Pilates Teacher Certification Course
Learn To Teach
Zeina Asfour-Grifoni
Physical Therapist, Master Pilates Instructor & Movement Specialist
Who is the course for?The Certified Pilates Instructor Course is perfect for movement enthusiasts, healthcare professionals, athletes, and anyone looking to deepen their practice, teach Pilates, and enhance performance, strength, and body awareness.
- What will I learn?
This comprehensive Pilates instructor course covers all equipment and a modern repertoire rooted in Joseph Pilates’s original work. You’ll learn functional anatomy, exercise modifications for all clients, and ready-to-teach mat and Reformer classes. Two practical workshops focus on posture and gait, giving you techniques to apply immediately. Taught in easy-to-follow, hands-on steps, this course equips you with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to become a professional Pilates instructor and start teaching right away.
- What are the course objectives?
The objective of this course is to develop skilled Pilates instructors who can create flowing, adaptable classes for all clients—from injury recovery to elite athletes. You’ll learn a modern repertoire rooted in classical Pilates, apply anatomy and body mechanics, and gain insights from 20+ years of rehabilitation experience, preparing you to teach with confidence.
- Why should I learn from Zeina?
With over 20 years of experience in physical therapy and Pilates, Zeina helps students teach with confidence, work with all types of clients, and create effective, personalized movement programs. Her expertise ranges from injury recovery to athletic performance, chronic pain, and general wellness, combining evidence-based rehabilitation with classical Pilates principles.
- What's the cost?
The complete course costs $6,800 and includes all lessons, demonstrations, practice hours, functional anatomy lessons, teaching materials, exam fees, and PDF manuals. Online students must have access to Pilates equipment. It is also possible to take the course module by module ($1,200 each), with tests at $150 per module and PDF manuals at $40 per module.
Who is the course for?
The Certified Pilates Instructor Course is perfect for movement enthusiasts, healthcare professionals, athletes, and anyone looking to deepen their practice, teach Pilates, and enhance performance, strength, and body awareness.
What will I learn?
This comprehensive Pilates instructor course covers all equipment and a modern repertoire rooted in Joseph Pilates’s original work. You’ll learn functional anatomy, exercise modifications for all clients, and ready-to-teach mat and Reformer classes. Two practical workshops focus on posture and gait, giving you techniques to apply immediately. Taught in easy-to-follow, hands-on steps, this course equips you with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to become a professional Pilates instructor and start teaching right away.
What are the course objectives?
The objective of this course is to develop skilled Pilates instructors who can create flowing, adaptable classes for all clients—from injury recovery to elite athletes. You’ll learn a modern repertoire rooted in classical Pilates, apply anatomy and body mechanics, and gain insights from 20+ years of rehabilitation experience, preparing you to teach with confidence.
Why should I learn from Zeina?
With over 20 years of experience in physical therapy and Pilates, Zeina helps students teach with confidence, work with all types of clients, and create effective, personalized movement programs. Her expertise ranges from injury recovery to athletic performance, chronic pain, and general wellness, combining evidence-based rehabilitation with classical Pilates principles.
What's the cost?
The complete course costs $6,800 and includes all lessons, demonstrations, practice hours, functional anatomy lessons, teaching materials, exam fees, and PDF manuals. Online students must have access to Pilates equipment. It is also possible to take the course module by module ($1,200 each), with tests at $150 per module and PDF manuals at $40 per module.
Course Description
This Pilates teacher certification course is rooted in a contemporary Pilates repertoire inspired by the original work of Joseph Pilates. It preserves the core principles of Pilates while teaching exercises in their authentic sequences, emphasizing rhythm, flow, and precision.
The Synergy+ approach also includes thoughtful modifications, equipping instructors with the skills to work confidently with a wide range of clients—from those recovering from injury to elite athletes.
Led by Zeina A. Grifoni, a physical therapist, certified Pilates instructor, and movement specialist with over 20 years of experience, the course blends functional anatomy with practical movement training.
Zeina, founder of Synergy+ Physical Therapy & Pilates Studio in California and Switzerland, has been certifying instructors since 2007.
Course in Details
This full-spectrum Pilates teacher certification covers every piece of Pilates equipment and is built on a modern repertoire rooted in Joseph Pilates’s original method. Exercises are taught in their authentic sequences, preserving the rhythm, flow, and core principles of Pilates. The Synergy+ approach goes further—integrating smart modifications and practical strategies to help you confidently train anyone, from rehab clients to elite athletes.
