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Welcome to your VPC-TEP Curriculum Requirements Guide

This is designed as a quick reference to summarise the curriculum requirements to assist you in successfully completing your TEP course.

Navigate to a section: 

Modules

Overview:

Each module consists of 3-day intensives (17 hours each).

They are separated by a practicum period to digest and practice what’s been learned.

Level 1

Modules 1 - 8

136 hours

Level 2

Modules 9 - 14

100 hours

Module Hours

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

12:45pm - 6:45 pm

11:45am - 6:45pm

10:30am - 5:30pm

Module Absence Policy:

Completion of all Modules (or equivalent) is mandatory to satisfy the requirements of Level 1 and Level 2 and to be eligible to receive the relevant certificate/s.

 

If you are unable to attend a module for any reason, please alert Mairin or Edmond immediately in writing.

Practicum

Overview:

The Practicum is your opportunity to observe and practice teaching what you are learning in a studio setting with experienced mentor teachers.

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You will complete your Practicum during the intervals between modules and in the integration period between levels.

Level 1

160 hours

Level 2

120 hours

Cancelling or changing your Practicum hours:

Any changes to your Practicum schedule must be made through the front desk. Provide advance notice if you are unable to attend your scheduled hours may allow other students to use this as an opportunity to make up hours.


If you need to permanently change your practicum schedule, please discuss this with Mairin or Lila. This is to ensure that all students have equal access to timeslots, and to ensure that you continue to get cross-over with Mairin and/or Edmond.

Practicum Log:

The following can be included in your practicum log:

Level 1

  • Any time that you spend observing or practice teaching with supervision

  • Time spent teaching introductory private sessions to your volunteer (4 hours)

  • Time spent teaching mat series to your volunteers (6 hours)

  • Other activities, as directed by Mairin or Edmond, from time to time (e.g. seminars outside of the Modules)

Level 2

  • Any time that you spend observing or practice teaching with supervision

  • Time spent teaching private sessions for program advancement (2 hours)

  • Time spent teaching introductory private sessions to your case study volunteer (4 hours)

  • Other activities, as directed by Mairin or Edmond, from time to time (e.g. seminars outside of the Modules)

Practicum Guidelines:

  • We recommend that you average 4-6 Practicum hours per week to finish your Practicum hours by Module 8.
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  • Individual practicum schedules will be assigned based on availability. Following Module 1,  you will be asked to indicate your first and second choice of time slots, and we will make an effort to accommodate your preferences whenever possible. A set Practicum schedule will be confirmed by Module 2.
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  • Practicum hours will be recorded in your VPC-TEP student log and must be signed off by a VPC teacher who was present during your Practicum hour/s.

Practicum Fees:

Practicum hours completed at the VPC are subject to a fee of $5/hour (plus gst).

If you are completing all Practicum Hours at the VPC:

Level 1

  • Payable in four installments of $200 (plus gst)

  • Paid at the commencement of each 40-hour block

Level 2

  • Payable in three installments of $200 (plus gst)

  • Paid at the commencement of each 40-hour block

If completing Practicum hours at an Alternate Mentor Studio:

  • A minimum of 20 Practicum hours must be completed at the VPC for each of Level 1 and 2, if your Practicum is held at an Alternate Mentor Studio.

  • We suggest that these hours be distributed throughout the Level to provide Mairin and Edmond with an opportunity to provide more consistent mentorship during your training.

Personal Practice

Overview:

You will need to maintain your personal Pilates practice throughout the course. Your personal practice is an important opportunity to embody the theory and exercises that you learn in the modules. It will provide the foundation to further master the repertoire and allow you to relate to clients in a practical and meaningful way.

Level 1

104 hours

Level 2

80 hours

Studio Policies – Equipment Program

All regular VPC studio policies apply to VPC-TEP students participating in our programs.

Personal Practice Log:

The following VPC services can be included in your personal practice log:

  • Equipment sessions

  • Mat or chair classes

  • Private sessions (except for the services listed below)

(an average of 2 to 3 hours of personal practice per week)

  • These hours must include 4 private sessions at the VPC

  • One private session must be completed before Modules 2, 4, 6, 8

  • These hours must include 3 private sessions at the VPC

  • One private session must be completed before Modules 10, 12, 14

The following VPC services cannot be included in your personal practice log:

  • Discover Pilates intro session, Meet & Move privates, or Welcome Package private sessions

  • Non-Pilates classes, including ELDOA/MFS, towel, etc.

