Corpus Pilates™ Mat Comprehensive Instructor Training, Level 1: Foundation & Beginner
Learn the foundational and beginner Pilates Mat repertoire, including Pre-Pilates exercises designed to prepare entry-level students and support people with physical constraints. Develop essential teaching skills with an emphasis on alignment, breathing, core strength, movement observation and safe exercise progression.
Prerequisites
Minimum 30 Pilates Mat classes
Functional Anatomy and Kinesiology (FAK)
Course Fee
€1,595 + €275 exam fee
Non-refundable deposit: €300
Course Description
Mat Comprehensive: Foundation & Beginner
Mat Comprehensive Level 1 introduces the foundational and beginner stage of the Corpus Pilates™ Mat Instructor Training. Students learn to teach the basic classical Pilates Mat repertoire together with Pre-Pilates exercises designed to prepare entry-level students and support people with physical constraints.
The training develops an understanding of correct alignment, core strength, breathing techniques, and postural assessment. Students learn how to observe movement, make appropriate exercise choices, assist and progress students, and incorporate Pilates small equipment such as the Power Circle and small hand and leg weights into Mat classes.
Teaching development is central throughout the course. Through hands-on practice, students learn class design, precise cueing, appropriate use of voice and touch, group and individual instruction, and client programming. They also develop the ability to screen and assess clients and create more individualised exercise programmes based on their needs and goals.
Level 1 forms the foundation for further Corpus Pilates™ Mat training. Successful completion is required before progressing to the Intermediate & Advanced Mat training.
Timeframe
16-20 weeks
Course Hours
~75 hours (incl. practical exam)
Self-Study
50 hours
Training Level
Foundation & Beginner
Exams
Theory + take-home + practical exams
Language
English & French
Before beginning Mat Comprehensive Level 1, students must have completed a minimum of 30 Pilates Mat classes, taken at Corpus Studios or another reputable studio. This provides the experience with Pilates repertoire, vocabulary and movement principles needed before learning to teach the exercises.
The Corpus Pilates™ Functional Anatomy and Kinesiology (FAK) course also forms part of the education requirements. Students who are not exempt from FAK must register for the course before beginning Mat training. FAK may be completed before, during or after Mat training, but must be successfully completed before the Corpus Pilates™ Certificate of Completion is awarded.
Students with a previous qualification in anatomy, kinesiology or a comparable field may be fully exempt from FAK after review and approval by Corpus Studios™.
Mat Comprehensive Level 1 introduces the foundational principles, repertoire and teaching methods used throughout the Corpus Pilates™ education system.
Students study:
- Introduction to Corpus Pilates™
- History of Pilates, Pilates principles and key concepts
- Pre-Pilates exercises
- Basic classical Pilates Mat repertoire
- Pilates vocabulary
- Breathing techniques
- Spinal positions
- Postural analysis and correct alignment
- Class design and cueing techniques
- Group and individual instruction
- Use of small equipment, including the Power Circle and small hand and leg weights
- Client screening and basic assessment
- Client programming and exercise selection
- Progressions and modifications for physical constraints
- Teaching with voice, touch and precise cueing
- Career development and managing your work as an instructor
By the end of Mat Comprehensive Level 1, students should be able to:
- Teach Pre-Pilates and basic classical Pilates Mat exercises.
- Apply fundamental Pilates principles, breathing techniques, spinal positions and correct alignment when teaching.
- Design and teach well-structured Mat sessions for both group and individual instruction.
- Use clear cueing, voice and appropriate touch to guide and assist students.
- Make a basic postural assessment and use observations to make appropriate exercise choices.
- Adapt, progress and challenge exercises according to a student’s needs and physical constraints.
- Incorporate Pilates small equipment, including the Power Circle and small hand and leg weights, appropriately into Mat sessions.
- Screen and assess clients and develop individualised exercise programmes that support their goals.
Mat Comprehensive Level 1 combines practical Mat training with live online theory and tutorial sessions via Zoom.
Practical training focuses on learning and teaching the Foundation & Beginner Mat repertoire, including Pre-Pilates, classical Mat exercises, small equipment, movement observation, cueing and class design.
Online sessions are used for theory, tutorials and other scheduled online components of the training.
Current session dates, times, location and online arrangements are provided in the Course Schedule tab when a course is scheduled.
Attendance
100% attendance is required for all practical training. If a practical session is missed, the student is responsible for arranging and paying for the required catch-up training with a Master Trainer.
