This course will lay the foundation for all the other courses in our program. We will look at the female pelvic floor from a functional and healthy standpoint and use this as a reference point for any dysfunction that may occur throughout your client’s life. We aim to demystify the application of the function of the pelvic floor muscles to movement and show you how the pelvic floor functions normally and naturally with your breath and everyday activities. This course is available online and in-person. 

You will gain a deeper understanding of

• The anatomy of the pelvic diaphragm and urogenital triangle.
• The changes the pelvic floor adapts to in all stages of a woman’s life.
• The fascial connections through the pelvic floor.
• How the female hormones have an impact on the fascial, bony and muscular systems.
• How the fluctuations of these hormones affect movement.
• How all movement is generated from the pelvis and pelvic floor.
• Why dysfunction happens.
• Keeping the pelvic floor healthy through release, breath and movement.

Lecture

• Anatomy of the pelvic floor including fascial connections.
• Normal functioning of the pelvic floor in everyday movement.
• How the female hormones affect the fascial, skeletal and muscular system.
• What changes take place during each stage of a women’s life.
• The use of bony cuing to activate the pelvic floor.
• The respiratory system and the connection to the pelvic floor.
• Muscle groups and fascia that support the pelvis.
• Why and what dysfunction may occur.

Practical

• Our protocol- relax-release-realign-restore.
• Learning release techniques for healthy pelvic floor function.
• How to use the breath and movement for optimal pelvic floor activation.
• Relearning how to activate the pelvic floor functionally through movement.

• Live or online coursework
• 1 self-assessment video
• 10 hours self practice log (log book included)
• 10 hours teaching log (log book included)
• 1 teaching video
• 8 Mentorship Program sessions

This course is the flagship course that started The Center’s teacher training courses. With over 30 years in the business of transforming how teachers look at the pre and postnatal client, we are proud to be the leading pre and postnatal program worldwide.

This course provides the perspective of preparing the pregnant client for the birth and the postpartum client in the recovery afterwards through effective breath and movement techniques. The program is designed to be built upon from the first trimester through to the birth and then continued into the fourth trimester.

You will gain a deep understanding of

• The anatomy and physiology of the pregnant and postnatal woman.
• The intimate relationship of the body to the breath and how to use the breath for birth, postural alignment and rehabilitation in the postnatal period.
• The adaptations of exercise and alignment to posture in the pregnant and postnatal body.
• The careful use of language and cueing while teaching this population.
• Program design that truly addresses the needs of the pregnant and postpartum client.

Lecture

• The philosophy of The Center’s program.
• The continuum of the 4 trimester program design.
• The anatomical and physiological changes of the pregnant/postnatal client.
• Understanding the function of the pelvic floor and abdominals during this time.
• Breathing and its effects on the abdominals and pelvic floor. Breathing for rehabilitation. Breathing for relaxation and alignment.
• The postural adaptation of the pregnant/postnatal client and how to apply movement to support these changes.
• Postpartum in all its glory and appropriate program design to include the emotional and mental bodies of your client.

Practical

• Laying the foundation of essential movement and breath for the pelvic floor and abdominals to the pre and postnatal client in all trimesters.
• Designing whole body movement that incorporates breath and flow.
• Using movement that eases restrictions and maintains suppleness in the prenatal body.
• Creating movement that prepares the client for the birth whether vaginal or surgical.
• Using movement and breathwork for postpartum recovery.
• Safe and beneficial release techniques for the pre and postnatal client.
• Progressive exercise for the early postpartum client.
• Using the abdominal binder for rehabilitation and prevention of diastasis recti.
• Creating flowing sequences on the mat with stability balls and therabands as props.

• Live or online coursework
• 1 self-assessment video
• 10 hours self practice log (log book included)
• 10 hours teaching log (log book included)
• 1 teaching video
• 8 Mentorship Program sessions

This course offers the certified Pilates Instructor a repertoire of safe and beneficial exercises on the Reformer and Cadillac. The exercises build from the information in Support your Floor, Rocking and Rolling to Release as well as the Pre and Postnatal Mat Theory and Practical.

• This course will establish safe practices on the Pilates Reformer, Chair and Cadillac.
• This course will show you progressions from the foundation of pelvis and pelvic floor.
• Innovative and well thought out movement that will aid in the preparation for birth and the recovery after the birth.
• This course will offer information on the reason behind the development of the exercises and how they benefit the pre and postnatal client.

Lecture

• The lecture part for this course is included in the Pre and Postnatal Mat Theory and Practical and is highly recommended as a pre requisite for this course.

Practical

• Safe and beneficial exercises are shown on the Cadillac, Chair and Reformer.

