our curriculum, and what you will need to know. 

- Group Classes:  You can take these classes anywhere. Please be sure to check that the instructor is a certified instructor in what you are taking (mat class - certified Pilates mat instructor). 

- Master Classes: Faculty will offer classes throughout the year to not only review the curriculum but dive deeper. We will go over modifications, variations, how to adapt movement to group classes, how to work with specific injuries and special populations, how to build strength to master exercises. These classes are recorded so you can use them for additional observation hours. 

- Workshops and Conferences: You may find interesting workshops offered that you would like to attend. While we encourage continual education, we suggest you try to stick to the curriculum as closely as possible during training. There will always be more to learn, and we do not want to confuse you with too much information, especially before exams. 

- Live Online Classes: Online classes can count for up to 25% of your hours. You can find fantastic instructors to learn from over the internet, but you will lose the tactile cues from the instructor. That is why we limit hours for this. 

Observation hours can be collected by observing group classes at your local Pilates studio (please check with the studio to see what their protocols are for this). You can "Round Robin" with your peers (3 students get together - one teaches, one is the body for physical practice, and one observes. Then they switch.). You can watch videos in Contrology Connection Video Library. You can also go back to your "master class" recordings to observe. Recordings and watching videos online can count for up to 50% of your hours. The rest need to be in person. 

Observation is necessary to watch various teaching styles. You will likely become accustomed to certain voices if you only observe one instructor, so we implore you to go to different classes, seek out certified instructors with experience, and ideally classically approached classes. You will benefit from recognizing exercises, noting what spring tensions and set ups are used, and how the instructor describes the movements. You may be able to recognize student's needs - did they respond to the cues given? If you have questions from what was taught, be sure to write them down to ask the instructor after class. 

While observing, please have your phone put away. Do not interact with the class. Stay silent and do not take photos. You are encouraged to take notes. 

Once completed your weekend training, you can start practicing what you learned. You can practice teach any "body" of your choosing family members, friends, and peers within the cohort. We recommend you start with using your workbook and notes, try various cues to learn which ones work and which ones need to be better described. You can even teach online. These can count for up to 25% of your hours. It's a great way to get a better handle on your words, and work when you have a free lunch hour without having to leaving your desk. We limit these hours so that you can still focus on working in person. You need to get comfortable spotting and tactile cueing clients. 

To enhance and personalize your training experience, we also offer:

• Master Classes — available in-person, online, and as recordings  
• Pilates Classes — to support practice hour requirements  
• Supplemental Workshops — for deeper exploration of key topics  
• Private Lessons — one-on-one instruction with faculty or staff  
• Studio & Equipment Rental — dedicated time for practice or teaching  
• Certification Testing Fees — as you progress through the program  
• Workbooks — comprehensive learning resources  
• Video Library Subscription — monthly access to a full catalog with every exercise taught in detail

If you wish to have a more inclusive package, we curated Premium Packages that include much of what is listed above. Prices range from $950-2500 depending on the program you choose. 

We’ve carefully curated a complete package to ensure you have everything you need to dive fully into the program and a big savings.

Mat Premium Package includes:

• 5 Master Class Hours with Faculty (recordings included) 
• 2 Private Faculty Sessions for personalized support
• All Required Workbooks to guide your learning
• 6-Month Access to Video Library for ongoing review
• Certification Testing Fee 
• 12-Pack of Classes at our host facility, Fluid Form Studio
• 2-hours of private room rental at our host facility, Fluid Form Studio
  Investment: $950

Comprehensive Premium Package includes:

• 15 Master Class Hours with Faculty (recordings included) 
• 5 Private Faculty Sessions for personalized support
• All Required Workbooks to guide your learning
• 12-Month Access to Video Library for ongoing review
• Certification Testing Fees for up to 5 exams
• 24-Pack of Classes at our host facility, Fluid Form Studio
• 5-hours of private room rental at our host facility, Fluid Form Studio
  Investment: $2,500

Optional Add-On or A La Carte:
Everything in this package can be purchased separately if you prefer. The package can be added to your financing program if you chose a payment plan rather than paying upfront. 

All exams are proctored by a faculty member. All hours required of you should be completed and submitted before contacting educators to schedule each test. Upon passing, you will receive a certification in each program. Testing fee is $150/sitting. You can combine some apparatus to lessen the cost. 

You will receive a comprehensive explanation of your results for each of your test-outs along with notes, regardless of the outcome. If you do not pass with a score of 80% or higher, you must retake the test to move forward with your certifications. 

