The Course Program Body Control Pilates Canada offers the Basic Matwork of the Body Control Pilates Method. It is the foundation upon which all the other Body Control Pilates courses are built. It includes the teaching of mat exercises to members of the public who are ‘basically fit’. You will be taught how to hold both group and 1:1 sessions using some ‘portable’ equipment, such as wobble boards, stretch bands, poles, hand weights and leg weights. A few advanced exercises are included, but it should be noted that intermediate and advanced matwork are covered on separate short courses. We are ultimately working towards the ‘Full Classical Mat’ programme, a set of approximately 34 mat exercises, which are very challenging and which may take several years to achieve. This is not a rehabilitation course, although general advice is given on how to deal with everyday ‘common’ complaints. In the UK, further training courses are open to qualified teachers include: Intermediate Matwork Advanced Matwork Core Stability 1&2 (Physio balls, Sitfits, foam rollers, rotator discs etc) Universal Reformer: Beginners and Intermediate 1 Universal Reformer: Intermediate 2 & Advanced (in development) Working in Sport Pregnancy (We hope to be able to run some of these in Canada in due course.) Student Selection We do not define strictly laid-down selection criteria for those wishing to train. We do, however, insist that all applicants should have had some direct experience of attending Pilates classes or sessions. We reserve the right to decline an application and, before accepting an application, we may sometimes ask that you join a class or visit one of our teaching staff – this will give us an opportunity to assess your suitability for the course and for an eventual Pilates teaching career. An offer of a place will generally be conditional on the student undertaking regular Pilates classes or occasional workshops during the period between an offer being made and course start date. A student’s ‘log book’ detailing their pre-course Pilates sessions is submitted to Body Control Pilates Canada course management eight weeks before the course start date. If, after starting a course, our teaching staff feel that a student is making unsatisfactory progress or is struggling to take on board the fundamentals of the Method, we reserve the right to ask them, after due consultation, to discontinue their participation in the course. We hold this policy to be in the best interests of both parties. Student Commitment and Ethics The period of time between a student starting the matwork course and gaining Certification is open-ended. Once the tuition sessions are completed, a written examination covering theory and anatomy can be taken on the student’s preferred selection of pre-published dates. By joining a course, each student is deemed to have accepted the guiding principle that, unless they hold a prior, recognized qualification to teach Pilates, they will not teach the Method on a paid basis until they gain certification. Under no circumstances may a student offer Body Control Pilates until they gain certification. Body Control Pilates Canada course management reserves the right to ask a student who breaches this principle, to leave the course with immediate effect. Students are, however, encouraged to practice teaching exercises, without payment, to family and friends as long as they are aware that the student is not yet qualified. Continuing Education We do not see gaining a Certification as the end goal in itself. Whether or not a student goes on to train in machine work, it is our firm belief that all teachers should continue the learning process throughout their career. The gaining of knowledge with regard to relevant medical research, advanced techniques, new exercises and, at the very least, talking and exchanging ideas with other teachers is a vital part of the professional development process. The Body Control Pilates Association The BCPA is Europe’s largest professional Pilates body with over 500 teaching members. It helps promote its members’ classes and contact details, as well as ensuring standards and that members continue their professional development. As a Canadian teacher, you will be asked to sign up to the BCPA’s Code of Practice and will be kept fully informed on all activities. It is the intention to establish a Canadian arm of the BCPA as soon as possible as it is a fundamental part of the Body Control Pilates philosophy that all our teachers – wherever they may be – have access to a support organization. You will be given more details of the Canadian organization by Body Control Pilates Canada in due course. Use of ‘Body Control Pilates’ Upon certification, teachers may sign an agreement for the use of the term ‘Body Control Pilates’ only in connection with their classes. In Canada, the word ‘Pilates’ is regarded as a generic term and, as such, is open for anyone to use, whether properly qualified or not. We therefore encourage all students to use Body Control Pilates when qualified as this denotes a recognized level of quality and professional competence. Under an agreement with the Body Control Pilates head office in the Uk, Body Control Pilates Canada is the only training provider in North America able to provide students with a Body Control Pilates certification. Matwork Teacher Training Course The first matwork course will be held in Richmond Hill, Ontario. The tuition element is taken in two blocks of six days and a third block of four-five days, interspersed with typically a two or three week break. The first two blocks focus on Pilates theory and exercises, while the third block is geared wholly to practical and teaching skills, as well as incorporating a practical examination. Tuition: comprising over 100 