Virtual Teacher Training

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Dragonfly Pilates is a Balanced Body Education Authorized Training Center. We offers the entire range of BBE teacher training programs — whether your goal is to learn to teach Mat work only, obtain a comprehensive certificate of completion, or fine tune your personal Pilates skills, Dragonfly has everything you need to help you achieve success!

Our program, like those of other leaders in the Pilates industry, offers an assessment-based certificate of completion, not a “Pilates Certification,” based on the recommendations of the Pilates Method Alliance (PMA).

The Eloquent Eye: Mentorship for Movement Professionals

*Rolling Enrollment Program

Apprenticeship is a great way to learn the ins-and-outs of being a Pilates instructor in a safe and welcoming environment. Participants will work intimately with current instructors through observation and practice teaching of real clients. In addition, apprentices will engage in monthly training sessions (outside of the Balanced Body Education Modules) that will include anatomy, teaching techniques, and class structure and design. Also included is use of the equipment, mat classes, teaching feedback, and studio access.

Requirements for completion:


Program Fee:

$1199, plus books. List to be provided at registration.

$120 for additional coaching sessions with Misty Lynne. These 50-minute sessions dedicated to the individual needs of the trainee, and are available at any time throughout the program.


Contact us at disscover@dragonflypilates.com for more information.

* 2025 Training Dates Releasing Soon *

Balanced Body® Movement Principles™

Movement is critical in everything we do – gain a foundational understanding of the body in motion, and how to use it in improving your clients’ every day lives!

Learn how to recognize, improve and teach fundamental movement patterns with the Movement Principles, the foundation of the Balanced Body instructor training system. This course is designed for both new and experienced instructors to refine their understanding of the body in motion. Movement Principles is the prerequisite for the Balanced Body Pilates program and the heart of the Balanced Body Movement Specialist Certification. Take it to become a truly transformative instructor.

Movement Principles (16 hours)

The Movement Principles provides a solid foundation for training in any environment, with any equipment. You will come away with a complete tool box for effectively training clients to recover from injuries, improve their general fitness and enhance their performance. 

The movement principles course includes five sections:

The focus on practical understanding of common movement patterns prepares instructors to be excellent at problem solving, goal setting and learning new exercise techniques with ease.

Program includes:

Balanced Body® Mat Instructor Training

From fundamentals to advanced movement, and a wide array of variations in-between!

Mat work is the foundation of the Pilates method. The Balanced Body Mat program includes the full repertoire of Pilates exercises, along with modifications and variations to make your program successful for a wide range of clients. By incorporating the Balanced Body movement principles, we give you the power to be a transformative teacher.

Mat 1 (16 hours)

Introduction to Pilates & Beginning/Intermediate Exercises

Prerequisites: Movement Principles, 10 Mat classes. 6 months experience teaching movement and anatomy recommended.

Mat 1 forms the foundation of the Pilates method. This course includes an introduction to the history and principles of the Pilates method and the beginning and intermediate level exercises. Each exercise includes training on modifications, challenges, the purpose of the exercise and any precautions for injuries and special populations. How to design and teach group classes and guidelines for teaching seniors and pre and post–natal classes are included.

Mat 2 (16 hours)

Intermediate/Advanced Exercises

Prerequisite: Movement Principles and Mat 1

Mat 2 teaches the remaining intermediate and advanced level Mat exercises for a complete understanding of the Pilates Mat program. Lectures include progressive skill development to achieve the advanced exercises, programming for intermediate and advanced classes and creating successful Mat classes.

Mat 3 – Enhanced Mat and Props (16 hours)

Enhanced Mat + Props

Prerequisite: Mat 1 and 2 or successful completion of comparable Pilates mat program.

CEC course: Take for continuing education credits or simply to add infinite variety to your current Mat programming. Students who have taken Mat training, either from Balanced Body or another provider are welcome.

Enhanced Pilates Mat completes the mat training by adding rings, rollers, bands and balls to the traditional Mat exercises. In addition, Enhanced Mat includes functional exercises for the upper and lower body expanding the Mat work beyond the core to develop whole body strength and flexibility. The Balanced Body Programming System is introduced to make class design easy, effective and fun. Adding props to a mat class makes them more dynamic, creative and accessible and clients love toys!


Mat Program Includes:


Requirements for Completion – Mat Only

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


Total hours for completion of Mat program: 134 hours.

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

Balanced Body® Reformer Instructor Training

Learn to use the iconic Pilates apparatus to power your programming potential!

The Reformer, developed by Joseph Pilates, is an extraordinarily flexible piece of exercise equipment. Learn how to use the Reformer and Pilates exercises to create powerful programming designed to optimize your client's potential. 

Reformer 1 (16 hours)

Introduction to the Reformer & Beginning Exercises

Prerequisites: Movement Principles and 20 Reformer classes. 1 year experience teaching movement. Anatomy required prior to testing out.

This course introduces the Universal Reformer, the center piece of the Pilates equipment studio and an invaluable training tool. Reformer 1 includes an introduction to safely using the Pilates Reformer for a wide variety of supine, seated and standing exercises for the beginning to intermediate student. Movement Principles include improving lower body alignment, creating balanced muscle development and learning a protocol for effectively training the upper body.

Reformer 2 (16 hours)

Intermediate Exercises

Prerequisite: Reformer 1

Reformer 2 expands the potential of the Reformer with intermediate and advanced exercises and modifications along with programs designs for special populations including pre–and post–natal clients and clients with osteoporosis and lower back injuries. Class design, dynamic assessment and correcting common dysfunctional movement patterns are also included.

