RETURN ~ Classical Pilates Teacher Certification Program

An individualized (online + in-person) training program with Brooke Bergdahl of Core Self

Certification with Brooke is highly individualized. It begins with assessing your goals and mapping a training program specific to you — delivered as a combination of in-person and online work.

Throughout the process, you are trained and evaluated in three areas:

  • Your personal workout (taking cues as well as being self-led)

  • Your teaching of clients (includes your hands-on cuing as well as your personal posture during teaching)

  • Your comprehensive understanding of the Classical material (comprehensive throughout the whole studio, all apparatus, and woven between all systems)

These three areas are tested across all three systems of the Classical repertoire — Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced — with testing time scaling at each level (Basic: 4–6 hrs / Intermediate: 6–8 hrs / Advanced: 8–10 hrs).

Because this is a customized process, the time it takes to become test-ready and pass each system will vary per teacher. Upon applying, onboarding begins with 6 private sessions booked within a two-month window — used to assess where you are as both a teacher and student of Pilates across the three areas above. From there, Brooke will map your training and provide honest feedback on your preparedness, self-study direction, ideal workout routine, and an estimate of how many private sessions you'll need before your first test.

The total time to complete certification depends entirely on the individual — factors include previous teacher training, client teaching experience, workout level, access to Classical apparatus or a Classically run studio, ability to spend time in-person with Brooke, and self-study of Brooke's online workshop content. The maximum window for completion is 18 months.

Pricing has both fixed and variable components. Fixed costs include the initial onboarding sessions, manuals, online content fee, as well as three testing fees per each system. The greatest variable cost is your private sessions — online or in-person — used to build your skills as a practitioner and teacher of the method. Other variable costs may be live classes (at a discount), purchases of past workshop content, and optional travel to Brooke’s studio. Pricing detailed below.

The Classical Pilates System

Basic System - includes Pre-Pilates teaching tools, principles and exercises as well.

Intermediate System - the bulk of the material and what real-world clients do in their workouts mostly, whether in private/semi private/group classes.

Advanced System - includes all the advanced exercises on all the apparatus, none excluded. Not all most advanced exercises have to be within your workout or clientele you teach, but you need to know and understand this most advanced work and know especially where an exercise comes from (more Basic) and where it’s going (more Advanced).

The exercises and the system orders are in Brooke’s RETURN Teacher Training Manuals that you will be provided in physical copy. During your workouts and private sessions with Brooke you will be filling in your manuals and finding any gaps or holes from any previous trainings. The manuals provide a real clarity and simplicity. Clearly naming the exercises and orders and goals and purposes of the work within the three systems. From this strong foundation and framework, you will weave into your teaching and your practice other trainings and experiences you have as a teacher/student of Pilates and movement. However, for the purpose of seeking a true Classical Pilates Teaching Certification from Brooke, we will stay true to the method as we know it.

Testing ~ Basic, Intermediate, Advanced Systems

Basic System (4-6 hours)

Written Test - orders, short answer questions, one case-study

Practical Testing : Your Basic System workout / Teach a new Basic level client / Teach a Pre-Pilates session / Teach a strong Basic client entering into Intermediate system / ‘Show me’ testing on certain apparatus

Intermediate System (6-8 hours)

Written Test - orders, short answer questions, two case-studies

Practical Testing : Your Intermediate Mat workout / Your Intermediate Reformer workout / Your self-led whole studio workout within the Intermediate material / Teach private client Intermediate Reformer / Teach a group class Mat + / Teach a private client not using the Reformer / ‘Show me’ Intermediate exercises on various apparatus / ‘Show me’ endings, variations, modifications.

Advanced System (8-10 hours)

Written Test - orders, short answer questions, two case-studies

Practical Testing : Your Advanced Mat workout / Your Advanced Reformer workout / Your self-led whole studio workout using the whole system / Teaching a private client using the whole studio / Teaching a private client Advanced Reformer / Teaching a private client a challenging Wunda Chair workout / Teaching a group a full 45-50 min Advanced Mat class / ‘Show-me’ teaching inversions / ‘Show-me’ building blocks in the studio to build an Advanced system workout / ‘Show-me’ building Advanced Reformer not on the Reformer / ‘Show-me’ all the Ballet Stretches everywhere

  • anyone detected using AI for answers or edits in their written tests, which are performed on your own timing and submitted to Brooke via email, will be discovered, and training with Brooke will cease immediately with no refunds. It’s wild to have to add this asterisk, but it’s a real thing, and better to be clear upfront. Do not use any AI tech support for your written tests. Period.

Pricing

Application Process - $435 = 3 private sessions at $145 per session (online or in person), 2 sessions your workout, 1 session your teaching. Paid at time of service.

Enrolled in Classical Certification Training - $2400 Paid at program onset per your ‘start date’ determined with Brooke. Includes:

  • 6 × 1 hr private sessions online/in-person used either for your workout or your teaching a client with Brooke observing/teaching you.

  • 3 Manuals, printed and mailed + online access to private RETURN training site

  • CoreSelf Subscription for the duration of your training, with corresponding discounts on live classes

  • Classical Certificate printing and delivery upon completion

System Fees
Basic System Evaluation/Testing - $980

Intermediate System Evaluation/Testing - $1280

Advanced System Evaluation/Testing - $1600

Total program fixed = Enrollment + Systems = $6,260

Additional expenses - variable & hourly

Private sessions : number of sessions varies per person, paid at time of service at Brooke’s hourly rate.

For example, based on current rates, if you choose to have 2xPrivate sessions per month for 8 months, budget for an additional $2,000.
Or weekly 1:1 sessions plan to add $500/month for as many months as it takes to be test ready per system.
Payments made individually at time of service.