Body Form®Education Free guides

Body Form® Education

Body Form® Education and STOTT PILATES:
Teacher Training Compared

Courses, hours, assessment and recognition, in-person training around the world and Fully Online options, set out from each provider’s published details.

Course load250+ hours
DeliveryHybrid or Fully Online
Online theory17 modules
In-person intakes18 cities
Fully Online Mat or ReformerAUD $2,350

Overview

  • Body Form® Education trains Pilates teachers across six continents, with in-person intakes in 18 cities and a Fully Online option for students anywhere.
  • STOTT PILATES is the Pilates education brand of Merrithew, delivered through Academy Partners. Merrithew states that training is available “at more than 200 academy partners in over 100 countries” (Merrithew partner finder).
  • Both certify Pilates instructors internationally. Body Form® Education counts 580+ graduates and 242+ five-star Google reviews, with work in 11+ countries and in-house professional development delivered at 75+ studios.

Side by side

Body Form® Education and STOTT PILATES Side by Side

What each provider publishes about its Pilates teacher training. STOTT PILATES details come from Merrithew’s own website and partner finder, checked 14 Nov 2026, with the source linked in each row.

TopicSTOTT PILATES (Merrithew)Body Form® Education
Who they areThe Pilates education brand of Merrithew, based in Scarborough, Ontario, Canada. Co-founders Lindsay G. Merrithew and Moira Merrithew.SourceFounded by Kira-Leigh Rule, a Physiotherapist, and designed and directed by a Physiotherapist. The Body Form® Education community spans 580+ graduates on six continents, 75+ studios in 11+ countries and 242+ five-star Google reviews.
Courses and disciplinesIntensive Mat-Plus 2nd Edition; Intensive Reformer 2nd Edition; Comprehensive Matwork & Reformer; Intensive Cadillac, Chair & Barrels; Anatomy & Exercise Fundamentals for Movement Professionals; Advanced program; Injuries & Special Populations; STOTT PILATES Rehab; continuing education workshops.SourceSix certifications: Mat, Reformer, the Mat + Reformer Double, Studio Equipment + Clinical Pilates, the Full Comprehensive Clinical Pilates Teacher Training (Mat, Reformer and Studio Equipment) and Barre. Students take one at a time or follow a pathway.
Style of Pilates as published“A contemporary approach to the original exercise method pioneered by Joseph Pilates”, with “a strong emphasis on scapular stabilization, lumbo-pelvic placement and postural alignment”.SourceThe Body Form® Method: “Understand movement first, then teach exercises.” Teaching covers the complete original repertoire, then functional and dynamic movement patterns and props.
Hours as published by each providerIntensive Mat-Plus 95 hours. Intensive Reformer 125 hours. Comprehensive Matwork & Reformer 310 hours. Intensive Cadillac 60, Intensive Stability Chair 40, Intensive Barrels 30.Source250+ hours for each single discipline (Mat, Reformer, Studio Equipment, Barre), 365+ for Mat + Reformer and 450+ for the Full Comprehensive, counted as set out in the next row.
How the hours are made upIntensive Mat-Plus: 40 instruction and supervised teaching, minimum 10 observation, minimum 30 physical review, minimum 15 practice teaching. Intensive Reformer: 50, 10, 40 and 25. Comprehensive Matwork & Reformer adds 30 functional anatomy and a 60 hour post-course apprenticeship.SourceEach discipline adds up from 136+ shared online theory hours across 17 modules, 14 practical hours, 30+ Exercise Library hours and 70 apprentice hours (10 observation, 30 self-practice, 30 practice teaching), followed by a Final Theory Examination of about 1.5 hours.
DeliveryTaught at Academy Partners. “Scheduling is determined by each Academy Partner.” Intensive Mat-Plus: “2 weeks or 3 weekends (varies by Academy Partner)”. Intensive Reformer: “3 weeks or 4 weekends (varies by Academy Partner)”.SourceHybrid pairs online theory with usually 2 to 3 in-person practical days per discipline led by a Master Trainer in your region, while Fully Online runs entirely remotely. The curriculum, assessments and qualification are the same.
Where in-person training runsAcademy Partners listed on Merrithew’s locator, in countries around the world. In Australia, the locator listed Rhodes, Burwood and Macquarie Park (NSW), Underwood (QLD) and Ballajura, Perth (WA) on 14 Nov 2026.Source18 intake cities: Asia Pacific (Australia, New Zealand, Bali, Singapore, the Philippines), North America (the United States, Canada), Africa (South Africa) and Europe (Austria, Sweden, Slovakia). Each city has its own page in the Locations and Dates section.
Fully online optionMerrithew’s course finder has a Delivery method filter with In-Person and Online, and lists Intensive Mat-Plus 2nd Edition with online delivery at some Academy Partners.SourceFully Online is open to students in any country: Mat, Reformer, Mat + Reformer, Studio Equipment + Clinical Pilates, Barre or the Full Comprehensive, delivered through 17 self-paced Physiotherapy-led modules with remote educator feedback on every assessment.
Assessment as publishedPractice logs plus final written and practical exams. A minimum score of 75% on each portion and an average of 80% across the practical and written portions. The exam is taken within six months of the last STOTT PILATES Education course.SourcePer discipline there are two written programming assessments and two practical teaching assessments, alongside 70 apprentice hours and an online Final Theory Examination. Every assessment allows three attempts and is marked by a Master Trainer within about two weeks.
Recognition as published“STOTT PILATES Certified Instructor” on passing the exam. Continuing education credits listed: Intensive Mat-Plus STOTT PILATES 4.0 and ACE 4.0; Intensive Reformer STOTT PILATES 5.0 and ACE 5.0.SourceITTAP accredited through the Pilates Method Alliance, mapped with AUSactive in Australia, and audited and verified by Pilates Aotearoa in New Zealand.
Support“Message an advisor” and an information request form. Instructor Trainers are named on each Australian Academy Partner page. Comprehensive Matwork & Reformer includes a 60 hour post-course apprenticeship at select Academy Partners.SourceHybrid students work with a local Master Trainer on practical days and join an intake WhatsApp group. Fully Online students get remote guidance, lesson comments and detailed written feedback on every assessment.
PrerequisitesWorking knowledge of functional anatomy (a STOTT PILATES Functional Anatomy course or a university or college anatomy or physiology course, minimum 20 to 25 hours). Minimum 30 hours of participation in Pilates classes or workouts (recommended, not required, for Comprehensive Matwork & Reformer). Cadillac, Chair and Barrels require completion of Comprehensive Matwork & Reformer, Intensive Mat-Plus or Intensive Reformer.SourceMat, Reformer, Mat + Reformer, Barre and the Full Comprehensive have no prerequisite. Studio Equipment + Clinical Pilates builds on a Mat or Reformer qualification.
Price as publishedCourse prices are set by each Academy Partner. Exam fees “vary by region and location”.SourceIn person, prices are set by location in local currency: Australia Mat or Reformer AUD $2,950 each and Mat + Reformer AUD $4,950, New Zealand NZ$2,650 and NZ$4,500. Fully Online is priced in AUD when paid in full: Mat $2,350, Reformer $2,350, Mat + Reformer $3,950 (Save AUD $750), Barre $1,950, Studio Equipment Course $2,950 and Full Comprehensive $5,950. AUD prices include GST for Australian buyers, and no GST applies outside Australia. As published 14 Nov 2026.
Who they say it is forPeople “deepening your practice or starting a new career”. The Intensive courses are described for fitness professionals.SourceAspiring Pilates instructors, qualified instructors adding a discipline, health professionals and studio owners.

