LET’S GET STARTED

Welcome to the EYT Pilates Teacher Training at The Pearl. We’re so excited to have you here and to support you as you begin this very big, very exciting, very “wait, am I really doing this?” journey toward becoming a certified Pilates instructor.
This page will be your home base for the program - the place to come back to when you need links, reminders, studio access info, practice hour details, or just a little reassurance that you are, in fact, doing this correctly.
This page is your central hub for the program. As the training progresses, we’ll continue adding important downloads, links, schedules, resources, forms, videos, assignments, and other materials here.
This is where you’ll find things like:
- Seminar schedules
- Observation and apprentice hour logs
- Homework and assignments
- Important studio documents
- Opening/closing procedures
- Links to EYT resources
- Any “wait what was that link again?” things
- You should receive an invite to create your Staff profile on Walla.
- If you’re already a client at The Pearl, this is separate from your client profile, so you’ll still need to create a new Staff profile.
- Please complete your profile, including a short bio.
- Please also send Teyonna a photo to add to your profile.
- We’ll use this to help the team get to know you and make it easier for you to explore the class schedule.
- We’ll create a Fall Cohort WhatsApp group for questions, updates, reminders, and general “am I doing this right?” moments.
- You’ll also receive weekly emails throughout the program.
- Each email will be numbered so it’s easy to find.
- Each email will include a clear objective for the week and relevant information to help you move through the curriculum.
- Please make sure your Walla marketing preferences are turned on so you can receive emails from the studio (in your client profile, not yor staff profile!).
- If you’re opted out, we literally cannot send you the emails.
- Add hello@pearlmovement.com to your address book.
- Check your promotions, spam, and trash folders if you don’t see something.
- If our emails land somewhere weird, drag them back into your inbox and mark them as safe.
Your apprenticeship is made up of four different types of learning. Each one develops a different skill, and together they help you become a confident, knowledgeable Pilates instructor.
Observation Hours
Observation hours are spent watching an experienced instructor teach. During these hours, you are not participating in the class - you are observing from the outside, paying attention to cueing, programming, class flow, modifications, communication, and classroom management. Observation hours are completed at The Pearl and are signed off on by the instructor you observe.
Self-Practice Hours
Self-practice is time spent moving your own body. This can include taking classes at The Pearl (which apprentices may attend free of charge), taking classes at another reputable Pilates studio, following your online course videos at home, or practicing the exercises independently.
Students sometimes ask whether other forms of exercise count toward self-practice hours. While all movement is valuable, the purpose of these hours is to deepen your understanding of Pilates. Because self-practice hours are self-reported, we encourage you to use them as intended. An hour of Pilates will make you a stronger Pilates teacher; an hour of another fitness class may make you a stronger athlete, but it won't provide the same learning experience.
Self-Study Hours
Self-study includes the time you spend learning outside of movement. This might include watching the online curriculum, reviewing your manuals, studying anatomy, taking notes, or revisiting course materials. These hours allow you to absorb the concepts and theory that support your practical training.
Practice Teaching Hours
Practice teaching is exactly what it sounds like: teaching. These hours can be completed with classmates, friends, family members, or volunteer clients. You might teach in your living room, at a friend's house, in a park, or anywhere you have space to work. If you're practicing on the Reformer, you're welcome to use the studio during off hours or designated apprentice practice classes.
There isn't one "correct" place to complete your apprenticeship. The goal is to weave these different types of learning into your daily life. The more consistently you observe, practice, study, and teach, the more naturally your confidence and teaching skills will grow.
- You may begin observing any Mat or Reformer Pilates class on the schedule at either studio location.
- Please text the studio at (914) 269-8810 before observing and let us know which class you’ll be attending, at which location.
- When you arrive, introduce yourself to the instructor.
- Ask where they’d like you to sit.
- Arrive a little early in case they need help with setup.
- If you are doing the Mat-only certification, please observe Mat classes only.
- If you are doing the Reformer-only certification, please observe Reformer classes only.
