The Lab: A Comprehensive Pilates Teacher Training

The Lab is a collaborative teacher training brought to you by Holly Swanson and Jacquelyn Brennan, combining their 25 years of teaching and industry experience. This program is carefully designed to offer both classical and contemporary exercises on a mix of traditional Pilates equipment. Join us for a 500-hour comprehensive teacher training program.

500 Hour Comprehensive Course Details

  • History & Philosophy of Pilates

  • Professionalism/Scope of Practice & Ethics

  • Anatomy & Movement Principles

  • Breath Work: Diaphragm and Pelvic Floor

  • Mat  

  • Reformer 

  • Cadillac/Tower 

  • Chair

  • Ladder Barrel 

  • Magic Circle 

  • Spine Corrector

  • Class planning + Cueing

  • 95 Personal Practice Hours

  • 130 Teaching Hours

  • 75 Observation Hours

  • Practical Tests and Written Assessments 

What’s different about The Lab? 

We strive to teach you more than just choreography. Our goal is for all trainees to feel confident assessing a client, choosing the right exercises, and teaching them with modifications or variations as needed. A few things included in our program that we think are pretty unique: 


“Breathwork is Corework” 

It's more and more common for clients to come to Pilates at the recommendation of a physical therapist or a doctor, postnatal or with chronic conditions. Our program is a breathwork based program, meaning we restore proper function to the diaphragm and pelvic floor using breathwork. We include this as part of our anatomy section as it’s crucial for all clients from new moms to professional athletes. 


Class Planning + Cueing

A lot of programs teach you a bunch of exercises. While this is great, the real magic of a Pilates class happens in its carefully planned flow. We teach you 5 signature class planning techniques to help you make sense of all of those fun exercises you learned. We also touch on proper verbal and tactile cuing techniques to make sure you are a well rounded teacher with a unique teaching style. 

Teaching Style

Do you have a specific interest in mind? There is a huge range of interests you can lean into with your Pilates career. We can help foster that discovery. Some of the niches we see are: 

  • Athletes

  • Aging populations

  • Cancer recovery 

  • Kids and teens

  • Injury prevention and recovery

  • Perinatal

  • Neurological disorders

  • Chronic Pain

Pilates is becoming a way for all populations to continue to exercise no matter what position they find themselves in. We can help you figure out where your passion lies. And if you just want to teach a fun Pilates class, we can do that too.  


Mentorship + Job Placement

Once you finish your certification you aren’t done! We want to help you continue to learn and grow within the Pilates community. We can help connect you with resources to further your interests in the niche of Pilates that resonates with you. We also maintain connections with local studios and gyms to help you find work after your program is completed. 

Student Love

“I thought the Pilates Comprehensive LAB Training Program taught by Jacquelyn and Holly was amazing. The training was very thorough and taught in an effective manner.  With the program being half instruction, and half practical, it reinforced the learning of each and every exercise for every student.

Jacquelyn and Holly are both very wonderful teachers, instructors, and studio owners. Both being very successful and good at what they do, are able to teach new aspiring teachers in a fun and enjoyable way. They want their students to very much succeed as they enter the Pilates World and will help them in doing so. Overall, I highly recommend this program. 

I think for me personally it was one of the best things I have done for myself and I have learned a tremendous amount, all while meeting some really great people.”

— Rita Shah

“My journey with Pilates began as a collegiate athlete rehabbing residual low back pain following a lumbar stress fracture. I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise Science, Doctorate in Physical Therapy and currently work in a Private Practice specializing in sport -specific rehabilitation for the adolescent athlete. 

I have been integrating much of what I learned in the Teacher Training Program to the clinic for injury prevention, rehabilitation, and maintenance programs. Jacquelyn and Holly both have been beyond amazing; extremely knowledgeable, inspiring mentors that have extensive and valuable experience!

I am always learning something new, with a deeper appreciation for movement. I could not recommend their Teaching Training Program more!”

— Stephanie F.

Spring 2025 Schedule

Weekend 1: Mat 
1/24 Friday: 5-8pm Pilates Principles + Anatomy
1/25 Saturday: 1-6pm
1/26 Sunday:  1-6pm 

Weekend 2: Mat + Magic Circle 
2/21 Friday: 5-8pm Anatomy Review 
2/22 Saturday: 1-6pm
2/23 Sunday: 1-6pm

Weekend 3: Reformer
3/7 Friday: 5-8pm 
3/8 Saturday: 1-6pm
3/9 Sunday:  1-6pm 

Weekend 4: Reformer 
3/21 Friday: 5-8pm Spine Corrector
3/22 Saturday: 1-6pm
3/23 Sunday:  1-6pm 

Weekend 5: Tower 
4/11 Friday: 5-8p Class Planning
4/12 Saturday: 1-6pm
4/13 Sunday:  1-6pm 

Weekend 6: Chair/Ladder Barrel 
5/4 Saturday: 1-6pm 
5/5 Sunday:  1-6pm  

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