Teaching has always been a part of my life. As an HR consultant and Occupational Psychologist in the late 1990s a large part of my role involved designing and delivering training courses in Selection & Recruitment methods. Helping others to understand new concepts and learn new skills that enabled them to immediately improve what they did, always filled me with great satisfaction. I loved finding new and innovative ways of explaining and communicating ideas which could be quickly understood and remembered.
Even earlier in my career, my training as a Dance Teacher (qualifying with the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dance (ISTD)), enabled me to focus on the teaching of movement. Having studied Ballet, Tap and Modern dance throughout my childhood and teenage years, it was a delight to learn how to pass these skills and love of dance onto others in a fun and creative way. In particular, at this time I became fascinated in human anatomy and how the body could be developed safely and without injury.
In the intervening years I found that Pilates provided a wonderful way of staying strong and flexible, and in fact found that Pilates gave me even greater balance, strength and body awareness than ever before. Learning from the wonderful Jo Strutt of Bridgeham Clinic I overcame neck and shoulder pain as I re-learned how to use the muscles of my upper body for greater strength and function. A combination of Pilates and Osteopathy at the clinic also proved to be exceptionally effective during and after pregnancies as my small frame adjusted to carry my not so small babies!
Even earlier in my career, my training as a Dance Teacher (qualifying with the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dance (ISTD)), enabled me to focus on the teaching of movement. Having studied Ballet, Tap and Modern dance throughout my childhood and teenage years, it was a delight to learn how to pass these skills and love of dance onto others in a fun and creative way. In particular, at this time I became fascinated in human anatomy and how the body could be developed safely and without injury.
In the intervening years I found that Pilates provided a wonderful way of staying strong and flexible, and in fact found that Pilates gave me even greater balance, strength and body awareness than ever before. Learning from the wonderful Jo Strutt of Bridgeham Clinic I overcame neck and shoulder pain as I re-learned how to use the muscles of my upper body for greater strength and function. A combination of Pilates and Osteopathy at the clinic also proved to be exceptionally effective during and after pregnancies as my small frame adjusted to carry my not so small babies!
Body Control Pilates® is a registered Trademark used under licence.
In 2013 I was pleased to study with the highly respected Body Control Pilates® and qualify as a Level 3 Matwork teacher. I am a member of the Body Control Pilates Association (BCPA), hold a current CPR certificate and regularly undertake further professional development to ensure that my skills and knowledge are always increasing and remain in line with current best practice.
Since qualifying in 2014, I have attended the following additional courses with Body Control Pilates®:
Pilates for Low Back Pain (Back4Good® Practitioner)
Pilates for Bone Health (Level 3: Bone Health)
Pilates for the Older Person (Level 3: Designing Exercise Programmes for Older Adults)
Pilates for Pregnancy (Ante-natal and Post-natal)
Pilates and Hypermobility
Pilates with the Band
Pilates with the Foam Roller
Pilates with Toning Circle & Small Ball
Standing Pilates
Matwork Evolution
Precision of Movement
Intermediate Pilates
CPR Qualified
Back4Good® Practitioners are exercise specialists who are trained to help people with non-specific low back pain. Practitioners are already experienced Body Control Pilates teachers, having been certified by Europe’s foremost Pilates organisations. They have additionally undertaken extensive training exclusively related to exercise referral and low back pain to become a Back4Good® Practitioner. All Back4Good® Practitioners are registered as a 'BackCare Professional' with BackCare, the charity for healthier backs.
I am also a licensed Buff Bones® instructor and hold an additional Level 3 qualification in Bone Health. Buff Bones® is a medically-endorsed system of movement for bone and joint health. It leverages bone-strengthening and balance techniques along with Pilates, functional movement, strength training and therapeutic exercise. Toning your arms, hips, back and abs, the Buff Bones® system also improves posture, is adaptable to varying levels, and is safe for those with osteoporosis.
I have now been now practising Pilates for more than 20 years, attending classes with people of all ages and levels of fitness. Throughout this time I have seen how versatile the method is and I am convinced of the great benefits it can bring to anyone. I love the way the exercises can be tailored for all body-types and abilities and the way that a few simple but carefully executed movements can have such a positive effect on the way we stand, walk and feel generally.
In all my classes my mission is to teach in an interesting and creative way, explaining and demonstrating clearly so that you can understand and perform the exercises well and carry that learning into your daily activities. Whatever your age, background or level of fitness I hope that Pilates will help you to feel better, to move better and do the things you love with less discomfort and greater ease.
Your classes flow so well and are so interesting, I never get bored. And although you always challenge us, you never forget our age or give us exercises that are inappropriate or unsafe. Thank you. "