  • Guest teacher workshops or private sessions (unless they specifically relate to Pilates or teaching Pilates)

Cancellation Policy:

We require 24-hours notice for all cancellations. Full fees will be charged for any appointments or reserved classes that are cancelled or missed, for any reason, with less than 24-hours notice from the appointed start time. This policy is necessary due to scheduling demands and is strictly applied.

Equipment Program Scheduling:

It is your responsibility to inform the front desk of any absences from the studio that will affect your Standing Appointments (including vacations, sickness, etc.)

 

If your Standing Appointments fall on a Friday or Saturday of a Module weekend, it is your responsibility to cancel and/or reschedule your equipment session if you are not planning to attend your regular appointments.

Personal Practice Guidelines:

  • Personal practice hours will be recorded in your VPC-TEP student log (including those attended at the VPC or another studio).
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  • Your personal practice sessions should be an opportunity to practice exercises learned in the Modules. Therefore, certain sessions/classes may not be suitable for your Personal Practice requirements. Please ask us if you’re unsure.
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  • Personal Practice outside of the VPC:
    • If you participate in personal practice sessions outside the VPC, please alert Lila and she will share an External Personal Practice Log with you that you can complete for these sessions.
    • Proof is required for these hours to count towards your personal practice. Receipts or a visit report from the studio is acceptable.
    • If practicing Pilates at a studio other than the VPC, these sessions must be supervised by a qualified teacher.

VPC-TEP Student Discounts:

To assist you in meeting the requirements of the course, we are happy to provide the following discounts to active VPC-TEP students:

  • 25% off monthly installments for the equipment program (no other discounts apply)
  • 25% off class packages
    • Use promo code TEP256 in the online store to redeem your discount. This promo code must not be shared with anyone outside of your TEP cohort.
  • 25% off private sessions

Regular VPC member discounts apply for all other services & products.

 

Your discount applies from after Module 1, until your personal practice hours are completed (up to a maximum of two months after Module 8).

 

TEP discounts do not apply to introductory offers, guest teacher workshops or privates, or other special promotions.

Personal Practice

Overview:

You will need to maintain your personal Pilates practice throughout the course. Your personal practice is an important opportunity to embody the theory and exercises that you learn in the modules. It will provide the foundation to further master the repertoire and allow you to relate to clients in a practical and meaningful way.

Level 1

104 hours

Level 2

80 hours

Studio Policies – Equipment Program

All regular VPC studio policies apply to VPC-TEP students participating in our programs.

Personal Practice Guidelines:

  • If practicing Pilates at a studio other than the VPC, these sessions must be supervised by a qualified teacher. Proof is required for these hours to count towards your personal practice. Receipts or a visit report from the studio is acceptable.
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  • Your personal practice sessions should be an opportunity to practice exercises learned in the Modules. Therefore, certain sessions/classes may not be suitable for your Personal Practice requirements. Please ask us if you’re unsure.
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  • Personal practice hours will be recorded in your VPC-TEP student log (including those attended at the VPC or another studio).

Personal Practice Guidelines:

  • If practicing Pilates at a studio other than the VPC, these sessions must be supervised by a qualified teacher. Proof is required for these hours to count towards your personal practice. Receipts or a visit report from the studio is acceptable.
​​
  • Your personal practice sessions should be an opportunity to practice exercises learned in the Modules. Therefore, certain sessions/classes may not be suitable for your Personal Practice requirements. Please ask us if you’re unsure.
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  • Personal practice hours will be recorded in your VPC-TEP student log (including those attended at the VPC or another studio).

Assignments

Remember to add these hours to your Practicum Hours log!

Level 1

Assignment #1– Introductory Equipment Private Sessions

Process:

Step 1: Identify a suitable volunteer - they must be injury-free and able to attend all four private sessions within a 2 to 3 week period.

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Step 2: Provide your volunteer’s contact information to Lila (name, email address, phone number, and availability for appointments if you know it).

