CLASSICAL PILATES TEACHER TRAINING IN SACRAMENTO

+ Do I need to have Pilates experience in order to enroll?

Yes — and we think you'll appreciate why. We require that you come in with an established practice and a solid foundation in the work before training begins. This isn't about gatekeeping. It's about setting you up to get the most out of the program.

When you already know the exercises in your own body, you can walk into the studio on day one thinking like a teacher — observing, questioning, and learning how to share the work with others. If you're still figuring out the exercises yourself, that's where your attention goes instead.

We also believe you should train with the person who will be training you. Working with Elisha before the program starts means you'll know her teaching style, her approach, and whether this is the right fit before you make a significant commitment. If you don't yet have an established practice or haven't worked with Elisha, the best place to start is by booking your free private session.

+ What is Classical Pilates?

Classical Pilates is the original system of exercises, equipment, and methodology created by Joseph Pilates himself. While many forms of Pilates have evolved over the years — adding, removing, or modifying the original work — Classical Pilates honors Joe's system as he intended it to be taught, unedited and intact.

At Nephesh Pilates, we take that lineage seriously. The work Elisha teaches was handed down through a direct line of Pilates elders — through her mentorships with Karen Frischmann and Sandy Shimoda, who themselves studied under Jay Grimes and Romana Kryzanowska, two of the most revered teachers in the Classical tradition.

That lineage matters. When you train with us, you're not just learning exercises — you're being entrusted with a living tradition that traces directly back to Joseph Pilates himself.

+ Is the program in-person or virtual?

The program is 100% in-person — and we wouldn't have it any other way. Learning to teach a three-dimensional human body requires being in the room with one. The subtleties of movement, alignment, and how a body responds to guidance simply can't be captured on a screen. This is hands-on, eyes-on work and we believe that's the only way to truly learn it.

That said, we do think virtual learning has its place. A portion of your observation hours can be completed through online platforms like Pilatesology, which gives you access to a wealth of high-quality material on your own schedule.

But when it comes to your core training? We'll see you in the studio.

+ What’s a typical class day like?

Every training day is a mix of movement, observation, teaching, and discussion — and it's designed to make sure you leave feeling prepared, not overwhelmed.

You'll start with Q&A from the previous module, then move into one or two movement sessions reviewing what you've already learned. From there, the bulk of the day is spent on new material — doing the exercises in your own body, observing your fellow trainees, and practicing teaching them yourself. We want you to feel genuinely comfortable with the work before you go home to practice it on your own or teach it to others.

Woven throughout the day you'll find lecture and discussion that goes beyond the exercises — the bigger picture of teaching, the body, and the work. And yes, there are breaks and time for lunch.

+ What if I’ve never done Pilates?

No problem — everyone starts somewhere. If you don't yet have an established practice, the first step is simply to start. Before training begins, you'll need to reach a foundational level in the work, which we evaluate together before enrollment is finalized.

This is actually a great opportunity to work with Elisha directly, get a feel for the Classical method, and make sure this is the path you want to pursue before making a larger commitment.

Ready to find out where you are? Book your free private session and we'll take it from there.

+ How long does it take to become certified?

The program is designed to be completed in 9 months, and most students finish right on schedule. However, everyone moves at their own pace — as soon as you complete the weekend modules and all of your observation, personal practice, and teaching hours, you're ready to take your final test-out and become fully certified.

You have up to one year to complete all of your hours, so there's a little breathing room built in if life gets in the way. Just keep in mind that program fees cover 9 months of studio access — if you need additional time, a monthly extension is available to keep you on track.

+ What happens after I’m certified?

The job search begins! You have the option to interview here at Nephesh Pilates. But if that’s not your jam, we help with interview prep and job placement so that you can find the right Pilates home for you. We want to see you succeed and this is a critical step in the process. We’re here for you the whole way!

+ What jobs are available to me after going through training?

More than you might think. As a comprehensively-certified Classical Pilates teacher — meaning you're trained on all equipment — you're qualified to work in a wide range of settings. Classical Pilates studios, contemporary studios, gyms, private practice, renting space in an established studio, or even opening your own. The credential travels.

One thing to note: because we teach the Classical method, our program doesn't cover group class programming — that's not part of Joe's original system. So if teaching large group fitness classes is your primary goal, this may not be the right fit. But if you want to teach intelligent, intentional Pilates to real people and build a career you're proud of, you'll be fully prepared to do that.

And you won't be figuring out your next steps alone. Part of what you get in this program is help navigating what comes after — whether that's interviewing at a studio, finding the right fit, or mapping out a path that works for your life.

+ What if I don’t want to teach and I just want to learn more for myself?

You're welcome here. Many people come to teacher training purely for the depth of knowledge and the development of their personal practice — and that's a completely valid reason to enroll.

That said, we want to be upfront: this is a teaching program. A significant part of the curriculum is learning how to observe, cue, and share the work with others. You'll be practicing teaching your fellow trainees from early on. If you're open to that experience even without plans to teach professionally, you'll likely find it enriches your understanding of the work in ways you didn't expect.

+ How do I complete all of my observation, personal practice and teaching hours?

Everything you need is right here at Nephesh Pilates — no hunting for outside studios or paying extra fees. Your enrollment includes full studio access for all of your hours.

For observation, you'll have the opportunity to watch Elisha and other teachers working with real clients in 1:1 sessions, small groups, and mat classes. For personal practice, you can use the studio during regular hours to work on your own. And for teaching hours, you're welcome to bring in friends and family to practice on.

Your studio membership is also included, giving you access to classes and private sessions throughout the program — so you're continuously building your own practice and spending more time learning alongside your teacher trainer.

It's all taken care of. That's by design.

+ Is my trainer available outside of studio training time for questions?

Absolutely. This is one of the most meaningful differences between Nephesh Pilates and larger certification programs. In many programs, an instructor is sent from headquarters to teach your modules — and once the weekend is over, so is your access to them.

At Nephesh, Elisha is your teacher trainer for the full nine months — in the studio, via email, and by phone. She's available to answer questions, work through things that aren't clicking, and continue teaching you in private sessions and classes throughout the program.

You'll also have access to an online group chat with Elisha and your fellow trainees — so support is never more than a message away. The relationship doesn't start and stop with the training weekends.

It's an ongoing mentorship, and that's exactly how it should be.