Pilates Education & Mentorship

Hands-On, In-Person Teacher Training

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The Foundation

Mat Pilates

(150-Hours)

24-Weeks

$3,000

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The Full Range

Comprehensive Pilates

(450-Hours)

48-Weeks

$7,500

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Continuing Ed

Coming Soon!

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We don’t want you to just memorize a bunch of exercises. We want you to understand why.

As a studio owner looking to hire instructors, I found that while many instructors had tons and tons of online module training, they had little to no experience working with real bodies with real issues.

They could easily replicate Pilates exercises or sequences with beautiful form. But they didn't necessarily have the deeper understanding of how and why those exercises worked, or who they worked for.

They struggled to modify for individual clients. They didn’t know how to break down the exercises or use different pieces of equipment. They weren't always confident using props, variations or modifications.

I wasn't the only studio owner experiencing this issue.

When Amanda of Pilates Plus and I met, it was kismet. In each other, we recognized a similar background in injury, a love of Pilates, an immediate recognition of teaching styles, and a shared concern as studio owners that there was a significant lack of in-person Pilates instructor training.  When talking shop, we found that we had both struggled to find qualified instructors and had invested time, money and effort in retaining the amazing instructors we did have.  But finding new ones was a struggle.  

At the same time, Pilates Native had become an unofficial tutoring studio for trainees enrolled in other teacher-training programs. They'd spent thousands of dollars on certifications but were showing up overwhelmed, struggling with the material, and looking for help understanding how to actually apply what they'd learned.

We built the program we wanted to see.

By working together, we could build and host a program that taught not only the Pilates exercises, but also included all of the little intricacies and nuances of working with different bodies, different goals, different injuries and different personalities.

Rather than relying primarily on online modules or zoom training, we have designed an in-person program that allows students to really dig in and see how and why the exercises work.  

Our program focuses on getting eyes and hands on real people with real bodies and seeing how they move, how they function and how they respond to the Pilates cues, training, exercises, and movement.

Forget rote memorization or learning on a fitness model with perfect form.  We’ll take you on a deep dive into the how and why behind the exercises.  We’ll learn and practice on bodies that have experienced multiple pregnancies, hip replacements, knee surgeries, herniated disks, sitting in an office for 10 hours a day for 20 years.  

“Finding the why” is our top priority.

We want you to understand why.

Why did we select this exercise for this person?

Why this spring?

Why this cue?

Why did we choose this modification over that one?

If you're ready to dig deeper, ask a lot of questions and find the why behind the movement, we'd love to have you.

This training is for you if..

  • You love Pilates, and you want to understand why it works, not just memorize a bunch of exercises.

  • You learn better in an in-person/hands-on model that emphasizes learning by doing, practicing and asking questions than by watching hours of online modules.

  • You want practice teaching real people with real bodies and real issues, not just practice with other instructors in your class.

  • Anatomy and biomechanics fascinate you. (Or they currently scare the crap out of you and you'd really like them not to. )

  • You want to know how to modify, adapt and problem-solve when the textbook version of an exercise isn't right for the person in front of you.

  • You want feedback and mentorship while you're learning to teach, and a relationship with your instructors that extends beyond the completion of your training program.

  • You want exposure to different instructors, teaching styles, and client populations.

  • You want to develop your own voice as an instructor, not just become a clone of your Instructor.

Meet Your Instructors

This Instructor training program will be a collaborative two-studio effort taught by Amanda Luton of Pilates Plus and Rubecca Martinez Dalton of Pilates Native. Pilates Native will be the certifying studio.

Amanda Luton

Amanda is an NCPT certified Pilates instructor with an extensive background as a professional ballet dancer, Pilates instructor, and dance teacher. After a knee injury caused her to take a year off from dance, she began pursuing a certification in Pilates. Since becoming certified, Amanda has worked in the physical therapy and outpatient orthopedic setting as well as the traditional Pilates studio setting. She chose to focus on rehabilitation because Pilates made it possible for her to continue dancing with various ballet companies in the Denver metro area.

Amanda has a strong commitment to educating her students and clients on proper body mechanics with the hope that they will be able to enjoy injury free activity throughout their lives.

Her studio, Pilates Plus, specializes in functional movement and active aging.

