The Complete CHAIR
Small, simple and surprisingly challenging. Explore the versatility of the Pilates Chair through repertoire ranging from accessible foundational work to more advanced exercises, while developing the skills to modify, progress and adapt the work for different clients.
Duration: 2 days – See course schedules
The Chair is small, deceptively simple and incredibly versatile. It can challenge strength, control, balance and coordination in ways that are quite different from the Reformer or Mat — while also providing support and assistance when a client needs it.
The Complete Chair Course is an intensive two-day practical course exploring a broad range of Chair repertoire, from accessible foundational exercises through to more challenging work for stronger and more experienced clients.
Rather than simply learning a list of exercises, we’ll explore what makes the Chair unique. We’ll look at the mechanics and intention behind the movements, the demands they place on the body and the many ways in which spring tension, pedal set-up, resistance and support can completely change an exercise.
Across the two days, we’ll cover:
- Chair repertoire across a range of levels
- Pedal and spring set-up
- Technical precision and movement mechanics
- Exercise intention and appropriate loading
- Modifications and progressions
- Verbal and tactile cueing
- Observation and correction
- Structuring effective Chair sessions
- Using resistance and support to alter the demands of an exercise
Teaching is an important part of the course. We’ll consider how to observe and correct movement, develop clear verbal and tactile cueing, and structure the repertoire so that a Chair session feels purposeful rather than simply becoming a collection of exercises.
The course is practical throughout, giving you time to experience, practise and teach the work yourself. You’ll also receive a detailed manual and instructional video covering the repertoire, so you have something useful to return to afterwards.
The course is intended for qualified Pilates teachers with a recognised Matwork qualification, and a good level of existing Pilates knowledge and teaching experience is assumed. The course is designed as continuing professional development and on completion, you’ll receive a certificate for your training, allowing you to add Chair repertoire to your existing Pilates teaching.
If you’re considering adding the Chair to your teaching — or already have one sitting in the corner looking slightly intimidating — this course should give you the knowledge, repertoire and practical experience to start making much better use of it.
TESTIMONIAL FOR LISA B PILATES – THE COMPLETE CHAIR COURSE
“It was fascinating to explore how familiar mat work and reformer exercises transpire onto such a versatile compact piece of equipment.
I really felt like I had had a full body work out whilst challenging my core stability safely and certainly benefited from an enhanced sense of body awareness afterwards.
I started incorporating the exercises straight away with rehabilitation clients to help with a more functional holistic approach and so far have had some great results!”
Gemma Chrystyn, Chartered Physiotherapist and qualified Pilates Teacher (APPI)