Hours are counted differently by each provider, so every figure belongs to that provider’s own course structure. Prices, course lists and dates change: confirm current details with each provider.

Body Form® Education

Training with Body Form® Education in Detail

Body Form® Education is Physiotherapy-led Pilates teacher training founded by Kira-Leigh Rule, a Physiotherapist. Physiotherapy-led means designed and directed by a Physiotherapist.

A Qualification You Can Take Anywhere

  • Graduates on six continents, with 75+ studios across 11+ countries
  • Intakes in 18 cities, each led by a local Master Trainer and each with its own Locations and Dates page
  • Fully Online for students in any country, awarding the same certificate as Hybrid
  • In-person prices set in local currency by city, and Fully Online prices in AUD
  • 242+ five-star Google reviews

Courses and Hours

What You Will Learn

Mat Repertoire with Purpose

  • Functional core and spinal foundations
  • Planking and weight-bearing strength
  • Upper-body push and pull
  • Lower-body strength
  • Side-lying, kneeling and prone work
  • The complete original repertoire from the Hundred to Control Balance
  • Beyond it into functional, dynamic movement

Cueing and Communication

  • Verbal, visual and tactile cueing
  • Motor learning: how to change the cue or the exercise for client success

The full syllabus is in the curriculum, and the teaching philosophy is on The Body Form® Method page.

