PILATES TEACHER TRAINING

SUMMER 2026 INTENSIVE: Six in-studio seminars over three weekends July 18th/19th, July 25th/26th, and August 1st/2nd

Your New Career Starts This Summer

Train inside a real studio. Learn how to teach real people. Graduate with the experience and confidence to step into the room.

The Pearl is proud to be an EYT Teacher Training Affiliate Studio, offering a comprehensive, in-person Pilates teacher training right here in the Bronx.

This isn’t just about learning exercises. It’s about learning how to teach - how to see bodies, communicate clearly, build trust, and create a class that actually makes people feel better.

Show me the Program Guide

Let’s talk about Pilates Teacher Training

A lot of teacher trainings will teach you the work.

Fewer will teach you how to actually teach.

How to walk into a room and hold it.
How to adjust when something isn’t landing.
How to read a body, shift your language, build confidence in your clients and in yourself.

That’s what we care about here.

And the only way to learn that… is to be in it. EYT Pilates Teacher Training at The Pearl offers a comprehensive program combining classical and contemporary Pilates education. The training includes six in-studio seminars, online coursework, and a full in-studio apprenticeship. Participants receive extensive study materials and weekly guidance. The program is designed to equip trainees with the skills needed to teach Pilates effectively and understand the business side of running a studio.

If you’ve ever thought about becoming a Pilates teacher, this is for you.

At The Pearl, we offer the only comprehensive Pilates teacher training program in The Bronx, designed to help you go from student to confident, capable instructor.

I'm interested... let's chat!

Why train at The Pearl

The Pearl is the only group Pilates Reformer studio in the Bronx, and this is the only Pilates teacher training program in the borough.

You won’t be learning in isolation. You’ll be training inside a living, breathing studio - with a full schedule, a wide range of clients, and a team of deeply experienced teachers.

Many of our instructors came up through this very program. There’s a depth of knowledge here, but also a generosity - a willingness to share, to mentor, and to bring you into the fold of what it actually means to teach.

You’ll learn under teachers with very different strengths and perspectives, from how to structure a class so it flows and feels good, to how to use music, to how to run a studio or build a sustainable career in this work.

It’s not one voice. It’s a whole multi-studio ecosystem.

Program overview

This is a 300+ hour comprehensive training designed to give you both knowledge and experience.

Your training includes:

Online prerequisite coursework
Six in-person seminar days
Full access to online and physical course materials
Weekly guidance
Observation and apprenticeship hours at The Pearl
Unlimited class auditing at The Pearl
Access to both studios during off-hours for practice
Small-group learning environment with personalized feedback
Final exam evaluation and certification

You’ll also take part in a series of specialized mini-sessions led by The Pearl instructors, each focused on a different aspect of teaching - things that don’t always get taught, but matter deeply in real life.

Things like:

How to structure a class so it flows and feels good
How to bring music into your teaching
How to build your presence in the room
How to run a business or manage a studio

It’s a fuller picture of what this work actually looks like to work in the boutique fitness industry.

I want to book a call + learn more

How the program works

The structure is designed to fit into your life while still giving you real depth.

Before the in-person training begins, you’ll complete an online prerequisite course that lays the foundation - anatomy, basic principles, and the language of Pilates.

These are immersive, hands-on days where you’ll move, learn, ask questions, and start to embody the work. Taught by thoughtful and deeply knowledgeable instructor Gloria Russo, who studied under Second Generation master teachers Peter Roël, Phoebie Higgins, and Susan Moran at Power Pilates NYC.

Gloria’s teaching emphasizes the mind-body connection and learning how to initiate movement from the core outward, creating stability that allows strength and flexibility to develop while breathing with ease. She has a special ability to help students truly understand the work.

Six full-day seminars at our City Island studio

Observe classes at either of our studios (City Island or Mott Haven) and see how our instructors cue, hold the room and keep clients both challenged, and safe.

Audit classes at either studio - take them, feel them, & understanding them from the inside.

Class Observation + Auditing

Practice the Pilates method on your own, both at home (on the mat) and in the studio (on the equipment) during off-hours.

