NJ Yoga & Pilates - Choosing the Right Studio For You

Which Pilates Studio is Right for Me? - Ten Questions to Ask

With a burgeoning demand in Pilates instruction, a number of sites around the country began their own Pilates Certification Programs. The quality of these programs varies greatly, from online certification courses simply requiring a certification fee to the original Authentic Pilates^TM Certification Program in New York City. An influx of inadequately trained instructors, who are not familiar with the nuances and modifications of the Pilates technique (such as those for people with back pain), has resulted in some members of the public even getting injured.

We recognize that the making the appropriate choice for your Pilates Instruction is key to your success with Pilates. The following are some general guidelines, questions, and information you can use to help you find a properly trained and qualified Pilates teacher:

1. Are the instructors trained through a comprehensive, nationally recognized training program?
Deborah Harris received her training in Authentic Pilates^TM at the The Pilates Studio^TM Certification Program based in New York City. There she was trained and certified by Romana Kryzanowska, an internationally acknowledged Grand Dame of Pilates, who started as Joseph Pilates protégé and star pupil in the 1940s. Every instructor at our studio has completed a rigorous training program an nationally recognized and accredited program.

2. Did that training program require a written and practical test, lecture, observation, practice and apprentice hours?
Instructors certified by The Pilates Studio^TM teach Authentic Pilates^TM and must complete a rigorous training program and apprenticeship. This program includes 75 pre-requisite sessions with a certified instructor, attendance at a series of training workshops, and an apprenticeship of no less than 600 hours. During these hours the apprentice observes certified instructors and is guided by a "Teacher of Teachers¨. Deborah successfully passed a series of three practical exams and three written exams which had to be passed prior to solo teaching. All of our instructors had to observe and teach during their training and pass challenging written and verbal examinations.

3. How many total hours were spent in the training program?
(The Pilates Method is a knowledge-based method of exercise and training. Time spent in certification training produces qualified teachers.)
Deborah completed over 600 hours of practical instruction in her certification program and had to demonstrate an excellence in working on all different Pilates equipment, as well as an ability to work safely and effectively with women and men at all levels of fitness and ability, including those with musculoskeletal injuries.

Our teachers were come from a wide variety of training program and each one brings a unique set of exercises into their classes. What they all have in common is the thoroughness and exhaustiveness of their training.

4. Does the instructor have any other movement related teaching experience?

Deborah has a strong background in Dance. She completed her BFA in Dance at Temple University and has taught numerous dance classes since. In addition, Deborah, continues becoming familiar with Yoga to further integrate mind-body techniques into her teaching style.

Kumi and Kristin are both dancers themselves and are familiar with the needs of other dancers. Kathy has worked in the field of physical fitness for years and Tara excels in working with athletes on improving their performance and injury prevention.

5. How long have the instructors been teaching Pilates?

During the past 10 years Deborah has been teaching Pilates in numerous studios across the Northeast, from Lancaster, PA to New York City. Prior to starting her own studio in Warren, NJ, she taught at the Pilates Studio at the Pennsylvania Ballet in Philadelphia. She has also taught extensively at Thomas Jefferson University Medical School and has taught numerous Master Classes, including one at Franklin & Marshall College.

Our instructors have over 25 years of combined Pilates experience under their belts and work in an environment that prizes sharing your knowledge and expertise with clients and other teachers.

6. What is the instructor's/studio's philosophy? Are they able to handle special needs, injuries and rehabilitation?

Premier Pilates & Yoga is dedicated to improving it's clients' level of fitness and their sense of well-being. Deborah believes that Pilates should be challenging but fun and spiritually invigorating. She is committed to her clients and works hard to accommodate their busy lives. At the same time she expects dedication from her students and a commitment to self-improvement.

While at the Pennsylvania Ballet studio, Deborah worked very closely with a physical therapist. She had a chance to apply her training and perfect her approach to clients with such varying conditions as scoliosis, multiple sclerosis, hip surgery rehabilitation, chronic pain syndromes, fibromyalgia, and low back pain. She has worked with Prima Ballerinas, principles from Cirque Du Soleil, members of Broadway shows "Fosse" and "Contact." She was even an integral part of a recovery team for Phillip Dulebohn, an Olympic Ice Skater.

All of our instructors enjoy the challenge of the rehabilitation work and are constantly amazed by the quality of improvement in their clients following a period of regular Pilates instruction.

7. Do the instructors continue with their Pilates education?

In order to stay current with the Pilates Method, Deborah has taken continuing education courses every year since becoming a Certified Pilates Instructor. She believes that pursuit of excellence is a lifelong journey and one's learning should not simply end with certification.

Pursuing continuing education courses is a pre-requisite for continued employment at Premier Pilates & Yoga. in addition, all the instructors get together on a regular basis for a

Teacher to Teacher seminars where they share with each other innovative methods of helping the clients reach their goals.

8. Is the instructor qualified to teach the full repertoire of Pilates on all pieces of apparatus? Is it a fully-equipped studio?

All of our instructors are trained and experienced in teaching Pilates at the Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced levels on all of these apparatuses.

Not only does Premier Pilates & Yoga have a Wunda Chair, a Reformer, a Cadillac, a Small Barrel, and a Large Barrel, but all of the machines are of the highest quality, and are crafted by Gratz Industries, a company that used to manufacture equipment for Joseph Plates himself.

9. Do the instructors belong to a national professional organization committed to preserving the quality of Pilates instruction?

All of our instructors are proud member of The Pilates Guild and Pilates Method Alliance. Since 1990 The Pilates Guild™ has been an international organization dedicated to the preservation of Authentic Pilates™. The Pilates Method Alliance® (PMA™) is the international, not–for–profit, professional association dedicated to the teachings of Joseph H. and Clara Pilates.

Both organizations above are non-profit and have a mission to protect the interests of the public by establishing certification and continuing education standards for Pilates professionals.

10. What is the studio's level of commitment to the community at large?

Premier Pilates & Yoga is firmly dedicated to being a contributing member of the community. As such, we routinely contribute to local charities, like the Somerset Medical Center Foundation and the Long Hill Township Library Fund.

In addition, our instructors are frequent speakers in the community on such health topics as "Getting Back into Shape after Childbirth" and "How to Stay Fit After Retirement."