Pilates Instructor Matwork Education
Do you want to become a certified Matwork instructor in Classical Pilates?
You will receive a Matwork Education and learn how to teach with confidence in a safe way according to the Classical Pilates method. 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 belong to the elite and become a world-class Matwork Pilates Instructor?
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!
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.
You will learn how to teach Classical Pilates Matwork. A small group of maximum 6 apprentices get the opportunity to study together with Stephanie Fjalestad, a 2nd generation teacher.
After completing the Matwork Instructor Education you will confidently teach beginner to intermediate clients safely. You are able to recall all of the original exercises at advanced level with skills to perform them with flow at your own ability.
The education includes Pilates Fundamentals, Teaching Fundamentals, Body & Movement Principles, Client Fundamentals, the Wall Ending and all the Matwork exercises.
This education suits anyone who wants to begin practising Classical Pilates Matwork by themselves at home or those who seeks part-time work as a Matwork Instructor. This education is also the first step for those seeking to become a Professional Pilates Professional.
We teach you practical skills on how to use Joe’s original Pilates principles and method. The education includes practical body and movement knowledge. You will learn how to teach using your voice, your hands and how to assess peoples’ individual needs. We teach you how to use modifications to simplify and progressions to challenge people with appropriate exercises.
We will provide clear directions on how to teach group classes with confidence for different skill levels and lengths of time. Guided by your teacher and mentor, this education motivates you step-by-step how to best learn and practice to become a safe and inspirational Classical Pilates instructor.
You should plan approximately 6 hours per week from the start of the course until you are ready for examination. This international education is taught in English.
After completing the Matwork Instructor Education you can confidently teach beginner to intermediate clients safely. You are able to recall all of the original exercises at advanced level with skills to perform them with flow at your own ability. If you pass the exam with distinction and earning the Certificate of Excellence in Matwork you are eligible for the following continuing educations: Advanced Matwork Instructor, Special Populations Matwork Instructor (Fall 2025) and Reformer Apparatus Instructor.
The Pilates Via’s Matwork Instructor Education
This international education is held in English to increase your opportunities to work all over the world.
MATWORK TRAINING PROGRAM – 17 170 SEK
- Digital learning platform for self-study
- Two mandatory 3-day (fri-sun) Workshops including lunch & fika
- Workbook
- Diploma of Participation
- Examination (by 2nd generation instructor)
- Certificate of Excellence (if you score 80% or higher)
APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM (MANDATORY) – 13 030 SEK
- 60 Via Credits at a value of 12 000 kr
- 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 over 100 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
Our affordable education programs are always all-inclusive, without any hidden costs for required classes, lunches, fika, etc.
Price: 30 200 SEK incl. VAT (Fall 2025)
TIP! Book and pay the full education no later than 6 weeks before the education starts, and we give you 20 extra Via Credits at the value of SEK 4,000 incl. VAT.
When does the next Matwork education start?
Our Matwork educations starts twice per year. Next educations starts Fall 2025 and Spring 2026
Fall 2025
- Week 31 (Fri 23:59) August 1, 2025 – Registration closes
- Week 32 (Fri 17-18) August 8, 2025 – Education Starts w. Virtual Meet & Greet
- Week 35 (Fri-Sun 09-17) August 29-31, 2025 – Workshop #1
- Week 42 (Fri-Sun 09-17) October 17-19, 2025 – Workshop #2
- Week 48 (Sat 14-17) November 29, 2025 – Examination
Spring 2026
- Week 2 (Fri 23:59) January 9, 2026 – Registration closes
- Week 3 (Fri 17-18) January 16, 2026 – Education Starts w. Virtual Meet & Greet
- Week 6 (Fri-Sun 09-17) February 6-8, 2026 – Workshop #1
- Week 15 (Fri-Sun 09-17) April 10-12, 2026 – Workshop #2
- Week 20 (Sat 13:30-17:30) May 16, 2026 – Examination
Book directly or fill out the Interested form and we will get in touch and we would be more than happy tell you more and to answer any questions you may have.
Pilates Teachers
During the eduction you will learn from Swedens most Senior Pilates Teachers in Classical Pilates.
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“.
Yes! You should be genuinely interested in Pilates with a desire to inspire and help others.
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.
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
Can I do this education to learn Pilates for my own training at home?
Yes! This foundational education will provide you with all you need to train Classical Pilates Matwork by yourself. During the education you will be training with others and work together with your fellow apprentices. At the end of the education, you decide if you want to take the exam or not. Passing the exam is the prerequisite for any continued education with us.
Do you offer the education in English?
Yes. All Pilates Via Educations are in english to give you the best opportunity to work all over the world. Many of our now certified instructors uses their own native languages when practicing even if the exam is held in english.
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 the Matwork educations you only require an exercise mat at home. For Advanced Matwork, Special Populations Matwork educations you also need a Magic Circle and set of hand weights (0.5 kg).
For any of the Apparatus educations you need to have access to Classical (preferably) Pilates Apparatus to be able to practice enough to pass the education and to get certified.
I can't participate in all mandatory weekends - Is there a way to catch up?
Yes, everything is possible. Fill out the interested form below and tell us more and we’ll contact you to discuss how we can make this happen for you! We do start a new group every spring and fall and you can always book something later.
What does 2nd generation teacher mean?
