core concepts of colorado

Pilates Academy International

Mission Statement

The Pilates Academy International (PAI) is committed to providing students with the knowledge and skills necessary to become excellent, sought-after instructors. We aim to equip our students with not only a strong mastery of the Pilates exercises and functional anatomy, but also the teaching skills necessary to attract and retain a strong client base.

The PILATES ACADEMY INTERNATIONAL was created so that the focus of Pilates could be shifted to the individuals it was designed to help most: the clients. We believe that Pilates is only as good as its ability to serve the clients' needs. We strongly believe that you don't have to be "the best" at doing the exercises to be the best instructor. Great teaching comes from an understanding of the learning process, and the ability to articulate your knowledge to students, like a great coach. For instance, an Olympic figure skating coach may not still be able to perform a triple axle. But he can break it down and teach the jump, and that is the most important. Competent instructors are those who have a strong understanding of the exercises and biomechanics coupled with excellent communication skills!

About PAI

Core Concepts of Colorado and The Pilates Academy International believe a great Pilates instructor must have three essential skills: a solid understanding of anatomy, biomechanics and postural issues; a strong command of the exercise repertoire - including modifications for all levels of fitness; and the ability to inspire and motivate clients. Any one or two skills alone fail to provide the client with the best instruction they could receive and prevent the client from reaping all the benefits Pilates has to offer.

Our goal is the PROCESS of attaining a more balanced, optimally functioning body, not an obsession with a result. While emphasizing the proper execution of the Pilates repertoire, we teach our students to focus on the unique needs of each individual client. As each client has a different life history, different movement habits and different limitations, he/she may not ever be able to achieve the "proper execution" of an exercise. Thus, our program not only teaches students to analyze and assess a variety of conditions - from the simple to the complex - quickly, but also provides these students with a variety of modifications to traditional Pilates exercises. The modifications preserve the intended goal of the exercises, yet make them accessible to all ages, body types, and fitness levels. As clients embark on their journeys to discover healthier movement patterns and find more freedom in their bodies, our students are prepared to help them enjoy meeting their unique fitness goals with Pilates.
The Core Curriculum

All courses at Core Concepts of Colorado will focus on the following:

  • Fundamental execution of each exercise
  • Anatomy and biomechanics of each exercise
  • Exercise modification skills
  • Cueing and correcting skills
  • Workout design skills
  • Transition skills
  • Progression skills

Requirements for Course Completion

In order to become a PAI instructor, students are required to log ten (10) observation hours for each All Populations course taken. Additionally, students must document practice teaching and personal review hours for each All Populations course. These hourly requirements are as follows:

AP Barrels – 15 hours
AP Mat, AP Cadillac, AP Chair – 30 hours
AP Reformer – 50 hours
If AP Cadillac, Chair and Barrels are taken together, there will only be 50 hours practice teaching/personal review hours required for all three courses.

Students must log practice teaching/personal review hours as well as observation hours on the log sheets provided, and turn in their logs at the time of the practical exam. A written and practical exam will be administered for the All Populations courses.  The Progressions/Challenge courses only require a practical exam for completion.  Exams must be taken within a year after the last day of the last course attended.  The written and practical must be taken within two weeks of each other.  If you do not pass your exam you may retake it only once and for an additional fee.
How is the PAI curriculum different?   
Core Concepts of Colorado and PAI bring a fresh approach to Pilates instructor training. In addition to detailed focus on proper execution of an exercise, an equal amount of time is spent on designing workouts for the variety of populations students will see as Pilates instructors. Our program focuses on how to progress clients for optimal results; the first tier exercises can be used as tools to analyze the clients abilities and needs quickly and accurately so that the new instructor can design a safe and effective workout, challenging the client without the risk of injury.
Across all Pilates instructor training programs, roughly 85-90% of the exercises are the same, as every system works off of Joseph Pilates original system of exercises. PAI has, however, modified the following:

  • Added new exercises
  • Changed the levels and orders to facilitate effective teaching of various populations
  • Created patented workout templates for students to follow
  • Designed a special programming curriculum and course
  • Implemented a new Anatomy, Biomechanics and Posture Review pre-course to teach you the essentials of “body phsyics”
  • Created new sport-specific CEC workshops

 Furthermore, our courses are structured to encourage students to learn about special conditions and common injuries early on in the training process. Combining this unique body of knowledge with the learned tools to motivate and inspire your clients will certainly result in a high rate of client retention!
About the Creators

Katherine and Kimberly Corp have owned and operated what is now Manhattan’s largest Pilates studio, Pilates on Fifth since 2000. After teaching instructor training courses for STOTT PILATES® for five years, the two gained a broad understanding of the problems and frustrations students experience transitioning from student to instructor. Eager to help bridge this gap, Katherine and Kimberly used their rare understanding of both active and inactive people’s needs born from their diverse backgrounds as corporate women, Radio City Rockettes and studio owners to start their own Pilates instructor training program, The Pilates Academy International. They are both certified Cancer Exercise Specialists, certified Reboundologists®, certified GYROTONIC® and GYROKINESIS® instructors, and ACE and National Academy of Sports Medicine certified personal trainers. They are committed to creating course programming which produces competent AND confident instructors, and to date they have trained over 400 students through Pilates Academy International. They are proud that the PAI curriculum, with its strong foundation in anatomy and biomechanics and unparalleled focus on customer service equips each student with the knowledge and skills necessary to be a fabulous instructor.
“Crossing Over”

Core Concepts of Colorado and The Pilates Academy International recognize the content, reputation and integrity of other Pilates instructor training programs. If you have completed courses through another recognized Pilates program and would like to obtain a PAI certificate in the same material, you may be able to take a shorter, condensed crossover course. Please contact Core Concepts of Colorado at mail@coreconceptspilates.com with the subject heading Crossover Course Offerings.
For more information on The Pilates Academy International, please visit www.pilatesonfifth.com/Certification.