Live attendance is expected for online sessions whenever possible. Online sessions are recorded and may exceptionally be reviewed later when a student is unable to attend live.
When participating in a scheduled online session that requires practical movement, students must be clearly visible to the Master Trainer and have the required exercise equipment available.
The course fee includes the Corpus Pilates™ training materials required for Mat Comprehensive Level 1, including the Corpus Pilates™ Handbook, Mat Level 1 course manual and supporting training videos.
The materials support the Foundation & Beginner Mat repertoire, teaching methodology and theory covered during the course.
Course materials are available in English and French.
VIDEOS: Corpus Pilates™ Instructor Education
Mat Comprehensive Level 1 requires independent study, personal practice, teaching practice, observation and private or duo lessons in addition to the scheduled course training.
Self-Study: 50 hours
Study of the course manuals, exam preparation, research and lesson planning.
Apprentice Hours: 120 hours
The Apprentice Hours requirements include:
- Personal Practice: 50 hours, including 10 required Mat classes. The 10 Mat classes are included in the course fee.
- Teaching Practice: 50 hours
- Observation: 20 hours
- Private / Duo Lessons: 2 lessons with a Corpus Pilates™ Master Trainer or Senior Instructor, completed before the practical exam at the student’s own expense
There are currently no upcoming dates scheduled for Mat Comprehensive Level 1.
New course dates will be announced here when they become available.
To successfully complete Mat Comprehensive Level 1, students must complete and pass all required assessments and fulfil the course completion requirements.
Assessments
Students must complete:
- Written Theory Exam
- Take-home Exam
- Practical Exam
A minimum mark of 70% is required to pass each assessment.
The Practical Exam assesses the student’s ability to:
- Execute the exercises safely and correctly, making appropriate modifications where necessary
- Teach a collective Mat class
- Design and teach an individual private session
Additional Completion Requirements
Students must also:
- Complete the required Delegate Portfolio
- Complete 120 Apprentice Hours
- Complete 50 hours of Personal Practice
- Complete 50 hours of Teaching Practice
- Complete 20 hours of Observation
- Complete 2 private or duo lessons before the practical exam
- Complete the 10 required Mat classes, included in the course fee
- Complete the Corpus Pilates™ Functional Anatomy and Kinesiology (FAK) requirement, unless an exemption has been approved by Kelly McKinnon
- Meet the required practical training attendance requirements
After completion of the course and exam, students have one month to complete any outstanding required hours. A single course must be completed within a maximum of 18 months; otherwise, the course must be retaken at the student’s own expense.
Certificate of Completion
A Corpus Pilates™ Certificate of Completion is awarded once all required assessments have been successfully completed, all required study and Apprentice Hours have been completed and accepted, the Delegate Portfolio has been submitted and approved, and the FAK requirement has been completed or an exemption has been approved.
Course Fee
€1,595
The course fee covers the Mat Comprehensive Level 1 training, the course materials described in the Course Materials section, and the 10 required Mat classes.
Deposit
A €300 non-refundable deposit is required to reserve your place on the course. The deposit is deducted from the total course fee.
Remaining Balance
After the deposit, the remaining course balance is €1,295.
Exam Fee
The €275 exam fee is paid separately on the exam day.
The exam fee is separate from the course fee.
Payment Plan
If you require financial assistance, a payment plan may be arranged with Corpus Studios.
Students requesting a payment plan should submit a written request for approval before the payment arrangement begins.
Under the current payment-plan policy, the student pays the required course deposit and the remaining course fee may then be divided into 3 payments on agreed dates.
The final scheduled payment of the remaining course fee must be completed before the student enters the final exam. The €275 exam fee is paid separately on the exam day.
Students are responsible for ensuring that all agreed payments are made by the required dates.
FAK Deposit
Students who have not already completed the Corpus Pilates™ Functional Anatomy and Kinesiology (FAK) course and have not received an exemption from Kelly McKinnon are required to pay a separate €175 non-refundable FAK deposit when registering for Level 1.
Hands-On Learning Essentials
Apprentice Hours Requirements
A crucial element of the Corpus Studios education program is Apprentice Instructor Trainer Hours. This is when you will truly learn Pilates by watching experienced instructors, practising your teaching, and doing the exercises yourself.
Classes taken at Corpus Studios™ or another studio approved by Corpus Studios, or personal practice completed independently. Students should practise the execution of all exercises in the manuals.
At Corpus Studios™:
- All Mat students will be credited 10 Mat classes for each Mat Course taken. This applies to students intending to practise at Corpus Studios in Brussels and is not guaranteed at host studios. These classes can only be used until the date of the Practical Exam.
