In addition to fully understanding the material conceptually and physically reviewing the exercises, the best preparation for the practical exam is the practice teaching of as many different people as possible (family, friends, classmates) to apply your knowledge, adapt it to many different body types, improve your teaching skills, and become comfortable with your teaching experience. Practice teaching within the specified timelines and meeting at least the minimum number of exercises.
The time allotment for each practical exam is as follows:
- Matwork – 1 hour
- Reformer – 1 hour
- Matwork & Reformer – 1.5 hours
- Matwork, Reformer, Cadillac, Chair & Barrels – 2 hours
Information Gathering: 5–10 minutes
The initial five to ten minutes of the exam should be dedicated to information gathering. You are required to ask your subject pertinent questions regarding history, physical condition and goals.
Postural Analysis: 5–10 minutes
For this 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 stated focus and 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.
Five Basic Principles:5–10 minutes
Next you will review the Five Basic Principles with your subject. They should be introduced in proper sequence, using clear imagery and movement cues to help your subject understand and focus on greater body awareness. Choose the movement sequences from the Five Basic Principle pages in the manuals that will best demonstrate each Principle, and also serve as part of the warm up for your subject. Clearly explain why each of the principles is important, and how it will be incorporated into the remainder of the workout. If appropriate, you may teach one or more of the remaining warm-up exercises, however, be mindful of time constraints in the exam. To be sure you are touching on all the key points and for tips on proper cueing and correcting, download this PDF.
1. Breathing
- In through the nose, out through the mouth with pursed lips
- Emphasis is on 3-D breath especially into the posterior and lateral aspects of the rib cage, because these tend to be under utilized areas
- Exhaling deeply can also help activate the deep support muscles by engaging the transversus abdominis
- Explanation of the action of the transversus and how it stabilizes the lumbo-pelvic region, especially in neutral position.
- The gentle contraction of the deep pelvic floor muscles also aids in firing the transversus abdominis
- This breath pattern helps avoid unnecessary tension in the neck and shoulders
- This breath pattern helps relaxation
- The rib cage opens out and up during an inhale, promoting spinal extension and
closes in and down during exhale, promoting spinal flexion
2. Pelvic Placement
- In neutral pelvic placement, the natural lordotic curve of lumbar spine is present
- ASIS and Pubic Symphysis lie approximately in a horizontal plane drawn parallel to the floor when lying supine
- Neutral promotes good shock absorption and efficient movement patterns throughout body
- Neutral is usually used during closed kinetic chain activities
- Imprinted position is a slight posterior pelvic tilt with slight lumbar flexion cannot be maintained
and often used during open kinetic chain activities - Imprint involves shortening of obliques without activation of glutes
3. Rib Cage Placement
- Emphasis is put on breathing into the posterior and lateral aspects of the rib cage
- Abdominal wall attaches to the lower ribs. Be aware of maintaining abdominal engagement
and not popping the ribs - Abdominals stabilize rib cage and therefore spine during movement of the arms
- Used to keep the spine neutral and stable
4. Scapular Movement & Stabilization
- Scapula lacks bony attachment to the ribs and spine (only attaching to clavicle), thereby providing mobility
to the upper limb, which must be counterbalanced with stability - It is important to balance the surrounding muscles and to control the movement of the scapulae
- The scapulae should lie flat on the rib cage and glide across it without winging
- Protraction, retraction, elevation, depression, upward rotation and downward rotation are available movements
- Stabilizing the scapulae is necessary during the initiation of every exercise
5. Head & Cervical Placement
- Cervical spine should hold its natural curve (anterior convex) and the skull should be balanced directly above the
shoulders in sitting or standing - Pads or pillows may be needed in supine or prone to prevent hyperextension of the cervical spine
- Cervical spine continues the line of the thoracic spine in neutral, during flexion, extension, lateral flexion and rotation
- Cranio-vertebral flexion, flexing the cranium on the first two vertebrae of the cervical spine, not jamming the chin
into the chest, occurs initially when flexing the upper torso from a supine position - Use these methods to (dynamically) stabilize the cervical area and avoid strain
The Workout: remaining time (see chart)
The remainder of the practical exam is dedicated to taking your subject through an appropriate workout. 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 minimum required number of Essential, Intermediate or Advanced exercises, while being appropriate to your subject.
|
| Level 1 Essential/Intermediate Minimum number of exercises required | Combined Essential/Intermediate/Advanced Minimum number of exercises required |
| Matwork Exam
Approx. # of minutes: 40–50 It is important to incorporate the Fitness Circle®, Flex-Band®, and Arc Barrel into the workout. | Level 1 8 Essential
4 Intermediate | Combined 8 Essential
4 Intermediate
4 Advanced |
| Reformer Exam
Approx. # of minutes: 40–50 | Level 1 6 Essential
4 Intermediate | Combined 6 Essential
4 Intermediate
6 Advanced |
| Matwork & Reformer Exam
Approx. # of minutes: 70-80
Matwork: 30 min.
