Instructor Training
The difference between just certified and truly exceptional.
Highly skilled instructors start in the same place: their own body.
You learn to observe how you move, how you compensate, and how your patterns show up under load. That awareness develops through consistent practice and attention.
From there, the work expands into how you teach.
At KZ AligN Pilates, mastery of teaching is built on a deep understanding of movement and the principles that underpin it. You learn to assess each student, adapt based on how they present each day, and focus on transfer so the learning carries into daily life.
This is what we call Connection with Care. It begins with your own awareness, and extends to how you listen, respond, and build trust with the person in front of you. This is developed through our structured training, hours of practice, and close mentorship with Kea.
Whichever pathway to certification you choose, you build from the same foundation, with the same high standard and quality of care.
choose your pathway
Two ways to become a certified Pilates instructor
Whether you want to build your certification one module at a time or commit to a fully immersive apprenticeship, there is a path designed for you.
Module Pathway
Build your certification one module at a time
The Module Pathway is a structured certification program delivered primarily in a weekend format, with intensive options occasionally available. It allows you to develop genuine teaching competency one apparatus at a time without stepping away from your existing life.
Each module is a standalone qualification. Completion of all modules leads to a comprehensive certification. All students must begin with Mat and the Principles of Movement — the foundation of the entire Pilates system. Continue from there at a pace that fits your life.
| Module | Prerequisite | Minimum hours |
|---|---|---|
| Mat and Principles of Movement | — | 50 hrs |
| Reformer | M | 56 hrs |
| Cadillac | M + R | 60 hrs |
| Chair | M + R | 48 hrs |
| Barrel and Spine Corrector | M + R | 48 hrs |
| Advanced Mat | M | 25 hrs |
| Advanced Reformer | M + R | 25 hrs |
Upcoming Training Dates 2026
| Module | BKK GEN 9 | BKK GEN 10 | BKK GEN 11 (English) |
BKK GEN 12 | BKK GEN 13 | BKK GEN 14 2027 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mat and Principles of Movement | 30 & 31 May | 18 & 19 Jul | 10 & 11 Oct | 31 Oct & 1 Nov | 7 & 8 Nov | 9 & 10 Jan |
| Reformer | 27 & 28 Jun | 25 & 26 Jul | 12 & 13 Oct | 14 & 15 Nov | 21 & 22 Nov | 23 & 24 Jan |
| Cadillac | 1 & 2 Aug | 8 & 9 Aug | 17 & 18 Oct | 28 & 29 Nov | 5 & 6 Dec | 30 & 31 Jan |
| Chair | 15 Aug | 22 Aug | 19 Oct | 12 Dec | 19 Dec | 13 Feb |
| Barrel & Spine Corrector | 16 Aug | 23 Aug | 20 Oct | 13 Dec | 20 Dec | 14 Feb |
| Advanced Mat & Advanced Reformer | 29 & 30 Aug + Mentorship |
29 & 30 Aug + Mentorship |
24 & 25 Oct + Mentorship |
26 & 27 Dec + Mentorship |
26 & 27 Dec + Mentorship |
27 & 28 Mar + Mentorship |
What each module covers
Explore the modules
Before you can teach movement, you need to understand it in your own body. This module covers the history of the method, KZ AligN’s teaching philosophy, and the 8 principles that underpin everything you will go on to teach, including the two principles that define how we teach: Mindfulness and Connection. The mat work develops your understanding of anatomy, how the body stabilises, breathes, and moves with genuine intention, and introduces the assessment process you will use with every client from your first session onward. From the beginning, Kea works closely with you, providing the mentorship and feedback that shapes how you develop as an instructor throughout the entire program.
The Reformer introduces resistance-based training and significantly expands the range of positions, movement patterns, and variables you will work with as an instructor. You develop a deeper understanding of anatomy and movement principles in practice, learning how load, spring resistance, and body position interact and how to apply that understanding to the individual in front of you. Assessment becomes more complex here. You learn to read what a client presents on any given day and plan sessions that respond to that, rather than following a fixed sequence. By the end of this module, you will be able to plan and sequence sessions with intention, adapting to the needs and responses of each client as they present.
The Cadillac provides a stable, supported surface with adjustable spring resistance, making it one of the most adaptable pieces of apparatus in the studio. You learn to apply the full range of Pilates principles across lying, seated, and standing positions, working with springs, bars, and the push-through bar to develop spinal mobility, postural strength, and deep stability. What this module develops above all is your ability to read the person in front of you with precision, because the Cadillac’s range means every decision you make about where to begin, how much support to offer, and when to progress has a direct impact on their experience.
