Understand it
Ten modules covering the principles, the anatomy and the programming, so you can think rather than memorise.
Book a callBuilding PILATES trainers made for the real world
We teach Mat and Reformer together across twelve weeks, with principles, anatomy and practical work led by people who run studios. The course is for teaching, for your own practice, and for understanding why the movement works.
Continuing education and recognition
Australia · New Zealand01 / Before you choose
You have already decided to train. The question is who with.
The reason to train may be a new career, a few classes alongside your work, or a deeper understanding of your own practice. There is more than one way to use this education. We take the learning seriously in each case.
We bring Mat and Reformer together across twelve weeks. The principles, anatomy and programming are taught alongside practical work, with time to ask questions and examine why a movement earns its place.
A certificate matters. So does the work behind it. Ask every course you are considering the same question: who supports the learning, and for how long.
02 / What is different
Most certifications give you the material. We focus on what you do with it.
We’ve seen far too many Pilates instructors let down by fast, surface-level training. Esse Education was created to bridge that gap - preparing instructors for real teaching, not just handing out certificates.
We teach Pilates as a principle-led movement system. The repertoire matters, but so does the reasoning behind each movement, modification and choice of resistance.
The course brings theory and practical work together. Ten modules, live mentoring and three days in person create space to examine the method and put it into practice.
Put hands on it
Three days in person. Mat on Friday, Reformer on Saturday, programming and Good to Great on Sunday.
Teach it
The practical logbook requires 120 hours in a studio you source, including two filmed assessed classes.
03 / One course, both apparatus
Mat + Reformer
We do not separate Mat and Reformer into standalone courses. We teach both across the same twelve weeks, with the principles of movement connecting the two.
04 / The curriculum
Ten modules. Here is every one of them.
01Legacy of Pilates
Explore the origins and evolution of the Pilates method, from Joseph Pilates' original teachings to its modern-day application. This module provides an understanding of the principles, philosophy and historical foundations that continue to shape contemporary Pilates practice and instruction.
02The Pilates GPS
Learn the body's roadmap, from bones and muscles to joints and movement patterns and discover how everything works together to create efficient, powerful movement. This module gives you the anatomical know-how to better understand what's happening in the body and the impact of Pilates.
03Movement Science
Learn the fundamentals of biomechanics and the key components of fitness to teach Pilates in a safer, smarter, and more effective way. This module explores how the body responds to movement, strength, mobility, and training demands, helping you make informed and practical decisions as an instructor.
04Intelligent Programming
This module covers programming principles, class structure and coaching delivery. It examines how a class is put together, why the sequence matters and how to adapt it, with Hot Mat training included as an additional skillset.
05 / What it asks of you
What the twelve weeks ask of you.
We would rather you know this now than find out in week three. If the hours do not fit your life at the moment, say so on the call and we will talk about a later intake.
12 weeks
Start to certificate, Mat and Reformer together.
3 to 4 hrs
A week of independent study, in your own time, online.
1.5 to 2 hrs
A week live with your mentor, the same small group throughout.
3 days
In person for the practical workshop. Mat, Reformer, then programming.
120 hrs
Of practical logbook, built up across the course.
All theory content is delivered online, allowing you to learn in your own time. Practical training is completed face to face to support hands-on learning, connection, and confidence.
06 / Who teaches you
Meet Taylor - your lead educator
Lead mentor, studio owner, and the person who will be in the room for your practical days. Seven years teaching and five years running studios, which is the whole reason this course is built around what happens on the floor rather than what is in the manual.
Her teaching focuses on understanding rather than memorisation, connecting the principles to practical decisions on the studio floor.
Book a call with TaylorTaylor as an educator and mentor
Placeholder: a testimonial about Taylor’s ability to train instructors and prepare them for real teaching.
Placeholder: a testimonial about Taylor’s clarity as an educator and how she helps people understand and apply what they learn.
Placeholder: a testimonial about Taylor’s kindness, patience and the support she gives people as they learn.
Also on your team
The team brings together physiotherapy, nutrition, online movement mentoring and student support.