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Step 3: Your volunteer will be sent a Health Form. Once we have received their form, Mairin or Edmond will review it and confirm the volunteer is suitable.

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Step 4: Lila will offer appointments to the TEP student and volunteer to ensure dates/times work for all parties.**​​

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Step 5: Once the private appointments are scheduled, you will submit a teaching plan to Mairin or Edmond, who will then provide feedback on your plan. Please submit your plan at least 2 weeks prior to the first private session.

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Step 6: In between private sessions (usually right after each appointment), you will receive feedback from Mairin or Edmond (about 15-20 minutes).

What:

You will teach four 55-minute private sessions over two weeks to introduce a new client to a Pilates equipment program.

When:

Between Module 5 and 6

**Scheduling: Please note that we need to coordinate three people’s schedules for these appointments - you, your volunteer and Mairin or Edmond. The more availability you and your volunteer have, the better we are able to coordinate these appointments.

Assignment #2– Introductory Mat Series

Process:

Step 1: VPC can find volunteers for you, but if you have friends/family that want to participate, please email their details to Lila - please include name, phone number and email address.

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Step 2: All volunteers will be sent a Health Form, which Mairin or Edmond will review to confirm their suitability for the series.

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Step 3: Once approved, Lila will confirm attendance with volunteer/s.

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Step 4: You will submit your lesson plan for all six classes to Mairin or Edmond for review and feedback at least 2 weeks prior to the first class.

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Step 5: In between each class (usually right after each class), you will receive feedback from Mairin or Edmond (about 15-20 minutes per class).

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Step 6: After the series is completed, we ask your volunteers for feedback, which we will share with you.

What:

You will teach a 6-class progressive mat series.
  • Two classes per week for 3 weeks is the ideal schedule
  • We accept 4 volunteers per series

When:

After Module 6

Level 2

Assignment # 1– Program Advancement Private Sessions (Case Study 1)

Process:

Step 1: You will identify a potential client to work with (someone you see regularly during your practicum times) and confirm with Mairin or Edmond if they think that person is a good candidate.

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Step 2: Mairin or Edmond will approach the client to gauge their interest in participating.

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Step 3: Once the client has confirmed their participation:

Alert Lila, who will find a time for the first private session.

You will interview the client for goal setting for the sessions.

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Step 4: You will prepare a plan for both private sessions and submit it to Mairin or Edmond for review and feedback. Please submit your plan at least 2 weeks prior to the first private session.

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Step 5: Once the client confirms their first private appointment, you and Mairin/Edmond will be alerted.

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Step 6: You will continue to work with the client in their group sessions between private sessions.

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Step 7: After 4 weeks, Lila will schedule the second private session:

Once the client confirms, you and Mairin/Edmond will be alerted.

You will review your original program design with Mairin or Edmond before the second private (based on the client’s progress during their group sessions).

What:

You will teach two private sessions with an existing VPC client to advance their equipment program. Privates are booked approximately four weeks apart.

When:

After Module 10
(to be completed no later than Module 12).

Assignment #2 – Introductory Equipment Program Design  with Someone Requiring Modifications (Case Study 2)

Process:

Step 1: Identify a suitable volunteer - they must be able to attend all four private sessions within a 2 to 3 week period.

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Step 2: Provide their contact information to Lila (name, email address, phone number, and availability for appointments if you know it).

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Step 3: Your volunteer will be sent a Health Form. Once we have received their form, Mairin or Edmond will review it and confirm the volunteer is suitable.

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Step 4: Lila will offer appointments to the TEP student and volunteer to ensure dates/times work for all parties.**​

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Step 5: Once the private appointments are scheduled, you will submit a teaching plan to Mairin or Edmond, who will provide feedback. Please submit your plan at least 2 weeks prior to the first private session.

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Step 6: In between sessions (usually right after each appointment), you will receive feedback from Mairin or Edmond (about 15-20 minutes).

What:

You will teach four private sessions over two weeks to a client who presents with a physical issue which requires modifications from our standard program templates.

When:

After Module 11

**Scheduling: Please note that we need to coordinate three people’s schedules for these appointments - you, your volunteer and Mairin or Edmond. The more availability you and your volunteer have, the better we are able to coordinate these appointments.

