MAT SERIES

The Mat Series is comprised of four mandatory two-day course modules. The courses must be taken in the following order: PF, MR, M1, M2. Successful completion of the series will enable participants the opportunity to gain certification by sitting for the Mat Exam, and those passing will also become REPs Level 3 Accredited. MSP is an optional module which is highly recommended for those interested in learning to use all of the various small props.

Course descriptions:

PF  Polestar Pilates Principals of Fitness/Movement   (2 days - 16 hours)
This non-apparatus course introduces current research in movement science, motor learning, bioenergetics, and communication science to instructional practice through six basic movement principles which are used throughout the Polestar Pilates curriculum. Tactile, verbal and imagery cues are integrated with the Pilates exercises. This course introduces Polestar Pilates Screening™, which includes postural evaluation and functional testing, to prepare you to properly design a plan to implement Pilates exercises for clients. This unique component significantly enhances decision-making skills as a Pilates practitioner. For those participants undertaking more than one series, it is only required to complete PF once.   

M1 and M2   (two 2‐day course modules of 16 hours per course)
Polestar Pilates Mat program provides instruction in Pilates principles, techniques and practice with emphasis on group dynamics for the Pilates Mat.  After the Pilates Principles for Fitness course (PF), the Pilates Mat program continues with two 2-day courses scheduled approximately one month apart. The time between courses allows you to practice and become comfortable with the material before continuing to the next course. 

The principles learned in PF will be applied throughout these two course modules and you will learn the following:

• Mat exercises for beginning through advanced levels
• Dynamics of group training
• Program design and exercise sequencing
• Advanced cueing skills
• Exercise modifications for a variety of populations

For certification, you will be required to complete  the required reading and writing assignments, 25 hours of observation, 50 hours of self mastery practice and 50 hours of apprentice teaching, at your own cost where applicable.  

MSP  Mat Small Props Module (Optional 2-day course module)
This course incorporates a unique blend of Pilates mat exercises with small props (foam roller, rotating discs, balance board, gym ball, Flex Ring Toner®, and springs) to enhance and challenge your Pilates mat repertoire. Focus will also continue on exercise modification for populations with special needs. In this course, practical sessions will incorporate exercise transitions and choreography to enhance the quality of your Pilates mat programming. These small props add a unique proprioceptive challenge to the original exercises as well as providing support and assistance to the more challenging Pilates repertoire. Principles of exercise modification are discussed. Emphasis is placed on increasing and decreasing the challenge of the Pilates mat exercises.

MR  Mat REPs Accreditation   (2-day course module)
This 2-day course covers all of the necessary additional requirements to enable you to gain REPs Level 3 accreditation upon successful completion of the Polestar Mat course. Polestar Pilates UK  has had its training quality assured by SkillsActive, who act as the awarding body for the “Level 3 Certificate in Teaching Mat Pilates” qualification.  SkillsActive have ensured that Polestar Pilates Qualification has been mapped and accredited in line with the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) and the National Qualifications Framework.  After completing this course you will: Understand how to collect and analyse information and how to integrate this into the screening process;  Have the ability to plan and prepare your sessions using the Polestar Pilates format and how to prepare these plans for the assessment process; Understand how to acknowledge your limitations, know when to refer clients to other professionals and be able to consider how to liase effectively with colleagues and other professionals; Have the ability to motivate and support your clients, have a good relationship with your clients and be an excellent role model for your clients; Be able to describe the stages of change and explain how they can be related to your clients;  Be able to demonstrate excellent teaching skills, considering how you would give feedback to clients, your positioning and teaching within a group environment; Identify health and safety needs and regulations; Be able to describe the different food groups that are essential to a health diet and explain how diet and exercise can be used to manage weight.

Click here to download a course brochure and booking form.