INTRO & TERMS

Welcome

This page should help you get the best out of PBA, and also lays out our terms of trade.

Overview

PBA’s classes are at five distinct levels, ranging from complete beginners to the highest international level. Classes are held on weekday evenings (exc Friday) in Islington (EC1), and on Saturdays throughout the day in Maylebone (NW1). The year is divided into four terms, each of ten teaching weeks. Payment for your first two terms is made by cash, cheque or online via PayPal, but thereafter is by bank standing order.

PBA also regularly organises a number of special workshops and events, and private tuition is available.

New Students (1st term)

New students' classes are at 3.45pm on Saturday afternoons at Marylebone Dance Studio NW1, or at 6pm/7pm on Wednesday evenings at The Urdang Academy, EC1. New students may attend any one of these classes each week as preferred. Extra classes may also be taken to replace any that have been missed in previous weeks.

If you are likely to miss, or have missed, 3 or more term time weeks in a row, please notify Chris.

Equipment

Certain minimal equipment is essential, and you will not be able to attend PBA classes without it. Please see students > equipment for the full details, including information on suppliers, storage options and maintenance.

Learning Resources

A number of invaluable resources are available to speed and facilitate students’ development. Two publications in particular are strongly recommended to new students before moving up to Level 2. The full details are available in students > resources, or from Chris in class.

Times, Dates, & Venues

All 2012 timetable details, as well as term dates and venue addresses and maps, can be found in where/when.

Swapping Classes

PBA allows you in any week to swap into another class at your level which may be better suited to changes to your timetable. This gives you the flexibility to get what you need from us within the complex demands of the modern world.

You can of course, however, only swap into a class at a suitable level. Everyone can swap down a level ie. Level 3 students may swap into Level 2, Level 4 students into Level 3, and Level 5 students into Levels 3 or 4. A ‘strong’ Level 2 student can swap into a Level 3 class, but not into Level 4. Everyone can swap into the Wednesday 6/7pm beginners classes. Please note however, Level 3 students may not swap into the busy Tuesday 6pm Level 2 class, unless using it as a catch-up before their own 7.15 class.

Facebook

To keep up with all the latest news and events please see our page Pilates Body Awareness-Chris Hocking, and join our group Pilates Body Awareness- London .

Progress

Students will of course move through PBA’s levels at their own pace, and each student’s progress is constantly monitored to make sure they are at an appropriate and safe, but challenging, level. Many whose main occupation is sedentary may comfortably remain at Level 3, whilst others with a greater focus on the physical disciplines, including dancers and athletes, may well move on to the higher levels.

Special Classes

Normal weekly termtime classes are supported and augmented by an exciting range of different options. Please see students > special classes for the full picture.

Discounts

Significant discounts are available to students at a range of stylish West End shops and restaurants on production of a membership card. See students > discounts for more details.

Payment

New students must pay by cash, cheque, or online with PayPal for their first two courses. Fees thereafter, however, are paid termly by bank standing order, set up to leave students’ accounts 8 - 10 weeks before the start of term. Payment can also be made annually, or in some cases monthly. The full details and 2012 rates are available in students > fees.

Please keep a copy of your standing order paperwork in case of errors.

Leaving

The resignation procedures specified in students > leaving must be followed.

Late Resignations & Overpayments

New students in their 1st term must book and pay for their 2nd term or they are considered to have left PBA. Students from their 2nd term and on, however, must resign correctly as specified in students > leaving and in advance of the deadlines specified there or they will become liable for the next term's fees in full.

PBA does not refund fees. However, in the case of late resignations, or overpayments as a result of student or bank error in cancelling a standing order, PBA may at its own discretion offer either that the student take the ten classes as convenient over two terms rather than just the one, or that the student receive a credit note for a term's fees that is valid for a year and fully transferable to any student of their finding.

If an ongoing student makes an overpayment for any reason, PBA will normally allow the next similar payment to be missed to correct that student's balance.