Body Form® Education and BASI Pilates: Teacher Training Compared

BASI stands for Body Arts and Science International, founded by Rael Isacowitz in 1989. Source

Courses are delivered through regional licensees and host studios. Source

Physiotherapy-led Pilates teacher training, founded by Kira-Leigh Rule, Physiotherapist.

580+ graduates, graduates on six continents, 75+ studios, 11+ countries, intakes in 18 cities and 242+ five-star Google reviews.

Mat Program, Mat & Reformer Program, Comprehensive Program and Mat Flex Program Online. Source

Also listed: Certificate Courses, Workshops, Auditing, Mentor, Master I, Master II and Honors.

Mat, Reformer, Mat + Reformer Double, Studio Equipment + Clinical Pilates, Full Comprehensive Clinical Pilates and Barre, plus Mat + Barre, Reformer + Barre and Mat + Reformer + Barre bundles.

BASI describes its approach as "The art and science of human movement" and as dedicated to remaining "true to Joseph and Clara Pilates". Source

The Body Form® Method, designed and directed by a Physiotherapist: understand movement first, teach exercises second. The complete original repertoire plus functional and dynamic movement patterns and props.

Required student hours: Mat 85 (15 observation, 40 self-practice or practical training, 30 teaching); Mat & Reformer 225 (45 observation, 90 teaching, 90 practical training); Comprehensive 500 (100 observation, 200 self practice, 200 student teaching). Source

250+ hours for Mat, Reformer, Studio Equipment + Clinical Pilates and Barre; 365+ for Mat + Reformer; 450+ for the Full Comprehensive.

Per discipline: 136+ shared online theory hours, 14 practical hours, 30+ Exercise Library hours and 70 apprentice hours, plus the Final Theory Examination.

In-Studio (lectures and repertoire taught in studio), Flex (lectures self-paced online, repertoire taught in studio) and, for Mat, Online (lectures self-paced online, repertoire taught live online). BASI states content and quality are the same across formats. Source

Hybrid (online theory plus in-person practical days with a local Master Trainer) or Fully Online. Same curriculum, assessments and qualification either way.

Host studios worldwide through BASI Global and regional licensees, with a directory on the BASI Global site. Australian host studios listed: Manly, Maroochydore and East Perth. Source

See the in-person section below for countries where both provide training.

Intakes in 18 cities across Australia, New Zealand, Asia, Europe, North America and Africa, each with 2 to 3 practical days per discipline. See the city list below, with dates and links.

Mat Flex Program Online: self-paced lectures with four live virtual modules via Zoom, through the BASI Virtual Studio. Source

Mat, Reformer, Mat + Reformer, Studio Equipment + Clinical Pilates, Barre and the Full Comprehensive, studied Fully Online from anywhere, with 17 self-paced modules. The Full Comprehensive includes onsite training at selected locations.

Online multiple-choice exam (one for Mat and Mat & Reformer, two for Comprehensive, 70% or higher), then a final teaching evaluation and practical demonstration. Final results are posted in the BASI Portal "within 30 days following the exam". Source

Per discipline: 2 written programming assessments, 2 practical teaching assessments, 70 apprentice hours and one online Final Theory Examination.

Comprehensive graduates are "qualified to take the Pilates Method Alliance (PMA) exam" to become a Nationally Certified Pilates Teacher (NCPT). Source

The BASI Pilates Teaching Certificate "never expires and does not require CECs to maintain". Source

ITTAP accredited through the Pilates Method Alliance, mapped with AUSactive in Australia, and audited and verified by Pilates Aotearoa in New Zealand.

A free consultation with an advisor, an FAQ knowledge base, an email support team and the BASI Portal. Source

Manly host studio: enrolled students may observe group classes at no additional cost. Source

Hybrid: practical days with a local Master Trainer and an intake WhatsApp group. Fully Online: educator guidance, lesson comments and detailed feedback on every assessment.

Modules are spread out over 2 to 6 months depending on program and schedule; on average approximately one year from the last module to complete hours and exams; requirements completed within 3 years of the program. Source

8 months of access from enrolment. Many students finish between 4 and 6 months.

The online Mat listing states there are "no formal prerequisites for enrollment", with prior Pilates experience recommended. Source

None for Mat, Reformer, Mat + Reformer, Barre or the Full Comprehensive. Studio Equipment + Clinical Pilates requires a Mat or Reformer qualification.

"Tuition, cancellation and auditing policies vary by location and licensee." Source

Auckland listings, as published 14 Nov 2026: Mat Flex US$1,375; Mat & Reformer Flex US$2,850 through 30 December (regular tuition US$3,000); Comprehensive Flex US$4,750 through 30 December (regular tuition listed as $5,000). Source

Online Mat, as published 14 Nov 2026: US$500 through 30 November (regular tuition listed as $650). Source

Fully Online, AUD (GST included for Australian buyers, none outside Australia): Mat $2,350; Reformer $2,350; Mat + Reformer $3,950 (Save AUD $750); Studio Equipment Course $2,950; Barre $1,950; Full Comprehensive $5,950.

In person (Hybrid) prices are set by location: in Australia Mat or Reformer AUD $2,950 each and Mat + Reformer AUD $4,950. Other countries are priced in local currency on the pricing page.

Auckland listings: US$500 due at enrolment, balance due 30 days before the first in-studio module; online Mat: full tuition due at enrolment. Source

Pay in full, 12 weekly payments or 6 monthly payments chosen at checkout. Plans include a financing charge, and paying in full costs less than either plan.