Complete your online coursework on your own time, at your own pace.

Self Practice + Self Study

Practice Teach

Begin to practice teach at the studios, working with real bodies in a supported environment.

I want to explore the Program Guide

YOUR TEACHER TRAINING TEAM

Gloria Russo

In studio seminars are led by Gloria Russo, a third generation instructor with over 25 years of experience.

If you’ve taken Gloria’s classes, you already know what a thoughtful and deeply knowledgeable teacher she is. Her path into Pilates began in the 1990s while she was studying dance at the Martha Graham School. After discovering a rare copy of The Pilates Method of Physical and Mental Conditioning in the school library, she became fascinated by the work and received her full certification through Power Pilates NYC, studying under Second Generation master teachers Peter Roël, Phoebie Higgins, and Susan Moran.

We feel incredibly lucky to have someone with her depth of experience guiding this training.

Lead Trainer

Wendy Yang Clark

Wendy Yang Clark is the founder of The Pearl, The Bronx’s first and only group Pilates Reformer studio with locations on City Island and in Mott Haven. Before opening The Pearl, Wendy worked for many years as a costume designer in film, television, and theater - a career rooted in observing bodies, movement, and the subtle ways people carry themselves.

Her approach to Pilates is shaped by that same eye: attentive, intuitive, and deeply interested in how people move through the world, not just how they perform an exercise.

Wendy has led multiple teacher training cohorts through the EYT curriculum at The Pearl, and this will be her fifth time guiding students through the process of becoming teachers. She is especially passionate about helping new instructors find their voice, build confidence in the room, and develop a way of teaching that feels both grounded and their own.

The Pearl Program Director

EYT Founder

JESSICA SPILLANE

Jessica Spillane is the founder of the Evolve Your Training (EYT) Pilates Teacher Training program, a globally recognized training model designed to make high-quality Pilates education more accessible to both aspiring teachers and studios.

A seasoned studio owner and entrepreneur, Jessica has opened, grown, purchased, and merged multiple fitness businesses, including successfully transforming a failing gym into a thriving operation.

With over 20 years of teaching experience and thousands of hours in the studio, Jessica is widely respected as a Master Teacher. She has been training instructors since 2009, and over the past decade, hundreds of students worldwide have completed her program - many going on to build meaningful, lasting careers in Pilates.

Rooted in the classical system while embracing contemporary thinking, Jessica’s approach is both rigorous and forward-looking. Her teaching is known for its clarity, depth, and ability to help instructors not only understand the work, but confidently teach it.

Ana Maria: Creating Energy + Connection in Your Classes

Ana Maria has that thing - the kind of presence that makes people feel seen and cared for the second they walk into the studio. In this workshop, she’ll break down how to create real energy in your classes, not just perform it, and how to build genuine connection with your clients. Expect to leave with tools that make people want to come back to your class, over and over again.
Sireena: Making a Career Out of Teaching Pilates

This is the honest conversation about what it looks like to actually make a living and sustainable career as a Pilates teacher. We’ll talk about schedules, working across multiple studios, managing energy, keeping things fresh, and how to build something that lasts. Less fantasy, more real-life strategy.
DaJuan: Musicality + Building a Playlist That Hits

Music can completely change the feel of a class - if you know how to use it. DaJuan will walk you through how to build playlists that support your flow, your pacing, and your energy, instead of just sitting in the background. This is about making your classes feel immersive, intentional, and more fun.
Wendy: Running a Pilates Studio

We’ll get into what it actually looks like to run a boutique fitness studio - the numbers, the decisions, the behind-the-scenes info no one talks about. This is part business, part reality check. Whether you want to open your own space one day or just understand how studios operate, this will give you a much clearer picture.
Madison: Building Your Presence on Social Media

If you want people to take your classes, they have to know you exist. Madison will break down how to show up online in a way that feels natural, while still helping you grow your audience. Think trends, reels, and how to turn your personality into something that supports your teaching career.

WHAT YOU’LL WALK AWAY WITH

By the end of the program, you’ll have more than a certification.