Mat Exam

Practical: You are to teach classical mat order of the 38 Mat exercises to a body of your choosing in front of a proctor. This will likely be recorded for further examination by your educators. You should treat this time with your body as though this is their first time hearing your cues, so make sure to explain thoroughly. You do not need them to do the full repetition count for each move (we don’t want them to burn out), but if you are cutting them short, make sure to speak out how many reps there should be. Be sure to speak to the person, not the proctor during the session. Treat this as a private lesson giving tactile and verbal cues to better their experience. You are welcome to use props if needed, but no requirement. As always, teach the body in front of you and make sure to know if there are any preexisting conditions you need to take into account. Make full use of your words to help them reach and engage properly. You are not on a time limit, but we do ask that you take our time into consideration. No notes or workbooks can be used. Your Practical will be graded on: Order, Set Up, Transitions, Contra/Mod, Breath, Movement Sequence, Alignment Protocol, Tactile Cues, Verbal Cues, and Safety. 

Written: There is a 25 question multiple-choice exam. We also offer 5 bonus extra credit questions. The exam is to be completed in front of the proctor and no notes or books can be used. 

Apparatus Exams 

Beginner/Intermediate Practical: You, the student, will teach a body 3 exercises of your choosing on each apparatus, including: Chair, Tower, Ped-O-Pull, Spine Corrector, and Ladder Barrel. The proctor will then choose 3-5 additional exercises for you to teach. You are to adjust the equipment for the body at the correct height, tension, etc. This is not timed and no pathology needs to be taken into consideration unless you have chosen a body that has any specific conditions or ailments. Your Practical will be graded on: Set Up, Springs and Equipment Set Up, Transitions, Contra/Mod, Breath, Movement Sequence, Alignment Protocol, Tactile Cues, Verbal Cues, and Safety. You can choose how many test outs you wish - separate or combining multiple apparatuses. There is a cost for each exam, so combining will lessen costs. Required hours must be completed before scheduling exams. 

Beginner/Intermediate Practical Reformer: Once required hours are completed from beginner and intermediate reformer levels, you can schedule the exam. You are to teach a 50-minute intermediate-level class to a body of your choosing. The class order is to be created by you, the student, based on exercises from Beginner & Intermediate levels listed in workbooks. You are not to touch the equipment, but instead verbally explain to the body where to place equipment and what springs to add just as you would in a group class. You can have your list of exercises written down somewhere to reference, but only an exercise list, no spring tension and/or number of reps. After the 50-minutes class, be prepared to teach an additional 3-5 exercises chosen by the proctor. Your Practical will be graded on: Set Up, Springs and Equipment Set Up, Transitions, Contra/Mod, Breath, Movement Sequence, Alignment Protocol, Tactile Cues, Verbal Cues, and Safety. 

Written: There is a 25 question multiple-choice exam. We also offer 5 bonus extra credit questions. The exam is to be completed in front of the proctor and no notes or books can be used. You can combine this exam with any of the other Apparatus tests. 

Advanced Exam

Practical: You, the student, will teach a body of your choice 24 total advanced exercises. You will choose three exercises on each apparatus (Ladder Barrel, Reformer, Cadillac, and Chair). The proctor will then choose 15 additional exercises for you to teach, not necessarily divided evenly between apparatuses. You are to adjust the equipment for the body at the correct height, tension, etc. This is not timed, and no pathology needs to be taken into consideration unless you have chosen a body that has any specific conditions or ailments. Your Practical will be graded on: Set Up, Springs and Equipment Set Up, Transitions, Contra/Mod, Breath, Movement Sequence, Alignment Protocol, Tactile Cues, Verbal Cues, and Safety. You can choose to break this test up into two separate exams, but note that additional exam costs will apply. 

Written: The student must fill out a case study. The information about the client will be given to the student when they are ready to start. Please make sure to plan for time to work. This is an at-home exam that you can use as many books, websites, and any sources you find helpful to complete. Please note your sources. We will provide an example. You will be expected to write what you plan to do with the client in your first session (including any adaptations of exercises) and on which pieces of equipment. You then will write out the exercise plan you expect to reach in 3 months, and finally in 6 months. We will give you details as to age, pathologies, experience, injuries, how often you will meet, and any other background that could be relevant. This is not a timed test. We expect you to use the full system and what you have learned on progressing through it. Submit your case study to info@contrologyconnection.com before your due date and time. 

Yes. We offer private sessions for all kinds of needs. One-on-one sessions with faculty will give you great feedback and guidance before your exam. We have found that this is most beneficial when the student has completed at least half of their required hours but still have hours to practice teach and move so to hone the skills discussed in the preparation. 

Click the "Sign Up" Button on the top right corner of the page. There are 3 simple steps to begin. 1. Sign the contract, 2. Pay the deposit, and 3. Fill out the information form to tell us a little about you.