- Each class counts as 1 hour of personal practice toward your Apprentice Instructor Trainer Hours.
- Registration for classes is based on availability. Priority will be given to Corpus Studios™ paying clientele.
- Credited classes must be used for your current level of study.
Teaching practice may be completed with family, friends and colleagues.
- Complete a minimum of 5 hours teaching collective classes at your level of study.
- Practise 55-minute private session formats based on the level being examined.
- Practice Teaching can be completed at Corpus Studios™ only when the studio is open to the public and by reservation. It cannot take place during busy periods unless permission has been granted in advance. Busy periods include Saturday mornings from 10:00 to 13:00 and some evenings.
- Instructor Trainer Students from the program may use Corpus Studios™ facilities at no cost when practising with other classmates.
- A studio fee is payable when completing Practice Teaching with your own students in Corpus Studios™ facilities.
Observation may be completed at Corpus Studios, with a former Corpus Pilates™ student, or in an approved Pilates centre.* Students may also observe the Corpus Instructor Education videos, but 80% of observation hours should be completed in live classes.
At Corpus Studios™:
- Observe a one-hour class at your level of study.
- Prior approval from reception and/or the instructor is required. A maximum of 3 students may observe per class.
- The instructor or receptionist must confirm your attendance on your observation sheet.
- Mat students may observe Mat classes only, not private sessions.
- Studio Pilates students may observe group apparatus classes or private sessions, discreetly and with permission from both the instructor and client.
*Alternatives are available for geographically isolated students upon request.
Track Your Progress
Delegate Portfolio Requirements
To keep track of their own education and development, students are required to prepare a Delegate Portfolio at the start of the first training course and build and maintain it throughout the entire program.
As the Portfolio develops, it becomes your own personal handbook.
For each course, the Portfolio must include:
- Course dates, agendas and notes
- Proof of Apprentice hours
- Lesson plans, as required by each course
- Completed student and client feedback forms
The completed Portfolio must be submitted to the Master Trainer for review and approval after each course, before a Certificate of Completion will be awarded.
Test Your Skills and Knowledge
Course Exams
If you are unable to attend on the scheduled exam date, alternatives are available:
- Pay by the hour for a private exam with an assessor, or
- Take the exam with participants in the next scheduled course.
All written Theory Exams are scheduled on a specific date.
- 70% required to pass
- If unsuccessful, the exam must be retaken as an oral exam with a Master Trainer, at the student’s own cost (equivalent to one private lesson).
Some courses require completion of an open-book written exam, completed at home over several weeks. This approach encourages research and self-study, and the completed exam serves as a useful reference guide for teachers.
- 70% required to pass
- If unsuccessful, the exam must be retaken at the student’s own cost.
An in-depth Practical Exam is required for each course. It provides an opportunity for clarification and discussion, personal feedback, and learning from fellow students as well as the Master Trainer.
The Practical Exam assesses your ability to:
- Execute the exercises, modifying appropriately where necessary
- Teach a collective class
- Teach a private class
Depending on the course and level, the Practical Exam may take place over two days or one full day.
- 70% required to pass
- If unsuccessful, the exam must be retaken at the student’s own cost.
- All students are required to register for exams through the online booking system at least 2 weeks in advance.
- A fee is payable for each Practical Exam or each re-sit of a written exam.
- The exam fee must be paid during the week of the practical exam.
- All required exams for a course must be completed successfully.
- All required Apprentice Hours must be completed successfully before progressing to the next stage of training, where applicable.
- In addition to successful exams and Apprentice Hours, a completed Delegate Portfolio must be submitted before a Corpus Pilates™ Certificate of Completion or Diploma will be awarded.
Success Stories
From Students to Instructors
UPCOMING TRAINING
Upcoming Corpus Pilates™ Instructor Training (CPIT) Courses
- 17.09.2026 - 29.10.2026
- 575€ (non-refundable deposit: 175€)
- Online via Zoom
- 14.10.2026 - 23.05.2027
- 3550€ + 375€ (exam weekend price)
- Rue Borrens 33, 1050 Bruxelles, Belgium
- 23.10.2026 - 17.04.2027
- 1595€ + 275€ (exam weekend price)
- Rue Borrens 33, 1050 Bruxelles, Belgium
- 23.10.2026 - 18.04.2027
- 3550€ + 375€ (exam weekend price)
- Rue Borrens 33, 1050 Bruxelles, Belgium
COURSE REGISTRATION
How to Register for a CPIT Course
You can register and pay for a CPIT course either directly through Mindbody or by bank transfer. All students need a Corpus Studios / Mindbody profile to register for a course.
