The BASI philosophy has always been that our program should be equivalent to a college education, offered as part of a college education and offered within the higher education learning system. We have achieved it!

Every summer, a unique program of BASI, including extensive classical Pilates repertoire together with dance-specific repertoire is offered at California State University, Long Beach. A collaborative venture between Rael Isacowitz and Karen Clippinger since 2002, the program is taught in an intensive format in two phases of 8 days each. Currently an associate professor in the Department of Dance at CSULB, Karen has worked with many elite athletes and dancers, as has Rael, a former dancer himself. This program is unique in every way, and elevates Pilates education and the specialization of working with dancers to an unprecedented level.

The Wingate Institute in Israel has a reputation of being among the finest of colleges for all areas of study relating to the sciences of human movement and the training of athletes, coaches and teachers of physical education. Rael is a graduate of Wingate and also a past faculty member. What better place to host the BASI Mat Work Program? It is with distinct personal pleasure that Rael has collaborated with Dr. Ruben Meterani, Director of the School of Coaches at Wingate and Maya Ben Ya’akov, a BASI faculty member, to run this course. The course has been ongoing since 2002. A significant number of the graduates continue on to complete the BASI Comprehensive Education .

Recently discussions began between Kirwan Rockefeller of University of California Irvine Extension and BASI. The outcome is two exciting programs. The first is an introduction to Pilates as part of the Spa Managers Program. This is geared to equip Spa managers with the basic knowledge needed to make educated choices regarding Pilates. The second, a fully recognized BASI Comprehensive Teacher Training Course offered through the university system.

We are proud of these achievements as BASI and Pilates make significant partnerships in the university and college system... where it belongs!