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The time allotment for each practical exam is as follows:
 Matwork – 1 hour
Reformer – 1 hour
Mat & Reformer – 1.5 hours
Mat, Reformer, Cadillac, Chair & Barrels – 2 hours
The initial 5 to 10 minutes of the exam are dedicated to information gathering. You are required to ask your subject pertinent questions regarding history, physical condition and goals.
For the postural analysis portion of the exam, you are required to analyze the subject from both sides, front and back view, using visual observation AND palpation, verbally relaying your findings to the examiner. You are also required to give a general description of your planned workout including: what muscles / muscle groups will be targeted, what alignment issues will be addressed and what props or modifications may be necessary.
For the next 5–10 minutes you will take your subject through the Five Basic Principles in proper sequence, using clear imagery and movement cues to help the subject properly achieve biomechanical body awareness. You must clearly explain why each of the principles is important.
The remainder of the practical exam is dedicated to taking your subject through an appropriate workout. The following areas will be evaluated:
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Postural analysis.
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Stated focus of workout.
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Five Basic Principles: taught separate to the Warm Up on the Matwork and applied to all the exercises.
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Teaching manner and energy (attitude, motivational, verbalization skills). You are guiding your subject with control and develop a rapport with your subject.
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Ability to cue: use of imagery, verbal cues, and kinesthetic cues (touch) to aid in guiding your subject through the exercises and transitions, cues should specific to your subject and be a combination of muscular and tactile cues and imagery to achieve movement to incorporate and reinforce all basic principles.
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Ability to correct: use of imagery, verbal cues, and kinesthetic cues (touch) to ensure correct alignment and proper execution of exercises; knowledge from course(s) to achieve dynamically stabilized, conscious and safe movement.
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Knowledge of content, knowing the relevant repertoire of exercises and the corresponding movement and breath patterns, minimum number of exercises for each piece and level.
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Exercise progression and rationale for the exercises chosen, applying adaptations and modifications as necessary.
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Rhythm and pace of the workout: fluidity, using transitions from one exercise to another, choosing a pace that challenges the individual without compromising the Five Basic Principles or causing overexertion, and cueing in a manner that encourages proper timing of movement and breath, the workout fits the required amount of time for the exam.
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Matwork Exam
Following the postural analysis and Five Basic Principles you will guide your subject through a 40–50 minute workout that combines Essential and Intermediate level exercises.
Level 1: Minimum eight Essential, four Intermediate exercises
Combined Levels 1 & 2: Minimum four Advanced exercises (in addition to above)
It is important to incorporate Fitness Circle® resistance ring and Flex-Band® exerciser and possibly Arc Barrel into the workout.
Reformer Exam
Following the postural analysis and Five Basic Principles you will guide your subject through a 40–50 minute workout that combines Essential and Intermediate level exercises.
Level 1: Minimum six Essential, four Intermediate exercises.
Combined Levels 1 & 2: Minimum six Advanced exercises (in addition to above).
Mat & Reformer Exam
Following the postural analysis and Five Basic Principles you will guide your subject through a 70–80 minute mat and reformer workout that combines Essential and Intermediate level exercises.
You are allotted approximately 30 minutes for matwork exercises and 40–50 minutes for a reformer workout. For the matwork portion, it is important to incorporate Fitness Circle resistance ring, Flex-Band exerciser and possibly the Arc Barrel into the workout.
Level 1: Matwork – minimum six Essential, three Intermediate exercises.
Reformer – minimum six Essential, four Intermediate exercises.
Combined Levels 1 & 2: Matwork – minimum three Advanced exercises (in addition to above). Reformer – minimum four Advanced exercises (in addition to above).
Mat, Reformer, Cadillac, Chair & Barrels Exam
Following the postural analysis and Five Basic Principles you will guide your subject through a workout for the remaining 1 hour and 40 minutes to 1 hour and 50 minutes that combines Essential and Intermediate level exercises.
You are allotted approximately 20 minutes for matwork exercises and approximately 30 minutes for a reformer workout. For the matwork portion, it is important to incorporate Fitness Circle resistance ring, Flex-Band exerciser and possibly the Arc Barrel into the workout.
The remaining 50 to 60 minutes are dedicated to a workout using the Cadillac (15 minutes), Stability Chair (15 minutes), Ladder Barrel (10 minutes), Spine Corrector (5 minutes), and Arc Barrel (5 minutes) that combines Essential and Intermediate level exercises.
Level 1:
Matwork - minimum four Essential, three Intermediate exercises
Reformer - minimum six Essential, three Intermediate exercises
Cadillac - minimum two Essential, two Intermediate exercises
Stability Chair - minimum two Essential, two Intermediate exercises
Ladder Barrel - minimum one Essential, one Intermediate exercise
Spine Corrector - minimum one Essential, one Intermediate exercise
Arc Barrel - minimum one Essential, one Intermediate exercise
Combined Levels 1 & 2 – the following must be done in addition to the above requirements:
Matwork – minimum three Advanced exercises
Reformer – minimum three Advanced exercises
Cadillac – minimum two Advanced exercises
Stability Chair – minimum two Advanced exercises
Ladder Barrel – minimum two Advanced exercises
Spine Corrector – minimum one Advanced exercises Arc Barrel
– minimum one Advanced exercises
Important General Info About All Exams
The subject you choose must be capable of doing required exercises safely.
The time allotted for the workout portion of the exam will not allow for the completion of all exercises in the full repertoire. You must ensure that the exercises chosen represent a well-rounded workout that address all aspects of movement (i.e. flexion, extension, rotation, etc.) and cover the required number of Essential, Intermediate or Advanced exercises, while being appropriate to your subject.
Level 2 – Practical Only
You do not need to do a postural analysis, stated workout focus or Five Basic Principles. Your subject should be someone who is capable of performing at an Advanced level.
The test is designed in this way to evaluate the depth of your understanding of the exercises and how to relate them to your subject. Fitness Circle, Flex-Band and Arc Barrel should be incorporated into the matwork portion.
The Advanced Matwork exam should be no longer than 30 minutes and include: at least six Advanced exercises after a brief warm up.
The Advanced Reformer exam should be no longer than 30 minutes and include: a brief warm up and approximately nine Advanced exercises.
The Advanced Matwork & Reformer repertoire exam should be no longer than 45 minutes and include: a brief warm up on the mat, approximately three Advanced exercises on the mat and nine Advanced exercises on the reformer.
The Advanced Matwork, Reformer, Cadillac, Chair & Barrels exam should be 1 hour long and include: a brief warm up on the mat, approximately two Advanced Matwork exercises, six Advanced Reformer exercises, four on the Cadillac, two on the Chair, two on the Ladder Barrel, one on the Arc Barrel and one on the Spine Corrector.
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