Reformer: 40–50 min. It is important to incorporate the Fitness Circle®, Flex-Band®, and Arc Barrel into the workout. | Level 1 Matwork:
6 Essential
3 Intermediate Reformer:
6 Essential
4 Intermediate | Combined Matwork:
6 Essential
3 Intermediate
3 Advanced Reformer:
6 Essential
4 Intermediate
4 Advanced |
| Matwork, Reformer, Cadillac, Chair & Barrels Exam
Approx. # of minutes: 100–110 minutes;
Matwork: 20 min. +
Reformer: 30 min. +
Cadillac: 15 min. +
Chair: 5 min. +
Ladder Barrel: 10 min. +
Spine Corrector: 5 min. + Arc Barrel: 5 min | Level 1 Matwork:
4 Essential
3 Intermediate Reformer:
6 Essential
3 Intermediate Cadillac
2 Essential
2 Intermediate Stability Chair
2 Essential
2 Intermediate Ladder Barrel
1 Essential
1 Intermediate Spine Corrector
1 Essential
1 Intermediate Arc Barrel
1 Essential
1 Intermediate | Combined Matwork:
4 Essential
3 Intermediate
3 Advanced Reformer:
6 Essential
3 Intermediate
3 Advanced Cadillac
2 Essential
2 Intermediate
2 Advanced Stability Chair
2 Essential
2 Intermediate
2 Advanced Ladder Barrel
1 Essential
1 Intermediate
2 Advanced Spine Corrector
1 Essential
1 Intermediate
1 Advanced Arc Barrel
1 Essential
1 Intermediate
1 Advanced |
Please note: an exercise with variations only counts as one exercise. For example, if Footwork positions 1, 2, and 5 are shown it counts as one exercise, not three. Also, advanced versions of exercises that are only slightly different from the intermediate (e.g., Short Spine) would not count as meeting the minimum requirement of advanced exercises, but may certainly be included.
Level 2 – Practical Only
|
|
Level 2
Advanced
Minimum number of exercises required
|
| Level 2 Matwork Exam
Approx. # of minutes: 30 | Brief warm up
6 Advanced |
| Reformer Exam
Approx. # of minutes: 30 | Brief warm up
9 Advanced |
| Matwork & Reformer Exam
Approx. # of minutes: 45 | Brief warm up
3 Advanced Matwork
9 Advanced Reformer |
| Matwork, Reformer, Cadillac, Chair & Barrels Exam
Approx. # of minutes: 60 | Brief warm up
3 Advanced Matwork
6 Advanced Reformer
4 Cadillac
2 Stability Chair
2 Ladder Barrel
1 Arc Barrel
1 Spine Corrector |
When being examined, one of the most important criteria is that you are able to create a workout that addresses the needs of the client, and that the workout has a certain degree of ‘flow'. The ability to program is also extremely important, so the workout must contain an equal amount of both. You are encouraged to follow the order of the exercise charts for the greater part of your exam, however, the exercises may be taught out of order if you are able to provide a reason for the order change. For example, "it creates better flow in the workout; it's a preparatory exercise; it's a nice counter-movement after what we just did." You must be able to justify your choice. This is particularly appropriate when more equipment is being used as in a Full Certification exam.
Please note:
- In an Advanced repertoire only exam, you do not need to do a postural analysis, stated workout focus or the Five Basic Principles.
- In all exams that include Matwork repertoire, you are encouraged to use props, including the Fitness Circle®, Flex-Band® and Arc Barrel and any others that were used during the course. The props should be used to facilitate or add challenge to an exercise as required by the subject.
The following areas will be evaluated:
- Postural analysis – followed full PA as per chart and covered all sections palpating and visually explaining what was seen
- Stated focus of workout – described a clear focus or workout incorporating muscular and movement requirements.
- The Five Basic Principles – presented separately to the Warm Up in Matwork; taught all points in each section and used appropriate movements/exercises for each principle (what, why, how)
- Programming Skills – each exercise was chosen based on the Stated Focus of Workout and appropriately met the goals of the workout and the needs of the client. The workout was well-rounded.
- Ability to cue – use a combination of imagery, verbal cues, and kinesthetic cues (touch) to aid in guiding the client through the exercises and transitions, cues were specific to the client and were a combination of muscular and tactile cues and imagery to achieve movements to incorporated and reinforced all Basic Principles.
- Ability to correct – use a combination of imagery, verbal cues, and kinesthetic cues (touch) to ensure correct alignment and proper execution of exercises; applied knowledge from course(s) to achieve dynamically stabilized, conscious and safe movement.
- Ability to modify – chose exercise modifications that helped the client get the most of each exercise; used props and variations appropriately
- 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.
- Teaching manner and energy – guided the client through the workout with control and develop a rapport; displayed effective attitude, motivational, verbalization skills
- Rhythm and pace of the workout – taught with fluidity, using transitions from one exercise to another, chose a pace that challenged the client without compromising the Five Basic Principles or causing overexertion; cued in a manner that encouraged proper timing of movement and breath; the workout fit the allotted amount of time for the exam
Click here to view the Exam Assessment Guide.
Please note:
Expect to be questioned periodically on the exercises and your choices. This is to evaluate the depth of your understanding of the exercises and how to administer them. After working on each individual piece of equipment you may be asked to teach a few exercises of the examiner's choosing to 'spot check' your knowledge of the entire repertoire. The practice logs must be submitted on your exam date (either written or practical exam). If the student fails to submit all the logs within 7 days from the last portion of the exam, the entire exam will be void.