Grace
Lead physiotherapist
Over twelve years across public health, private practice, clinical Pilates and group fitness. Grace leads the physiotherapy teaching.
Shari
Lead of student success
Co-owner of ESSE since the beginning. She is who you go to when something is technical, or awkward, or you have fallen behind.
Olivia
Online movement mentor
Olivia teaches through the on-demand class library, with cueing and class flow available to observe.
Tay M
Online movement mentor
Tay M is an online movement mentor, teaching through the on-demand class library.
Mary
Nutrition and health coach
Mary covers nutrition and health, including fuel, recovery and the demands of movement.
07 / Intake one, in their own words
what our students say
Alara
ESSE community member. Enrolled in intake one.
"There are so many courses out there and I've been feeling a bit overwhelmed on which one to pick. When ESSE brought out their instructor course, I knew straightaway that was it."
Klarissa
Previously completed her teacher training elsewhere.
"I wish I had the opportunity to do ESSE Education, where they give you the guidance and the support. That experience with experienced trainers is so valuable, and something I wish I had when I finished my course."
Melisa
Trained elsewhere, then mentored by ESSE.
"With my training, honestly I did feel like it was a bit more robotic. But then when I started to get mentored by Tay I felt like it was more human, and there was just more of a connection."
Sonya
Long term ESSE community member. Enrolled in intake one.
Pull quote to be transcribed from her video before this ships.
In our inbox
Continuing the learning
The ESSE Collective™
The ultimate online home for continued learning with ESSE. Keep asking questions, exploring ideas and building on what you have learnt, with conversation, teaching resources and a video library together in one place.
Conversation
Keep the conversation going in Slack, with space to ask questions and exchange perspectives. Clinical Q&A brings the discussion back to the bodies in front of you and the thinking behind your teaching.
Teaching resources
Bring fresh ideas to your planning with playlists and class plans to draw from. Explore how a session comes together, then make considered choices for the people you teach.
Reference
Return to the video library when you want another look. Revisit the detail, take time with what you are learning and keep useful reference material close as your practice develops.
Three months included as a minimum. Six months with Early Bird.
08 / The offer
Everything that sits behind the certificate.
The same twelve-week Mat and Reformer course, with an offer that belongs to your intake. Choose your city to see your price, included access and any Early Bird extras.
Included with every intakeIndicative value
- Twelve-week dual Mat and Reformer curriculum
- $3,500
- Founder-mentor delivery and the in-person practical workshop
- $2,500
- Good to Great, the personal-development module
- $900
- Heated mat training
- $400
- First Class Toolkit, class plans
- $500
- The ESSE Education workbook
- $150
- A 15-class pack at the ESSE studios, Victorian enrolments
- $400
- One-to-one mentor sessions on request
- $450
- Career support and studio introductions - scope pending
- $300
- Assessment and certificate
- Included
- Reformer mock-up kit
- Included
- Total value
- About $X,XXX
Why it costs what it costs
Three days of in-person teaching, 120 mentored hours, and people who run studios rather than a training company. Cheaper courses exist and we are not competing with them.
Foundation Offer
Your course investment
$3,999Standard$4,999
Our first intake in Perth, at the Foundation price.
Included with your intake
3 MONTHSThe ESSE Collective™
The ESSE Collective™
+ online video library
Included access to each.
Available until enrolments close or the cohort fills.
The Foundation price applies throughout this first intake’s enrolment period. Closing date to be confirmed.
09 / Intakes
The first three cohorts are full. Here is what is open.
Every intake is capped and we do not add places once it is full. Places go in the order people book them.
Melbourne
Course starts3 August 2026
Practical workshop22 to 25 October
At capacitySydney
Course starts31 August 2026
Practical workshop20 to 22 November
At capacityMelbourne
Course starts7 September 2026
Practical workshop26 to 29 November
At capacityPerth
First time in Perth
Course starts18 January 2027
Practical workshop9 to 11 April 2027
Foundation Offer
$3,999$4,999Open
First intake in this city. Available until enrolments close or the cohort fills.
