PMA Position Statement: On Pilates

The Pilates method has been in continuous use in the United States since 1926 when its creator Joseph Pilates and his wife Clara immigrated to New York City from Germany. The Pilates Method Alliance (PMA) is the international not for profit professional association for the Pilates method. The PMA's mission is to protect the public by establishing certification and continuing education standards for Pilates professionals.

The PMA made history in 2005 by launching the first industry wide certification exam for the Pilates method in the United States. The PMA has established recommended industry performance parameters guiding the practice of all PMA Certified and non-certified Pilates teachers. The PMA has established these
standards to further bring professionalism to Pilates.

The PMA is well aware that as Pilates exercise has gained popularity, confusion and controversy have increased in the media, the public and even between Pilates teachers. Since the PMA's goal is protect and enhance the Pilates method, it is necessary to establish a position statement to clarify the perception of what Pilates was historically and what it is today.

What is Pilates?
Pilates is a method of exercise developed by German-born Joseph Pilates. In 1926, Joseph and Clara Pilates brought their exercise system, originally called “Contrology”, to New York City. The Pilates method is a physical movement program designed to stretch, strengthen, and balance the body.

Pilates exercise focuses on postural symmetry, breath control, abdominal strength, spine, pelvis and shoulder stabilization, muscular flexibility, joint mobility and strengthening through the complete range of motion of
all joints. Instead of isolating muscle groups, the whole body is trained, integrating the upper and lower extremities with the trunk.

Return to Life and Your Health are the only texts published by Joseph Pilates. These texts provide a basis to understand the history and philosophy behind the Pilates method. The PMA believes that the Pilates method of exercise instruction should evolve in accordance with current scientific research and biomechanical principles.

“Contrology is complete coordination of body, mind and spirit. Through Contrology you first purposefully acquire complete control of your own body and then through proper repetition of its exercises you gradually and progressively acquire that natural rhythm and coordination associated with all your mental and sub-conscious activities.” (Pilates 1945)

The guiding principles of the Pilates Method are whole body health, whole body commitment, and breath. (Pilates, 1945) The movement principles are elements that are present in the successful performance of all the Pilates exercises: whole body movement, breathing, balanced muscle development, concentration, control, centering, precision, and rhythm. (PMA Study Guide 2005)

With systematic practice of specific exercises coupled with focused breathing patterns, Pilates has proven itself invaluable not only as a fitness endeavor itself, but also as an important adjunct to professional sports training and physical rehabilitation of all kinds.

Goals

• Establish and maintain a national certification exam.
• Encourage professional growth through continuing education.
• Define the parameters of Pilates teaching and expertise.
• To maintain standards while respecting the various approaches to Pilates.
• Promote the benefits of Pilates exercise to the consumer public.
• Serve as an information resource for all Pilates constituents.
• Maintain an international registry of Pilates teachers and training organizations which includes verified information for review and comparison.
• Encourage feedback and evaluate our organization to meet the needs of the community we serve.

Philosophy on Instructor Training

Pilates is a full-body system of specific sequenced exercises performed on the mat and specially designed equipment. The method is centered around the concepts of awareness, balance, breath, centering, concentration, control, flowing movement, and precision. The principle of Pilates is to uniformly develop the body and mind.

The Pilates method is best taught by a PMA Pilates Certified teacher or a comprehensivley trained instructor. Pilates was originally designed to be taught one-on-one. This depth of coursework and training directly affects:

Customer retention and profitability-

• Concern regarding minimizing facility/instructor liability.
• Ability to consistently attract, hire, and train quality instructors.
• Facility success in promoting a Pilates program to the marketplace.

Measurable Results-

• The participant’s realistic expectation of what to gain from a Pilates program.
• The participant’s ability to perceive even subtle changes in awareness during their course of training.
• Create consistency in training and programming.