You’ll understand the work, but more importantly, you’ll understand how to teach it.

You’ll know how to:

Build and sequence a class
Cue clearly and effectively
Work with different bodies, needs, and experience levels
Adapt in real time
Hold a room with confidence

Pilates as an industry is growing quickly, especially across NYC and Westchester, and there’s a real need for thoughtful, well-trained teachers.

This training is designed to help you step into that space with clarity and confidence, wherever you choose to go next.

EYT Grads of The Pearl Say…

“The Pearl’s staff has made me feel welcome in every aspect of my training by providing support and mentorship beyond what I’ve expected. I’ve learned so much from the online curriculum, but also from shadowing and participating in classes, and talking to other teachers.”
- Brenda L
“At The Pearl, working hands-on with a classmate turned the exceptional EYT online training into something tangible - where precision became instinct and learning moved from theory into feel. And the camaraderie made it so much fun!”
- Lily K
“One of the things that I really enjoyed about EYT was their flexibility - they were SUPER flexible. They were there for any question that I had. They have a plethora of videos in their archives where they explain something that you might be fuzzy on in several different ways. I definitely felt very prepared to start teaching. It feels like I really mastered a skill, and it feels really rewarding, honestly.”
- Jenn W
“The EYT teacher training program opens doors to all the other opportunities and all the other certifications you can get in the Pilates world. You can basically use it anywhere in the world - you take that training and can apply it to any gym, boutique studio, or private session. I love being a Pilates teacher now for the community aspect of it - having everyone come in day in and day out. They look forward to it, and leave even happier than when they got here, and as the instructor, I get to provide them with that feel-good time.”
- Luna P
“The EYT program at The Pearl has been incredibly rewarding, showing me just how strong and capable we truly are while deepening my understanding of intentional movement, control, and mind-body connection. The support from everyone at The Pearl - especially the in-person seminars - has been so formative, and as my goal is to help my students build confidence, I find myself growing in confidence too, both in my practice and within myself.”
- Jenifer M

The Details

(and Everything Else you might be Wondering)