The education supports safe teaching and adaptation, and does not qualify graduates to diagnose, treat or provide clinical care.

Locations

In Person Around the World

Body Form® Education and STOTT PILATES both run in-person training in several of the same countries. The list below sets out each country with the places listed on the Merrithew locator on 14 Nov 2026 beside the cities where Body Form® Education runs intakes.

CountrySTOTT PILATES locations listed on the Merrithew locatorBody Form® Education intake cities
AustraliaRhodes, Burwood and Macquarie Park (NSW); Underwood (QLD); Ballajura, Perth (WA)Sydney, Canberra (ACT), Darwin (Northern Territory), Perth, Cairns (Queensland)
New ZealandChristchurch, Queenstown, Auckland, Wellington, Dunedin and Hawke’s BayChristchurch, Oakura, Queenstown
IndonesiaBali, Jakarta, Tangerang, Surabaya and North SumatraBali
SingaporeSeveral studios across SingaporeSingapore
PhilippinesQuezon City, East Kamias, St. Ignatius, Binondo, Parañaque City, Taguig, Cebu City and Tarlac CityQuezon City
United StatesConnecticut (South Windsor); California, including Los Angeles, West Hollywood, Long Beach and Orange CountyConnecticut (Cheshire), Los Angeles / Orange County
CanadaKelowna, Vancouver, Burnaby, Port Moody, Richmond, Victoria, Toronto and other citiesKelowna, BC
South AfricaJohannesburg, Roodepoort, Cape Town, Claremont, Durbanville, Stellenbosch and DurbanJohannesburg
AustriaSalzburg; Vienna appears in the scheduled course listSalzburg
SlovakiaKosiceBratislava

STOTT PILATES places are as listed on the Merrithew partner finder on 14 Nov 2026. Courses and dates are set by each Academy Partner.

All Body Form® Education Intake Cities

Every in-person intake pairs online theory with usually 2 to 3 practical days per discipline led by a local Master Trainer. Pick a city to see its venue, trainer, dates and price, or join a waitlist where dates are still to come.

Body Form® Education cityNext intake
Connecticut (Cheshire, USA)Next intake: 23 Jan 2027
Bratislava (Slovakia)Next intake: 23 Jan 2027
Salzburg (Austria)Next intake: 27 Jan 2027
SydneyNext intake: 28 Jan 2027
Gothenburg (Sweden)Next intake: 28 Jan 2027
Cairns (Queensland)Next intake: 5 Feb 2027
Christchurch (New Zealand)Next intake: 20 Feb 2027
BaliNext intake: 25 Feb 2027
Quezon City (Philippines)Next intake: 27 Feb 2027
Darwin (Northern Territory)Next intake: 5 Mar 2027
SingaporeNext intake: 6 Mar 2027
Canada (Kelowna, BC)Next intake: 6 Mar 2027
Johannesburg (South Africa)Next intake: 6 Mar 2027
Canberra (ACT)Next intake: 13 Mar 2027
Los Angeles / Orange County (USA)Next intake: 20 Mar 2027
PerthDates to be announced: join the waitlist
Oakura (New Zealand)Dates to be announced: join the waitlist
Queenstown (New Zealand)Dates to be announced: join the waitlist

Study anywhere

Fully Online Teacher Training

STOTT PILATES

  • Merrithew’s course finder has a Delivery method filter with In-Person and Online.Source
  • Intensive Mat-Plus 2nd Edition is listed with online delivery at some Academy Partners, in countries including Canada, the United States, New Zealand, South Africa, the United Arab Emirates, Malaysia and Thailand.
  • Observation can be completed “in live sessions with clients or via Merrithew Connect”, and practice teaching “to clients, fellow students or via video sessions”.Source
  • The practical exam can be a recorded workout sent by a secure web link, and the written exam can be taken with a proctor.Source

Body Form® Education

Before you enrol

Choosing a Pilates Teacher Training Course

Questions that help when comparing providers in different countries, with the Body Form® Education answer to each.

Training in your country

  • Ask: Can you train in the country where you plan to teach?
  • Body Form® Education: Hybrid intakes run in 18 cities, and Fully Online students can enrol from anywhere in the world.

Recognition abroad

  • Ask: Which bodies recognise the qualification, and do local requirements differ?
  • Body Form® Education: Accredited through ITTAP and the Pilates Method Alliance. Employment, insurance and registration rules differ by country, so check where you plan to teach.

