Certification Courses
instructor certification
rehab certification
Certification Courses
Love Pilates?
Become a Certified Pilates Instructor or Master your Pilates Practice with our courses
Synergy+ offers a unique virtual Pilates Instructor course. Now fully online or in-studio intensive, the course is taught by a physical therapist and Certified Pilates Teacher. This is an ongoing course. It can be taken in full or by module.
Course Info
Synergy+ has been teaching Pilates Instructor courses since 2005. The Pilates Teacher certification course is very comprehensive and it includes:
- Lectures and demonstrations on mat and all equipment
- A module of applied basic anatomy
- A posture workshop, and
- A gate workshop
The course is taught by Zeina Grifoni, founder and owner of Synergy+. Zeina is a licensed physical therapist, a Pilates instructor, and a movement and rehabilitation specialist.
The course's goal is to develop thoughtful and successful Pilates instructor who can:
1- Sequence exercise movements to create flow, and
2- Modify the exercises to work with all clients, from the injured person to the competitive athlete.
This course is unique because it teaches:
1- A modern Pilates repertoire based on the classical Pilates
2- A Pilates that incorporates knowledge of body, bio mechanics, and
anatomy
3- The dos and don'ts learned in the past 16 years working with clients in a rehab setting
4- A systematic approach based on the practice of physical therapy
5- A modular and progressive course. This allows each student to build on her/his current level and education.
PREREQUISITES & REQUIREMENTS
CERTIFICATION OF COMPLETION
CERTIFICATION COURSE HIGHLIGHTS
I was so impressed with Zeina’s clarity and detail in how she presents the exercises-from exactly the way to perform the exercise, to the progressions as well as modifications for nearly any injury-this course will provide anyone the skill set to be an excellent Pilates instructor.
The opportunity to study with Zeina, was an honor. Her training program was very thorough from practice to anatomy to the history of Pilates. Zeina was very generous of time, spirit and knowledge for the zillions of questions that I asked regarding any part of the curriculum.
Course details
Course modules
Module 0 - Applied basic anatomy. 14 hours of lecture on the following topics:
- Intro module: planes of movement, and anatomy basics
- Spine: lumbar and SI joint
- Spine: cervical and Thoracic Spine
- Hip/Knee
- Ankle/Foot
- Shoulder
- Elbow/Wrist/hand
Module 1 - Pilates Concepts Review, Mat and Foam Roller - 10-hour module
Module 2 - Reformer - 10-hour module
Module 3 - Springboard - 6-hour module
Module 4 - Chair - 8-hour module
Module 5 - Cadillac - 4-hour module
Module 6 - Barrel/Arc and Course Wrap Up - 4-hour module
- understand the basis of all our movement, through posture!
- learn to conduct a postural analysis and practice on your classmates
- learn common postural deviations
- understand how postural changes can cause pain and poor body function
- understand the basic mechanics of a walking gait stride
- learn appropriate amounts of range of motion necessary for a proper gait cycle
- learn to assess for abnormalities in a gait pattern
- practice a gait analysis on your classmates
Course cost & options
Pay by Module: $900 / module
Testing per module: Included in the module cost (includes a certificate of completion). All lectures, demos, practice, and testing will be done remotely. The students need to have access to all Pilates equipment (Mat, foam roller, Reformer, Cadillac, Springboard, (tower is also acceptable in place of Springboard), chair (combo chair is recommended), Arc (foam arc is necessary for the work on the Reformer), and large ladder barrel.
Paid in full:
Option 1: All virtual - $3,900
All lectures, demos, practice, and testing will be done remotely. The students need to have access to all Pilates equipment (Mat, foam roller, Reformer, Cadillac, Springboard, (tower is also acceptable in place of Springboard), chair (combo chair is recommended), Arc (foam arc is necessary for the work on the Reformer), and large ladder barrel.
Option 2: Virtual + in Studio - $4,800
All lectures and demos will be done remotely. The practice will be done in studio in our San Rafael location, once a week following the curriculum of the modules. A certified Pilates instructor will be present at the studio to assist with the movements for hands-on correction while the instruction is done virtually.
