Special Populations Matwork Instructor Education

Are you a certified Matwork Instructor ready to safely and confidently teach the clients most instructors feel least prepared for: prenatal, postnatal and deconditioned bodies?

You will receive a Special Populations Matwork Education and learn how to teach three special populations — pre- and postnatal women and deconditioned people of any age. Become a safe and confident instructor who meets a client where their body actually is, progress them step-by-step, and know exactly when to modify, hold back, or refer out. Our work and philosophy maintain the heritage from the original method developed by Joseph H. Pilates. We are the only Pilates studio in Sweden with a 2nd generation Classical Pilates teacher. Are you ready to become the instructor these clients can trust?

2026/10/02 23:59:00
Next education starts October 11th with a virtual meet & greet and we have 10 education spots so register your interest today and we will get back to you shortly!
Christiana P.

I’m so glad I took this Classic Pilates Matwork education! I learned to guide others to find “the right muscles” in a more efficient way and I feel better in my own body! What an experience the intensive training period has been! Intensive learning process that has been presented in a pedagogical and well thought out way. Stephanie is a rock at teaching! She has always been available and contributed constructive feedback. It was so much fun and I’ve already used a lot of exercises in my job as a physiotherapist and started having exercise groups!

Sandra P.

I am so happy that I got to do this certification. Stephanie’s way of teaching is easy to follow for everyone, no matter the background you have or the level of physical fitness you are in. Her readiness to answer the questions, her openness, makes her very easy to approach. This was the far most knowledgeable and thorough education I have attended, covering every important issue a Pilates teacher should know. Stephanie’s background and classes I took at Pilates Via made me decide that she is the teacher for me. I love how my body embraces what I have learnt. Even though I have been teaching since 2005, my own learning will continue for sure.

What is included in the education and what does it cost?

More information coming soon

You will work through three populations, one at a time, guided by your teacher and mentor. For each one you’ll learn how the body changes physically, how the exercises and their order shift to accommodate it, which tools and props you use to adapt safely, and the major dos, don’ts and red-lights.

Prenatal — teaching the pregnant client through each trimester: symptom-guided modifications, positioning and inclines, coning/tenting awareness, and what to watch for.
Postnatal — safely rebuilding after birth: reconnection, staged progression back into the repertoire, and the common cautions.
Vintage — our foundation population: older adults with named conditions (osteoporosis, arthritis, spinal stenosis, fall prevention) and generally deconditioned adults not yet ready for the Essential repertoire — starting below capacity and progressing by effort until they graduate up.

Throughout, you’ll learn to teach these clients within your scope as a Pilates instructor — working alongside each client’s own care provider and recognising when to refer out. Our guidance draws on the Classical method and Stephanie’s own teaching experience with these populations.

You begin with self-study on our digital learning platform, come together for a hands-on workshop weekend in Stockholm, then continue with several weeks of mentored teaching — and one recorded class with a real client — so you get genuine practice and personal feedback before you ever teach these clients on your own.

You should plan approximately 6 hours per week from the start of the education until the mentored teaching wraps up. This international education is taught in English to increase your opportunities to work all over the world.

The Pilates Via’s Special Populations Matwork Instructor Education

This international education is held in English to increase your opportunities to work all over the world.

SPECIAL POPULATIONS MATWORK TRAINING PROGRAM – 9 880 SEK incl. VAT

  • Digital learning platform for self-study
  • One mandatory 3-day Workshop including lunch & fika
  • Workbook
  • Assessment & Feedback (by 2nd generation instructor)
  • Diploma of Participation

APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM – 7 210 SEK incl. VAT

  • 30 Via Credits at a value of 6 000 kr to be used for this Education
  • Mentorship from a 2nd Generation (Joseph H. Pilates > Romana Kryzanowska > Stephanie Fjalestad) Pilates Teacher
  • Observation of Classical Pilates classes and exclusive access to our library of recorded classes
  • Apprentice meetings with your teacher to support your progression and to answer all of your questions
  • Lifetime membership to our digital library for instructors with videos and much more

Price: 17 090 SEK incl. VAT

When does the next Special Populations Matwork Instructor Education start?

Fall 2026

  1. Week 40 (Fri 23:59) October 2, 2026 – Book & Pay
  2. Week 41 (Sun 17:00-18:00) October 11, 2026 – Education Starts w. Virtual Meet & Greet
  3. Week 45 (Fri-Sun 09:00-17:00) November 6-8, 2026 – Workshop
  4. Week 50-51, 2026 (1 hr) – Assessment (Scheduled Individually)
Who is teaching and where does the education take place?

Pilates Teachers

During the eduction you will learn from Swedens most Senior Pilates Teachers in Classical Pilates.

