Bridge Participation

There are two ways to do Bridge Participation.

1. In Atlanta, Bridge Participation seminars and weekly meetings are simultaneous with those of the apprenticeship. What you’ll do in between seminars and for your exam are different. We work in the seminars and weekly meetings at the same time.

2. Bridge-Only program. The program is only Bridge Participants in both the seminars and the weekly meetings.

***Mat Seminar is done in 2023 in Pittsburgh, PA and 2024 in Atlanta, GA. There is no separate Mat Seminar in Bridge-Only***

See information on both below…

Important information:

• Prerequisites

• Mat Seminar

• Comprehensive Seminars 

• Weekly Meetings

• Apprentice Hours

• Exams

• Application

Prerequisites

Atlanta Program: Pilates teacher with full apparatus training and currently teaching + 30 classical sessions (a combination of private, semi-private and group classes on all apparatus is ideal) + Mat Seminar + anatomy education.

Bridge-Only: Pilates teacher with full apparatus training and currently teaching + 30 classical sessions (a combination of private, semi-private and group classes on all apparatus is ideal) + anatomy education.

Not sure if your current training is enough, or if your classical sessions have been enough?
Email us at info@TheVerticalWorkshop.com and let’s discuss.

Mat Seminar

Atlanta Program & Pittsburgh Mat:
Though the Mat Seminar is the first seminar of the entire program, if you are not ready to commit to the entire “thing,” you can take just the Mat Seminar and decide after that weekend.

In this seminar, you will learn to teach the classical mat work that will be appropriate for First-Timer, Beginner and some Intermediate classes. 20 Exercises that make for a remarkable mat class. Additionally, you will learn the transitions from one exercise to another and the modifications for each exercise. Remember, we work with the body in front of us!

Beyond the exercises, you learn the technique of teaching that makes The Vertical Workshop teachers so successful. Well beyond any other program, The Vertical Workshop provides you with teaching tools that give you the opportunity to help achieve your goals for teaching and your clients’ goals for doing Pilates.

The Mat Seminar is 16 hours of work on exercises, anatomy, teaching tools. You will have many opportunities to do the exercises and practice teach.

The exam is built into the weekend. What we seek is that you progress from the first moment until the last of the weekend and are able to leave the weekend ready to practice teach until you are ready to teach a true class.

Bridge-Only:
The Mat Seminar is built into the first seminar weekend in a different manner than above.

Comprehensive Seminars

Atlanta Program:
Now that you have learned the first layer of our methodology of teaching and practiced this in much of the mat work from the Mat Seminar, the Comprehensive Seminars teach you how to teach on all apparatus. You will learn both the ideal version of the exercises and modifications for all Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced exercises. (Remember, many of our clients have injuries or ailments. We need to know how to modify and teach the client in front of us!). We will continue to work on your teaching methodology, understanding why we do each exercise, how to transition from one exercise to the other and more!

Bridge-Only:
Your Comprehensive Seminars are called “Bridge Seminars.” You will learn both the ideal version of the exercises and modifications for all Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced exercises. (Remember, many of our clients have injuries or ailments. We need to know how to modify and teach the client in front of us!). We will work on your teaching methodology, understanding why we do each exercise, how to transition from one exercise to the other and more!

Mat, Reformer, Cadillac, High Chair, Wall

Mat, Reformer, Cadillac, High Chair, Wunda Chair 

Wunda Chair (cont’d), Barrels, Magic Circle

In Weekly Meetings After the Seminar: Injuries/Ailments and Special Cases (Obesity, Senior Population, Pregnancy)

Mat, Reformer, Cadillac, High Chair, Wunda Chair, Barrels, Pedi-Pole

Weekly Meetings

Weekly meetings are an essential part of your  Bridge. This is where you learn more than we can “fit in” in the weekend seminars. For Bridge, we know you are coming from all over the world, so you may participate via the live-stream or recordings.

During these meetings, we’ll delve deeply into the following:

• Your questions

• Anatomy and biomechanics

• The Vertical Workshop Methodology of Teaching

• Injuries, ailments and special cases 

• …and more

Apprentice Hours

For some Bridge Participants, it will be helpful to have some apprentice hours. This is based on how different your current training/style is to the classical style. It’s most important that you have a successful and satisfying experience in this program. We want to make sure you get what you need. Sometimes that takes some additional work together! Let’s discuss when we get your application.

Exams

At The Vertical Workshop, we believe that exams are an opportunity for you and us to see what you know well and what you need to work. It gives us a solid chance to know how to help you even more! 

Currently, there is one exam for Bridge Participation; however, we might alter that if needed. You will be completely ready for your exam. There are no surprises. We’re looking for you to succeed!

Locations and Dates

2023 Pittsburgh, PA:
If necessary: all participants must be willing to test each day (at own cost) and wear masks if requested. If you apply and are accepted, we will share the full details and CDC guidelines.
Unless there is an unforeseen circumstance, the seminar will be taught by Shari Berkowitz.

Mat Seminar September 29-October 1
(there are no additional seminars planned…yet…stay tuned for future Comprehensive and Bridge)

2024 Santa Monica, CA: Bridge-Only
If necessary: all participants must be willing to test each day (at own cost) and wear masks if requested. If you apply and are accepted, we will share the full details and CDC guidelines.
Unless there is an unforeseen circumstance, the seminar will be taught by Shari Berkowitz.

Bridge Participation students must attend all 4 seminars:

January 25-28
March 7-10
April 18-21 - note: this date is updated
June 6-9

2024 Atlanta, GA Dates will be listed shortly!

Tuition

Mat Seminar Only: $650
Bridge Participation: $4500 (includes Mat Seminar and all other aspects of the program)
Bridge-Only: $4500 (includes all aspects of Bridge-Only program - No need to take Mat Seminar separately)

Application

Please email Shari at info@TheVerticalWorkshop.com if you have any questions.