The lectures and demos include approximately:
20 hours: Mat & Roller
20 hours: Reformer
12 hours: Springboard
12 hours: Chair
12 hours: Cadillac
12 hours: Barrel/Arc
This dynamic 10-hour course dives into functional anatomy with a clear focus on Pilates. The functional anatomy course is designed for instructors who want to elevate their expertise, it blends engaging lectures and hands-on demos to explore the bones and muscles that drive movement. You’ll gain practical insight into how anatomy directly impacts Pilates—like why tight muscles restrict motion or why joints lose alignment. Taught in simple, step-by-step lessons, it’s a fun, accessible way to build real professional confidence.
The course is divided in 7 modules:
- Planes of movement & anatomy basics
- Lumbar Spine and SI joint
- Cervical and Thoracic Spine
- Hip & Knee
- Ankle & Foot
- Shoulder
- Elbow/Wrist/Hand
At the end of the course, you’ll gain access to two essential workshops designed specifically for Pilates instructors who work—or plan to work—with clients facing posture and gait issues.
Each workshop lasts approximately three hours and focuses on practical, hands-on techniques you can immediately apply to support and improve your clients’ movement patterns.
Posture Workshop Overview
This engaging and practical workshop is designed to help you understand how posture forms the foundation of all movement. You’ll learn how to assess posture accurately, recognize common postural deviations, and understand how these imbalances can lead to pain, dysfunction, and reduced performance.
What You’ll Learn:
♦ How to conduct a full postural analysis and practice it with classmates
♦ The most frequent postural issues and what they mean for movement and health
♦ Why poor posture contributes to discomfort and inefficient body mechanics
♦ How to stand taller and align your shoulders correctly
♦ What “good posture” truly looks and feels like
♦ The most effective stretches and strengthening exercises to correct faulty posture
♦ How to apply these concepts in real-life scenarios—whether you’re working with athletes, dancers, or anyone seeking better movement and alignment
Why It Matters:
By the end of the workshop, you’ll not only understand your own posture better—you’ll be equipped with tools to help others improve theirs, keeping bodies healthy, balanced, and pain-free.
This workshop will be filmed, and the recording will be available for future reference, so you can revisit the material anytime.
Gait Workshop Overview
This hands-on workshop is designed to give you a deep understanding of the mechanics behind walking and how gait affects overall movement and health. You’ll learn how to analyze walking patterns, identify abnormalities, and practice gait assessments with classmates to build real-world skills.
What You’ll Learn:
The basic mechanics of a healthy walking stride
How much joint and muscle movement is needed for proper gait
How to recognize and evaluate gait dysfunctions
How to perform gait analysis on peers
What defines normal, efficient walking patterns
The physical consequences of poor gait mechanics
How muscular imbalances affect walking ability
Common dysfunctions caused by faulty gait
The most effective stretches and strengthening exercises to correct gait issues
How to assess individual gait patterns and improve walking efficiency
Strategies to reduce fall risk and improve stability
Why It Matters:
Whether you’re working with athletes, older adults, or anyone seeking better movement, this workshop equips you with practical tools to assess and improve gait. You’ll walk away with a clearer understanding of how to support your clients’ mobility and prevent injury.
The workshop will be filmed, and the recording will be available for future reference.
In this course, you’ll receive a full set of ready-to-teach Pilates classes—including Mat, Mat with Springboard, and Reformer formats—so you can begin teaching confidently even before completing your certification. Each class is thoughtfully structured with a purposeful flow, ensuring your clients experience a well-rounded, effective workout that aligns with professional standards. These pre-designed sequences help you build teaching experience early on while delivering high-quality sessions from day one.
After each module, you’ll have the opportunity to participate in dedicated Q&A sessions with Zeina. These live discussions are designed to clarify concepts, address any questions that come up during the course, and deepen your understanding of the material. Zeina will be available to provide expert guidance, share insights from her extensive experience, and ensure you feel confident applying what you’ve learned.
Our Q&A sessions are designed like continuing education courses, providing Pilates teachers with practical insights, advanced techniques, and expert guidance. They offer a hands-on learning experience that helps instructors deepen their knowledge, refine their skills, and apply new approaches safely and effectively in their teaching.
Graduates of the course are always welcome to return and participate—free of charge—in any future teacher certification programs we offer. This ongoing access allows you to revisit and reinforce the material, deepen your understanding, and stay current with the latest developments in Pilates. Whether you choose to assist or simply observe, it’s a valuable opportunity to continue growing as an instructor and stay connected to the Synergy+ teaching community.
As a graduate of our course, you’ll have ongoing, direct access to my decades of experience in physical therapy and Pilates instruction. I’ll be here to support you beyond certification—ready to answer your questions and help you navigate challenging client cases, including injuries, hypermobility, spinal dysfunctions, and other complex movement issues. Whether you’re unsure how to modify an exercise or need guidance on working safely with a specific condition, I’ll be your resource for expert advice and practical solutions.