The Chair is deceptively small, and its demand is significant. Upright, compact, and spring-loaded, it builds functional strength in standing and seated positions that carry directly into daily life. Without the support of a lying or reclined position, how a client moves becomes much easier to see. Assessment takes on a new dimension as compensation patterns present themselves more clearly. This module sharpens your ability to observe clearly and respond with care, developing the kind of attention to detail that defines good teaching on any apparatus.
The Barrel and Spine Corrector open up positions the spine rarely finds in everyday life, supported extension, deep lateral work, and articulation that other apparatus cannot easily provide. Unlike the reformer, there is no spring resistance. Every movement is driven entirely by your own body weight. In this module you develop a precise awareness of how the body moves in space and use that understanding to guide clients. This is Mindfulness in practice, and that initial quality of internal attention is where Connection begins.
Many people are surprised to discover that mat work is among the most demanding in the Pilates system. Advanced Mat builds directly on the foundation established in the first module, introducing new exercises that require greater strength, control, and body awareness. With no apparatus to assist or support, every movement depends entirely on what you have developed through consistent self-practice. New cueing strategies are introduced to meet the increased complexity of the work. By the end of this module you will have the skills to design and deliver sessions that genuinely challenge even your most experienced clients. Kea’s mentorship at this stage draws on everything she has observed in your development across the program.
Advanced Reformer introduces a significant expansion of the repertoire, with new exercises that increase the level of challenge for both client and instructor. The complexity of what you are observing and managing rises with it. The ability to maintain a safe environment remains highly important as movement is explored at this level. This module develops your capacity to teach with confidence, applying everything you have built across the program. It is also where mentorship reaches its fullest expression, consolidating everything you have developed and preparing you to teach with the standard KZ AligN holds across every session.
Meet Kea
Kea discovered her love for Pilates in 2012 after many years of teaching yoga, exploring meditation, and energy work – a background that informs how she teaches as much as her training does.
She completed Balanced Body Comprehensive Instructor Training in the United States under Katrina Foe, whose own teacher was Lolita San Miguel, one of the original instructors certified by Joseph Pilates himself. That lineage connects every student Kea trains to the source of the method. It sets the standard for the quality of teaching she develops in every instructor who trains with her.
To learn more about Kea, read Our Story.
KZ Apprenticeship Pathway
Earn your certification through ongoing mentorship and teaching real clients
KZaP is a structured apprenticeship program totalling 480 hours, built around four parts: guided instruction, self-practice, supervised teaching, and observation. It is designed for those ready to commit to a career change, developing deep mastery of the Pilates method inside a working studio with the ongoing support of Kea and the KZ AligN team.
| Part | Description | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Part 1 — Modules | Guided in-studio instruction across all apparatus | 120 hrs |
| Part 2 — Self-Practice | Independent practice at KZ AligN studios | 220 hrs |
| Part 3 — Teaching | Supervised teaching with real studio clients | 105 hrs |
| Part 4 — Observation | Observing Kea and senior instructors in live sessions | 35 hrs |
| Total | 480 hrs |
Why choose KZ AligN Pilates for your Pilates instructor training program?
Career Outcomes for Pilates Instructors
Boutique studios
Fitness clubs
Wellness centers
Hotels and resorts
Private practice
Rehabilitation settings
Frequently Asked Quesions
Testimonials
Thanyaluck Lertthammanut (Kwan)
KZap 2020
Pilates will not only give you confidence in your body, but can also give you a new life with less muscle pain.
If I could compare Pilates with something else in my life, I would say that Pilates is like natural medicine. I used to have regular migraines, muscle pain, and depression. I couldn’t imagine how I might become pain free until I came across Pilates. Pilates has shown me how I can have a new life after practicing regularly. In the past, I was a highly competitive swimmer and I wish I had found Pilates sooner.
Pilates with KZ AligN is not like other exercises; it’s a mindful movement. Your muscles connect with your brain and your heart. This is why Pilates can increase your energy and improve your posture and muscle tone. When you focus your heart and your brain with alignment, your muscles move and the deeper small muscle groups switch on.
Our large muscles are like old friends. They work very hard and sometimes become tight after all that work. Our small muscle groups are like new friends for us once we get to know each other. The better we know and understand them, the more we can harness them to help our big muscle groups work. They’re like a little helper within our bodies. Pilates can reduce pain because we bring awareness to the small muscle groups we rarely use, supporting the larger muscle groups and improving our flexibility and balance.
Now that I am pain free, I use Pilates as medicine in my daily life and have also become an instructor.
If you are looking for a career in Pilates and want to open a studio or become an instructor, the KZ AligN instructor courses are a great answer to help bring you success on this journey.
