Advanced Movement Principles - The Pilates Whisperer | Patricia Welter

Advanced Movement Principles Course and Certification

We are pleased to announce the launch two of five the Balanced Body Advanced Movement Principles Courses and the Advanced Movement Practitioner Instructor Certification program. This unique program is aimed at the experienced Pilates Instructor.

Completing this in-depth advanced program will give you the tools and knowledge to work with clients who have imbalances or injuries and bring them lasting improvement and life changing benefits. To complete the Advanced Movement Principles Course and become a Balanced Body Advanced Movement Practitioner, you will need to complete all five of the courses. You may also take one of the courses for Pilates continuing education credit.

All will be offered in Palm Harbor, FL, with The Low Back and second The Lower Body our first course offerings. You will learn from one of the most experienced Pilates teachers in the Florida area, Patricia Welter, in a combination of both video and live studio instruction.

This certification is comprised of 5 courses that focus on different parts of the body. Each module can be taken as a stand-alone module and can be taken in any order. All modules must be successfully completed to achieve the Advanced Movement Practitioner certification status with Balanced Body. To take the Live Course, you will be required to complete the corresponding Video Course first. The Video Course can be taken on its own.

Course 2 – The Low Back

LIVE COURSE & VIDEO COURSE BUNDLE

Advanced Movement Principles: The Low Back (Live course) REGISTER NOW
Duration: 18 hours over 3 days
Course Date: May 2 – 5, 2025 (Fri 2pm-6pm, Sat 10am-6pm, Sun 10am-6pm)
Location: Suncoast Pilates in Palm Harbor, FL
Price: $645 early reg or $695 regular reg plus $295 for required streaming video.

Description: Learn how to bring lasting improvement and life changing benefits to clients with low back pain in this continuing education course from Balanced Body. Advanced Movement Principles: The Low Back provides a practical framework to assess, understand and improve posture, functional skills and athletic performance for any client with low back pain. You will come away with a structured plan for assessing clients with low back issues and a clear understanding of exercise progressions to improve their functional outcomes. The Low Back course includes 18 hours of in person, hands-on learning focusing on movement analysis and program design along with 8 hours of online course work on anatomy, kinesiology, movement principles and common low back conditions. This is the second of five courses in the Advanced Movement Principles program designed to prepare Pilates instructors and movement professionals to work with clients with common imbalances and injuries.

The course fee is for the live course plus additional fee for the required streaming video. Once you register, a link to the video course will be sent to you and you will have lifetime access. Please complete the video streaming course before attending the live course to get the most out of the experience.

VIDEO COURSE ONLY

Advanced Movement Principles: The Low Back (Video course)
Duration: 8 hours
Location: online video
Price: $295.00 (as a standalone course)

Description: Advanced Movement Principles: The Low Back video course provides a theoretical framework for addressing low back issues through a deep review of anatomy, an exploration of clinical viewpoints regarding the causes of and solutions for low back pain and essential information on common conditions; what they are and how movement can help. The course is broken down into short, 20 to 30 minute video chapters so you can absorb and apply the information easily and it includes written material and short quizzes to support your learning process.

The video course provides essential information to support and enrich the in-person course or it can be taken on its own for continuing education credits.

NOTE: the Video Course is not currently available to purchase as a stand-alone and must be purchased in combination with the Live Course.

About the Course

Nora St. John
Education Content Creator, Balanced Body

Teaching Pilates since 1988, Nora creates teacher training courses in Pilates, Anatomy in Three Dimensions and other modalities for Balanced Body Education. She holds degrees in Biology, Dance and Traditional Chinese Medicine and is the author of 16 teacher training manuals and several magazine articles. Nora has studied Dance, Chinese Medicine, manual therapy, The Franklin Method, Anatomy in Clay and personal training to enhance her understanding of the body in motion. She is currently focused on creating educational experiences that are innovative, enlightening and effective.

Patricia Welter
Balanced Body Educator

Patricia Welter is a Balanced Body Educator, Nationally Certified Pilates Teacher (NCPT), “Second Generation Pilates Teacher” and “Lolita San Miguel Pilates Master™” Teacher. Patricia completed the Pilates Master Mentor Program with Pilates Elder Lolita San Miguel, one of the only living “First Generation” Pilates teachers who worked with and was certified to teach Pilates by Joseph Pilates himself. She will be teaching the live portion of these courses at Suncoast Pilates.

Registration Open Now for 2025 The Low Back and The Lower Body

These courses will have limited space, so early registration is advised. Registration NOW OPEN for 2025 Advanced Movment Principles Courses for both The Low Back and The Lower Body

Contact Patricia Welter for additional information.

CONTACT

Future Courses

Watch this space or subscribe to the Pilates Whisperer Newsletter to get notified of future course dates!

The Low Back – offered again May 2 – 4, 2025 – REGISTER

The Lower Body – to be offered August 8 – 10. 2025 – Link up soon!