Online enrolment coming soon.
Adelaide
Course starts25 January 2027
Practical workshop16 to 18 April 2027
Foundation Offer
$3,999$4,999Open
First intake in this city. Available until enrolments close or the cohort fills.
Online enrolment coming soon.
Melbourne
Course starts1 February 2027
Practical workshop23 to 25 April 2027
Early Bird (expires 4 Jan 2027)
$4,999Open
Collective + video library: 6 months.
BONUS $500 LSKD voucher.
Closes 4 January 2027, 11:59 pm AEDT.
Online enrolment coming soon.
Sydney
Course starts8 February 2027
Practical workshop30 April to 2 May 2027
Date error on the EDU site, confirm
Early Bird (expires 11 Jan 2027)
$4,999Open
Collective + video library: 6 months.
BONUS $500 LSKD voucher.
Closes 11 January 2027, 11:59 pm AEDT.
Online enrolment coming soon.
Gold Coast
Course starts22 February 2027
Practical workshop14 to 16 May 2027
Foundation Offer
$3,999$4,999Open
First intake in this city. Available until enrolments close or the cohort fills.
Online enrolment coming soon.
10 / Confidence through understanding
Understand the movement. Teach with intention.
Learn with people who run studios.
You’ll learn why a movement earns its place, how to adapt it to different bodies and how to cue it clearly. Anatomy, programming and teaching practice come together across Mat and Reformer, so you can make considered decisions in the room.
Twelve weeks of study, live mentoring and practical work give you time to ask questions, practise and develop your approach. Whether you’re preparing to teach or going deeper into your own practice, you’ll build an understanding you can use.
Recognition wording pending
11 / Before you book
This is not for everyone, and we would rather say so now.
It is probably not for you if
- You want to be teaching in a fortnight. Twelve weeks is twelve weeks, and the 120 hours are not a formality.
- You are choosing on price. There are cheaper courses and you should take one of those.
- You cannot get to the three practical days in person. That part does not work remotely and we will not pretend otherwise.
- You want us to find you somewhere to log your hours. You source that studio, and we will tell you exactly what to ask for.
It probably is if
- You want to understand the principles, anatomy and programming behind the movement, whether or not you plan to teach.
- You want Mat and Reformer in one considered course, with time for study, questions and practical work.
- You want to practise teaching and receive feedback, whether you are preparing for a career or a few classes alongside other work.
- You value depth and are prepared to make time for the twelve weeks, practical days and logbook.
12 / The things people ask
Your questions, answered.
Do I need to be teaching already?
No. Prior teaching experience is not required. Regular Pilates practice is the starting point, whether the reason for training is teaching or a deeper understanding of the method.
How much time does it take each week?
Allow 3 to 4 hours of independent study and 1.5 to 2 hours of live mentoring each week. The course also requires three practical days and a 120-hour logbook.
Pending ESSE: confirm how logbook hours are scheduled and how they overlap with the weekly commitment.
Where do I do my practical hours?
In a studio you source. We will tell you what to ask for and how to approach it, and your two assessed classes are filmed there. They are not taught at an ESSE studio.
Is Mat and Reformer really both?
Yes. We teach Mat and Reformer together across the same twelve weeks, in one course.
Is this a recognised certification?
The course is a Mat and Reformer certification. The recognition wording is being checked with ESSE; the AUSactive badge on file evidences continuing-education credit points.
How does the mentoring fit into the course?
Live mentoring runs for 1.5 to 2 hours each week, with the same small group throughout. It sits alongside independent study and practical work.
Can I pay it off?
Yes. Up front, or across six months. We will walk you through both on the call.
What happens on the call?
A few questions about where you are up to, an honest answer about whether the timing is right, and the intake dates. If it is not the right course for you we will say so.
13 / Next step
Let’s talk about your training.
Book a call and we will talk it through honestly. A few questions, the intake dates, and a straight answer about whether this is the right course for you right now.
Book a callTwo minutes to book. You pick the time, and we send the course guide ahead of it.