DANC A208: Pilates 3-4

Course Outline of Record
Item	Value
Eff Term	Fall 2026
Curriculum Committee Approval Date	12/03/2025
Top Code	083520 - Fitness Trainer (CTE)
Units	1 Total Units (Lecture Units 0.5; Lab/Other Units 0.5)
Hours	36 Total Hours (Lecture Hours 9; Lab Hours 27)
Total Outside of Class Hours	18
Total Student Learning Hours	54
Course Credit Status	Credit: Degree Applicable (D)
Material Fee	No
Basic Skills	Not Basic Skills (N)
Repeatable	No
Open Entry/Open Exit	No
Grading Policy	Standard Letter (S), Pass/No Pass (B)
Associate Arts Local General Education (GE)	Area 7 Life Skills, Lifelong Learning, and Self-Development 7B Activity (OE2)
California State University General Education Breadth (CSU GE-Breadth)	CSU E2 Activity Course (E2)

Course Description

Designed for students with intermediate to advanced-level Pilates skills. This course will present advanced-level Pilates skills, principles of movement facilitation, core stabilization, and re-education applied to mat work and to the equipment used in teaching the Pilates Method. PREREQUISITE: DANC A108 and DANC A153 or concurrent enrollment. Transfer Credit: CSU; UC.

Course Level Student Learning Outcome(s)

Demonstrate correct alignment and form while performing advanced level Pilates exercises with modifications when appropriate.
Identify common problems seen in the field of Pilates and show critical thinking skills by analyzing how to improve a person's performance.

Course Objectives

1. Demonstrate the application of basic principles of movement facilitation and re-education as outlined in the course.
2. Demonstrate use of breathing for trunk stabilization/organization.
3. Demonstrate application of the terms: core stability, inner core unit, neutral pelvis, static stabilization, dynamic stabilization, hip unleveling, gait.
4. Demonstrate alignment of lower extremity including knee, hip, foot and ankle mobility.
5. Demonstrate facilitation of spinal articulation, including spine flexion, extension, rotation sidebending, thoracic mobility, lumbar stability.
6. Demonstrate an ability to perform (at a minimum) intermediate level mat exercises.
7. Demonstrate an ability to teach appropriate reformer exercises to another person.
8. Demonstrate modification of exercises for certain physical conditions, such as osteoporosis, spinal disk problems, post-mastectomy, fibromyalgia, knee issues, hip, and shoulder issues.

Lecture Content

Course requirements and procedures
Course objectives based on syllabus
Advanced vocabulary used in movement and Pilates concepts
Philosophy of teaching the Pilates Method
Causes of poor posture and how the Pilates Method can improve posture and body alignment
Identification of faulty movement patterns
Modifications needed for those with osteoporosis, spinal disk problems, post-mastectomy, fibromyalgia, knee, hip, and shoulder issues

Lab Content

Practice advanced principles of breathing, core stabilization, alignment and mobility of the lower extremities, shoulder stabilization, facilitation of spinal placement, and articulation of pelvis and hip joint.

Exercises to promote Core Stability.
Movement/exercises using Pilates exercises and foam rollers to stretch and strengthen.
Practice to facilitate spinal placement and articulation in spinal flexion, extension, rotation, side bending, thoracic mobility and cervical placement.

Method(s) of Instruction

Lecture (02)
Lab (04)

Instructional Techniques

1. Lecture 2. Demonstration 3. Participation and group practice 4. Videos with discussion 5. Skills evaluation

Reading Assignments

Student will spend three hours a week readings from Return To Life by Joseph H. Pilates and instructor-provided handouts

Writing Assignments

Students will spend 1 hour a week writing observations of students in class.

Out-of-class Assignments

Student will spend three hours a week on continued practice of skill learned in class.

Study Non-Contact Hours Recommended

Methods of Student Evaluation

Final Exam
Written Assignments
Skills Demonstration

Demonstration of Critical Thinking

1. Proficiency demonstration of mat and equipment exercises2. Discussion of material read3. Written observations of those teaching or doing a Pilates workout, analyzing how the concepts are being applied and evaluating ways to improve the person s performance4. Participation in class5. Written exam

Required Writing, Problem Solving, Skills Demonstration

1. Proficiency demonstration of mat and equipment exercises with modifications, as needed 2. Written observations of those teaching or those doing a Pilates workout 3. Written exam

Resources Subscreen

Textbook: Pilates, Joseph H... Return to Life Through Contrology. Pilates Method Alliance (2025).

Eligible Discipline(s)

Dance: Master’s degree in dance, physical education with a dance emphasis, or theater with dance emphasis, OR bachelor’s degree in any of the above AND master’s degree in physical education, any life science, physiology, theater arts, kinesiology, humanities, performing arts, or music OR the equivalent. Master's degree required.

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