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Community Expansion Scholarship Program

In collaboration with Balanced Body’s Diversity in Pilates initiatives, Paragon now offers scholarships for our Comprehensive Pilates Teacher Training Program to qualified candidates.

What is the Community Expansion Scholarship Program?

The goal of the Balanced Body Community Expansion Scholarship Program is to increase the diversity of the Pilates profession, by training teachers who come from Black and other underrepresented communities.  Paragon is proud to be one of only 12 Authorized Training Centers worldwide currently participating in this program!

Paragon is pleased to provide 2 scholarships per year to accepted candidates, ready to begin their teaching journey with us this fall.  While we are available to advise applicants, Paragon does not participate in the application or selection process.   Application review and selection is done by the Program Directors https://diversityinpilates.com/board

Because our fall training starts shortly after the application process, we want our students to be fully informed and prepared when the time comes.  Please download and review the program document on the Diversity in Pilates website, to understand how to begin your journey.

Learn More

Arc Barrel
Diversity in Pilates ThumbPlay Video

Video Courtesy of Balanced Body

As you prepare for the application open period, it can be helpful to understand a bit about how the program works, in partnership with participating Authorized Training Centers (ATCs):

Balanced body courses are divided into “modules”.   Balanced Body requires that your training start with the Movement Principles module.  After that, you will take the Mat modules, Reformer and so on.  Most modules require that you complete a previous module first (pre-requisites), while other modules do not have a pre-requisite and can be taken at any time during the course of your training.  The modules are typically taught in 16 hour sessions, taught over weekends.  The ATC’s set their dates for these modules and every ATC is different.

Frequently asked questions

Can I take these courses online, or do I have to take them in person?

Movement Principles, Anatomy, Mat modules (and some Reformer modules) can be taken remotely.  Reformer 2&3, Trapeze, Chair and Barrels and advanced modules that require Pilates equipment must be taken in person at a participating Balanced Body Authorized Training Center, such as Paragon.

Please review our Fall course schedule Click Here

Does it matter where I am located?

Once the Program Director has selected the candidates for this year’s program, they will pair the candidates with the appropriate participating ATCs based on space, schedule and proximity to the candidates.  While it helps to be located in a city with a participating ATC, this is not a barrier to entry.  With remote learning and Balanced Body’s partnerships with studios throughout the world, we can help you get the onsite training time you need.

How can I learn more?

Feel free to email Cari Riis Stemmler at cari@paragonpilatespt.com with your questions.  We will also be posting some talks with previous scholarship students on this page (late Spring 2024) to help you better understand the process.

Please visit Balanced Body’s Diversity in Pilates to see the requirements and prepare for your application.

This year’s open window for applications will be from July 1-15, 2024.  Please be prepared with everything you need once the application period starts.  We are here to help you succeed, so don’t hesitate to contact us.

Testimonial

Read about the journey from a scholarship recipient:

Read the Article

Qualifications

You can download a PDF of the scholarship guidelines here:

View/Download

Apply

Applications will be accepted July 1-15!  Once the application window opens, use this link to apply:

Apply Here