Advanced Self-Mastery

Self-Mastery is the active and reflective practice of experiencing your postgraduate learning in your own body.

At postgraduate level, developing your teaching capability isn't only about what you know or how you teach others. Your own movement practice provides an important opportunity to explore repertoire, deepen technical understanding and experience the concepts and principles from your coursework first-hand.

Approach Self-Mastery with curiosity and intention. As you practise, consider what you notice, how your understanding is changing and how your own movement experience might inform the way you teach others.

Self-Mastery should connect with the area of your coursework you are currently exploring.

During your practice, you are encouraged to:

• notice how the theory, repertoire and principles from your coursework present in your own body;

• make connections between your current area of study and the exercises or movement experiences within the session;

• explore the intention, organisation and progression of repertoire rather than simply performing exercises;

• reflect on what you find challenging, effective or different from your previous understanding; and

• consider how your experience as the mover may influence the way you cue, teach, adapt or programme for others.

For example, while studying Pre-Pilates repertoire, notice where these exercises, principles or movement concepts appear within your own practice and how they may be adapted, layered or progressed.

Throughout your Advanced Diploma or associated Advanced Pathway, you are required to complete at least one Pilates workout each week.

Where possible, your practice should align with your current area of study — for example, Matwork, Reformer or Studio repertoire — so that your Self-Mastery actively supports and consolidates the coursework you are completing.

One session per week is the minimum requirement. You are encouraged to practise more frequently where appropriate, as regular and varied practice provides further opportunities to explore, consolidate and refine your learning.

Self-Mastery sessions should be completed progressively throughout your studies and cannot be accumulated or 'banked' in advance to meet the weekly requirement.

We recognise that access to appropriate late intermediate and advanced Pilates classes can be limited. For this reason, you can complete up to 100% of your Self-Mastery requirement through approved digital and online options.

Depending on your location, current area of study and access to suitable teaching, Self-Mastery may be completed through:

• the Pilates ITC Digital Studio;

• the monthly Advanced Diploma Online Class;

• a Pilates ITC Instructor Training Studio;

• a Studio within the Pilates ITC Work Placement network;

• another suitable Pilates Studio, provided the session is relevant to your current area of study and delivered by an appropriately qualified Instructor; or

• a live online session with an appropriately qualified Instructor teaching relevant late intermediate or advanced repertoire.

Your monthly Advanced Diploma Online Class provides access to guided late intermediate and advanced practice with a Pilates ITC Educator.

These sessions provide an opportunity to explore repertoire and movement concepts relevant to your postgraduate learning, receive guidance within your own practice and connect with other postgraduate Students.

Where relevant to your current area of study, these classes may contribute towards your Self-Mastery requirement.

The Pilates ITC Digital Studio provides a flexible way to access late intermediate and advanced practice throughout your studies.

Classes within the Digital Studio can be used for Self-Mastery where relevant to your current area of study. Selected content may also be used to complete Advanced Observation requirements.

Where available to you, we encourage you to include opportunities for Self-Mastery within a fully equipped Studio environment under the guidance of an appropriately qualified Pilates Practitioner.

Practitioner-led sessions can provide valuable opportunities to receive individual feedback, refine technique and experience advanced repertoire and concepts from the perspective of the Client.

While this can be a valuable part of your professional development, we recognise that access varies. Supervised in-Studio practice is not required where your Self-Mastery requirements can appropriately be completed through the other approved options.

Record your Self-Mastery activities in your Work Placement Logbook as you progress through your course.

Your Work Placement Logbook is available from the Assessment section of your LMS.

Your Self-Mastery activities must be recorded and verified in accordance with the requirements of your Work Placement Logbook.

Depending on how the activity is completed, verification may be provided by:

• your Lead Educator, where they are present for the activity;

• your Lead Educator, where appropriate evidence of completion is available, such as a booking record or online class registration;

• the Instructor delivering the class or session; or

• you, where the activity is completed independently using an approved digital resource such as the Pilates ITC Digital Studio.

Keep any supporting evidence required to verify your activities as you progress through your course.