Pilates MN proudly uses Polestar Education and their courses and mostly their fabulous trainers. Polestar gives you the education that will make you the best trainer in the industry. Their principles, teaching methods and program design challenges you to go through a program that will give you the best tools for teaching both privates and classes. You will also learn how to work with the special populations such as clients with back issues (disc issues, osteoporosis, stenosis, spondylolisthesis, scoliosis) as well as clients with joint issues, pregnancy, glaucoma, heart issues and more.

Polestar Education
The Polestar curriculum, designed by physical therapist and Orthopedic Certified Specialist Brent Anderson, is based on a scientific foundation of anatomy, physiology, bio-mechanics and motor control, and integrates scientific research findings in the areas of orthopedics, sports medicine and movement science.

Our teaching method is interactive, helping you assess the whole person - physically, psychologically, emotionally and spiritually. The educational approach incorporates:

• discussion forum
• labs (doing, observing, teaching)
• problem solving (utilizing case studies and deductive reasoning)
• incorporates hands-on teaching (group and individuals)
• assessment skills
• principles of neuro-linguistics (modeling, sequencing and structuring information, and maintaining appropriate learning states)

STEP 1
PP: Polestar Principles
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. Health care professionals will integrate critical reasoning skills with these principles to facilitate movement assessment and intervention within the Pilates environment.

Taking more than one series?
This course is required only once. Remember to register for Polestar Principles first, and then the series of your choice. Duration: 2 days

Prerequisites:

• Certified fitness instructor or instructor of movement arts (e.g. Yoga, Tai Chi, practitioners of somatic movement)
• One semester of basic anatomy/physiology or equivalent
• Participation in 25 hours of group or private Pilates classes
• For Pilates for Rehabilitation Series, must be licensed or certified health care professional (e.g. MD, PT, DO, DC)
• Polestar has agreed to use our Exercise Physiology/Anatomy course for a prerequisite. This would take place of a certified fitness instructor, yoga or Tai Chi practitioners. This course takes place of the anatomy/physiology semester too. If you need to brush up your anatomy/physiology and prepare for Polestar this course is also for you. Our Anatomy/Physiology course is taught by our Exercise Physiologist, Julie Odermann.

CLICK INSTRUCTOR TRAININGS TO FIND OUT MORE

STEP 2
Pilates Studio and Pilates for Rehabilitation Comprehensive Series
The comprehensive series consists of 6 two-day (16 hours) course modules and teaches the practical skills needed to become proficient with Pilates exercises, assessment techniques, movement sequences, and the application of the Polestar Principles (the Polestar Principles course must be completed first). Case studies will be reviewed and you will design an exercise or treatment plan based on the information in the case study. You will learn over 90 exercises and their variations for Pilates equipment. The Pilates Studio and Pilates for Rehabilitation series are taught together, and include breakout sessions for rehabilitation professionals during each module. The final module is often taught separately.

Upon completion, you will be able to:

• Identify the appropriate stage of a client and correctly select most effective exercises to bring about a change.
• Demonstrate familiarity with the following pieces of apparatus: Reformer, Trapeze Table, Chair, Ladder Barrel, Spine Corrector and props.
• Demonstrate correct safety and equipment handling practices.
• Demonstrate ability to correctly execute all exercises and their variations.
• Problem solve and design an exercise or treatment plan with case study.
• Modify basic exercises based on clients needs.

Prerequisites

• Completion of Polestar Principles
• For the Pilates for Rehabilitation series you must be a licensed or certified health care professional (e.g. MD, PT, DO, DC, ATC)

Course Curriculum
S/R1 through S/R6: Pilates Studio and Pilates for Rehabilitation

(S/R1 | S/R2 | S/R3 | S/R4 | S/R5 | S6 | R6)

Final Exam

Australia only: Diploma in Professional Pilates Instruction

For more information click here for the Polestar Pilates Education Training Site.

New Polestar Education Courses at Pilates MN begin April 2012. Specific dates will be available this summer.