The Upper Body – to be offered Spring/Summer 2026

Course 1 – Intro to Movement Principles and Client Assessment

Registration: online course link coming soon

Video Course: 5.75 hours of streaming video – this is an online only course

Introduction and Client Assessment (1.25 hours)
Moving Fascia (2.25 hours)
Working with Pain (2.25 hours)

Course 3 – The Lower Body

Video Course: 8 hours of video (required prior to live course)
Live Course: 18 hours of live instruction in the studio
Registration & Dates: link to register for Aug 8-10, 2025, coming soon

Course 4 – The Upper Body

Video Course: 8 hours of video (required prior to live course)
Live Course: 18 hours of live instruction in the studio
Registration & Dates: coming soon

Course 5 – Special Conditions

Video Course: this will be an online only course
Registration: online only course link coming soon

How will the Advanced Movement Principles certification enhance my knowledge as a Pilates Instructor?

This comprehensive certification program, spanning five courses, is designed to deepen your understanding of human anatomy, movement mechanics, and the intricate relationship between movement and well-being. Starting with foundational concepts in the “Intro to Movement Principles and Client Assessment” course, you will explore the science of movement in unprecedented depth. By delving into specialized topics like fascia movement and pain management, you will acquire a holistic understanding of the body’s capabilities and limitations, enabling you to tailor your Pilates instruction for optimal effectiveness.

Can this certification help me expand my client base?

Absolutely. With a focus on post-rehabilitation, injury prevention, and the management of specific conditions such as low back pain, this certification equips you to safely and effectively work with a diverse range of clients. Whether it’s individuals recovering from injuries, those looking to prevent future injuries, aging populations, or clients with chronic conditions, your enhanced skill set will allow you to cater to a broader audience, thereby expanding your client base and increasing your marketability as a Pilates instructor.

How will this certification make me more adaptable in my practice?

The “Advanced Movement Principles” certification trains you to be highly observant and responsive to the nuances of each client’s needs. Through courses like “Low Back”, “The Lower Body”, and “The Upper Body,” you’ll learn to identify and address imbalances and undisclosed issues, making your practice more personalized and effective. This adaptability makes you an invaluable resource to your clients, especially as they navigate the challenges of aging and the physical changes it brings.

There’s immense satisfaction in witnessing the transformative impact of your instruction on clients’ lives. This certification empowers you to guide clients towards significantly improved movement patterns, reduced pain, and better access to daily activities that enrich their quality of life. The joy of seeing clients regain mobility, confidence, and independence is a rewarding aspect of this advanced certification.

What can I expect with Course 2 – “The Low Back”?

Video Course: Before attending the live session, you’ll engage with an extensive Video Course designed to lay a solid foundation for your in-person experience. This component is rich in detail and requires an active learning approach—anticipate pausing frequently to jot down notes and occasionally rewatching segments to fully grasp the material. Given the depth of the content, we recommend allotting ample time for this preparatory phase, ideally starting at least two weeks before the Live Course begins. Our seasoned instructors have noted that navigating through the 8-hour video content thoughtfully and thoroughly can significantly enhance your live session readiness.

Live Course: The Live Course unfolds over three immersive days at our studio, led by our two highly skilled and experienced instructors. Completion of the Video Course is a prerequisite to ensure you’re primed for the intensive studio learning. We maintain a small class size, limiting attendance to 14 participants, to guarantee personalized attention and ample practice opportunities.

From the outset, the course is fast-paced and hands-on, delving straight into the complexities of recognizing and addressing bodily imbalances and injuries. You’ll learn advanced techniques for adapting cues for clients with movement limitations and ensuring their safety during sessions. It’s important to note that the course assumes a baseline proficiency in Pilates equipment and Instructor Training; as such, it bypasses introductory content and basic Pilates methodology, focusing instead on specialized skills and knowledge pertinent to addressing low back concerns.

Prepare to embark on an enlightening journey that will not only deepen your understanding of the low back but also enhance your ability to cater to clients with specific needs and challenges.

What are the course pre-requisites? How can I maximise my learning?

Live Course Pre-requisite: Prior to participating in the Live Course, you must complete the designated Video Course. This ensures you have the foundational knowledge required for the in-depth, live instruction.

Anatomy Knowledge: To be successful in learning and applying the components of this course, you will need a solid understanding of human anatomy and the movements of the body.

Pilates Instructor Training: Attendees should have comprehensive Pilates Instructor training to ensure advanced understanding of Pilates equipment (including Reformer, Cadillac or Tower, Barrels, Chair and Mat). The course quickly advances into specialized topics, so prior knowledge in these areas is essential for keeping pace and fully comprehending the teachings.

Interested in obtaining Pilates Certification? Visit our FAQ page for more details.

Should you have any concerns about whether this course aligns with your current skill level or certifications, we encourage you to reach out to Patricia directly. We’re here to ensure the course is a good fit for your educational and professional development goals.

When are Advanced Movement Principles courses offered?

Patricia is thrilled to offer Course 2, “The Low Back,” in August, with subsequent courses to be announced.

To receive the latest course announcements, please register for The Pilates Whisperer newsletter at the bottom left of this page.

Join us in advancing your Pilates practice and making a lasting difference in your clients’ lives. We are very excited to offer this program launch and first course.