Option 3: Intensive in Studio - $5,200
This is a 7-day intensive course with all live instruction on all Pilates equipment. The fee does not include travel expenses for the instructor (based on decided destination). Dates and times will be decided as a group. This option requires a minimum of 4 students, who must be in good physical shape to be able to sustain doing Pilates intensively for 7 days in a row. Testing for the certification will take place at a later date, either virtually or in-person depending on the location.
Testing: $350 for the full course; or $150 per module
Class manuals: $40 per module
Requirements for Completion
General Requirement
In order to complete the certification, the Student will need to perform the repertoire from pre-Pilates to the advanced repertoire as well as pass a written and practical exam that will include anatomy, exercise names, posture, and exercise modifications
Self Practice Hours Requirement
Each student is required to complete the following self -practice hours in addition to course work:
Mat – 60 Hrs
Reformer – 60 Hrs
Springboard – 30 Hrs
Cadillac – 15 Hrs
Chair – 30 Hrs
Barrel – 15 Hrs
Student Teaching Hours Requirement
Each student is required to complete the following teaching hours in order to receive a certificate:
Mat – 100 Hrs
Reformer – 100 Hrs
Springboard – 50 Hrs
Cadillac – 25 Hrs
Chair – 25 Hrs
Barrel – 25 Hrs
Assistant Teaching Requirements
Within the self-practice and student teaching hours, the Student needs to have 10 hours of assistant teaching for group classes (either at Synergy+’s place of business or other facility), and 20 hours of observation of private sessions.
Examination Requirement
Each student will be required to pass both a written exam and a practical exam in order to receive his/her certification.
Course Material
Additional cost/expenses: Each student will be responsible for the purchase of his/her own manuals in addition to the course material that is distributed during class. These can be purchased through Synergy+ or independently.
Reference material
Required Reference Material
- Pilates, Joseph H., Return to Life Through Contrology, Pilates Method Alliance, INC, Miami, 2003. ISBN 0-9768232-0-9
- Kendall, McCreary, Provance; Muscles Testing and function, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins, Philadelphia, current version.
- 3D for Medical Complete Anatomy App. (https://3d4medical.com/)
Recommended Reference Material
- PMA certification manual. (This can be attained on the PMA web site)
- Anatomy atlas: such as Netter and/or Trail Guide to the Body.
If you have any questions or for more information about our Pilates Instructor Certification course, fill out and submit this form.
Love Pilates for rehab?
Earn your Pilates for Rehab Certification
Synergy+ offers a unique Virtual Pilates for Rehabilitation course. The course is taught by Zeina Grifoni. She is a licensed Physical Therapist, a Pilates Instructor, and a movement specialist. She uses Pilates in her physical therapy practice.
The course can be taken in person at the studio or online. To earn the certification students are required to take and pass:
1- A written exam
2- A practical exam
Course Info
Earn your Pilates for Rehab Certification
The Pilates for rehab course is for:
1- Pilates instructors wishing to learn how to work with the injured client
2- Health professionals wishing to integrate PILATES into their practice.
Students will learn a Pilates-based approach that includes:
1- Observation and recognition of faulty movements
2- The correlation of these movements with pain and pathology
3- Learning how to facilitate optimal movement through tactile and oral cuing
Specifically, through this course the student will learn to understand:
1- Common Syndromes and diagnoses and be able to define them
2- Contra indications for clients with specific diagnoses
3- The latest research on Pilates in Rehabilitation
4- Common compensation patterns that present with specific diagnoses
5- Which are the best exercises for clients based on their diagnosis
6- When to refer clients to a medical provider
This will be an ongoing course and can be taken in part online. It is divided into modules as follows:
8 Module Course
MODULE 1 - LUMBAR SPINE & SI JOINT
MODULE OBJECTIVES
Understand why Pilates is a successful form of exercise for stabilizing the lumbar spine and SI joint
Learn and understand common spinal conditions pertaining primarily to the lumbar spine
Learn contraindications for each spinal condition
Develop modifications for clients with common spinal conditions
Maximize the benefits of Pilates for each individual
Minimize the risk of further injury with exercise and in daily life
Create a safe exercise program for each client with a Lumbar spine or SI Joint dysfunction