Stephanie Fjalestad

Senior Pilates Instructor & Teacher

Stephanie is a 2nd generation Classical Pilates Instructor since 2003 and will be your personal teacher and mentor during the Education. She holds a Comprehensive Classical Pilates Certification from Master Instructor Romana Kryzanowska, the founder Joseph Pilates’ protégé, and has taught thousands of people in US, Australia and Europe to “Stretch with Strength and Control“.

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Education Location


Pilates Via Odenplan
113 27 Stockholm
Sweden

Can anyone become a Classical Pilates Special Populations Matwork Instructor?

Yes, if you are a certified Matwork Instructor and have a Certificate of Excellence in Matwork.

Becoming a Classical Pilates instructor requires time, motivation and commitment. If you have the drive, we will help you to become an instructor. The Pilates Via education includes our unique mentorship program from a 2nd generation teacher with valuable experience and knowledge to guide you through your education.

Show Syllabus
START HERE
EDUCATION STARTS

Self-Study - Start learning about Special Populations

The education starts with a virtual meet & greet where you will meet all other students and the teacher will give you a brief introduction of what to expect from the education.

After the meet & greet, you will receive an invite to our digital learning platform where you start with a self-assessment to test your current knowledge.

Then you are required to complete a few quick self-study modules to get you prepared for the first workshop. You’ll now also get access to your Via Credits.

Workshop - Teaching Special Populations Matwork

An intensive weekend (Fri – Sun, 09:00-17:00) where the goal is to be able to teach Vintage, Pregnancy & Mama Matwork populations as an apprentice. Step-by-step you will learn how to progress clients safely step-by-step using your voice (cuing) and with your hands. Lunch & fika is on us as usual!

After the workshop you will receive your Special Populations Matwork Instructor Workbook which works together with the learning platform to further enhance your learning.

Self-Practice - Start teaching Special Populations

After the Workshop, you will begin practicing your teaching skills of Vintage, Pregnancy & Mama Pilates classes on your clients, students, friends and family.

We recommend to observe or attend classes at any of our studios (including Studio Online) regularly to experience them.

Plan to practice approximately 6 hours per week.

ASSESSMENT
Questions & Answers

I have more questions - who do I contact?

Fill out the interested form and add all questions you might have and we’ll get back to you shortly

Do I need to do a foundation course first?

Yes you have to.

To do the Special Populations Matwork Instructor education, you must have completed the Matwork Instructor education and received your Certificate of Excellence in Matwork, i.e. completed the training and passed the exam with at least 80% points.

I don't live in Stockholm - Can I join this unique Classical Pilates education?

Yes you can.

However, you need to participate in the mandatory workshops at our Pilates Studio in Stockholm, Sweden. Our learning platform for self-study, classes, observations, apprentice meetings is online.

For this Special Population Matwork education you need an exercise mat, a Magic Circle and set of hand weights (0.5 kg) for self-practice.

I can't participate in the mandatory weekend - Is there a way to learn by myself?

No, you unfortunately not with us. We feel that teaching Special Population Matwork exercises requires more than just knowing the exercises. You need to know how to determine how to assess a special populations client for the exercises so they do not injure themselves. We provide you with the necessary skills to assess and progress clients safely.

You can miss one day of the workshop weekend, however you’ll need to schedule a few Private PT Sessions with your Teacher to assess and review your individual progress.

Do you offer any continued education?

Yes!

After completing the Matwork Instructor Education and passing the exam with distinction (80% score) you’ll become eligible for any of the following educations:

View our full Education Program for more information.

What does it take to get a Diploma in Special Populations Matwork?

To obtain a Diploma of Participation in Special Populations Matwork, you are required to actively participate in the entire education. You complete the theoretical and practical elements according to the plan.

For this continued education, the final part is a mandatory assessment & feedback by the teacher for the students who actively participated. The assessment evaluates your level of knowledge and skills both theoretically and practically, and you are given recommendations on what the teacher thinks you can practice further.

After you have participated in the final part, you will receive a Diploma of Participation.

What does active participation mean?

To receive a Diploma of Participation, you are required to actively participate in this education. This means that:

  • Attend the workshop. The 3-day workshop is mandatory. If you have to miss a day, you book a few Private sessions with your teacher, at an additional cost, to review and assess your progress and prepare you for the rest of the education.
  • Attend at least 3 of the 4 weekly mentored classes (90 minutes each), held online after the workshop.
  • Submit a video of you teaching, then join a 30-minute one-to-one session where you receive your feedback and can ask any last questions.

I work a full-time job - Can I make it work?

You know yourself best, and most people who take this education have full-time jobs and make it work. Plan for around 6 hours a week on average, spent practicing with these special populations in mind: taking and observing Matwork classes, practicing on your own, and practicing teaching others.

Do you offer payment plans?

No. Not for this education.