Comprehensive and Apprenticeship
Important information:
Prerequisites
Mat Seminar
Comprehensive Seminars
Weekly Meetings
Apprentice Hours
Exams
Application
“I FIND SHARI’S TEACHING ABSOLUTELY UNIQUE. HER WAY OF TEACHING THEORY AND OF GUIDING YOU ON THE WORKOUT SESSION IS THE MOST COHERENT AND POWERFUL I HAVE EVER EXPERIENCED.”
Prerequisites
Mat Seminar Only
10 classical mat classes (in studio, not online/video) + anatomy education.
Comprehensive/Apprenticeship
50 classical sessions (a combination of private, semi-private and group classes on all apparatus is ideal) + anatomy education + Mat Seminar.
Think you might already satisfy the requirement? See what the anatomy education entails and how to receive the appropriate anatomy education.
Mat Seminar
Though the Mat Seminar is the first seminar of the entire program, if you are not ready to commit to the entire “thing,” you can take just the Mat Seminar and decide after that weekend.
In this seminar, you will learn to teach the classical mat work that will be appropriate for First-Timer, Beginner and some Intermediate classes. 20 Exercises that make for a remarkable mat class. Additionally, you will learn the transitions from one exercise to another and the modifications for each exercise. (Most of our clients have some sort of ache or pain…modifications and adaptations are essential.)
Beyond the exercises, you learn the technique of teaching that makes The Vertical Workshop teachers so successful. Well beyond any other program, The Vertical Workshop provides you with teaching tools that give you the opportunity to help achieve your goals for teaching and your clients’ goals for doing Pilates.
The Mat Seminar is 16 hours of work on exercises, anatomy, teaching tools. You will have many opportunities to do the exercises and practice teach.
The exam is built into the weekend. What we seek is that you progress from the first moment until the last of the weekend and are able to leave the weekend ready to practice teach until you are ready to teach a true class.
Comprehensive Seminars
Now that you have learned the techniques of teaching and practiced this in much of the mat work from the Mat Seminar, the Comprehensive Seminars teach you how to teach on all apparatus. You will learn both the ideal version of the exercises and modifications for all Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced exercises. (Remember, many of our clients have injuries or ailments. We need to know how to modify and teach the client in front of us!). We will continue to work on your teaching technique, understanding why we do each exercise, how to transition from one exercise to the other and more!
Seminar #1 — Beginner System
Mat, Reformer, Cadillac, High Chair, Wall
Seminar #2 — Intermediate System Part 1
Mat, Reformer, Cadillac, High Chair, Wunda Chair
Seminar #3 — Intermediate System Part 2
Wunda Chair (cont’d), Barrels, Magic Circle
Weekly Meetings following this cover: Injuries/Ailments and Special Cases (Obesity, Senior Population, Pregnancy)
Seminar #4 — Advanced System
Mat, Reformer, Cadillac, High Chair, Wunda Chair, Barrels, Pedi-Pole
Weekly Meetings
Weekly meetings are an essential part of your apprenticeship and Bridge. This is where you learn more than we can “fit in” in the weekend seminars.
During these meetings, we’ll delve deeply into the following:
Your questions
Anatomy and biomechanics
The Vertical Workshop teaching tools
Injuries, ailments and special cases
…and more
Apprentice Hours
Your 600 hours of apprentice ship includes the following:
Observation of teacher teaching
Self-practice
Practice with fellow apprentices
All apprentice hours must be done at the host studio.
During the first Comprehensive seminar, you will be given information on how to fulfill your apprentice hours. It’s hard work and a lot of fun! It’s extremely satisfying!!
Exams
At The Vertical Workshop, we believe that exams are an opportunity for you and us to see what you know well and what you need to work. It gives us a solid chance to know how to help you even more!
There are multiple exams. You will be completely ready for them. There are no surprises. We’re looking for you to succeed!
Locations and Dates
2023 Pittsburgh, PA: All participants must be willing to test each day (at own cost) and wear masks if requested. If you apply and are accepted, we will share the full details and CDC guidelines.
Unless there is an unforeseen circumstance, the seminar will be taught by Shari Berkowitz.
Mat Seminar September 29-October 1
(there are no additional seminars planned…yet…stay tuned for future Comprehensive and Bridge)
2024 Atlanta, GA
Dates will be listed, shortly, for Mat Seminar and the full program.
Tuition
Mat Seminar Only: $650
Comprehensive Teacher Training: $6050 (includes Mat Seminar and all other aspects of the program)
Application
Please email Shari at info@TheVerticalWorkshop.com if you have any questions.
“Meeting Shari and working with her through my own training to become a Pilates teacher was absolutely life changing. During my time as her apprentice, I was encouraged to think critically through the work of learning to become an instructor. She set high expectations yet never made me feel alone in being able to meet those expectations. I left her program feeling completely confident to teach any student at any level with any ailment or injury. I firmly believe there’s not another program that can compare to hers and you will not be disappointed!”