Introducing the South African Pilates

AssociationEstablished 2011

What is SAPA?

The South African Pilates Association (SAPA) is a non-profit, professional association that is dedicated to the teachings of Joseph and Clara Pilates

SAPA represents the South African Pilates community, promoting quality, evidence-based education and professional conduct

SAPA exists to support instructors, students, business and the public and to foster integrity, respect and diversity in the growth of the Pilates Method in SA

Why do we need an association?

All industries need a collective voice – SAPA is that voice for Pilates

It is healthy for us to chart our own course forward. We have been taken seriously by the government and its subsidiaries

We need to ensure quality education and quality professional practice in order to maintain a good reputation

What is Quality Education in Pilates?

The education provider needs to be accredited in SOUTH AFRICA

Affiliations with international Pilates education companies are encouraged but this does not negate the need for local accreditation

Accredited means that the provider has made an application to the relevant accrediting body – THETA/CATHSSETA

The content of the Pilates course that is provided must meet minimum education standards that are benchmarked against international education standards

All the REPs organisations (members of ICREPS)have researched these minimum standards

The SAPA Board Members

Chairperson - Theo van der Riet - BASI Pilates 

Vice-Chairperson - James Raaff - James Raaff & Associates 

Secretary - Sandra van den Bergh - Classical Pilates 

Treasurer (Acting) - Theo van der Riet  

PR & Marketing - Tanya Thompson - Pilates Unlimited 

Education & CPD - Gerda Miller - Healthy Living Education 

Fitness Board Rep - Anita Vos - Pilatesinfo 

Membership Admin - Lisa Schneider - Trifocus Pilates 

Ethics & Standards - Theo van der Riet; Kyrie Hardiman -

PilatesHere 

Who do we represent?

Any student currently training to become a Pilates instructor

Any Pilates instructor

Any studio owner

Any Pilates course provider

What do we do?

We are a non-statutory, professional body for Pilates in South Africa

We are a Section 21 (non-profit) organization

We represent the public and professional Pilates community in South Africa

We assisted REPSSA in determining minimum educational standards for Pilates in South Africa

What do we do?

We protect the public against sub-standard instructors

We provide advice and support in legislative and statutory matters

We provide recognition for accredited education providers and qualified instructors

We protect students from non-accredited and sub-standard education providers

What do we do?

We represent Pilates instructors at a national level in terms of regulations, accreditation, lawful adherence and communication with other statutory bodies

We subscribe to a code of conduct and ethics

We maintain regular communication through our newsletter subscription

REPSSA and SAPA

SAPA is the Pilates arm of REPSSA

SAPA assists REPSSA in all things Pilates in South Africa

SAPA manages the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) system for Pilates – accrediting short courses, workshops and other learning activities that meet certain minimum standards

SAPA does not accredit courses that result in qualifications. (CATHSSETA plays this role)

How long do Pilates Instructors have to comply with REPSSA?

We all have until 31 March 2012 to become a SAPA member

You will need to follow these steps…

How to register

STEP 1: Subscribe to SAPA’s free newsletter (if you haven’t already). This way we will be able to communicate any news, updates and relevant info

STEP 2: From 1 October 2011 subscribers will be able to upgrade to member status

STEP 3: Register with REPSSA by 31 March 2012. SAPA will detail how to use your SAPA membership to do this and receive a valuable discount

REPSSA’s timeline

REPSSA will allow a Pilates instructor certified by any education provider to register as a provisional member, with immediate effect (for a period of grace ending 31 March 2012)

Each provisional member will have 12 months from date of registration to comply with all REPSSA’s requirements

REPSSA’s requirements

An educational qualification in Pilates from an accredited provider

A nationally accredited certificate in Exercise Science

Compliance with the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) System for Fitness Professionals

Adequate professional indemnity insurance (R1m) and public liability insurance (R1m)

A valid certificate in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)

Exercise Science requirement

Pilates used the words “physical fitness” in the first line of the booklet and this is the central theme in the first three paragraphs (Pilates’ Return to Life Through Contrology, 1945)

He alludes to a “stroll in the fresh air” as a “haphazard and wholly inadequate body-building technique” that fails modern mans’ attempt “in the aquirement of physical fitness!”

Exercise Science requirement

Pilates is a mode of exercise

There is a clear requirement for instructors to have knowledge of the scientific principles that govern exercise of all kinds

All the REPs organizations internationally include ExSci in their minimum requirements

If you need more info on an accredited ExSci course providers, please contact SAPA

Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

This is a system that ensures qualified Pilates instructors maintain their skill levels

CPD activities are opportunities to acquire continuing education credits (CEC’s). Normally 1 hour = 1 CEC

Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

Workshops, seminars, educational classes and conferences are all examples of CPD activities that can be accredited

REPSSA requires 12 CEC’s annually

SAPA accredits CPD activities for Pilates

What has SAPA done so far?

SAPA has signed an agreement with REPSSA. Together we provide support to the local profession and offer the largest global recognition for accredited qualifications in fitness (incl Pilates)

SAPA board members have kept up to date with the legislative changes in the fitness industry for the past few years

SAPA has made constructive comment to government regarding the current Draft Fitness Regulations in order to protect and support the growth of Pilates in SA

…more of SAPA’s duties

SAPA chairperson and other board members attended the official Sport and Recreation South Africa (SRSA) presentation at the 2011 Discovery Fitness Convention, where they participated in a discussion regarding the imminent regulation changes and the establishment of the Fitness Board

SAPA chairperson has attended further official constructive meetings with SRSA subsequent to their Discovery Convention presentations

…more of SAPA’s duties

SAPA board members attended official meetings with the Tourism, Hospitality and Sport Education and Training Authority (THETA/CATHSSETA)

SAPA board members attended official workshops held by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) on the registration of professional bodies and the registration of professional designations in SA. REPSSA / SAPA has submitted an application to SAQA to become a pilot professional body for fitness in SA

Social media

How to stay involved

www.sapilatesassociation.org.za

@sapatweet

THANK YOU

BASI – Theo van der Riet

Linda Halliday

SAQA, SRSA and THETA/CATHSSETA

Anita Vos and Scott Schreuder - REPSSA

All SAPA board members for tirelessly volunteering their time and effort

All subscribers – please see if you qualify to become a member. Ask us how if you are unsure. We serve you