Injury Prevention-

• Due to incorrect equipment use.
• Due to inappropriate exercise selection.
• Due to the instructor’s inadequate understanding of the scope of practice appropriate to a Pilates instructor.

Education Recommendation-
The PMA has created the first nationally recognized, legally defensible certification for the Pilates method.  Nationally recognized personal trainer and group exercise instructor certifications do not qualify instructors to teach the Pilates method.  In an effort to help ensure the safety of Pilates exercise participants and the efficacy of the Pilates method of exercise, the PMA recommends the following for all facilities.

The PMA recommends that anyone teaching the Pilates method:

• Participate in a Pilates exercise program prior to attending a teacher training program.
• Attend a comprehensive training program, become PMA Pilates Certified and maintain a commitment to continuing education.

All educational programs teaching the Pilates method of exercise, should provide the following information to participants:

• The names of the apparatus and all of the various parts.
• The names of the exercises.
• The appropriate sequencing of the exercises, repetitions, and use of resistance.
• The appropriate set-up of the apparatus for each exercise including all possible safety issues.
• Proper spotting and verbal cuing techniques for each exercise.
• The components of each exercise. (rhythm, tempo, dynamics, breath, flow, etc.)
• The objectives of each exercise.
• How to effectively modify, break down, and/or adapt an exercise.
• How to design a client’s specific program. How to choose which piece of apparatus to use for a particular exercise.

A PMA Pilates Certified Teacheror a comprehensively trained teacher must have practical knowledge of the complete exercise system to include:

• Its philosophy and purpose.
• The primary goal of each exercise.
• The ability to modify the exercises without losing their main intent.
• Pacing the workout for an effective movement experience.
• Communicating specific, applicable corrections.
• Understanding the use of appropriate hands-on ability.

The teacher must be able to:

• Accurately assess a client’s posture and movement patterns.
• Understand what the client is doing in a session.
• Have the ability to build an appropriate, client-specific program.
• Pace the work out for an effective movement experience

Studios / Facilities / Health Clubs:
The PMA strongly recommends that as of this date all studios or facilities, including health clubs have at least one PMA Pilates Certified Teacher or a comprehensively trained instructor on staff at all times when the facility is open for business. This instructor may assist the facility in supervising the following guidelines for Pilates programming safety, and with the ongoing education of instructors in training. The PMA urges all facilities offering the Pilates method of exercise to commit to hiring and training such a person no later than Jan. 1, 2004.

Studio with Equipment: 
All participants should be given a comprehensive assessment and initial training session prior to the recommendation of any exercise program.  This assessment should include client history, injuries, and goals, plus clear, measurable assessments of muscular strengths, weaknesses, and imbalances, bony landmark issues of significance, overall levels of both flexibility and cardiovascular conditioning. 

• At least one PMA Pilates Certified Teacher or comprehensively trained instructor should always be present.
• Several program options should be available, including private sessions, semi-private, duet, trio, each with clear definitions and pre-requisites as necessary.

Mat Classes:

• 10-12 participants max per comprehensively trained instructor.
• Mandatory pre-screening for any health related issue.
• Pilates is not recommended in a group format for participants with injuries or requiring specific rehabilitation.
• Classes should be defined with levels appropriate to the clientele.
• Classes should not include any exercises which require spotting.
• Advanced classes by invitation or instructor recommendation only. 
  

Group Equipment Class: 
Participants must receive a complete introductory or orientation prior to regular participation in this type of class.  This introduction  should clearly educate participants as to the purpose of the equipment, the potential for injury, and how to properly self-adjust each piece of apparatus. 

• 6 participants max per comprehensively trained instructor.
• Mandatory prescreening for any health related issues.
• Equipment and participants should never be left unattended in a group class area.
• Participants should receive consistent supervision while using equipment.
• Drop-ins should be prohibited without appropriate screening as above.
• Facilities should create, post, and enforce a late arrival policy for the safety of all. 
• All Classes should be leveled.