- Please do not use your phone during observations. It’s distracting to the instructor and the clients.
- If you’re taking notes, please use a notebook instead of your phone.
- Please don’t interrupt class.
- You’re welcome to ask questions afterward, as long as the instructor isn’t rushing to set up the next class or assisting a client.
- You’re welcome to take classes at no cost if there’s space available. You can check how many spots are available in a class using your Walla staff profile.
- If studio instructors are also taking class, they have priority, and you may need to observe instead.
- If you want to guarantee your spot, you can reserve at a 20% discount using code EYTCLASSDISCOUNT.
- Classes taken at The Pearl count toward your self-practice hours.
- If you already have a membership, Teyonna can adjust your membership so you can use it at a discount to reserve your spot in class.
- Confused? Totally fair! Ask we’ll explain.
- You may self-practice on the mat at home.
- We recommend practicing from your manual and EYT videos once you receive them.
- We also recommend Pilatesology.com with vetted classical instructors.
- Please avoid random YouTube classes for your training hours.
- Once seminars begin, you’ll receive studio access for off-hours practice.
- City Island access will be through a keycode.
- Mott Haven access will be through a physical key and an alarm code.
- Please text (914) 269-8810 to let us know you’re coming before coming in to practice.
- Always check the schedule first to make sure there are no classes, workshops, private sessions, or events happening.
- Instructors sometimes use the studio during off-hours for their own practice or content creation, so checking first is important.
- Practice hours are 7am–8pm, when classes are not in session.
- Keep doors locked while you practice.
- Keep curtains closed while you are inside.
- When you leave, lock all doors.
- Turn off heat or AC.
- Open the curtains again before you go.
- In Mott Haven, you’ll also need to set the alarm.
- We’ll go over opening and closing protocols after the first seminar.
- Please keep music at a reasonable volume, especially on City Island, where we have upstairs neighbors.
Once you're ready to begin practice teaching, you'll schedule private training sessions with friends, family members, or volunteers.
How to Schedule
1. Send Teyonna a message on WhatsApp with:
  - Which studio you'd like to use (City Island or Mott Haven)
  - The date and time you'd like to teach
  - Approximately how many people will be attending
2. Teyonna will create a private class for you in Walla and send you the registration link.
3. Send that link to your participants.
4. Every participant must:
  - Create a Walla account (if they don't already have one)
  - Register for the class
  - Complete the required waiver before attending
The waiver is the most important step. It ensures everyone participating has acknowledged they're taking part in a teacher training session and allows them to be covered under the studio's insurance.
Why We Schedule This Way
Scheduling your practice teaching through Walla helps everyone stay organized.
- Your session will appear on the studio schedule so instructors know the space is being used.
- It allows us to keep accurate records of who's in the studio.
- Other teachers can still come in for self-practice, but they'll know not to schedule something disruptive (like filming, photography, or a meeting) during your teaching session.
Please Keep in Mind
Practice teaching sessions use available studio time, so they may occasionally need to be moved or canceled if:
- A private client requests a session.
- The studio schedules a special event or workshop.
- Another studio priority arises.
We'll always do our best to give you as much notice as possible and help you find another time if your session needs to be rescheduled.
One of the most valuable parts of your apprenticeship is the opportunity to teach real clients in a real studio environment.
After you've completed approximately half of your required practice teaching hours, you'll become eligible to teach Community Apprentice Classes at The Pearl.
- Comprehensive Program: after approximately 75 practice teaching hours
- Mat-Only or Reformer Only Program: after approximately 35 practice teaching hours
When you reach this milestone, let us know! We'll work with you to schedule your first Apprentice Classes.
What Are Apprentice Classes?
These are complimentary classes offered to the public and taught by teacher trainees.
Unlike practice sessions with friends and family, these classes allow you to:
- Teach people you've never met before.
- Work with a variety of bodies, abilities, and personalities.
- Learn to think on your feet.
- Gain experience managing a real class from beginning to end.
Teaching strangers is a very different skill than teaching people who already know and trust you. Most trainees find this to be one of the biggest leaps in their confidence and development.
How They Work
- Apprentice Classes are listed on our public schedule.