MODULE 2 - CERVICAL & THORACIC SPINE
MODULE OBJECTIVES
Understand why Pilates is a successful form of exercise for both the Cervical and Thoracic Spine
Learn and understand common spinal conditions
Learn contraindications for each spinal condition
Develop modifications for clients with common spinal conditions
Maximize the benefits of Pilates for each individual
Minimize the risk of further injury with exercise and in daily life
Create a safe exercise program for each client with a Cervical or Thoracic Spine dysfunction
MODULE 3 - HIP & KNEES
MODULE OBJECTIVES
Understand why Pilates is a successful form of exercise for someone rehabilitating the Hip and Knee
Learn and understand common Hip and Knee conditions
Learn contraindications for each condition
Develop modifications for clients with common Hip and Knee dysfunction
Maximize the benefits of Pilates for each individual
Minimize the risk of further injury with exercise and in daily life
Create a safe exercise program for each client with a Hip or knee dysfunction
MODULE 4 - FOOT AND ANKLE
MODULE OBJECTIVES
Understand why Pilates is a successful form of exercise for someone rehabilitating the Ankle and Foot
Learn and understand common Ankle and Foot conditions
Learn contraindications for each condition
Select appropriate exercises for clients with common Ankle and Foot dysfunction based on a Pilates repertoire
Minimize the risk of further injury with exercise and in daily life
Create a safe exercise program for each client with an Ankle or Foot dysfunction
MODULE 5 - SHOULDERS
MODULE OBJECTIVES
Understand why Pilates is a successful form of exercise for someone rehabilitating the shoulder
Learn and understand common shoulder conditions
Learn contraindications for each condition
Select appropriate exercises for clients with common shoulder dysfunctions based on a Pilates repertoire
Minimize the risk of further injury with exercise and in daily life
Create a safe exercise program for each client with a shoulder dysfunction
MODULE 6 - ELBOWS & WRISTS
MODULE OBJECTIVES
Understand what Pilates can contribute to the rehabilitation of the Elbow, Wrist, and Hand
Learn and understand some common conditions that may be seen in the clinic
Learn contraindications for each condition
Select appropriate exercises for clients with special conditions and with appropriate modifications (based on a Pilates repertoire)
Minimize the risk of further injury with exercise and in daily life
Create a safe exercise program for each client
INSIGHT INTO OSTEOPOROSIS
MODULE OBJECTIVES
Understand why Pilates is a successful form of exercise for clients with osteoporosis
Learn contraindications to avoid with clients suffering from osteoporosis
Develop modifications for clients with osteoporosis
Maximize the benefits of Pilates for each individual
Minimize the risk of further injury with exercise and in daily life
Create a safe exercise program for each client with osteoporosis
INSIGHT INTO SCOLIOSIS
MODULE OBJECTIVES
Understand why Pilates is a successful form of exercise for clients with scoliosis
Learn contraindications to avoid with clients suffering from scoliosis
Develop modifications for clients with scoliosis
Maximize the benefits of Pilates for each individual
Minimize the risk of further injury with exercise and in daily life
Create a safe exercise program for each client with scoliosis
I have been taking the pilates rehab course for the last few months & have learned so much. It is one hour once a week so I am able to digest all the information before the next lecture. I am growing more confident in my anatomy & in dealing with injuries that I commonly see in my clients. Zeina is a great teacher & I highly recommend taking the pilates rehab course.
Course details
Course modules
Course modules
Module 1: Lumbar spine and SI joint
Module 2: Cervical and thoracic spine
Module 3: Hip and knees
Module 4: Feet and ankles
Module 5: Shoulders
Module 6: Elbows and wrists
Module 7: Insight to osteoporosis
Module 8: Insight to scoliosis
Requirements for Course Attendance and Certification
Attendance Requirement
In order to attend the course, the student shall either be a certified Pilates instructor or be able to demonstrate competency in Pilates on the mat and on all the equipment
Certification Requirement
Each student will be required to pass both a written exam and a practical exam in order to receive his/her certification.
Course Material
The course includes access to all videos and presentation slides
Course cost
Pay by Module:
- $280 / module (Module 1 through 6)
- $95 for the insight into osteoporosis
- $95 for the insight into scoliosis
Certification: Testing per module: $150 per module test
Pay in full: $1,500
Full Certification: Testing: $350
Class manuals: $30 per module
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