Come join us
Nonglak Phuangsuwan (Luck)
KZap 2021
When I was a full-time mother at home, I watched my child growing up and realized that I should find a career to ensure a great future for us and stability for my family. The question was: what career would support my financial goals, promote health and still provide time for my family? The KZap instructor training program at KZ Pilates with KZ AligN met every aspect of these needs and I decided to become a Pilates instructor.
I started the KZap program without having the perfect Pilates skills. I loved Pilates and I wanted to practice and improve. All I needed was dedication and commitment to improving my skills. I was able to balance my working hours to match my lifestyle and still go on vacations with my family. KZ Pilates helped move me toward my goals and success in this career. We emphasize working together as a team and helping each other like family.
Phatthanan Mahasantipiya (Dr. May)
Dentist | KZap 2023
I was looking for a Pilates instructor in Chiang Mai who truly understands the principles of Pilates for quite some time. I used to practice Pilates when I lived in Australia, but it was solely a mat-based approach, so I understood it was different. Pilates is not the same as cardio training and it doesn’t necessarily require intricate or elaborate movements. I wanted an approach that involves exercises that genuinely address structural issues, muscle strength, and flexibility, starting with a solid core. I tried classes at KZ Pilates and found them fitting for my needs. The studio is also conveniently located near my home. I decided to continue my journey by training at KZ Pilates to become an instructor myself, aiming for a potential new career option and a stronger body.
Rossukhon Palaphong (Mem)
Former Cabin Crew Member | KZap 2023
For many years, I worked as a cabin crew member for an airline. When I had a baby, I resigned from my position in order to be with my baby full time. As soon as my child entered school, I felt that I wanted to return to work. Around that time, I became interested in Pilates because of the benefits it provides, including increasing your body strength. With more experience, the KZ apprentice progression program (KZap) creates an opportunity for a future career, which can generate steady income. I initially chose KZ Pilates at KZ AligN Pilates because it was close to my home. As instructors at this studio, we can choose our holidays and teaching time which works well for people with children. Most importantly, I have confidence in Kea and her team who are committed to teaching and transferring their knowledge to students.
Arunrung Aue-chaisit (Som O)
Engineer | KZap 2024
I have been working as a full-time employee for 8 years. These days, I feel that my work lifestyle rarely meets my life’s needs.
Destiny brought me back to speak with Kea again. She was recruiting the fourth-generation of Pilates teachers for the first branch opening in Bangkok. At that time, it was an easy decision for me to apply to study in her course because I love Pilates and I already knew her teaching skill from practicing Pilates with her online during COVID-19. I am now in good physical and mental shape, with body-mind connection and self-awareness.
After learning in this instructor course, it is clear that Kea is a Pilates master who truly cares about her students and has imprinted this attitude in us. She always deepens the importance of discipline in self-practice and teaching training. She makes it clear that students are not guinea pigs.
What has been passed on from Kea in this course makes me feel confident that I can open my own studio some day.
Thawatchai Wisetdee (Beer)
Personal Trainer | KZap 2024
The thing that made me want to study Pilates was to learn about the correct principles and methods of practicing and to better understand the Pilates equipment. I also saw that Pilates had the potential to give me more variety to further my career in fitness as a Pilates teacher. The style Kea teaches is correct according to Pilates principles.
I chose to learn Pilates at KZ Pilates because it was a great opportunity given to me by Kea. I was already working as a personal trainer at Jasmine Space in Bangkok when Kea opened up a Pilates studio within the same building. It was an opportunity when I was looking for a place to study to become an instructor. I had the opportunity to practice Pilates right here!
What I saw and learned with KZap at KZ AligN Pilates is that the teaching method is clear, easy to understand and not complicated. At KZ AligN, they share all important knowledge and experiences that are vital for apprentices to understand. You won’t be disappointed in choosing to practice Pilates here.
Suchada Kuaniam (Apple)
Office Worker | KZap 2024
Hello, I’m Ple! I first learned about Pilates about 8 years ago. After trying Pilates, I felt that the pain in my back got better. The migraine headaches that I had to take medicine for on a regular basis disappeared. Pilates exercises small muscles that we don’t often use. When we come to practice, we get to know our bodies more and our minds are calmer.
Pilates is a sport that I really like. I wanted to have a second career so I chose something that I really like. This year, Kea opened an instructor training course in Bangkok so I decided to learn with her immediately. I really like her teaching style! It’s attentive, detailed, easy to understand, and it flows smoothly.
Pilates can help to solve physical and health problems that you’re worried about. I want to be a Pilates teacher who helps people have better health. Having good health results in having a good mind. I can apply what I have learned from these experiences to my personal life, bringing joy to my daily life, and radiating positive energy to those around me.