Assessments

Overview:

Ongoing assessments demonstrate the progression of your skills and knowledge, culminating in final exams.

Assessments for Level 1 & Level 2 include:

  • Informal assessments – The Modules contain ongoing informal in-class assessments in the form of review questions that allow for discussion to clarify key information.

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  • Written assignments and quizzes will be periodically included during the Modules.

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  • Practical exams – You will demonstrate the work you have done in your Practicum and Personal Practice by completing two exams:

    • Embodiment Exam – You will demonstrate your ability to perform a selection of Pilates exercises, or a modification of an exercise if necessary.

    • Practical Teaching Exam – You will be assigned to teach a selection of exercises on VPC clients. This will be scheduled once you have completed your Practicum Hours.

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  • Written Final Exams – Written exams will be held at the end of each level, in Modules 8 and 14.

Level 1

Final Examination Process

There are three assessment measures towards the successful completion of requirements for the VPC-TEP Level 1 Pilates Teacher Certificate.

Any failed exam must be repeated before beginning Level 2; a re-examination fee will apply to each re-test required (please see your Enrollment Agreement for details).

Level 2

Final Examination Process

There are three assessment measures towards the successful completion of requirements for the VPC-TEP Comprehensive Pilates Teacher Certificate.

Any failed exam must be repeated before your certificate is issued; a re-examination fee will apply to each re-test required (please see your Enrollment Agreement for details).

1. The Written Exam - A passing mark for this exam is 80%.

  • The written exam will be held during the Module 8 weekend.

  • Designed to be completed in 3 hours; however, students may take longer if required.

  • The examination will be monitored and the student may not leave the examination room during the exam.

There is the option to defer writing the exam to a later date.

1. The Written Exam - A passing mark for this exam is 80%.

  • The written exam will be held during the Module 14 weekend.

  • It is designed to be completed in 3 hours; however, students may take longer if required.

  • The examination will be monitored and the student may not leave the examination room during the exam.

2. The Embodiment Exam - Pass/Fail

  • The embodiment exam will be held during the Module 8 weekend.

  • The student will be asked to perform select exercises from the Level 1 Pilates curriculum.

    • If the student is unable to perform a given exercise due to physical limitation, the student may perform a modification of the exercise with an explanation of why the modification is necessary and how it still addresses the primary focus of the exercise.

2. The Embodiment Exam - Pass/Fail

  • The student will design a personal program that incorporates Level 2 repertoire that addresses their individual process.

    • You will submit your program to M or EK for review no later than Module 12 for review.

  • For your embodiment exam, you will execute your personal program during the Module 14 weekend.

    • ​If the student is unable to perform a given exercise due to physical limitation, the student may perform a modification of the exercise with an explanation of why the modification is necessary and how it still addresses the primary focus of the exercise.

3. The Practical Teaching Exam - Pass/Fail

  • The practical teaching exam will be scheduled after the required Practicum hours have been completed.

  •  The duration of the exam will last 1.5 to 2 hours with no more than 2 students being examined at one time.

  • The student will be observed and graded while teaching a selection of Level 1 exercises to a small group of Pilates clients provided by the VPC.

3. The Practical Teaching Exam - Pass/Fail

  • The practical teaching exam will be scheduled after the required Practicum hours have been completed.

  •  The duration of the exam will last 1.5 to 2 hours with no more than 2 students being examined at one time.

  • The student will be observed and graded while teaching a selection of Level 2 exercises to a small group of Pilates clients provided by the VPC.

Recommendations for Exam Preparation:

Study Groups

You are welcome to schedule time in the studio with one or more of your fellow students to work on new repertoire and practice teaching each other.

 

These need to be scheduled in advance with the front desk for times that do not interfere with other studio operations and during regular business hours. 

 

Please be aware of what is happening in the studio while you are in your study groups and avoid distracting other clients or staff. Clients and staff will have priority over all shared equipment.

Self Study

Review your Student Manual between Modules and prepare any questions that arise to address in the next Module.

 

Review the videos and exercise sheets on the VPC-TEP website regularly and complete all reading assignments.

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