Stephanie, who is your teacher and mentor during the education, is one of few who had the opportunity to attend a comprehensive training with Master Teacher Romana Kryzanowska, one of the Pilates elders (1st generation teachers).
Pilates elders trained with the founder Joseph H. Pilates at his Pilates studio in New York City. This Pilates studio was later handed over to his protégé, Master Teacher Romana Kryzanowska. It was Romana who, together with selected instructors, who developed the first comprehensive education in Pilates.
Stephanie was certified by Romana in January 2003 as a 2nd generation teacher with the goal of passing on the knowledge to future generations of instructors and teachers.
This means that you who take a course at Pilates Via and are certified by Stephanie can title yourself as a 3rd generation instructor, Joe > Romana > Stephanie > You?
Do you offer a comprehensive Pilates education and certification?
Yes we do!
A comprehensive pilates education means that you are able to teach matwork and apparatus, from beginners up to advanced clients. This can be achieved by taking all our Instructor Educations (7 educations) and earn both Matwork & Reformer Certification of Excellence to become invited to our Professional Pilates Instructor education.
Everyone starts with the Matwork Instructor Education which is the base where you learn all the fundamentals. After passing the certification with distinction (80% score) you become eligible to continue your journey to become a comprehensively certified instructor on both matwork and apparatus if you choose to.
Our program is designed to provide anyone to study, practice and teach step-by-step towards your goal at your own pace. Some people want to get the professional certification as fast as possible (within 1,5 years) with a focus to work for us or another Classical Pilates studio. Others choose to take it step by step as they’re building their own business and client base, to justify their investment in the certifications and equipment over time.
As a certified Professional (aka. Comprehensive) Classical Pilates Instructor, you are now eligible to work for Pilates Via and other Classical Pilates Studios teaching both classes (Matwork & Reformer) and sessions (Matwork & Apparatus).
I already have a Pilates Certification in Matwork - then what?
Cool! If you want to go and learn Classic Pilates and get the opportunity to certify yourself as a 3rd generation Pilates instructor, you have three options with us.
- Complete this Matwork training including mentorship, training credits, 2 x workshops, self-study in our unique digital learning platform and the examination. Recommended for everyone and can be booked directly.
- Just complete an Examination in Matwork (new from 2025) where you prove you have a high level of knowledge and teach Classic Pilates Matwork with confidence to obtain our Certificate of Excellence in Matwork. Recommended only for experienced training instructors who want to further their education in Classic Pilates Matwork at Pilates Via, i.e. Advanced Matwork instructor or Special Populations instructor and who already has a Matwork education from before. Contact us for an admissions interview.
- Book Reformer training starting in at least +6 months (new from 2025). Self-study of Matwork will then begin and you will have access to our digital learning platform to prepare you to pass your Certificate of Excellence in Matwork before the start of training. Only recommended for experienced training instructors who want to further their education in Classic Pilates Reformer at Pilates Via and who already have Matwork training from before. Contact us for an admissions interview.
If you already know Pilates Matwork and are thinking of learning Classical Pilates Matwork, you will still learn many new skills in our unique Matwork Pilates Instructor Education which also includes mentoring from a 2nd generation Classical Pilates teacher.
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:
- Advanced Matwork Instructor Education (teaching advanced matwork, magic circle and hand weights)
- Special Populations Matwork Instructor Education (prenatal, postnatal and elderly) – coming 2025
- Reformer Apparatus Instructor Education (teaching essential to progressive reformer apparatus)
View Pilates Via Education Program for more information.
I don't want to do the final exam and receive a certification - Can I only participate in the weekend workshops?
Yes, you can…but.
To receive a Diploma (Diploma of Participation) you must actively participate throughout the education. This means that you have participated in all the mandatory elements and trained with all the training credits that are included in the training. The Diploma of Participation is a basic requirement for taking your examination.
To obtain a Certificate (Certificate of Excellence) you need to pass the examination (theory & practical) and get at least 80% points. Certificate of Excellence is required to participate in all continued education in both Matwork & Apparatus with us.
Do I have to attend continuing education every year to keep my certificate?
No. Your certification, which takes dedication and effort to earn, is yours forever!
We currently offer three certifications, Matwork, Reformer and Professional. No requirement to chase CEC’s (continued education credits) to keep your certificate.
We believe that as a certified Pilates Instructor you understand that learning never stops. By regularly training with great instructors and teachers, attending workshops and continuing education, you are continuously improving your skills as a Pilates Instructor.
I work a full-time job - Can I make it work?
You know yourself best. Most people who went through this education had full-time jobs and made it work. We recommend you practice (train matwork classes, observe matwork classes, self-practice and practice training others) approximately 6 hours per week on average throughout the education.
Do you offer payment plans?
Yes. There is an option to split the payments into two parts without a fee. Follow the links below:
Fall 2025
Spring 2026
What books do you recommend?
We recommend these books as an introduction and deep dive into the subject of Classical Pilates. These books are not used in the training, but can be seen as a personal supplement for you who want to deepen your knowledge of the subject of Classic Pilates.
Return to Life by Joseph Pilates
The Pilates Body by Brooke Siler
Pilates Anatomy by Rael Isacowitz, Karen Clippinger
The education includes our book A Classical Pilates Matwork Education Workbook in 254 pages in color and access to our digital learning platform with videos of all exercises as well as audio files and posters. This workbook can only be purchased as part of a course and is not sold separately.