hours of ‘lectures’ in Pilates theory, exercises and anatomy as relevant. Much of this time is given over to practical exercise sessions. A recommended booklist is supplied upon confirmation of a place. Examination: all students must pass a three-hour written exam based on the content of the tuition sessions. The pass mark is 60% in each of the two sections (theory and anatomy). Students receive a copy of at least one previous exam as a ‘mock’. This examination can be sat at one of a few pre-published dates and can be taken again in whole or part. Once students have completed the modules, they will sit the written examination. Students will be advised of examination dates by Body Control Pilates Canada, who will let them know the arrangements for taking this examination. Please note that the examination is set and marked in London to ensure a common standard across all Body Control Pilates matwork courses. Practical Work and Practical Examination: when students have completed all of the tuition blocks, they will attend the third ‘practical’ block of the course. These four-five days are totally given over to teaching skills, learning the exercises and, ultimately, to them taking a Practical Examination, that may last up to one hour. Students will be given continuous feedback throughout this block. Apprenticeship/observation: alongside the classes students will attend and work on their own body, and we recommend that you spend as much time as possible observing classes and studio work to familiarize yourself with teaching techniques and the exercises. Certification: Students must pass the examination and successfully complete the practical element to receive Certification. Students are not free to teach their own classes, unless under qualified supervision, until Certification is granted. Successful students will be awarded a ‘Certificate in Pilates Matwork’ at the end of the course. This Certificate is a pre-condition for those students intending to take any other Body Control Pilates courses. Course Fees (plus GST) Upon acceptance into this course, students are asked to pay a Registration Fee of $200.00 to guarantee their place – places are not confirmed and may be reallocated until this Fee is received. You may pay by installments ($975.00 before each tuition block) or save $150.00 if you pay in a single payment of $2,000.00 plus GST. Enrolment Please return the attached Enrolment Form indicating your preferred form of payment. Upon confirmation of a place, you will be asked to pay a Registration Fee to guarantee that place. If a student cancels a place after payment of the Registration Fee, a sum will be deducted to cover administration costs. Canadian Management Team Evelyn Charters A long-time movement educator, Evelyn’s teaching career spans over 30 years. She studied dance/movement therapy and anatomy and kinesiology for 4 years at York University in Toronto in the 1970’s. She continued her studies from Montreal to New York, Chicago, Atlanta and Los Angeles, training in the dance, fitness and movement fields. She became certified by several Canadian and American organizations, staying on top of trends and training methods. Evelyn owned and operated a women’s fitness centre and a fitness product/equipment distribution business for over 10 years. Currently, Evelyn owns a private Pilates studio with a waiting list of clients seeking appointments and runs successful class programs at various facilities in Richmond Hill, Thornhill and King City. She and her husband, Paul provide the City of Vaughan with Pilates programs at all their community centres, serving hundreds of students. Evelyn discovered Body Control Pilates on a shelf in a Toronto bookstore. She was impressed with Lynne Robinson and Gordon Thomson’s approach to the Pilates method and used many of their exercises in her own classes. She traveled to London, England and successfully convinced Body Control Pilates UK to come to Canada and hopefully the USA. Paul Charters Paul co-founded and directed the Birchmount Exceptional Athletes Program of Toronto for the last 13 of his 30-year high school teaching career. Recently retired from the Toronto School Board, he has discovered a second vocation, teaching Pilates to adults. A graduate of the University of Toronto, he holds a degree in Physical Education and Health and a Bachelor of Education. Paul discovered Pilates 4 years ago, while cross training young athletes for various elite competitions. The method proved to be the balance that dynamic individuals require to both prevent and rehabilitate injuries. As an avid recreational athlete himself, he found that Pilates enabled him to increase the range of motion in a troublesome shoulder joint, as well as ensuring a strong core to prevent low back pain. Paul’s other interests include designing strength training equipment and enhancing his personal training clients’ programs with the Body Control Pilates method. Karin Stephens Karin has been active in business and market development in professional publishing for 10 years both in the UK and Canada, and more recently has been the Executive Director for the Canada-UK Chamber of Commerce in London, England, organizing and hosting events with keynote political and business speakers and working closely with the Chamber membership as well as the international business community at large. She discovered the joys of Pilates when taking a class with Evelyn in Richmond Hill about 4 years ago and has been actively taking Pilates classes both with Body Control in the UK and with Evelyn (Body in Balance) in Canada. She now looks forward to working with Evelyn and Paul, merging her business background with her love of Pilates in helping promote Body Control Pilates Canada as well as teach Pilates in the local community.