Is it time to step up your membership level?
Your PAA membership is more than a title – it’s a reflection of your dedication to the Pilates Method and professional growth. Upgrading your membership demonstrates your expertise, builds trust with clients, and opens doors to new opportunities, from increased earning potential to presenter roles at workshops and conferences.
The next time you update your details, why not ensure your membership reflects the hours of hard work you’ve put in?
9 Reasons to Upgrade Today
While your membership level demonstrates your experience, here are additional reasons to advance:
- Open doors to senior positions
- Increase your earning potential
- Enhance your credibility and professionalism
- Gain recognition in your community
- Showcase your expertise
- Access exciting presenter opportunities: workshops, events, and conferences
- Demonstrates your commitment to professional development
- Enhance your self-esteem
The Tangible Benefits
A membership upgrade isn’t just symbolic – it comes with real advantages!
For Students:
Graduates can upgrade at a 30% discount before their student membership expires, setting them on the path to success.
For Group Instructors:
- Upgrading to Studio Instructor or Pilates Practitioner Level 1 provides 15 PDPs for completing a Diploma and access to the Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies.
- Completing an Advanced Diploma upgrades Level 1 members to Pilates Practitioner Level 2.
For Practitioners:
- Level 3 and above members with a Cert IV in Training and Assessment may upgrade to Trainer Level, enabling them to host PAA-approved workshops that accrue PDPs.
- Principal and Principal Trainer members can deliver classes that offer PDPs to attendees.
Additional Membership Benefits
Depending on your level, members enjoy perks such as:
- Displaying a PAA Membership Badge on promotional material
- Exclusive insurance programs tailored for Pilates professionals
- Listings in the PAA search directory
- Access to webinars, templates, and resources to enhance your practice
- Eligibility to present at PAA Conferences
How to Upgrade
Visit the Membership Upgrade page for detailed information on what you will need for your upgrade.
Membership Categories
Your membership category determines your benefits, obligations, and professional standing. Below are the current categories:
- Associate Membership: For Pilates enthusiasts and supporters of the industry.
- Student Membership: Free for trainees enrolled in PAA-recognised courses.
- Group Instructor Membership: For mat and reformer trained instructors.
- Studio Instructor Membership: For comprehensively trained instructors.
- Pilates Practitioner Membership: Multiple levels, from Diploma qualified instructors to Principal Trainers with extensive experience.
Don’t Wait – Check Your Eligibility Today!
If it’s been over a year since you reviewed your membership, you may already qualify for an upgrade. Embrace the next level and take your Pilates career further!
(Updated February 2024)
Tips for Easy Upgrading
Keep your membership up to date: insurance, first aid and especially PDPs so that you can concentrate on the upgrade itself without having to supply general membership stuff.
Update your levels regularly: it’s easier than searching back over several years to track your hours, where you worked, find old certificates, request references and letters from previous employers.
Keep your CV up to date: It will help to have an ongoing record of your hours and where you worked
As you change workplaces: Remember to ask your employer for a letter confirming your hours and request a reference. Make sure to get them signed too!
How to Calculate and display your hours for upgrade:
Teaching hours are defined as actual Pilates contact hours spent instructing clients in either group classes or private sessions. They should be documented as an average of actual hours taught, up to a maximum of 30 hours per week, for a maximum of 48 weeks per year, and a maximum of 1440 hours per year.
The table below displays an example of how teaching hours should be submitted in support of a membership upgrade.
| Studio / Employer | Year | Avg hrs p/wk | x no. of wks | Total hrs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bell Pilates | 2010 | 20 | 16 (Jul-Oct) | 320 |
| Power Pilates | 2011 | 25 | 43 (Feb-Oct) | 1075 |
| Power Pilates | 2012 | 28 | 43 (Feb-Nov) | 1288 |
| Central Pilates | 2013 | 30 | 25 (Feb-Jul) | 750 |
| Total Hours | 3433 |
The Upgrade Process:
Submit your online upgrade application from the Member’s area of the website:
- Log in to your PAA membership
- Navigate to your membership profile
- Use the ‘Upgrade Membership’ button to the right of your name to apply
- Work through the ‘upgrade wizard’ to ensure all necessary supporting evidence is uploaded
- Make sure your Provide First Aid and Insurance are up to date.
The Member Relations Officer will liaise with you as your upgrade goes through the approval process.
Students: Upgrade before your student membership expires to receive 30% discount.
Membership Upgrade Process details
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