The Professional Standards Committee of EuropeActive has recently begun the process of reviewing the EuropeActive Level 4 Pilates Teacher Standards. The review has been commissioned in response to initiatives by Pilates Federations from France, Germany, Italy and Austria to update their own standards and to align these to a common European Standard.
The numbers of people who attend regular Pilates sessions is thought to be at an all-time high and Pilates teachers remain in strong demand. It is therefore critical that Standards are in place to ensure that the integrity of the Pilates Method is maintained, and that clients across Europe can attend Pilates classes safe in the knowledge that their teacher has the ability to teach Pilates safely and effectively whilst, at the same time, respecting the original work and principles of Joseph Pilates.
The existing EuropeActive Pilates Standards detail the minimum knowledge, skills, responsibility and autonomy, written as Learning Outcomes considered essential for someone to teach Pilates matwork on a 1:1 or group class basis. However, it is the intention of this upcoming review to not only update these existing Standards where necessary, but to broaden their scope to include the safe and effective use of Pilates apparatus.
The review will involve the formation of a Technical Expert Group (TEG) who will meet to discuss and update the existing Pilates matwork Standards and to consider the necessary inclusions relating to Pilates apparatus. Once this process is completed the new draft Standards will be put out to external consultation across the Sector. Expressions of interest to be a part of the TEG should be sent to Julian Berriman, the Director Professional Standards Committee at julian.berriman@europeactive.eu by 15 July.