Reformer 3 (16 hours)

Advanced Exercises & Programming

Prerequisite: Reformer 2

Reformer 3 is the pinnacle of the Reformer work and includes advanced and super advanced exercises to challenge clients to achieve their best. Progressive sequences designed to teach students advanced movement skills are included along with an introduction to the revolutionary Principle Based Programming System helping you to create successful classes for clients at any level.

Reformer Program Includes:


Requirements for Completion – Reformer Only

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


Total hours for completion of Reformer program: 214 hours (not including anatomy).

Balanced Body® Comprehensive Pilates Instructor Training

Learn how each apparatus works independently and together as an exercise system to enhance your practice!

The Trapeze Table, Chair, Barrels and small equipment complete the Pilates exercise system. Each apparatus adds an extra dimension to private or group work. The course is delivered 2 different ways, as individual apparatus modules or combined as Mixed Apparatus modules. Choose which works best for you. 

Individual Apparatus Courses

Prerequisite: Movement Principles, Mat 1 and Reformer 1 or equivalent, 20 Pilates studio sessions.

1 year work experience in related field recommended.

Trapeze Table/Cadillac/Tower (18 hours)

Provides a thorough introduction to Trapeze Table and Tower exercises as well as applications for beginning, post–rehabilitation and advanced clients. This training is appropriate for students working with the Allegro® or Allegro 2 Tower of Power®, Half Trapeze and Wall Tower as well as those working with full Trapeze Tables. Sequencing programs using multiple pieces of equipment are covered as well as equipment set up, safety and maintenance.

Pilates Chair Module (14 hours)

The chair is great for doing strengthening work with athletic clients, and as an addition to group programming in combination with the Mat. Includes exercises and variations for the original Wunda chair, the EXO chair and the split pedal Combo Chair. This course includes exercises and programming for both personal training sessions and classes.

Pilates Barrels (6 hours)

Includes exercises and variations for the Step Barrel and Ladder Barrel, both are excellent tools for enhancing spinal mobility and core strength. The Ladder Barrel is most commonly used in a studio setting while the Step Barrel is a great addition to group classes.

Mixed Apparatus Course

Prerequisite: Movement Principles, Mat 1 and Reformer 1 or equivalent, 20 Pilates studio sessions.

1 year work experience in related field recommended.

Apparatus 1 (14 hours)

Apparatus 1 introduces the Trapeze Table, Chair and Barrels to provide a complete education on the Pilates system. Apparatus 1 includes beginning and intermediate level exercises on each piece of equipment along with safety, set up and their role in the Pilates studio environment. Each piece of equipment provides a unique training environment to create a well-rounded experience for a client or class.

Apparatus 2 (12 hours)

Prerequisite: Apparatus 1

Apparatus 2 includes intermediate exercises on the Trapeze Table, Chair and Barrels as well as information on class design in the Pilates Studio environment. Information on working with special populations including lower back and shoulder problems included.

Apparatus 3 (12 hours)

Prerequisite: Apparatus 2

Apparatus 3 completes the comprehensive Pilates teacher training program with intermediate, advanced and super advanced exercises on the Trapeze Table, Chair and Barrels. The Balanced Body movement principle programming system is applied to the apparatus to create clear guidelines for class design.


Comprehensive PROGRAM Includes:


Requirements for Completion – Comprehensive Only

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

OR


Total hours for completing: 520 hours (not including anatomy)

Completing the Pilates Instructor Training Program

To become a fully qualified Balanced Body Pilates Instructor (Mat, Reformer and Comprehensive) you must complete all required coursework, hours and pass a written and practical exam to demonstrate your teaching abilities.

Exams are regularly scheduled at Balanced Body Authorized Training Centers at trade shows and conferences in different parts of the world. If you are not able to test out due to geographical challenges, testing out by video may be arranged. Students do not need to test out individually for Mat, Reformer and Apparatus. Students only need to test out when they have reached the highest level they intend to complete. For example, students completing only the Mat will test out after mat coursework and hours, students completing Mat and Reformer will test out after Mat and Reformer coursework and hours, and students finishing the Comprehensive program will test out after they have completed all of the coursework and hour requirements.

Once you have completed all hours and are ready to test out, fill out and send the test out application to the Balanced Body office. Balanced Body reviews your records, approves a test out and sends specific details to you.

The Practical Exam

During the exam your teaching skills will be evaluated in the following areas:

If students do not pass on the first try, Balanced Body will discuss what they need to focus on in order to pass and set up a time line for completion.

The Written Exam

The written exam is a combination of multiple choice, short answer questions and an essay. The written exam covers exercise progressions, programming, appropriateness, organization, equipment setup & maintenance, special population & safety protocols.

Final Test Fees

All published prices for Balanced Body courses include the course fee only. There may be a cost associated with personal sessions and any costs associated with completing observation and student teaching hours are not included in the cost of the training program and are the responsibility of the student. Successful completion of the program does not guarantee employment.

Upon completing of all requirements


Pilates Method Alliance Certification Exam

Our curriculum meets national guideline and is designed to prepare you for the Pilates Method Alliance (PMA) certification exam, which can be taken upon completion of the full program.

Continuing Education Requirements

16 hours of continuing education every 2 years are required to maintain your listing on our website as a Balanced Body Pilates Instructor. Listing on our website provides exposure to a variety of sources including potential students, clients or employers. Continuing education credits can be earned through workshops from Balanced Body or any of our affiliated educators or approved continuing education providers.

Balanced Body module and associated costs are payable directly to Balanced Body.