After registering and paying the required course deposit, download and complete the Corpus Pilates™ registration form. Once Corpus Studios has reviewed your registration information and completed form, you will receive confirmation by email.
Registration Steps
All students need a Corpus Studios / Mindbody profile to register for a CPIT course.
You can register and pay either directly through Mindbody, using the full Workshops and Instructor Training schedule or the individual course page, or by bank transfer.
Please register for CPIT courses ideally at least two weeks before the course start date. Registration is possible up to one week before the course begins.
Follow the payment instructions and pay the required non-refundable deposit through Mindbody or by bank transfer.
In either case, send confirmation of your payment and enrolment to kelly@corpusstudios.com.
Course fees, deposit amounts, exam fees and any additional payment information are listed on the relevant course page.
After registering and paying your deposit, download and complete the Corpus Pilates™ registration form.
Once completed, email the form to kelly@corpusstudios.com
If you are registering for more than one CPIT course, you do not need to complete a separate registration form for each course.
Corpus Studios will review your registration information and completed registration form, check that you have been correctly registered for the course, and confirm your registration and preferred manual language by email.
Everything You Need to Know
Frequently Asked Questions
Your Corpus Pilates™ Certificate of Completion or diploma remains valid.
Corpus Pilates™ teachers are expected to continue their education and keep their knowledge up to date. Teachers must complete a minimum of 10 hours of Continuing Education Credits (CECs) every two years. The two-year period runs from the year of completion. This can be completed through workshops or specific updates at Corpus Studios, with a minimum of 50% of the 10 hours completed through Corpus Studios, together with hours of proven self-study, such as Pilates workshops or specialisation in the Pilates field elsewhere.
You may take a break between Level 1 and the combined Levels 2 & 3. Once you begin an individual course, you have a maximum of 18 months to complete it. If the course is not completed within 18 months, the full course must be retaken at your own cost.
You will be required to pay to retake on another day and will have one month to prepare.
You are required to retake the exam at your own expense, no later than 1 month from last exam and will not be accepted into any further course until the exam is completed and passed.
You will receive a Certificate of Completion for each successfully completed course after your exams are passed and your required apprentice hours are received and accepted.
Upon successful completion of the full Corpus Pilates™ Mat Comprehensive pathway, including Level 1 and the combined Levels 2 & 3 stage, together with all required assessments and completion requirements.
There is a one-time cost paid to Corpus Studios to register you. Thereafter, annual membership renewal and payment is handled directly with EREPS.
When you have successfully completed the full Corpus Pilates™ Studio Comprehensive (Mat & Apparatus) pathway, including Level 1 and the combined Levels 2 & 3 stage. After completing the full Mat Comprehensive pathway, you are qualified as a Pilates Mat instructor, but not as a Pilates Studio instructor.
Corpus Studios recommends completing the required exams before accepting payment as a Pilates teacher. This is a professional recommendation and is not controlled by Corpus Studios.
100% attendance is required for all practical training. If you miss a practical session, you are responsible for arranging and paying for the required catch-up training with a Master Trainer.
Live attendance is expected for online sessions whenever possible. Online sessions are recorded and may exceptionally be reviewed later if you are unable to attend live.
Corpus Studios is a recognized Instructor Education Center and its education program and certification is recognized by EREPS (European Register of Exercise Professionals) and EuropeActive. With these approvals, your Corpus Certification will permit you to teach Pilates anywhere in the European Union, and it will give you credit in other countries. Corpus Studios offers both a repertoire in Classical “Traditional” and Contemporary Pilates with a very strong approach to teaching and programming for the individual or for class needs. You will learn about remedial and regular approaches designed to make you an intelligent and thoughtful instructor.
When at a Corpus Studio you can work out individually or with fellow students during any non-peak hours. If you are at another facility you will need to discuss this with the owner or management.
If your previous qualification in anatomy, kinesiology or a comparable field is accepted by Corpus Studios, you are fully exempt from the FAK requirement.
The course requires 2 private or duo lessons, both of which must be completed before the practical exam. These sessions give students the opportunity to experience being taught directly by an experienced instructor, receive individual correction and feedback, and better understand how a private session is structured and adapted to the client. They also help students experience the level of detail, communication and progression expected when teaching one-to-one.