• Live or online coursework
• 1 self-assessment video
• 10 hours self practice log (log book included)
• 10 hours teaching log (log book included)
• 1 teaching video
• 8 Mentorship Program sessions

Recommended Pre-requisite: Rocking and Rolling to Release, Support your Floor

This course is designed to look at the causes and symptoms of menopause and to gain a new vision of how to train a more mature woman as she adapts to yet another change in her female life. Rather than seeing these changes as negative, this course will show you physiologically, physically, emotionally and mentally, why life can only get better.

You will gain a deeper understanding of

• The female anatomy and physiology during menopause
• The anatomical and physiological changes that affect the physical body
• The adaptations needed for exercise during this time
• The benefits and strengths of the menopausal year.
• The concepts behind the program that support the process.

Lecture

• The causes, symptoms and effects of menopause.
• The physiological and anatomical changes of the maturing female body.
• Changing your perspective on the process of menopause.
• Exercise concepts that enhance program design.
• Dealing with Kyphosis, bone loss and joint pain.

Practical

• Implementing the exercise concepts into various environments.
• Designing programs that include brain teasers, weight bearing and balance exercises.
• Using language that is supportive and empowering while teaching this population.
• Using flow and breath to activate the parasympathetic nervous system.
• Enjoying innovative and creative choreography on the Mat.
• Adding Props to the program design to aid in the execution of the exercise.

• Live or online coursework
• 1 self-assessment video
• 10 hours self practice log (log book included)
• 10 hours teaching log (log book included)
• 1 teaching video
• 8 Mentorship Program sessions

The Combined Modules in the Pre and Postnatal Specialist Certification Will:

• Allow you to guide your client through release techniques that will maintain the suppleness and openness needed for a successful birth. Stress and tension have an adverse effect on the fascial system allowing for more restrictions and pain to develop. Releasing will allow the body to better adapt to the changes that are taking place during the pregnancy. 
• After the birth, these techniques are imperative in guiding the body back to alignment, releasing restrictions that scarring from incisions and trauma can cause. The techniques taught in the Rocking and Rolling to Release™ course are safe and beneficial for this population.
• Support your Floor™ – our Pelvic Floor course takes you through the anatomy and physiology of the PF during pregnancy, birth and the postpartum period. Understanding the normal functioning of a healthy pelvic floor will allow you to guide your client through the changes taking place at this time. This course lays the foundation for all other courses in our curriculum.
• Pre and Postnatal Mat Theory and Practical will cover program design for the 1^st, second and third trimester and after the birth- the fourth trimester. It will apply the information learned in the previous two modules. This course offering will guide you through either a group exercise mat class or a Pilates Mat class.
• Pre and Postnatal Pilates Equipment will cover program design for the 1^st, 2nd and 3rd trimesters and after the birth – the fourth trimester on the Reformer, Cadillac and Chair. It will apply the information learned in the previous two modules. This course offering will guide you through a group Reformer class and a group Tower class.
• The movement taught in The Center Method for Diastasis Recti Recovery™ takes you one step further in the recovery of your postpartum client. While this course concentrates on Diastasis Recti, it informs you as to the causes and effects of birth trauma on the female body. The exercises used for healing DR can be utilized for C section recovery and pubic symphysis derangement. This course layers and applies the information learned in the previous courses.

Modules required to complete Pre and Postnatal Specialist Certification in this order:

1. Rocking and Rolling to Release™
2. Support Your Floor Pelvic™ Floor Health
3. Pre and Postnatal Mat Theory and Practical
4. Pre and Postnatal Pilates Equipment (for Pilates track)
5. The Center Method for Diastasis Recti Recovery

• Coursework completed, online or in-person
• Quiz after each module
• 10 self-practice hours (log books submitted after each module)
• 10 hours of teaching practice (log books submitted after each module)
• 1 self practice video submitted after each module
• 1 teaching practice video submitted after each module
• Attendance through 8 Mentorship Program sessions in total for Certification

The Combined Modules in the Health and Exercise for Menopause/ Pilates for Menopause Specialist Certifications Will:

Modules required to complete Menopause Specialist Certification in this order:

1. Rocking and Rolling to Release™
2. Support Your Floor Pelvic™ Floor Health
3. Health and Exercise for Menopause™ Theory and Practical
4. Pilates for Menopause™ Equipment (for Pilates track)

• Coursework completed, online or in-person
• Quiz after each module
• 10 self-practice hours (log books submitted after each module)
• 10 hours of teaching practice (log books submitted after each module)
• 1 self practice video submitted after each module
• 1 teaching practice video submitted after each module
• Attendance through 8 Mentorship Program sessions in total for Certification