The Somaphyx Pilates Method
Practitioner's Apprenticeship
The Somaphyx Practitioner's Apprenticeship
Master the Pilates System. Become an Expert Teacher.
The Somaphyx Practitioner’s Apprenticeship (SPA) is a comprehensive, 12-month training program designed for those who want to go beyond certification and truly master the Pilates system. Combining classical principles with modern movement science, this program builds deep technical knowledge, teaching skills, and practical experience in a small, mentorship-driven cohort.
Graduates become Somaphyx Pilates Practitioners, fully prepared to confidently teach private clients, group classes, and specialized populations.
Not All Pilates Training is Equal
The Somaphyx approach treats Pilates as corrective conditioning, not just a workout. This apprenticeship model ensures that trainees learn, embody, and teach the method with clarity and confidence.
Training is delivered through:
✅ On-demand coursework – Study at your own pace
✅ In-studio training – Hands-on learning in a professional setting
✅ Live mentorship – Regular check-ins and guided instruction
✅ On-demand coursework – Study at your own pace
✅ In-studio training – Hands-on learning in a professional setting
✅ Live mentorship – Regular check-ins and guided instruction
Program at a Glance
A 12-month, 600+ hour immersive training program. New cohorts begin each August.
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Comprehensive Repertoire Access
The Somaphyx Pilates Repertoire is a professionally documented, on-demand library of traditional exercises. Study and absorb the choreography before attending in-person equipment seminars. -
In-Depth Seminars
Break down the repertoire through pedagogy and movement science in live, interactive seminars. In-studio attendance is required, but sessions are also live-streamed for Pro-Mentorship participants. -
Hands-On Studio Training & Advisory Hours
Complete self-practice, observation, and lesson hours at Pilates 804 or an approved studio. Regular advisory meetings with faculty mentors provide ongoing guidance, support, and feedback to ensure your success throughout the program. -
Benchmark Evaluations
Testing includes written exams, practical demonstrations, and teaching assessments, designed to ensure deep comprehension and application—not just memorization. -
NCPT Exam Eligibility
Graduates earn the title of Somaphyx Pilates Practitioner and are eligible to sit for the NCPT exam, becoming a Nationally Certified Pilates Teacher.
Get an Inside Look at Training
Seminars are more than the exercises.
The Somaphyx Pilates Repertoire provides a detailed breakdown of each traditional exercise’s choreography. Seminars go beyond the movements—this is where we dive into pedagogy, anatomy, and the deeper layers of the work.
How to Apply
The SPA has a selective admissions process to ensure each trainee is fully prepared for this intensive program.
1️⃣ Submit an Application – Share your background, experience, and professional goals.
2️⃣ Complete the Pre-Course – Finish A&K + Movement Fundamentals before enrollment to establish a strong foundation in anatomy, kinesiology, and movement principles.
3️⃣ Entry Benchmark Evaluation – Demonstrate an unassisted skill proficiency of Intermediate Reformer Level 3.
This 12-month, 600+ hour program requires a strong foundation in Mat and Reformer exercises before enrollment. Application links are available in Program Details.
2️⃣ Complete the Pre-Course – Finish A&K + Movement Fundamentals before enrollment to establish a strong foundation in anatomy, kinesiology, and movement principles.
3️⃣ Entry Benchmark Evaluation – Demonstrate an unassisted skill proficiency of Intermediate Reformer Level 3.
This 12-month, 600+ hour program requires a strong foundation in Mat and Reformer exercises before enrollment. Application links are available in Program Details.
Have Questions? Ready to Begin?
Whether you need more details or want to schedule your entrance benchmark, we’re here to help.
📩 Contact us through the Pilates 804 contact form. Select ‘Teacher Training’ from the dropdown, and our Education Director will respond promptly.
📩 Contact us through the Pilates 804 contact form. Select ‘Teacher Training’ from the dropdown, and our Education Director will respond promptly.
Meet Your Program Director
Danica Kalemdaroglu
Creator of The Somaphyx® Pilates Method and Program Director
[email protected]
I have been a movement educator for over twenty-five years, utilizing Pilates and other methodologies to serve a diverse population of individuals with movement challenges. At Pilates 804, located in Richmond, VA, we specialize in restorative movement through the language of Pilates. Our studio serves as the home base for Somaphyx® Practitioner's Apprenticeship. A comprehensive teacher training program.
My approach to teaching aims to empower each individual to discover their unique movement potential while also equipping aspiring teachers with the knowledge and expertise necessary for a fulfilling career in alternative movement education.
Drawing from my extensive experience, I strive to elevate all teachers in their professional and personal journeys. I am a licensed NCPT with an advanced certification from the Pilates Center, Boulder. I earned a MFA from the University of Colorado at Boulder in Dance and Body Somatics. My foundational studies in somatics, began at Goucher College where I also obtained a BA. I draw from wealth of knowledge to inform my holistic approach to movement education.
Currently, I serve as a professor of anatomy and kinesiology within the dance department at Old Dominion University, leveraging my expertise from previous roles at Virginia Commonwealth University, the University of Colorado, and various performance organizations. My teaching experience spans a diverse demographic, from creative movement for young children to fostering healthy habits for seniors.
Each program I offer is created from the depths of my education, experiences, and unwavering commitment to spreading joy through movement in all its forms.
My approach to teaching aims to empower each individual to discover their unique movement potential while also equipping aspiring teachers with the knowledge and expertise necessary for a fulfilling career in alternative movement education.
Drawing from my extensive experience, I strive to elevate all teachers in their professional and personal journeys. I am a licensed NCPT with an advanced certification from the Pilates Center, Boulder. I earned a MFA from the University of Colorado at Boulder in Dance and Body Somatics. My foundational studies in somatics, began at Goucher College where I also obtained a BA. I draw from wealth of knowledge to inform my holistic approach to movement education.
Currently, I serve as a professor of anatomy and kinesiology within the dance department at Old Dominion University, leveraging my expertise from previous roles at Virginia Commonwealth University, the University of Colorado, and various performance organizations. My teaching experience spans a diverse demographic, from creative movement for young children to fostering healthy habits for seniors.
Each program I offer is created from the depths of my education, experiences, and unwavering commitment to spreading joy through movement in all its forms.
What Graduates Are Saying
“The Somaphyx® program merges respect for the traditional Pilates method with a mastery of movement science. Danica’s deep understanding of both is enhanced by her fluency in anatomy and kinesiology, and she’s incredibly generous in sharing all of her knowledge with her students. For anyone seeking a deeper understanding of why and how the method works, any of Danica’s programs will be of tremendous benefit. You’ll learn to trust your own creativity when your clients struggle, and you’ll make remarkable progress in your own practice too. I’m grateful that I pursued teacher training with Danica, and I plan to keep learning from her for a long time to come!"”
- Aisling C.
“I really valued Danica’s anatomy knowledge and how she was able to relate it to cueing clients to their bodies, not to any particular shape or preconceived idea of what the activity was. Her honoring of the technique through its basic intelligence was evident and her ability to translate her knowledge to our needs was exceptional. ”
- Cita S.
“Working with Danica has changed my teaching forever & for the better. She is generous with her genius, making me a better mover, teacher, and student of the body. She goes deep into the work with impactful cues and meaningful, actionable explanations of anatomy & kinesiology as applied directly to Pilates in ways that make absolute sense. Plus, her natural motivating humor and energy make it all fun! More than worth the money & time commitment!”
Annie R.