General
One of the most important features of Polestar training is the emphasis placed on self study (supervised and unsupervised) which students undertake in addition to the core training modules.The learning and self mastery activities are essential for the student to hone and perfect his/her skills as a competent and professional Pilates practitioner.
In order to be eligible to take the certification exam, students are required to partake in Supplementary study hours ( Mentoring activities) : Observation, Practice (Self Mastery) and Apprentice Teaching activities. Some of these are supervised (involve the presence of a Mentor or Educator) and therefore attract a fee, others do not. It is Polestar’s objective to make these activities available at a minimum cost to students.
The Mentorship Programme varies from country to country. Information may also be obtained from the Host Site or Polestar Supervising Mentor in each country regarding what is offered and the cost. Basically the Programme will include:
- Private/Semi-Private tuition (Supervised)
- Scheduled Group Sessions
- Observation of the conducting of Rehabilitation, Studio, Mat or Reformer sessions.
- Self-Mastery Sessions-self conducted training. (Unsupervised)
- Group study sessions. (Supervised and Unsupervised)
- Teaching practice sessions.
- Assistant Teaching experience.
- Examination preparation workshops. (Supervised)
Self-mastery hours are exactly that, hours that you spend mastering the exercises you have learnt on your course. So hours that you spend practising either on your own or with fellow students, can be noted as such in your logbook without verification.
We recommend that you book a 1-1 session or share a session with other students with an educator or mentor monthly, to ensure that you are on the right track. These hours are also classed as self-mastery.
Any classes that are taught by a Polestar teacher that you attend at a Host studio can also be logged as self-mastery hours.
- Student numbers are strictly limited and places are offered on a first-come, first served basis. Courses fill up quickly.
- Early bird discount cut-off dates.
- Students are required to prepare in advance of the start of the course and such preparations require time.
Polestar has a dedicated anatomy course for Pilates students available online for separate purchase-it is not included in the course fee. See here Muscle & Bone Anatomy 3D By Real Bodywork.
There are also numerous books available on this subject. The level Polestar requires for course entry would be Basic to Intermediate.We also recommend the following books from our reading list:
- ‘Anatomy of Movement’ (Blandine Calais Germain – author)
- Trail Guide to the Body, A hands-on guide to locating muscles, bones and more (Andre Biel)