Certifications

  • B.F.A. Ballet Performance and Teaching, University of Utah

  • Certified Comprehensive Pilates Instructor, UNLV Dance Medicine, D.K. Body Balancing Method

  • ABT® Certified Teacher, who has successfully completed the ABT® Teacher Training Intensive in Pre- Primary through Level 7 and Partnering of the ABT® National Training Curriculum

  • PhysicalMind Certified Pilates Instructor

  • NPCP Certified Instructor

Pilates Plus
Pilates Native

Rubecca Martinez Dalton

Rubecca is a PhysicalMind certified instructor with a lengthy background in Mechanical/Welding Engineering and Sports Therapy. A lifelong athlete, she endured multiple knee dislocations and countless sports injuries that caused a lot of pain and dysfunctional movement. These injuries brought her to Pilates, where she learned the importance of efficient movement, core strength, functional mobility and good old fashioned prevention. Her Pilates career began as a Sports Therapist in a Sports Chiro clinic, where she honed her skills on endurance athletes. Rubecca’s passion for Pilates stems from her appreciation for the pain-free longevity Pilates has provided her as a runner, yogi, mountain biker and recently as a ballroom dancer. She strives to provide that same pain-free longevity for her clients.

Her studio, Pilates Native, specializes in athletes, injury prevention and injury recovery. PN is also a BIPOC and LGBTQ+ friendly studio and is committed to providing a studio space that is trauma informed. In our commitment to diversity in Pilates, Pilates Native offers equity sessions, including sliding scale rates and scholarships.

Certifications

  • B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Colorado School of Mines

  • Sports Therapist, Spine & Sports Therapy (Houston)

  • 200-hour Hatha Yoga Instructor, The Yoga Institute (Houston)

  • Yoga Alliance Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher (E-RYT)

  • Certified Mat, Standing and Equipment Pilates Instructor, PhysicalMind (Houston)

  • Certified Level 3 Stretch to Win Stretch Practitioner (Arizona)

  • Certified Life Stretch Instructor, Stretch to Win (Arizona)

  • Certified TRX Coach (TRX, Denver)

  • Certified Restore Your Core (RYC) Instructor (online, Denver)

  • NPCP Certified Instructor

  • I successfully completed the program with a sense of empowerment and confidence knowing that I have the ability to positively help, influence, and/or inspire others in their fitness and health goals.

    I selected Pilates Native instead of other training programs because of Rubecca’s extensive knowledge, commitment to the principles of Pilates, instruction that goes beyond “cookie cutter” and memorization, and “hands-on” teaching experience that would prepare me to work with a variety of clients, especially the actively aging. I successfully completed her program with a sense of empowerment and confidence knowing that I have the ability to positively help, influence, and/or inspire others in their fitness and health goals. Learning with Rubecca, and coaching actual clients in injury prevention or recovery, has accelerated me forward by at least two years in my career as a Pilates Instructor. I cannot put a price tag on the level of education and confidence that I have received under the guidance and leadership of Rubecca.”

    — Collette K

F.A.Q.’s

  • Yes. Both the Mat and Comprehensive programs are accredited by the NPCP.

  • The Mat certification is through Pilates Native/Pilates Plus. The Comprehensive certification is through PhysicalMind.

  • PhysicalMind has been a leading innovator in the Pilates space since 1991. They have continued Joe’s legacy of invention and adaptation, and have continued to produce training materials, videos and new equipment throughout their existence. Both Amanda and Rubecca are PhysicalMind certified instructors.

  • Per SB26-173, Pilates teacher training courses, programs, and schools are exempt from state regulation under the "Private Occupational Education Act of 1981”. We are an NPCP accredited program.

  • Mat instructor trainees will have 9 months to complete all of their certification hours.

    Equipment and Comprehensive programs will have 12 months to complete all of the lectures and 15 months to complete all of their certification hours.

  • Our program is all inclusive and tuition includes everything required for certification:

    • All required manuals

    • Instructor led learning

    • Group classes and private sessions

    • Mentor hours

    • Access to the studios for self practice and the ability to take classes with different instructors

    • The ability to apply previous Pilates and Instructor Training experience towards the required training hours

    • Written and practical exams

    The only thing not included in tuition is liability insurance, which we ask all trainees to have.

  • Trainees must be age 18 or older and have a current Pilates practice or familiarity with the work. A background in anatomy and/or biomechanics will be extremely helpful but is not required.

  • You will receive all of the required manuals as part of your enrollment.  For home practice, you will need:

    • A Pilates mat

    • A Pilates ball

    • Exercise Bands

    • A Magic Circle

    • Yoga Blocks

    Comprehensive Trainees will receive access to the studios for self practice.

