As many of you know there is an ongoing dialogue within the Pilates community regarding the role of the Pilates Method Alliance (PMA) in the Pilates industry, and specifically the PMA certification exam. Actually, if you know anything about the certification issue, you know that it has been so charged with emotional dynamics that to describe it as a dialogue is a little glossy.
Since I've reported on the PMA certification issue extensively on this website and blog, and we just had a dynamic discussion about it between Elizabeth Anderson, Jonathan Urla and Rael Isacowitz last month in the Pilates Forum here, I'm not going to go over specifics now. But I wouldn't feel like a good Pilates reporter if I didn't mention that this past week, another big review by the PMA of the ins and outs of their agenda and certification program was provoked, as near as I can tell, through social media (which is interesting in itself).
In November of 2010, the Performing Arts Physical Therapy/The Pilates Studio® of Los Angeles (PAPT) posted a detailed letter on their website citing their reasons for disengaging from the PMA. Between then and now, the letter gathered enough online attention that Twitter and Facebook posts prompted Elizabeth Anderson, executive director of the PMA, to address each issue the PAPT brought up against the PMA, one by one. It is her first post for the PMA's new blog (score another one for social media).
I think Elizabeth Anderson did an admirable job of wading through the stack of concerns and complaints the PAPT letter leveled against the PMA. It is dense reading. The PAPT letter is like a microcosm of the questions and frustrated emotional dynamics that continue to polarize some of the Pilates community around the PMA agenda and certification issues. As such, it was a good opportunity for clarification from the PMA. If you are interested in the way the PMA is promoting professional certification and the certification exam, and why, you will learn a lot from reading the PAPT letter with the PMA response at the PMA blog.
The PMA and Pilates certification is a complex issue. Here are a few other links that will give you the some of the background information you need to follow along:
Pilates Certification Pros and Cons - This a recent Pilates Forum discussion here at About.com where Elizabeth Anderson (PMA) and Rael Isacowitz (BASI Pilates) respond to concerns similar to those of the PAPT that were presented in a letter from Jonathan Urla (Yogilates). The information is similar to what is in the PMA/PAPT post. It might be somewhat easier to read.
Pilates Certification Explained - This article clarifies the distinction between certificates of education and professional certification. This distinction is not something the PMA made up though its relevance is something the Pilates community is still processing.
Issues in Pilates Certification - This article gives the background on how the release of the trademark on the name Pilates affected the Pilates industry and led to the need for an examination of the certification issue.
What is the PMA? This is a brief profile of the Pilates Method Alliance and its projects.
Wow!
Just read thru the entire exchange.
Pilates professionals should take time to read this.
Speaking from my own experience, when the PMA had their first meeting, I was in attendance. Their mission then, and now, as far as I can tell, remains unchanged.
Namely, to provide a third party certification that will ultimately be adopted state by state and protect the Pilates industry from being absorbed by or governed by a government organization which knows nothing of our craft. That Pilates Professionals should have their own governing body was a driving force in the creation of the PMA.
Clearly a passionate topic for teachers and studios alike.
Alycea Ungaro
Real Pilates NYC
Dear Alycea,
You state “when the PMA had their first meeting” and “their mission”…
So, I am curious: When will you be joining the PMA and taking the Exam?
Or, as your screenname suggests, do you consider yourself more of a P.T.?
Perhaps you don’t see the two as different; I absolutely do.
As a longtime pilates professional (since 1986), who attended the first gathering in Miami, who continued to be a member for eight years, I do not believe we have ever reached consensus as a community, and our community is still divided.
Unless consensus is reached, any governmental “adoption” of the PMA Certification would negate and exclude many, many teachers.
You seem to be in support of its efforts…yet, it’s interesting that you clearly did not state it as “our mission.” I am wondering, do you care about those excluded teachers at all? Years ago, you definitely cared about Romana not being part of the PMA, when you presented at a conference with Peter Fiasca. I was there also.
You speak from your experience, but I am not hearing you take a stand either way.
Note that I would use “its mission,” as I dissented in 2008. I choose to focus on the greater pilates community, since that is no longer on the PMA’s agenda.
You are correct: “a passionate topic” indeed.
