Regulation of the Pilates industry may not put a stop to 'shonks', but it would certainly go a long way to demonstrating the disparity between 'qualified' and 'non-qualified' Pilates teacher.
The conversation around standards of teacher training for Pilates is gaining momentum, with an article released recently, by the ABC, calling for stronger standards of regulation for instructors.
Pilates Alliance of Australasia (PAA) President Robyn Rix, was interviewed by ABC reporter, Shannon Schubert, and expressed concern over the lack of regulation within the Pilates industry and confirmed that the PAA is advocating for “regulations to be introduced to mandate minimum of at least 500 hours training and qualifications before people can teach Pilates". Insurance and first aid also need to be current.
Pilates is an unregulated industry, meaning that anyone can open up a studio and teach classes. Each call out of non certified, under-trained, and under-qualified 'Pilates teachers' gets our industry closer to being regulated. Regulation would not only recognise those of us that are correctly qualified, under a recognised registered training organisation (RTO), and our peak industry body, the Pilates Alliance of Australasia (PAA) , it will also help to protect those seeking Pilates as a form of rehabilitation and/or exercise.
"People can do a weekend course and become an instructor, & that's really concerning."
Regulation of the Pilates industry may not put a stop to 'shonks', but it would certainly go a long way to demonstrating the disparity between 'qualified' and 'non-qualified' Pilates teacher.
Even Allied Health practitioners such as osteopaths, physiotherapists, massage therapists, and chiropractors, should be correctly qualified and trained if the chose to incorporate Pilates into their clients program. We see more and more of these industries teaching Pilates with minimal training and, as a result, causing harm to clients through lack of knowledge about how to apply the method when working with clients, especially when working with the specialised Pilates equipment. "Pilates is not a registered health profession and decisions about which health professions are regulated are for the federal health minister to make. Practitioners registered in the professions of physiotherapy, osteopathy and chiropractic have particular knowledge and skills in the diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal conditions, using a range of therapies that may include exercise-based intervention". AHPRA spokesman.
How can you check that your instructor is correctly qualified? Do your research.
Contact the Pilates Alliance of Australasia (PAA) to check if they are a PAA Member and which RTO are approved training platforms for Pilates teachers.
If you are joining a new Studio it is your right to ask the Studio to view instructor qualifications. As well as current first aid certification and certificate of currency for insurance.
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