Currency and cost

  • Ask: What currency are prices in, and what do they include?
  • Body Form® Education: In-person prices are set in local currency by city. Fully Online prices are in AUD, from $1,950 for Barre to $5,950 for the Full Comprehensive.

FAQ

Questions

Where does STOTT PILATES run teacher training?

STOTT PILATES teacher training is delivered through Academy Partners, and scheduling is determined by each Academy Partner. Merrithew’s locator page states that training is available “at more than 200 academy partners in over 100 countries”, and its instructor training page describes the program as “trusted in over 135+ countries”. In Australia, the Merrithew locator listed Academy Partners at Rhodes, Burwood and Macquarie Park (NSW), Underwood (QLD) and Ballajura, Perth (WA) on 14 Nov 2026. Check Merrithew’s partner finder for current locations and dates.

Does STOTT PILATES offer teacher training fully online?

Merrithew’s course finder has a Delivery method filter with In-Person and Online. On 14 Nov 2026 it listed Intensive Mat-Plus 2nd Edition with online delivery at some Academy Partners, in countries including Canada, the United States, New Zealand, South Africa, the United Arab Emirates, Malaysia and Thailand. Merrithew describes observation hours as completed “in live sessions with clients or via Merrithew Connect” and practice teaching as “to clients, fellow students or via video sessions”. The Fully Online option at Body Form® Education is open to students in any country and covers Mat, Reformer, Mat + Reformer, Studio Equipment + Clinical Pilates, Barre and the Full Comprehensive, with the same curriculum and qualification as Hybrid. See the Fully Online details.

What does STOTT PILATES teacher training cost?

Course prices are set by each Academy Partner, and Merrithew states that exam fees “vary by region and location”. Contact the Academy Partner you are considering for current prices, deposits and payment terms.

What does Body Form® Education teacher training cost?

Body Form® Education prices depend on how you study. Fully Online, paid in full in AUD: Mat $2,350, Reformer $2,350, Mat + Reformer $3,950 (Save AUD $750), Barre $1,950, Studio Equipment Course $2,950 and Full Comprehensive Clinical Pilates Teacher Training $5,950. In person, each city sets its own price in local currency. Australia is Mat or Reformer $2,950 each and Mat + Reformer $4,950, New Zealand is NZ$2,650 and NZ$4,500, and every other country is listed on the pricing page. AUD prices include GST for Australian buyers, and no GST applies outside Australia. Payment plans run over 12 weekly or 6 monthly payments and include a financing charge. Unless required by law, fees are non-refundable and enrolments cannot be transferred. Prices as published 14 Nov 2026.

Where does Body Form® Education run teacher training?

In-person intakes run in 18 cities: Australia, New Zealand, Bali, Singapore and the Philippines in Asia Pacific, the United States and Canada in North America, South Africa in Africa, and Austria, Sweden and Slovakia in Europe. Perth, Oakura and Queenstown are still to announce dates, and each has a waitlist. Students in any other country can begin with Fully Online and study from home. See Locations and Dates.

Is Body Form® Education teacher training accredited?

Yes. Body Form® Education teacher training is accredited through ITTAP and the Pilates Method Alliance, and the accreditation statement sets out the AUSactive mapping in Australia and the Pilates Aotearoa verification in New Zealand. Requirements for employment, insurance and registration vary by country, so check them where you plan to teach.

How many hours is each course?

Merrithew publishes Intensive Mat-Plus at 95 hours, Intensive Reformer at 125 hours and Comprehensive Matwork & Reformer at 310 hours. Body Form® Education publishes 250+ hours per discipline, 365+ hours for Mat + Reformer and 450+ hours for the Full Comprehensive. Each provider counts hours in its own way, and the Body Form® Education figure includes online theory, practical hours, Exercise Library hours and 70 apprentice hours.

Recognition

Accredited and Recognised

Body Form® Education teacher training is ITTAP accredited through the Pilates Method Alliance, mapped with AUSactive in Australia, and audited and verified by Pilates Aotearoa in New Zealand. This applies whether you complete Mat, Reformer or the full comprehensive pathway. Employment, insurance, visa and professional registration requirements vary by country and employer, so check the requirements where you plan to teach. CPD certifications are continuing education for qualified instructors.

Recognition and accreditation

  • ITTAP: International Teacher Training Accreditation for Pilates
  • Pilates Method Alliance
  • AUSactive CPD Provider
  • Pilates Aotearoa Education Provider
  • Australian Physiotherapy Association

Read the full statement

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