  • We’re in the middle of our 2026 training program, so our next training session will start sometime between November 2026 and Jan 2027.

  • We will have an online portal available with resources, which may be in power point format, article format or video format. Most of this training will be an old-school, in-person, hands-on training.  We will utilize real clients in the studio, rather than models in training videos.

  • Yes. In a bid to keep Pilates accessible, we offer upfront transparent pricing, payment plans and scholarships.  These will be determined on an individual basis.

    Full payment is required prior to taking examinations

  • Yes. The Equipment training includes Reformer, Cadillac, Chair, Ladder Barrel, Spine Corrector and props. You must be Mat certified and test into the Equipment only training. Testing in consists of passing a written examination as well as a 50-min in-person practical exam.

  • Trainees will be required to complete a take-home written exam, a timed multiple choice exam and a practical exam.

    Exams will be held at the training studios.  Travel to another studio will not be required.

    All required training hours must be completed in order to take the exams.

    Course must be paid in full prior to taking exam.

    Students may provide their own Pilates client for the practical exam or request that the instructor provides exam clients.

    Students must pass the written and practical exam with an 85% or higher. If for any reason a non-passing grade is received on an exam, the student may retest at a later date. A re-test fee will be assessed and additional practice or observation hours may be required as well.

  • Your tuition covers everything you need for certification: manuals, lectures, mentorship, group classes, privates and exams. The only additional cost is liability insurance, which we ask all instructors and trainees to carry.

  • If you are unable to complete the course due to personal or family matters, you may apply for a leave of absence from the program. An approved leave of absence will entitle the trainee to take the next scheduled training course at the same location for missed segments.

  • Yes! We run our program as a 24-week Foundations + Mat training followed by 24-weeks of Equipment training.

    The program is designed to build upon itself, with all of the foundational skills covered in the first half of the program and built upon in the second half when we introduce the equipment. We realize this is an unconventional schedule for Pilates teacher training. However, we have found that by really spending time with the anatomy, lecture materials, special populations and all of the foundational topics, our students have been much better prepared for the Equipment and are better able to learn the exercises and how to apply them.

    The best part of our training program is that we include real-life hands on experience with clients as part of the training program. You will learn on real bodies as they apply to the various modules.

    Part 1: The Foundation Mat Pilates + Pilates Foundations (24 Weeks )

    • Pre-Pilates/Pilates Fundamentals

    • Balance & Proprioception

    • 35 Original Mat Pilates Exercises: Basics, Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

    • The History of Pilates

    • Fundamentals of Breathing

    • Neutral Spine

    • Anatomy: Breathing, Pelvic Floor, Spine, Shoulder, Leg and Foot, Anterior Chain, Lateral Chain and Posterior Chain

    • Anatomical Landmarks and Planes of Movement

    • Postural Anatomy, Posture & Body Types

    • Introduction to the PhysicalMind Parasetter, Tye-4 and Minis

    • Introduction to the Magic Circle

    • Alignment During Exercise

    • Cueing and Creating an Inclusive Studio Space

    • Using Modifications & Variations Effectively

    • How and Why we Choose Pilates Exercises: Principles and Practical Applications

    • Tips for Training Privates, Groups, and Duets

    • Common Injuries+ Sports Injuries

    • Working with Special Populations: Osteoporosis and Aging Clients, Children and Teenagers, Athletes, Men, Hypermobility and hEDS, prenatal + postnatal

    • Creating Initial Assessments and New Client Intake Protocols

    • Setting up Your Pilates Business

    • *At the end of this portion, all students in both tracks will take the Mat exams. Comprehensive students will continue on to the Equipment Intensive. Mat students are welcome to continue on to the Equipment portion of training.

    Part 2: The Full Range Equipment Intensive (24 Weeks)

    • Introduction to the Spine Corrector/Arc and the Ladder Barrel and How They Integrate into Mat and Equipment Exercises

    • Reformer: Basics, Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced Exercises

    • Tower: Basics, Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced Exercises

    • Cadillac: Basics, Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced Exercises

    • Chair: Basics, Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced Exercises

  • Yes. If you have previous training or experience in teaching movement, Pilates, or anatomy, we are happy to give you credit towards specific training hours requirements. To make sure you get credit, please fill out the program application in detail.