- Clients register through Walla just like any other class.
- Classes are offered free of charge to participants.
- These classes count toward your required practice teaching hours.
- You will not be paid for Apprentice Classes, as they are considered part of your teacher training and apprenticeship.
Feedback & Readiness
Our goal is to help you become a confident, safe, and successful instructor.
We'll periodically observe Apprentice Classes and provide feedback along the way.
If we feel you need additional practice before continuing to teach public classes - for example, if we have concerns about safety, communication, class management, or exercise selection, we may ask you to spend more time practicing with friends and family before scheduling another Apprentice Class.
Everyone develops at a different pace, and we'd much rather help you build a stronger foundation than rush you into teaching before you're ready.
Our responsibility is to both our trainees and our clients. We want your first experiences teaching the public to be successful, supportive, and safe for everyone involved.
- You’re welcome to film during your practice time.
- Anything filmed inside the studio should promote either EYT Teacher Training or The Pearl.
- Please be mindful, professional, and respectful of the space.
- If you plan to use your phone or tablet for any part of the program, we strongly recommend downloading the Kajabi app.
- You can log in with your username and password.
- The app will give you a more mobile-friendly version of the curriculum.
- Follow us (@pearlmovementstudio and @eytpilatesteachertraining) on social media, and we’ll follow you back!
- Please tag us when you share proud moments from your training.
- We love cheering you on, and your fellow trainees will too :)
During your apprenticeship you'll have access to both Pearl studios for observation, self-practice, and practice teaching. Please treat each studio as if it were your own. Leave it exactly as you'd hope to find it.
General Expectations (Both Studios)
- Arrive no more than 15 minutes after a scheduled class ends.
- Leave the studio at least 15 minutes before the next class begins.
- Please be respectful of classes that are ending or beginning. Give instructors and clients space to transition.
- Clean up after yourself. Leave no trace.
- Wipe down any equipment you use.
- Return all props to their proper homes.
- If you move Reformers or other equipment, return everything to its original position.
- Double-check that lights and air conditioning are turned off before leaving.
- Lock up securely whenever you're the last person leaving.
- If something isn't working, something breaks, or you notice anything unusual, let us know in the WhatsApp group as soon as possible.
Opening
- Unlock the front door with your key.
- The alarm will be beeping when you enter.
- Enter the EYT trainee alarm code (which will be posted in the WhatsApp chat) to disarm.
- Light switches are located on the brick wall.
- The white remote controls on the radiator operate the ceiling fans.
- The black remote control on the radiator operates the air conditioner.
- You're welcome to use the air conditioning while you're there, please be mindful of electricity use and set the air to a reasonable temperature.
- Close all curtains while you're in the studio, including the curtain covering the front door.
Before You Leave
Please make sure:
- All lights are turned off.
- Ceiling fans are turned off.
- The air conditioner is completely off.
  - The A/C occasionally turns itself back on, so take a moment to confirm it has fully shut down before you leave.
- Equipment has been cleaned.
- Props have been returned.
- The studio is neat and ready for the next class.
- The alarm has been rearmed before you leave. (We'll post a short how-to video in the WhatsApp group.)
Opening
- Enter through the back door using the keypad.
- Your access code and a short instructional video will be posted in the WhatsApp group.
- When entering, be careful - the first Reformer is directly inside the door. Walk around it rather than stepping through the frame.
- Light switches are located on the column behind the front desk.
Air Conditioning
There are three separate air conditioning units:
- Front studio: remote at the front desk
- Middle studio: remote on the windowsill beneath the unit
- Back studio: remote on the windowsill beneath the unit
Feel free to use the air conditioning as needed, but please be mindful of energy use. Set it to a reasonable temperature, and make sure every unit is completely turned off before leaving.
Before You Leave
Please make sure:
- All lights are off.
- All three air conditioning units are fully off.
- Equipment has been cleaned.
- Props have been returned.
- The studio is neat and ready for the next class.
- Doors are locked securely if you're the last person leaving. Exit through the side door, and lock it using the keypad.

Movement Fundamentals Course - complete this before your first seminar

LET’S GET STARTED

Documents

EYT CODE OF CONDUCT

EYT TIME LOGS

THE PEARL BEST PRACTICES