To make enrollment simple and budget-friendly, you’ll have flexible payment options: you can choose to pay the full course fee upfront or split it into monthly installments. Payments can be made by credit card, check, or cash—and best of all, there’s no added interest, so you won’t pay more over time.
Price
Comprehensive
- Lectures & Demos
- Functional Anatomy Course
- Posture & Gait Workshops
- Ready-to-Teach Classes
- Q&A sessions
- Free Access to Future Courses
- Access to Education Portal
- Post Course Support
- Testing Fees
- PDF Manuals
- Flexible Payment
Module by Module
- Lectures & Demos
- Ready-to-Teach Classes
- Q&A sessions
- Access to Education Portal
- Post Course Support
- Free Access to Future Courses
- Functional Anatomy Course - $380
- Posture & Gait Workshops - $350
- Testing Fees - $150/Module
- PDF Manuals - $40/Module
- Flexible Payment
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 another 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
It is recommended that each student purchases his/her own manuals listed below:
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.
PMA certification manual. (This can be obtained on the PMA website)
Anatomy atlas: such as Netter and/or Trail Guide to the Body.
3D for Medical Complete Anatomy App. (https://3d4medical.com/)
Why Choose Us
Comprehensive Equipment Training
You'll learn to teach across all major Pilates apparatus—Mat, Springboard, Reformer, Cadillac, Chair, and more—giving you the versatility to work in any studio setting or with clients at home.
Led by a Seasoned Expert 20+ Years Experience
The course is taught by Zeina A. Grifoni, a licensed physical therapist and certified Pilates instructor with over 20 years of experience. Her deep knowledge of movement and rehabilitation ensures you're learning from a true professional.
Functional Anatomy Made Practical
You'll gain a solid understanding of anatomy as it applies directly to Pilates, empowering you to work safely and effectively with clients of all backgrounds—including those with injuries, hypermobility, or postural dysfunctions.
Ongoing Support and Lifetime Access
Graduates can attend future certification courses for free, access recorded workshops, and receive continued mentorship from Zeina—so you stay updated and supported throughout your teaching journey.
Client Testimonials
FAQ
What makes the Synergy+ Pilates Instructor Course unique?
This course blends classical Pilates principles with modern movement science, taught by a licensed physical therapist. It covers all major equipment and includes functional anatomy, posture and gait workshops, and ready-to-teach class sequences.
Who teaches the course?
Zeina A. Grifoni, a registered physical therapist, certified Pilates instructor, and movement specialist with over 20 years of experience, leads the course. She’s also the founder of Synergy+ Physical Therapy & Pilates Studio.
Is the course available online?
Yes! You can attend live sessions online or in person. All lessons are recorded, so you can revisit them anytime. Online students must have access to the full range of Pilates equipment.
What equipment is covered in the training?
You’ll learn to teach using Mat, Springboard, Reformer, Cadillac, Chair, Arc, and Ladder Barrel. The course includes demos and practice on all apparatus.
Can I start teaching before I'm certified?
Yes. The course provides structured, ready-to-teach classes early on, so you can begin teaching safely and professionally before completing certification.
What's included in the course fee?
The full course fee (CHF 6’800) includes all modules, anatomy training, posture and gait workshops, teaching materials, live Q&A sessions, and access to recorded content.
Are there payment plans available?
Absolutely. You can pay in full or choose monthly installments via credit card, check, or cash—with no interest charges.
What support is available after graduation?
Graduates can attend future certification courses for free and receive ongoing mentorship from Zeina, especially for complex client cases involving injuries or dysfunctions.
Is there a functional anatomy component?
Yes. You’ll receive 10+ hours of engaging lectures and demos focused on bones, muscles, and movement mechanics, all directly applied to Pilates.
What are the posture and gait workshops about?
These 3-hour workshops teach practical techniques for assessing and improving posture and walking patterns—essential tools for working with clients who have movement challenges.
What language is the course taught in?
The course is taught in English and in Italian. All materials and recordings are designed to be accessible and easy to follow.
Will I be able to work with clients who have injuries or dysfunctions after completing the course?
While the course includes foundational training on how to recognize and adapt exercises for clients with injuries, hypermobility, spinal dysfunctions, and other conditions, newly certified instructors are not qualified to work independently with this population. Safely and effectively supporting clients with complex physical issues requires additional experience, advanced education, and often collaboration with healthcare professionals. This course lays the groundwork and builds awareness, but working with injured or medically complex clients should only be done under supervision or after further specialized training.
