Student Policies

SPRING’s learning environment is built on respect, curiosity, and shared responsibility. We are a community of learners, and everyone plays a role in creating a space where people feel welcome, seen, and safe to participate fully.

Students agree to:

• Treat peers, educators, and studio partners with respect and care

• Contribute to a learning environment where differences are valued

• Communicate with honesty, compassion, and professionalism

• Engage in class activities with curiosity and a willingness to learn

• Care for equipment, shared spaces, and partner studios

• Uphold SPRING’s Code of Ethical Practice

• Support an environment that is free from harassment, discrimination, and intimidation

Unprofessional, harmful, or disruptive behavior may result in warnings, suspension, or dismissal in order to protect the safety and dignity of the learning space.

SPRING’s Code of Ethical Practice provides a framework for compassionate, responsible teaching. It includes expectations around:

• Professional integrity and honesty

• Clear communication and active listening

• Informed consent and respect for boundaries

• Teaching within your scope and referring when appropriate

• Safety-first decision making

• Inclusive, culturally responsive teaching

• Respect for diverse bodies, identities, and lived experiences

• Commitment to ongoing learning and self-reflection

SPRING expects students and graduates to embody these principles during training and in their future classes and professional practice.

SPRING certifications prepare students to teach Pilates within the limits of a Pilates instructor’s scope. Students and graduates must not diagnose, prescribe, or provide medical, physiotherapy, or rehabilitation treatment unless licensed to do so.

SPRING is guided by trauma-aware teaching principles. This means we recognize that every individual arrives with a unique history, nervous system, identity, and lived experience. Our goal is to create a learning environment where your body and your voice feel welcome.

You can expect:

• Clear communication and predictable structure

• Choices in participation, whenever possible

• Consent-based touch and teaching

• Respect for your physical and emotional boundaries

• Flexibility when sensitive content arises

• A focus on safety, empowerment, and agency

Trauma-aware practice does not mean therapeutic intervention. Rather, it reflects the way we shape our learning spaces—with care, with boundaries, and with an understanding that people learn best when they feel safe.

SPRING embraces cultural humility as a lifelong practice. We commit to learning from our students, our diverse communities, and the evolving landscape of movement education.

We teach with an awareness that:

• Bodies reflect a wide range of cultural norms, identities, and experiences

• Movement is shaped by culture, history, and power

• Students may interpret cues or touch differently based on background

• Inclusivity requires curiosity, openness, and reflection—not assumptions

• Language matters, and we aim to use language that supports clarity, respect, and belonging

Students and educators alike are encouraged to approach the learning space with curiosity, listening, and a willingness to adapt and evolve.

SPRING follows trauma-aware and consent-centered teaching principles. Touch is always optional.

• Students and educators must obtain explicit consent before offering any tactile feedback

• Students may decline touch at any time, for any reason

• Consent may be withdrawn without explanation

• Educators will offer verbal, visual, or prop-based alternatives whenever helpful

• Touch is never required for successful participation

This approach helps ensure that all bodies, identities, and comfort levels are respected.

SPRING uses simple, compassionate community agreements to create shared clarity and honor our collective learning environment. These agreements support belonging, accountability, and meaningful collaboration.

During training, we invite all students to uphold agreements such as:

• Take space, make space — Balance speaking and listening

• Assume good intent, attend to impact — We grow through awareness, not blame

• Honor confidentiality — Stories shared in the room stay in the room

• Speak from personal experience — Use “I” statements when sharing reflections

• Practice self-awareness and self-responsibility — Listen to your body and ask for what you need

• Welcome diverse perspectives — Learning deepens when we hear from many voices

These agreements are not rules—they are shared values that help us co-create a grounded, respectful space.

SPRING is committed to protecting the dignity and privacy of every student.

Students can expect:

• A learning environment where identities—including race, body size, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, and cultural or religious background—are respected and affirmed

• The ability to share only what feels comfortable; no one is expected to disclose personal history or identity details

• Confidentiality around personal experiences shared during training

• Sensitivity in discussions of anatomy, movement patterns, injury, or lived experience

• Protection from judgment, assumptions, or stereotyping

If you ever feel unsafe, unseen, or misunderstood, you are encouraged to reach out to your educator or the Student Success Team so we can support you.

SPRING is committed to a learning environment free from discrimination of any kind.
This includes discrimination based on:

• Race or ethnicity

• Color

• Gender, gender identity, or gender expression

• Sexual orientation

• Body size or appearance

• Nationality or immigration status

• Age

• Disability or neurodivergence

• Religion or creed

• Family or marital status

• Veteran status

• Any protected characteristic under applicable law

Every student has the right to learn without fear of bias, exclusion, or unequal treatment.

Harassment — including sexual harassment — is strictly prohibited at SPRING.
This includes:

• Unwelcome verbal, written, physical, or digital behavior

• Hostile or intimidating conduct

• Sexual advances or inappropriate comments

• Behavior that undermines psychological or physical safety

SPRING investigates all reports promptly, respectfully, and confidentially. Students are protected from retaliation when raising concerns in good faith.

Students may not unlawfully consume, possess, distribute, or sell controlled substances during any SPRING training activity or while on premises used for training.
Prescription medications taken as directed are not a violation of this policy.

Students may not remove or misuse equipment, props, technology, or studio property without permission. This applies to all partner studios and training environments.

To protect student privacy, recording or screen capturing any portion of a live Teaching Lab is not permitted unless SPRING has provided written authorization.

SPRING may dismiss a student when necessary to maintain a safe, inclusive, and productive learning environment.
Grounds include:

• Harassment, discrimination, or abusive behavior

• Serious or repeated policy violations

• Academic dishonesty

• Persistent disruption

• Behavior that compromises physical or psychological safety

Refund eligibility follows SPRING’s Refund Policy.
Re-admittance may be considered on a case-by-case basis if appropriate.

SPRING encourages open communication and early resolution of concerns.

Students are encouraged to:

• Begin with optional informal resolution where safe

• Speak with their educator or the Program Manager if concerns persist

• Submit a formal grievance if needed

SPRING handles all grievances promptly, fairly, and without retaliation.
Appeals are available when students wish to contest assessment outcomes or decisions that directly affect progression or certification.