All in-studio seminars will be held on City Island from 11am to 6pm (with a short lunch break at 1:00). Students are required to attend all in-person seminars.
Beginner Mat: Saturday, July 18
Intermediate Mat: Sunday, July 19
Advanced Mat: Saturday, July 25
Beginner Reformer: Sunday, July 26
Intermediate Reformer: Saturday, August 1
Advanced Reformer: Sunday, August 2
Seminars are held at our City Island studio. Observation, practice, and apprenticeship hours can be completed at either our City Island or Mott Haven locations.
Don’t stress about weekend parking on City Island :) If you drive in for the seminar at 11am, you’ll have no problem finding a free spot on the street.
Tuition for the full comprehensive program is $4,550.
This includes everything - coursework, seminars, materials, studio access, mentorship, evaluation, and certification.
If you’re looking to get Mat Certification only, you may attend the first three seminars, and complete 150 practice hours for $1950.
If you’re looking to get Reformer Certification only, you may attend the final three seminars, and complete 150 practice hours for $2750. Please note that Reformer-only certification is for those who have already completed a mat certification through EYT or elsewhere. Proof of certification will be required at sign up.
- Early Bird Discount: 10% off tuition through April
- Payment plans are available
To celebrate our fifth cohort of apprentices, The Pearl will offer our first Bronx Community Teacher Scholarship, designed to support a student with financial need and a genuine desire to bring movement back to their community. The scholarship is awarded once the cohort reaches minimum enrollment. Learn more and apply here.
Yes! We offer flexible payment plans for all training tracks.
To reserve your spot, there is an initial $500 deposit (refundable through May 15). The remaining balance is then split into equal payments:
- Full Comprehensive Certification ($4550), four payments of $1,012.50
- Mat-Only Certification ($1950), two payments of $725
- Reformer-Only Certification ($2750), three payments of $750.
Your $500 deposit is fully refundable through May 15. After that date, the deposit is non-refundable, but if something unexpected comes up, we may be able to apply your tuition toward a future training, depending on timing and availability.
If you withdraw before the first seminar, any tuition paid beyond the deposit may be refunded. Once the program has begun, tuition payments are non-refundable. If you choose to withdraw, any remaining scheduled payments will be canceled and you will not be charged further.
Please note that withdrawal from the program means you will lose access to all online coursework, as well as access to The Pearl studios for practice and class auditing. This program is designed as a complete training experience, so stepping away means you would no longer be eligible to complete testing or certification at a later date.
You do not need to be advanced, but you should have a consistent Pilates practice and a familiarity with the work. We recommend taking classes regularly before the program begins so you feel comfortable in your body and in the studio environment. All students are required to take the online prerequisite course before the live seminars begin so you have a shared understanding of Pilates lingo, a basic knowledge of Pilates history, and aren’t coming in cold.
To complete the program in about six months, most trainees spend about 10 - 12 hours per week on practice, observation, and coursework. This can vary depending on your schedule and pace, but consistency is key.
We don’t require a set time frame to test in, but we’ve seen in past cohorts that the longer a student stretches the hours out, the more difficult it becomes for them to complete their certification.
Many of our trainees work full-time. The program is designed to be flexible, but it does require steady weekly commitment and self-discipline. Our studios are available for self-practice early in the morning and late in the evening for self-practice, along with evening weekend hours.
We strongly encourage attending all seminar days, as they are a core part of the training. If you need to miss one due to an unavoidable conflict, please reach out - we’ll do our best to help you stay on track, though makeup options may be limited.
Yes - trainees are welcome to audit classes at The Pearl when there are open spots available, and are encouraged to stay active in their own practice throughout the program. If there are no open spaces in a class, you may observe the class as part of your hours.
You will begin practicing teaching during the program in a supported environment. Teaching professionally typically happens after successful completion of the program and certification.
Yes, there is a Beginner Check-In and a Final Practical Assessment, along with written components, designed to support your development as a teacher.
Your Final Practical Assessment completion and passage will earn you your Pilates Instructor Certification.
Upon successful completion of all requirements and assessments, you will receive your Pilates Teacher Training Certification through EYT, completed in partnership with The Pearl. This certificate will be recognized at studios throughout the fitness industry.
While many of our instructors have come through this training, completing the program does not guarantee a teaching position at The Pearl. That said, we’re always excited to support our graduates as they move into the industry, and strong, dedicated teachers are very much in demand across NYC and Westchester.
If you’re curious, committed, and willing to put in the time, this program can meet you where you are. You don’t need to have it all figured out - just a genuine interest in learning and growing.
Reach out - we’re always happy to talk it through! Schedule a call with Wendy here.

PILATES TEACHER TRAINING SUMMER 2026 INTENSIVE

Full Comprehensive Certification (Mat + Reformer)

Our most complete training, covering the full Pilates system across both Mat and Reformer. Designed to take you from dedicated student to confident, well-rounded teacher with the depth and experience to lead real classes.
Includes six in-studio seminars, online coursework, and a full 300 hour in-studio apprenticeship. The program equips trainees with the skills needed to teach Pilates effectively and understand the business side of running a studio.
$4450

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Classical Mat Certification

A focused training in Mat Pilates, building a strong foundation in technique, sequencing, and teaching skills. Ideal as a starting point for those new to teaching, with the option to bridge into the full certification later on.
Includes three in-studio seminars, online coursework, and a full in-studio 150 hour apprenticeship. Students who complete the Mat Certification may apply their tuition toward the Full Comprehensive Certification within a set timeframe.
$1950

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CLASSICAL REFORMER CERTIFICATION

For students who have already completed a recognized Mat certification and are ready to expand onto the Reformer. This bridge focuses on apparatus work, programming, and teaching on the machine within a real studio environment.
Includes three in-studio seminars, online coursework, and a full in-studio 150 hour apprenticeship. Reformer Certification is only open to those with prior Mat training, as a strong foundation in the method is essential for working on the equipment.
$2750

I'm ready to enroll