Carole Amend
Facilitator, AASI
Dear Friends:
Please note that Carole Amend does not represent the PMA. She inaccurately characterizes our agenda above.
Here are some terms for clarification. Please note that there is a difference between professional certification and licensure. One is voluntary and non-governmental (the PMA’s professional certification); and one is mandatory and governmental (licensure).
‘Professional Certification: A voluntary process by which a non-governmental entity grants recognition to an individual who has met certain predetermined qualifications or criteria specified by that entity. There are 3 key elements to this definition: 1) Certification is voluntary. Individuals are not required by law to be certified in order to engage in a particular occupation or profession. 2) Certification programs are sponsored by a variety of non-governmental entities, such as for-profit corporations, professional and trade associations [the PMA in this case] and philanthropic organizations. They are not a form of government regulation. 3) Individuals receive certification only after the certifier has confirmed that they meet the standards set by the certification program. This means that the certification process must include some means of evaluating candidates for certification. Individuals cannot simply fill out a form, pay a fee, and become certified.’
‘Licensure: The mandatory process by which a governmental agency grants time-limited permission to an individual to engage in a given occupation after verifying that he/she has met predetermined and standardized criteria, and offers title protection for those who meet the criteria.’
These definitions come from NOCA’s Basic Guide to Credentialing Terminology, 2006. (NOCA, the National Organization for Competency Assurance, has changed its name to ICA, the Institute for Credentialing Excellence).
Elizabeth Anderson
Executive Director
Pilates Method Alliance
Dear Elizabeth,
First off, I hope it’s clear to everyone that I do not represent the PMA. I do not mind you reiterating that. However, I do wish to clarify that I am not against the PMA. I have stated this many times. I am simply for clarity and fairness for all and that begins with adhering to the facts as well as full disclosure.
Next: You state that I have inaccurately characterized the PMA’s agenda. To that I have this to say:
You are clear in difference between certification and licensure. You actually clarified Alycea’s comment, since she placed the phrases stating that the PMA’s mission is “to provide a third party certification” and “that will ultimately be adopted state by state” in the same sentence, as if the two are connected. They are not. The PMA may require presenters to have taken its Exam (a major reason for my dissenting in 2008), however, clearly the PMA has no authority when it comes to mandating its Exam to all pilates teachers. So, that could not be part of its agenda, correct?
After all the research I have done, I am clear on this issue, however, I can see how this subject is confusing to some readers.
Today it was stated on the PMA facebook page:
“Watch this space over the next few days to learn about your PMA Board of Directors, and how you can participate in our efforts to unite the Pilates community!”
I am interested in how the PMA proposes to “unite the Pilates community.” Could you please provide the PMA’s definition and agenda for that? The question here is, if I have been “inaccurate,” is this how the PMA IS focused on the greater community?
Continued, next comment….
….Continued from previous comment.
The fact remains that the PMA has not been able to unite our community in the ten years since its inception; its major focus has not been on uniting our community, rather it has been focused on the expensive development and promotion of its Certification “credential” (it is not yet accredited). In fact, from what I read online, as evidenced by the PAPT declaration and the discussion that Marguerite cites above, and from my interactions with teachers, it seems that the PMA is alienating more and more longtime teachers. These facts also remain: The majority of pilates teachers have never joined the PMA; Also, the PMA has never had success in integrating Romana’s Pilates, which remains a huge, vehemently loyal, and unified sector of the pilates community, and it is also true that STOTT pilates, PhysicalMind Institute, and many other teacher training programs have not agreed to the PMA’s terms and definitions. So, again, I am wondering what “unite” means to the PMA.
It makes sense that the PMA would support state adoption of its Exam and Certification. It has been modeled after the massage community. I wonder who would initiate such an event.
State adoption would mean licensure–a mandate for teachers to sit for the PMA Exam. The BIG QUESTION IS: Is the PMA focused on the government mandating its Exam and Certification? This would be an easy way to “unite the pilates community”, but would that be fair? The PMA claims it has been built on consensus. I simply do not agree.
I will definitely be watching. In the meantime, the PMA can also watch AASI and see how it goes about focusing on the “greater pilates community” (as well as how it defines the term). I am certain that the two missions are readily distinguishable.
Most Sincerely,
Carole Amend
Facilitator, AASI